Floating Frame Canvas vs Framed Print: Which One Should You Go With?
This is probably the question I get asked most often. Someone's found a print they love, they're ready to buy, and then they hit the product page and go: "Right, so which one do I actually choose?" I get it. The options can feel a bit overwhelming when you just want something great on your wall.
So let me break it down properly. I'm talking about the two most popular options people choose here at Local Breaks: the floating frame canvas and the classic framed print. Both look great. Both are printed and framed here in Australia using sustainably sourced FSC certified timber frames. But they're not the same, and one will genuinely suit your space better than the other.
What's the Actual Difference?
The short version: a classic framed print is photo paper behind glass in a solid timber frame. A floating frame canvas is stretched canvas inside a timber frame with no glass at all.
Here's the longer version:
Classic Framed Print
The print is produced on 250gsm art paper using giclee archival inks, then framed behind 2mm clear glass (or 2mm shatterproof acrylic at XL size). It comes in black, white or oak and hangs on a metal hanger with steel wire. Clean, classic, gallery-style look. The glass protects the print and gives it a polished, finished feel.
Floating Frame Canvas
The canvas is museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas, no glass involved. It sits inside the frame with a gap around the edges, which gives it that floating effect. Because there's no glass, you get zero reflections. Colours really come through in full. It hangs on D rings with a braided polymer cable and, like the classic frame, it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Both come in black, white and oak. Both are available in sizes from XS all the way up to EPIC (100x150cm, which is 1.5 metres wide). Check the size guide if you're not sure where to start, or have a look at the full product guide for a side-by-side comparison.
Which One Works Better for Your Room?
When people ask me framed print vs canvas wall art, my first question back is always: "How much natural light does the room get?"
If the wall gets a lot of direct sunlight or you've got big windows nearby, the floating frame canvas is the one. No glass means no glare, no reflections, no squinting at your own print from across the room. The colours in my coastal photography really pop on canvas, and without glass bouncing light back at you, you see every detail.
If the room is a bit dimmer, or you're going for a more formal gallery look, the classic framed print is hard to beat. The glass gives it a crisp, clean finish. A lot of people go with the oak frame for living rooms or bedrooms where they want something warm and natural feeling.
The floating frame canvas is also a great call for larger sizes. At L or XL, a big piece of glass can feel heavy and a bit imposing. Canvas just sits differently on the wall. It's got more warmth to it.
My Point Addis Art Print I is my top seller, and a lot of people who go big with it (L or XL) choose the floating frame canvas. I can see why. It's an aerial shot taken on a clear morning and the colours in the water come through beautifully without glass sitting over it.
If you're after something on the Bellarine Peninsula, the Barwon Heads Art Print I looks great in either format, though the classic frame in white or oak has been a popular choice there.
The Art Print vs Canvas Wall Art Question
In terms of art print vs canvas wall art more broadly, it really does come down to the look you're after. A framed print reads as classic and refined. A floating canvas reads as a bit more relaxed and modern. Neither is better. They just suit different spaces and different people.
For a beach house or holiday rental, I see the floating frame canvas go down really well. It holds up in coastal environments where humidity can be a factor, and the no-glass finish is practical for a space that gets a lot of through-traffic. If you're doing up a short-stay property, this guide on choosing wall art for holiday rentals is worth a read.
For a home office or living room where you want something a bit more polished, the classic framed print tends to be the pick.
And if you want to go all out? The Point Roadknight Art Print II in a large classic frame is one of my personal favourites. It consistently draws compliments from everyone who sees it. Starting from $89 unframed, with framing options to suit most budgets.
Still Not Sure? Here's How I'd Call It
- Lots of natural light in the room: go floating frame canvas
- Want a polished gallery look: go classic framed print
- Going large (L, XL or EPIC): floating frame canvas feels more at home
- Beach house or holiday rental: floating frame canvas is a solid pick
- Home office or formal living room: classic frame works really well
All prints are made to order and shipped free anywhere in Australia from Victoria. If you're still weighing it up, this post on framed vs unframed prints might also help you think it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a floating frame canvas and a classic framed print?
A floating frame canvas uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas with no glass, mounted inside a timber frame with a visible gap around the edges. A classic framed print uses 250gsm art paper behind 2mm clear glass in a solid timber frame. The canvas has no reflections due to the lack of glass, while the framed print gives a more traditional gallery finish.
Is a canvas or framed print better for a room with lots of natural light?
A floating frame canvas is the better choice for bright rooms with lots of natural light. Because there is no glass, there are zero reflections or glare, so you see the full detail and colour of the print regardless of where the light is coming from. A classic framed print with glass can pick up reflections in very bright rooms.
Which format works better for a large coastal wall art print?
For larger sizes like L, XL or EPIC (100x150cm), a floating frame canvas tends to feel more at home on the wall. It's lighter visually and has a warmth that works well at scale. A classic framed print is a great option at smaller and medium sizes, where the glass finish really adds to the polished look.
Do both the floating frame canvas and classic framed print come in the same sizes?
Yes. Both product types are available in all sizes from XS (21x29.7cm) right through to EPIC (100x150cm). Both come in black, white and oak frames, and both carry a 10-year warranty. All prints are made to order and include free shipping across Australia.
