When you're choosing museum hardware, it's important to consider what will be best for the type of exhibit you're planning. For example, the hardware used for sculpture might be quite different from the hardware used for paintings or for delicate, archaeological items.

Fortunately, there are many different types of hanging systems, and one of them is sure to be right for your exhibit. The trick is to get the right type of rail and combine it with the right type of cable/rod. And finally, you'll have to choose between different types of hooks.

Here are a few types of museum hardware that you might want to consider:

Gallery Picture Rail

This is a great solution if you want to hang paintings, photos, collages or any kind of artwork that is displayed flat along the wall. The gallery picture rail can withstand weights of up to 75 kg, so it's great for large as well as small artworks.

Moderna Picture Rail

This is very similar to the Gallery Picture Rail, except that it can withstand a weight of up to 114 kg, so it's great for very large paintings, banners etc.

Sky Picture Rail

As opposed to the above two types of picture rails, the sky picture rail is attached to the ceiling and can withstand a weight of up to 65 kg. If you think that your display would do better when suspended from the ceiling (or if the material of your ceiling is easier for drilling holes) then the Sky Picture Rail is right for you.

Cables

When you're choosing a cable, you'll need to decide on the material of the cable; this can be either nylon or steel. Nylon cables will, of course, be able to withstand less weight than steel ones. The other thing to consider is whether you want a J-hook which looks like a question mark at the top, a U-end which looks like an inverted U at the top or a cylinder cable which slots perfectly into ceiling-mounted rails.

Rods

If you prefer, you can get a rod rather than a cable to hang your artwork. Rods are available in aluminum and stainless steel; they also come in the J bend and classic variety. So you can choose the kind that appeals to you aesthetically and works best with the kind of artwork you are planning to hang.

Hooks

There are also many different types of hooks to choose from, each with its own advantages. If you go with a hook with a side screw, you can use the screw to fix the hook at the point where you'd like to hang the artwork. If you go with a self-gripping hook, you can just slide it to the point where you'd like to hang the artwork and then release it.

Contact us to find out more about what type of museum hardware will be right for your exhibit.