Hanging Faux Reclaimed Wood Scratch Map Frame
Barn wood can give your room a fantastic rustic look. Faux Barn Board or reclaimed wood is now available at many lumber yards.
This is a super simple DIY on How To display a Scratch Map with super trendy bard board that will add a rustic look to your space.
I have tried to make this project user-friendly and possibly to do for people who do not have a workshop or any power tools. Check out my other fame and display projects that require no power tools.
This DIY project will work equally well with other types of wood, so please free to use your creativity!
Here is what you will need, feel free to substitute and be creative with the supplies that you have or are available to you.
- Scratch Map
- Miter Box/ Handsaw
- Heavy Duty Double-sided Foam Tape
- 24″ x 36″ Foam Board or Plastic Sign Board
- Rustic Barn Wood Board – 8″ (I use a faux reclaimed wood board, purchased from a local lumber yard)
- Curtain Rod
- 1′ -9 Gauge Chain or Hanging Chains
- 2″ Ceiling hook x 2
- 2 Decorative Drapery Clip Ring
- Pliers (to have some basic tools, try a kit like this)
- Drywall anchor
Tip: Always be careful to protect the face of your Scratch Map, you don’t want to damage or scratch the film. When resting the map down, only rest it on smooth surfaces. Don’t ever drag the map when it is face down.
1. When you take your Scratch Map out of its tube it will want to stay rolled up. Place it flat on a table and put books on the corners to flatten it out. Let it sit overnight. 
2. Using a measuring tape, measure the width and height of your scratch map. Write down the measurements.
Tip: Measure twice, Cut once.
3. Measure out the width and height that you have recorded from your Scratch Map on your form board, connect the marks using a pencil and a straight edge.
4. Use a straight edge and box cutter to trim the foam board along your pencil lines. The blade will cut right through, protect the surface underneath the form board with a scrap piece of lumber.
Tip: For your safety, don’t expose more blade then is necessary. Form board is 1/4″ thick, so 1/2″ of the blade should do.
5. Put double-sided tape on the foam board and set the Scratch Map down so all the edges fit perfectly. Push firmly to make good contact with the double-sided tape.
Tip: It is tricky to get the map to fit perfectly, the double-sided tape does not allow for adjustments. Get a helper to make this task a bit easier.
6. Now we are going to cut our barn boards. The top and bottom barn board must be the width of the map plus the width of the vertical barn boards that will make up the sides of the frame.
Top and bottom barn board length = (width of map) + (width of left and right vertical barn boards)
The two sides of the frame are going to be the same height of the Scratch Map.
Tip: Add 1/4″ to your barn board measurements to have a loose fit and easy assembly.
Tip: Put everything together to check for fit before using any double-sided tape.
Tip: When using the miter box, don’t push hard on the handsaw, let the blade do the work as you push and pull.
Tip: Having a helper hold the barn board, this will make this job easier.
7. Installing the wall hanger. Measure and make a mark in the center of one of the boards, this will now be the top board. You will need a wall hanger from a picture hanging kit. Use two small nails from the kit to nail the hanger on the board.
8. Cut four pieces of foam board at 4×4 inches. Use heavy duty double-sided foam tape to attach the bottom half of the foam board to each end of the rustic wood. Stay at least 6″ from the ends and let 2″ of the foam board.
Tip: Push firmly to activate the double-sided tape.
9. Turn the rustic wood boards over and place heavy-duty double-sided tape on the exposed foam board.
Tip: Do one Barn Board at a time.
10. Put a center mark on the top and bottom barn board and the top and bottom of the Scratch Map.
Line up the Center lies and press the Scratch Map down on the double-sided tape.
11. Now we are going to turn the map over and add the sides. Using 4″x4″ foam board squares and double-sided tape, attach the two sides of the frame to the bottom and top barn board.
12. Next, we are going to attach the Ceiling Hooks to the top of the frame. Measure in 8″ from each edge of the frame and screw the ceiling hanger into the top of the frame.
13. Your curtain rod will hold the map. The height is up to you but I would suggest you mount your curtain rod at approximately 74 inches off the floor. Mark your desired height and mount the first curtain rod hanger with drywall plugs. Use the curtain rod and a level the determine the location of the second hanger. Mount the second-rod hanger.
Tip: It is difficult to handle the curtain rod and level while making a mark, a helper would make this much easier.
Tip: Your curtain rod will come with hardware to hang it. I personally find the drywall plugs difficult to work with.
I would recommend using a drywall anchor. The anchor is self-drilling and requires no pre-drilling. It is very user-friendly and is super strong once installed. I use them for all my drywall mounting.
14. The chain and ring. Remove the clamp from the drapery ring and discard. Measure 6″ of the chain, open the link to detach that section. Use the open link to join the drapery ring to the 6″ chain length.
Repeat for the other side and slip the rings on the curtain rod.
Tip: You may need to use pliers to open the chain link.
Why not add a bit more depth? The foam board makes a great surface to use map markers and pins. This is a great way to personalize and dress up your map. This will add a lot of visual depth to your display.
Congratulations! It is time to hang and display your Barn Board Scratch Map Frame!
