Buying Stretcher Bars for Canvas

Artists need them all the time. So do professional photo framers and gallery-owners. Yes, I’m talking about stretcher bars for canvas, those indispensable tools for stretching large pieces of canvas for easy maneuverability and display. Stretcher bars for canvas are usually made of wood, even though other new age materials are being used nowadays. Available in a wide assortment of sizes and in a handful of set strengths (depending on the weight and dimensions of the canvas that you wish to stretch), canvas stretcher bars need to be of the highest quality in order to save you from the trouble of having to replace them often.

The main point to worry about with canvas stretcher bars made of wood is dimensional stability. It is, briefly put; the ability of wood to stay straight and not warp or bend over time or due to pressure. In order to ensure better stability, you should insist on buying high quality bars that use short sections, joined together with finger splines, to make longer bars. This greatly increases the bar’s resistance to twisting, bowing or warping. The system of using smaller sections also makes the bars stronger and resistant to bending than those which are entirely constructed of one continuous piece. This is why buying the best quality bars is always recommended. If you want trouble-free service for years, buy stretcher bars that have been engineered to resist the effects of heat or humidity. Remember, buying better quality stretcher bars (even if they cost marginally more than other ‘cheaper’ variants) always makes better sense.

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How to Choose Stronger Stretcher Bars

One of the most common complaints about stretcher bars for canvas is about their strength and sturdiness. Stretcher bars for canvas, when used to stretch and frame a large piece of canvas, are subjected to enormous amounts of pressure. If the bars are not strong enough to withstand it, they can easily warp or bend over time. And, as everyone knows, a bent or warped stretcher bar is of no use to anybody.

This is the reason why you should always insist on buying the best quality stretcher bars for your needs. Some of the best brands available today have their products fortified and specially engineered to stay in shape even under enormous amounts of pressure. One of the best-known names in this regard is that of Fredrix, reputed for its wide range of stretcher strips for standard mounting purposes.

Fredrix stretcher bars come is a wide assortment of sizes that ranges from 8” to 60”, along with different options such as tongue and groove fit, peg-able and adjustable. All standard bars made by them use the finest SPF kiln dried ponderosa pine lumber, and thus they provide excellent quality.

Buying the best quality stretcher bars for canvas today can save you a lot of trouble tomorrow. Besides warping and bending, a common problem with low quality stretcher bars, you also get trouble-free service for years with good quality bars. It is comforting to know that Fredrix bars have also been engineered to resist the effects of heat or humidity.

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How to Choose Stronger Stretcher Bars

One of the most common complaints about stretcher bars for canvas is about their strength and sturdiness. Stretcher bars for canvas, when used to stretch and frame a large piece of canvas, are subjected to enormous amounts of pressure. If the bars are not strong enough to withstand it, they can easily warp or bend over time. And, as everyone knows, a bent or warped stretcher bar is of no use to anybody.

This is the reason why you should always insist on buying the best quality stretcher bars for your needs. Some of the best brands available today have their products fortified and specially engineered to stay in shape even under enormous amounts of pressure. One of the best-known names in this regard is that of Fredrix, reputed for its wide range of stretcher strips for standard mounting purposes.

Fredrix stretcher bars come is a wide assortment of sizes that ranges from 8” to 60”, along with different options such as tongue and groove fit, peg-able and adjustable. All standard bars made by them use the finest SPF kiln dried ponderosa pine lumber, and thus they provide excellent quality.

Buying the best quality stretcher bars for canvas today can save you a lot of trouble tomorrow. Besides warping and bending, a common problem with low quality stretcher bars, you also get trouble-free service for years with good quality bars. It is comforting to know that Fredrix bars have also been engineered to resist the effects of heat or humidity.

Stretcher Frames and Bars

If you are somebody who has to work with canvases of various sizes or if you are an artist yourself, you are probably no stranger to stretcher frames. These contraptions, used to stretch canvases and frame them, are an integral part of working with canvases. Canvas stretcher frames usually stretch the fabric in case of needlework or the canvas in case of painting to help an artist fabricate the artwork of his or her choice. These stretchers help an artist work freely without any trouble of the canvas rolling up or the fabric getting warped or wrinkled. In other words, these stretching bars help an artist work effortlessly and produce the desired results.

