Hanging heavy art on the wall?

Question

What is the best way to hang a very heavy 4' wide x 8' tall x 1/2" inch deep piece of wooden art on a wall so that it is secure?

Challenge... This piece of art is a 20 piece puzzle.

Option 1 - We can secure the completed puzzle to a wood backing of the same size. Hence the question, how to hang heavy art?

Option 2 - To make the weight easier to manage, we can hang each puzzle piece individually. However, the challenge is how to hang each individual piece so that the puzzle fits together?

We're open to both ways, but looking for ideas on how to execute on either.

Answer 1

Option 1. : you can get picture hangers from hobby stores in the sizes you need to be able to hang this thing. Make SURE you also get the proper size wall hangers from your hardware store. And just make sure you place the hangers on the back of the board so that you can mount it securely in the studs of the wall.

Option 2: VELCRO!!! You can get Velcro that has sticky (like tape) backing and do it that way... very tedious though. Get that pre-cut at auto parts stores (EXPENSIVE? for that amount...) or from hobby shops or fabric shops.

Personally, I'd stick with Option 1. given only the two choices.

Otherwise, instead of using wood, go with cardboard, if you can find a piece that big. Then just hang it as if it were wood. I've gotten large pieces of it from places that sell large appliances and needed to discard the stuff. You could also do a sort of collage with several pieces of poster-board as your backing and stick them up with the Velcro.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

Put it on wood backing first.
You will need to find the wall studs, and put your nails or screws securely into them.
I would attach a heavy-gage wire to the back of the art, and hang it by two large screws set several inches into the studs.

Answer 3

Find the wall studs!!! From there you can figure out a way to put a support system from stud to stud and then hang off the system.