Introduction: Vinyl Record Album Display Frame

About: I design props for local community theaters.

I have a long soffit in my basement where I wanted to display record albums. The soffit was about 8 inches and the albums were 12-1/2 inches, so I could not use Command Brand Mini Hooks, which I used on other walls. I created a long frame for the albums by hanging pieces of 1x2 pine board, and then attaching vinyl siding trim J-channel to the top and bottom.

Supplies

Step 1: Cut 1x2 Pine Board Supports

J-channel will be hung horizontally from the top and bottom of 1x2 pine boards, mounted vertically, as shown in the pictures above. Measure the length of soffit or wall to display the albums. Cut a 12-inch piece of 1x2 pine boards for every span of about 4 feet or less. Cut extras that are needed at the junction of separate pieces of J-channel, and the end. If the J-channel sags too much, space the pieces of pine closer together, adding more support pieces as needed. Allow some sag to allow the albums to be easily changed out.

Step 2: Attach Pine Board Supports and J-channel

Pre-drill holes into the pine board supports, to avoid splitting. For each pair of J-channels (top and bottom), attach the two end pine board supports to the wall or soffit. If screwing the supports into drywall, use drywall anchors. I was screwing into a wood soffit, so I used drywall screws. Attach the top J-channel to the top of the supports. Attach the bottom J-channels to allow some extra space at the top for an album to fit, but not too much that an album can fall out. This extra distance will allow the album to be lifted up and tilt out. Alternatively, the J-channel is flexible to allow the center of it to be pulled down, allowing the album to tilt out.

Continue adding pieces of 1x2 pine board where the J-channel sags too much.

Step 3: Add Albums

If there is room, you can slide albums from the sides, or flex the J-channel down to create an opening for the albums, then slide the albums horizontally to allow the other albums to fit.

If the J-channel sags too much, add more pieces of 1x2.

Step 4: Conclusions

Since I did not have enough vertical space on a soffit to hang record albums, I built a frame out of vinyl siding trim J-channel, supported by pieces of 1x2 pine board.

On a stairwell, I was able to hang record albums using Command Brand Mini Hooks; two hooks on the bottom of the album, and one on top.

Have fun,

Barry