Frequently Asked Questions
Where
are you located?Where are you located?
Our workshop is located in Royalston, Massachusetts, approx. 2 hours north-west of Boston. We ship our products via UPS anywhere in the US.
Our workshop is located in Royalston, Massachusetts, approx. 2 hours north-west of Boston. We ship our products via UPS anywhere in the US.
How do
I place an order?How do I place an order?
There are several ways to order from us!
Option 1: For custom orders, start your order process by visiting the Request a Quote page, where you can let us know what you need and send us any questions.
Option 2: Order directly through our website by visiting the Shop Stretcher Bars page, where you can order stretcher bars and braces in two-inch increments.
There are several ways to order from us!
Option 1: For custom orders, start your order process by visiting the Request a Quote page, where you can let us know what you need and send us any questions.
Option 2: Order directly through our website by visiting the Shop Stretcher Bars page, where you can order stretcher bars and braces in two-inch increments.
How do
I pay for my order?How do I pay for my order?
Once you place an order through our online store or let us know you would like to go ahead with the quote we sent you, we will email a payment invoice via PayPal. The invoice is payable with a credit card, with or without a PayPal account. We are also happy to accept checks by mail, but lead time may increase.
Once you place an order through our online store or let us know you would like to go ahead with the quote we sent you, we will email a payment invoice via PayPal. The invoice is payable with a credit card, with or without a PayPal account. We are also happy to accept checks by mail, but lead time may increase.
Can
you stretch canvas and prime surfaces?Can you stretch canvas and prime surfaces?
Absolutely. We offer a canvas stretching service as well as a priming service for canvases. We offer #10 and #12 cotton canvas. We will prime surfaces to your specifications, using the material of your choice and applying the required number of coats. Please allow an additional two weeks lead time for orders that include stretching and priming services. Please visit our Canvas Stretching & Priming page to learn more.
Absolutely. We offer a canvas stretching service as well as a priming service for canvases. We offer #10 and #12 cotton canvas. We will prime surfaces to your specifications, using the material of your choice and applying the required number of coats. Please allow an additional two weeks lead time for orders that include stretching and priming services. Please visit our Canvas Stretching & Priming page to learn more.
I
don't see the exact sizes I need on your website. Can I order odd sizes and fractions?I don't see the exact sizes I need on your website. Can I order
odd sizes and fractions?
Yes! Because all of our milling is done in-house to assure straightness, we are able to build custom products to any measurements you require. We offer stretcher bars in a range of standard sizes for online ordering and for any other custom measurements you can visit our Request a Quote page to let us know your specific needs.
Yes! Because all of our milling is done in-house to assure straightness, we are able to build custom products to any measurements you require. We offer stretcher bars in a range of standard sizes for online ordering and for any other custom measurements you can visit our Request a Quote page to let us know your specific needs.
What do I do if my canvas loosens?What do I do if my canvas loosens?
If your canvas loosens after you've made your painting, our stretchers are able to deal with that situation. The mitered double mortise and tenon joinery - held together with friction - can be expanded using the included keys. These keys go into the small square openings in the joinery of the bars and braces and can be tapped with a hammer to spread the joint, thus tightening the canvas.
If your canvas loosens after you've made your painting, our stretchers are able to deal with that situation. The mitered double mortise and tenon joinery - held together with friction - can be expanded using the included keys. These keys go into the small square openings in the joinery of the bars and braces and can be tapped with a hammer to spread the joint, thus tightening the canvas.
What
are the benefits of a keyable stretcher?What are the benefits of a keyable stretcher?
A keyable stretcher allows you to re-tension your canvas. All the joints of our keyable stretchers are expandable with the supplied wedges, or keys. When needed, the keys are tapped into the joints, causing them to expand and thus tighten the canvas. We find this type of traditional joinery to be superior when compared with various other mechanisms used to re-tension canvas. Unlike mass produced stretcher bars, our bars are handcrafted to be straight. The mortise and tenon joinery is designed with substantial thickness, which adds strength to the finished stretcher and, most importantly, allows the stretcher to retain its strength when the joints are expanded.
A keyable stretcher allows you to re-tension your canvas. All the joints of our keyable stretchers are expandable with the supplied wedges, or keys. When needed, the keys are tapped into the joints, causing them to expand and thus tighten the canvas. We find this type of traditional joinery to be superior when compared with various other mechanisms used to re-tension canvas. Unlike mass produced stretcher bars, our bars are handcrafted to be straight. The mortise and tenon joinery is designed with substantial thickness, which adds strength to the finished stretcher and, most importantly, allows the stretcher to retain its strength when the joints are expanded.
What
kind of wood do you use? Are your products sustainable?What kind of wood do you use? Are your products
sustainable?
