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Wood or polystyrene frames
Solid wood is the traditional frame material and polystyrene is the light, moisture-resistant alternative; the sources agree on weight and moisture but disagree on MDF. ArtzFolio photo frames are a mitred moulding in a wood finish with an engineered-wood backboard, and our boards use a polystyrene frame.
What the sources say about weight, ordered light to heavy. Only the aluminium figure is a number.
Properties from the sources
| Material | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood | Traditional; any profile, colour or texture; durable; humidity can cause warping | Wikipedia, FinerWorks, Craig Frames |
| MDF (engineered wood) | Uniform smooth surface, often veneer or laminate wrapped; one source says more susceptible to moisture and heavier and softer than most solid wood, another says less likely to bow in humidity | FinerWorks, Craig Frames, Frame It Easy |
| Polystyrene | Lightweight, moisture resistant, can imitate wood grain or metal; generally more affordable; not ideal for heavy artwork; lengths can twist slightly | FinerWorks, Craig Frames |
| Aluminium | Less prone to warping, splitting or moisture damage than wood; a 42 x 62 in frame would weigh two or three pounds | Frame It Easy |
What we publish
| ArtzFolio product | Frame and back, as published |
|---|---|
| Photo frame, blank, and printed framed art | A real mitred moulding in a wood finish with an engineered-wood backboard; finishes Black, White, Dark Brown, Natural Brown, Golden and Antique Gold |
| Pin board, magnetic and non-magnetic writing boards | A polystyrene frame in six finishes (same names) on an engineered-wood base |
| Cork board | Natural cork over an engineered-wood base |
We publish the materials above and nothing finer: no wood species, no grade, no weight. The MDF disagreement in the sources is a reminder that moisture behaviour depends on sealing and grade, so keep any frame away from damp walls whatever it is made of; see the humidity guide. Both groups of products list the same six finishes, and the studio shows what is switched on today.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Picture frame (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Frame It Easy: wood versus metal frames (framing retailer) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- FinerWorks: essential guide to picture frame mouldings (printer and framer guide) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Craig Frames: mastering moulding (frame maker blog) (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased; each page was fetched and read on 2026-11-12. Where two sources differ, both are shown. Only Wikipedia is independent of a seller; the rest are retailer or maker guides.