The Framers Forum

I've had an issue with both Corri-Cor 2.2 mm (BACK/0001) boards from DJ Simons and also Art-Bak® AQUA.

I cut them for some pictures, 90 x 70 cm. The BACK/0001 boards were initially installed with the curve facing inwards, as recommended, and everything looked fine. But after the customer took them home and placed them upright on a wooden floor, the boards appeared to swell and then curve outwards.

I offered to replace all the boards with thicker ones, even though Simons advised that the boards are suitable for use up to their full size of 3 x 4 ft.

I then installed the AQUA board, which I had purchased hoping that, if damp was the issue, the more waterproof finish would prevent the same problem. To my horror, two of the six pictures did the same thing again.

I've since spoken to other picture framers who believe the issue is not with the materials but with how the customer is storing the work — upright on a ground-floor wooden floor, possibly in a damp or poorly ventilated space. The customer refuses to accept this and rejects any suggestion that poor storage could be to blame.

The original BACK/0001 boards I removed have since returned to their original inward curve.

The only remotely similar experience I've had was with one very large picture also stood on a wooden floor in a shop, which also seemed to expand and warp.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with backing boards warping after installation?

Additionally I wondered what others opinion is regarding carrying of artwork by the cord.
The same customer insists on carrying the 90 x 70 cm glazed pictures this way and says he's been told it's the right way to carry them.
I wondered what other people's opinion was on this matter. I'm reluctant to do any more framing for him because I'm concerned it will work the screw loose and potentially cause the picture to come off the wall when he finally hangs it

On both of the issues, your customer appears to be denying the laws of physics!

I suggest continuing to work for this client will give you continuing stress!

As a friend of mine often says;

"When someone shows you what they are like, believe them"

I’d replace the backing once and at the same time tell the customer that now he’s been told that carrying a frame by the cord is wrong, and please don’t bother returning if the hardware comes away from the frame. Carry by two sides.

The bowing, well you made a frame to hang and it’s not been hung - tell him to maybe come back if hung within a reasonable time and this still happens.

If this person was to remain a customer I would give him
no choice of backing other than double wall correx.

I never believed the blurb about these Corricor type boards and their deliberate bowing. I don’t think it’s deliberate, I think it’s a by product of the manufacturing process and it’s easier to con us framers in to thinking it’s wonderful than correct it and make it uncompetitively priced as a result!