Timber range

We always try to pick the greener option. FSC-certified timber is our first choice, though not every supplier stamps every moulding. All of them are UKTR compliant (so no dodgy logging sneaks in). Where origins aren’t crystal clear (80% of UK timber is currently imported) we use due diligence and some common sense. Here’s the honest info about our mouldings to help make greener choices:

Beech, Lime & Finger-Jointed Pine

The eco-heroes! Fast-growing in Europe (so fewer travel miles, tighter rules). Finger-jointed pine also makes clever use of off-cuts — small pieces joined together into something stronger.

Oak

Beautiful, but a slow grower. Most oak on the market comes from the US, so it racks up the travel miles too. For that reason, we only use FSC-certified oak.

Obeche

A renewable, fast-growing and economically important timber from West Africa. Like oak, we’ll only use FSC-certified obeche.

Sapele

I love sapele (Rich red hue and natural lustre!) But it’s on the vulnerable list. We won’t use this unless for very specific projects and certainly only from FSC certified sources.

Walnut & Cherry

Other long-distance travellers, mostly from the US. Forests there are generally well managed, but it’s still a lot of boat miles…

We’ll keep researching ways to bring our timber mouldings closer to home (without pushing up costs). And don’t forget: you can often get the same look with a natural stain on FSC beech or oak.

Mount cutting for existing frames

Got a favourite frame or a vintage find? We’re happy to cut mounts to fit, or even reuse mouldings to make something bespoke. While we don’t offer conservation frame restoration, we can touch up small imperfections.

Gentle finishes

We use only water-based stains, and our custom colour frames are hand-painted with a specialist paint made from graphene and natural minerals like lime and silicate. This creates a natural, organic finish that’s durable and high quality. It does mean a more focused colour range—and no spray finishes.

Real glass

Unless your frame is especially large, we don’t use acrylic—it’s tricky to work with, scratches easily, and is difficult to recycle. The acrylic we do use is premium, anti-glare acrylic and long lasting.

Responsible packaging

When your frames are ready, we wrap them in fully recyclable or biodegradable materials (even the tape!). Packaging from our suppliers is trickier— there’s often bubble wrap—but we reuse it whenever possible and combine orders to cut down on excess packaging. Our suppliers are making improvements here to, which we support and encourage.

Nothing wasted

Any spare mouldings are reused to make frames for our Float Mount workshops, which also support Furnishing Futures. Smaller offcuts of wood and mountboard are collected by our zero-to-landfill partner RTS, who recycle them for use in furniture, animal bedding, and textiles

Locally sourced

Now this is exciting, we're creating a moulding unique to Orlando Frames, made from London Plane sourced within the M25. Full details coming soon!

Community action

We’re taking part in the Reuse and Repair Fair to support sustainability close to home :)

Use of AI

Feel this needs a mention. As a small independent business, we’re exploring how AI can help with behind-the-scenes tasks (like tidying up this copy!). We’ll always be upfront about where it’s used. What we won’t do is generate images with AI, or frame artwork created solely by it.

Frames that last

Built with care to be enjoyed for generations, we’re working towards a 100% sustainable goal — using only responsibly sourced materials in everything we make.