We use poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) which is a hardwood. Poplar is a bit stronger than pine, a bit harder than pine, but weighs about the same. Poplar also has great dimensional stability, as evidenced by its use for interior casework in fine furniture for centuries. Poplar grows on the East coast, relatively close to our shop, which cuts down on the distance the wood has to travel for its end use. It is a relatively fast-growing tree that grows tall and straight. Poplar's relative proximity to our shop make it an environmentally friendly choice for us and its fast growth make it the best choice as a renewable resource.
We use poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) which is a hardwood. Poplar is a bit stronger than pine, a bit harder than pine, but weighs about the same. Poplar also has great dimensional stability, as evidenced by its use for interior casework in fine furniture for centuries. Poplar grows on the East coast, relatively close to our shop, which cuts down on the distance the wood has to travel for its end use. It is a relatively fast-growing tree that grows tall and straight. Poplar's relative proximity to our shop make it an environmentally friendly choice for us and its fast growth make it the best choice as a renewable resource.
Is
it possible for stretchers to warp?Is it possible for stretchers and panels to
warp?
All wood moves with changes in humidity, regardless of the species of wood or where it has come from. The trick is to find a wood with the qualities that are needed. Species selection is the first important step in making a stable object. The next important step is wood selection within that species, which involves selecting wood with straight and stable grain.
At DoubWorks we use a species of wood that has minimal seasonal movement yet still has the other characteristics that are needed for a stretcher bar - strength and bending resistance. If a stretcher bar has a spiral to its grain the expansion and contraction of the wood due to changing humidity can cause the bar to twist. This twisting is the reason for what is referred to as "warping," where three corners of the frame touch the wall and one corner pulls away from the wall.
This particular problem is not caused by a lack of internal bracing. The primary function of internal bracing is to resist bending of the bar due to the tension of the canvas. Bending can also occur due to the seasonal movement issue mentioned above. For example, wood grain swirling around a knot in the middle of a bar can cause it to bend with humidity changes. So is it possible for DoubWorks stretchers to warp? The answer is yes, it's possible for any wood to warp, but due to our care in species and grain selection and our in-house milling process that produces dead-straight bars, our stretcher bars are much less likely to move.
All wood moves with changes in humidity, regardless of the species of wood or where it has come from. The trick is to find a wood with the qualities that are needed. Species selection is the first important step in making a stable object. The next important step is wood selection within that species, which involves selecting wood with straight and stable grain.
At DoubWorks we use a species of wood that has minimal seasonal movement yet still has the other characteristics that are needed for a stretcher bar - strength and bending resistance. If a stretcher bar has a spiral to its grain the expansion and contraction of the wood due to changing humidity can cause the bar to twist. This twisting is the reason for what is referred to as "warping," where three corners of the frame touch the wall and one corner pulls away from the wall.
This particular problem is not caused by a lack of internal bracing. The primary function of internal bracing is to resist bending of the bar due to the tension of the canvas. Bending can also occur due to the seasonal movement issue mentioned above. For example, wood grain swirling around a knot in the middle of a bar can cause it to bend with humidity changes. So is it possible for DoubWorks stretchers to warp? The answer is yes, it's possible for any wood to warp, but due to our care in species and grain selection and our in-house milling process that produces dead-straight bars, our stretcher bars are much less likely to move.
How much do your stretchers weigh?How much do your stretchers weigh?
Our Heavy Duty profile stretchers (1.5" deep) weigh approx. 0.75 lbs. per foot. For example, a 36" x 48" Heavy Duty stretcher would weigh about 10 lbs.
Our Heavy Duty profile stretchers (1.5" deep) weigh approx. 0.75 lbs. per foot. For example, a 36" x 48" Heavy Duty stretcher would weigh about 10 lbs.
Can I pick up my order?Can I pick up my order?
You are welcome to pick up your order at our workshop in Royalston, Massachusetts. Let us know your pick-up preference when placing your order.
You are welcome to pick up your order at our workshop in Royalston, Massachusetts. Let us know your pick-up preference when placing your order.
Do
you deliver?Do you deliver?
We can deliver orders for $1.00/mile round trip from Royalston, Massachusetts. Depending on your location and your order (for example, long strethcer bars or large pre-stretches canvases that may be charged extra handling fees by UPS), delivery may cost less than than shipping.
We can deliver orders for $1.00/mile round trip from Royalston, Massachusetts. Depending on your location and your order (for example, long strethcer bars or large pre-stretches canvases that may be charged extra handling fees by UPS), delivery may cost less than than shipping.
Please let us know if you have any questions and we'll get back to you shortly!
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Shipping/Delivery We ship via UPS anywhere in the US. Delivery can be arranged within the New England/New York area. Our workshop is located in Royalston, Massachusetts.