All said, one needs to ensure that stretcher frames are of a very high quality because poorly constructed frames can lead to a host of problems afterwards. One of the most common complaints involving stretcher frames and bars (often erroneously referred to as ‘strecher bars’) is that they can sometimes bend or warp under the enormous amounts of pressure that they are typically subjected to.

This is the reason why some of the best stretcher bars (or strecher bars) available today use short splines and other ingenious designs to improve the stability of the frames. Most of them are available in a wide range of sizes and strength, and are well suited for most purposes. Just pick the right one for your job and you can rest assured that your canvases will stay stretched without any problem.

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Finding Better Stretcher Frames

What is the worst nightmare of every canvas stretcher or canvas framer? If you’ve tried your hand at canvas stretching before, you probably know the answer to this one. In case you don’t, let me tell you. It’s a stretcher frame that gets warped and twisted after it has been used to stretch a piece of canvas. Just come to think of it; you’ve had that newly acquired piece of canvas beautifully stretched and framed and proudly displayed in your home. Now you call in your friends to show them your prized possession. All goes well until you (and your guests) discover that your masterpiece has become a tortured exhibition of nasty warps and twists, and your canvas now has more waves on its sad face than the Atlantic!

It’s easy to see then why selecting good quality stretcher frames is so important. Buy a low quality stretcher frame and you stand every chance of spoiling not only the framework, but the work of art it showcases as well. The search for stretcher frames for different canvas sizes is not a hard thing these days. While you can always get them at the local art supply store or the superstore in the neighborhood, buying them online is even easier and a lot more convenient too. Just try searching on Google for stretcher bars for canvas and you’re sure to find thousands of sellers in a matter of seconds. You can get them at wholesale rates! If you’re considering a bulk purchase or wish to buy the entire year’s supply all at once, wholesale rates will let you save big on them.

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About Finding Warp - Free Stretcher Bars

If you are a professional framer or someone who has to stretch canvases a lot, you have already used a wide variety of stretcher bars. Canvas stretching bars come in all shapes and sizes. They are usually available in varying strengths, depending on the dimensions of the canvas you intend to stretch.

When you are searching for stretcher bars for canvas, one of the primary concerns is finding the best quality bars for your money. If your stretcher bars are of an inferior quality, you could be asking for a lot of trouble afterwards. Dimensional stability in wood is what tends to worry us most. It is, in short, the ability of wood to stay straight and not warp or bend over time or due to pressure. In order to ensure better stability, you should insist on buying high quality bars that use short sections, joined together with finger splines, to make longer bars. This greatly enhances the bar’s resistance to twisting, bowing or warping. The system of using smaller sections also makes the bars stronger and resistant to bending than those that are entirely constructed of one continuous piece.

So, where do you find such warp-free bars?

The answer is online.

Buying stretcher bars online has a lot of merit. The biggest advantage that you get, beside the natural convenience of ordering anything online, is the unparalleled economy, especially if you’re looking for wholesale prices.

There are quite a few online dealers who’d be happy to supply you with all the canvas stretcher bars you need at wholesale prices. What’s more, if you order in bulk or in very large quantities, you may stand to enjoy even further discounts!

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Heavy Duty Stretcher Bars – Offering Value for your Money

Stretcher bars are mainly classified into medium (standard duty), light duty, medium/heavy duty, heavy duty stretcher bars and the super heavy duty. These bars are mainly classified on the basis of their thickness. The main purpose of these bars is to hold the canvas taut. Canvas stretcher bars are usually made up of high quality wood and do not warp or rot easily. They provide the much needed support to an artist’s artwork so that he/she can progress smoothly with their work. These bars also help artists to safeguard their work so that it can last for many more years to come.

The heavy duty stretcher bars provide a 1 ¼’’ side profile for artists. They are not very expensive and can really create their own unique presence. They are quite strong and sturdy and do not need any reinforcement. Owing to the strength they provide, they are also termed as the super bars. The midi heavy duty stretcher bars are mostly sought after due to their affordability and exceptional quality. The edges of theses bars are eased for smoother stretching and less resistance. The super heavy duty stretcher bars are famous for their impressive mass and strength. They are 1 ½’’ deep by 2 inches wide. They are quite sturdy and provide good value for your money. They are straight grained and light weight and as a result just perfect for reducing the overall weight of the frame. There are various types of canvas stretcher bars that are available in the market.

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