For many homes and commercial properties, mirrors and mirrored walls often add a striking design element. They can make a room seem larger, add depth, and brilliantly reflect light or draw in outdoor scenery.
Mirrors can be used to bring a space together, or they may even become the center of attention. The only limitation is that the mirror must blend in harmoniously with the rest of the environment.
With that in mind, here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about mirrors and mirrored walls.
As with any décor element, several factors go into cost considerations for mirrored walls. The cost of the mirror itself is based on the size of the finished mirror wall, the mirror thickness, cutouts or beveling, and any colors such as black, bronze, clear or grey.
Additional costs would include shipping and handling to safely transport the mirror to the job site and the necessary labor to prepare or strengthen the wall, and install the mirror.
An average estimate of retail prices for standard ¼-inch wall mirrors from $7 to $16, or more, per square foot installed.
This estimate does not include the framing, tiling, or lighting used to accent the wall.
Resource: Learn more about mirror glass options:
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every surface was even and flat? Unfortunately, that's just not the way most walls are in reality. There are often fixtures, outlets, or switches on the wall where the mirror or mirrors are hung, which necessitates the use of a cutout.
Applications where cutouts are common include:
In this case, you should provide exact measurements to the mirror manufacturer, who can create the cutout to the appropriate size during the production process.
At New Angle Beveling, we have the capability to manufacture unique mirror cutouts for everything from medicine cabinets to receptacle openings to ballet studio bars and more. The cuts have a satin finish and feature a ⅜ - ½” radius on any inside corner.
Cutouts never come to a square point due to the likelihood of breaking.
Mirrored walls are common in dance studios, gymnasiums, bars, and elegant restaurants, but there are just as many applications for mirrors in the commercial environment as in the home.
While the most utilitarian is in the restrooms, they can be used to create a dramatic entryway or vestibule or to simulate depth in a smaller conference room.
Commercial mirrors are also found in office spaces, waiting areas, beauty salons, dressing rooms, and many other applications.
For applications that require observation or additional security, the Pilkington Mirrorpane One Way Mirror is the perfect solution.
It’s crucial to use a non-ammoniated cleaner on your commercial mirror. Spray the cleaner onto a cloth, and clean the glass surface.
Many commercial mirror owners mistakingly spray an ammoniated cleaner right onto the surface of the glass. While this will not affect the mirror's glass, it will negatively impact it in other ways.
The moisture from the cleaner can roll off onto the mirror's edge and perform a wicking action. It will linger there or even attack the back of the mirror, causing damage to the safety backing.
Commercial mirrors may break due to sudden impact, stress cracks, edge damage, or spontaneous breakage. Safety should always be the first concern in the case of a broken mirror. Keep people out of the area and safely clean up all the broken pieces before assessing the extent of the damage.
It may be possible to repair a broken mirror, depending on the type and severity of the break. If it is one panel of a mirrored wall, it might be feasible to replace just the panel. If the damage is too severe, or the mirror poses a safety hazard to employees or customers, it is usually best to have it replaced.
Contact the manufacturer directly to determine the appropriate replacement steps.
When installing a commercial mirror in highly trafficked spaces, such as gyms and studios, it’s important to ensure there is a safety backing installed on the back of the mirror.
This backing keeps the mirror from falling off of the wall, either at random or in a situation where some of the glass breaks.
Always ask your manufacturer and installer about safety backing products before installing your mirrored wall or large commercial mirror.
This may depend on the size of the mirror and the method of installation. If a smaller mirror was just clipped to the wall, the removal process should be fairly straightforward; however, removing a larger mirror that has been adhered to the wall will require a bit more effort.
Never attempt to break the mirror, as this could pose a serious safety threat. Trying to pry a mirror from the wall may also cause extensive damage to the underlying structure. In some cases, you might be able to run a piece of picture wire behind the mirror to separate it from the wall. If the mirror can be safely removed, a heat gun might be helpful in removing the glue, but the drywall could require extensive patching and repair.
In the case of a large commercial mirror, it is usually best to contact a professional installer.
Commercial mirrors are designed for quality and longevity. This can be achieved by paying strict attention to the purity of the glass, the accuracy of the glass flatness, the glass thickness, and the quality of the reflective material used for the coating.
When installing a mirror in an area that has high moisture, such as a bathroom, make sure to ask your manufacturer to seal the side of the mirror. This helps protect the silver from eroding and degrading as time goes on and keeps the mirror looking beautiful, longer.
Download our guide to learn how to choose a mirror that takes your project to the next level:
(Editor's note: This article was originally published in March 2019 and was recently updated).