Can I Repurpose My Old Frame?

It’s a question we hear often at Posterity Art & Framing Gallery:

“Can I repurpose my old frame?”

The short answer is—in many cases! Reusing a frame you already own can be a wonderful way to preserve a favorite style, reuse a sentimental heirloom, or save money. However, not every old frame is fit for reuse. To ensure your artwork is properly protected and displayed for years to come, your frame must meet certain standards.

Let's dive into some of the things we look for when evaluating an old frame for a second life.

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Is Your Frame in Good Condition?

Before we begin, the frame needs a quick health check. Some of the things we look for are:

• Chips, cracks, or warping

• Loose joints or broken corners

• Signs of dry rot or water damage

• Weak materials like plastic or composite wood

  
  

A frame that looks fine on the outside may still lack the strength to properly support new artwork—especially if it’s going to hang long-term. While some older frames are made from high-quality solid wood and built to last, others are not. Many mass-produced or budget frames may be constructed from:

• Manufactured woods or composites

• Plastic or resin materials

• Decorative moldings that aren’t structurally sound

These materials often don’t hold up well over time, and may not provide the strength or stability required for proper framing. Additionally, we’ll inspect for elemental and/or chemical damage, including:

• Warping or water damage

• Acid burns or off-gassing

• Particle breakdown

• Glue or chemical build ups

  
  

If a frame shows significant signs of deterioration, it’s usually best to retire it. Even if it looks good on the surface, a compromised structure could put your art at risk.

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Frame Depth: Is There Room for Your Art?

One of the most overlooked aspects of frame reuse is depth. Many vintage or older frames were originally built to hold thin artwork —and they often lack the depth necessary to accommodate:

• Canvas paintings

• Textiles

• Shadowbox-style displays

• Layered mats or spacers

Trying to force thicker artwork into a shallow frame can lead to pressure on the art or damage to the frame. We’ll help determine whether your frame has the necessary interior depth, and if not, we’ll explore alternative solutions or adjustments. Remember, if we need to build another frame to support your old frame, that increases material and labor expenses. And if your reason for repurpose is to save money, in some cases it might actually be cheaper to start from scratch.

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Don’t Forget About Protection

If you’re framing paper-based or textile art, UV protection is a must. Over time, sunlight can fade colors and break down paper fibers. In fact, UV damage is the number one cause of art deterioration.

We recommend pairing your old frame with:

• UV-protective glass or acrylic

• Acid-free backing boards

• Custom matting or spacers to prevent contact with the glass

  
  

We can install all of these without compromising the character of your original frame.

Old frames can be ideal for housing prints, posters, or original works on paper—but only when paired with the proper protective materials. Paper-based artworks are especially vulnerable to elemental damage.

It’s also important that the frame structure is strong enough to support:

• The weight of the glass or acrylic

• Extra weight of materials used for framing

  
  

In some cases, acrylic glazing may be preferable, especially for oversized or frequently handled pieces—it’s lighter and shatter-resistant.

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Can My Large Frame Be Cut Down to a Smaller Size?

So you have a large frame and you're wondering if it can be cut down to be made smaller? This is another one of those questions that we get quite frequently. And while it's in possible in some cases, there are a few more variables that go into this process.

First, we'll need to examine the frame, making sure it passes all of the structural standards as mentioned above. We then assess the corner joins to determine whether they can be safely disassembled for resizing. If the corners are glued or closed in a way that prevents separation, we may still be able to cut it down, but the final size might be significantly smaller to allow room for re-cutting the angled corners cleanly.

As a general guideline, the new frame size should be at least 6 inches smaller than the original if the moulding is 2 inches wide or less. For wider mouldings or ornate closed-corner frames, we’ll need even more room to work with. This extra space helps us remove existing hardware or glues, manage any splintering during disassembly, and ensure the new joins are seamless and strong.

When It Works (And When It Doesn’t)

Repurposing a frame can be a great eco-friendly and budget-friendly option—when the structure allows it. If the frame passes our checklist, we’ll help you refresh it with new materials, updated matting, and a secure fit for your new art.

If it doesn’t? We’ll help you find a similar look with a new custom frame that protects your art and lasts for years to come.

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Bring Your Frame In for a Free Evaluation

At Posterity Art & Framing Gallery, we love helping customers give new life to old treasures. Whether your frame needs a simple touch-up or a full makeover, we’re happy to take a look and offer our honest recommendations.

Stop by the gallery or give us a call to schedule a consultation to see if you can repurpose your old frame. Let’s turn that old frame into something beautiful.

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About US

35 years of professional art & custom framing services located in the heart of downtown Grosse Pointe Village. We specialize in preservation framing for fine art, photographs, shadowbox designs, sports memorabilia, textiles, needlepoints, tiles, and more.  We only use museum grade materials and practice modern preservation framing techniques to ensure the highest quality craftsmanship available while keeping prices affordable.

Posterity Gallery showcases a rotating selection of original art, locally made gifts, and a curated selection of art decor. Sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming exhibitions and gallery events.

What we frame:

Awards, Certificates & Diplomas • Needlepoint & Fabrics • Sports Memorabilia • Jerseys & Team Shirts • Silk Scarves • Records & Albums • Flags & Medals • Photograph Collages • Pet Memorials • Wedding Invitations • Canvases • Family Photos • Original paintings • Art Prints • Photography • Posters • Mirrors & More!

For more artist tips and advice on preservation and conservation framing, stop in to the gallery and talk to us! We're here to help.

Posterity Art & Framing Gallery

17005 Kercheval Ave

Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

313.884.8105

Hours of operation

Monday: By appointment

Tuesday-Friday: 10am - 6pm

Saturday: 10am - 4pm