mirrors – artistry-in-glass

How to frame a wall mirror – 4 options with images

Frame with corner blocks - no need for miters

A plain mirror is nothing more than a piece of glass with a silvered back – the real beauty of a wall mirror comes from its frame. But how do you decide on the frame and what are the best ways to frame a wall mirror? The most expensive option is to order a custom frame from a frame shop whereas the most affordable way is to do it yourself by adding molding to a mirror already attached to the wall. A medium-priced approach is to buy a ready-made mirror either online or from a furniture store. Read this informative … Read more

How to repair a cracked mirror – learn all the facts!

by John

Your favorite mirror has fallen off the wall and cracked. Many misleading websites claim that broken mirrors can be fixed but the fact is that they nearly all need to be replaced with new mirror. This article explains how to replace a broken mirror. Cracked mirrors cannot be successfully glued back together so you must carefully remove the broken mirror, order a new one from the glass shop, and install it. Use the simple steps explained in this article. There are a few occasions when gluing broken mirror fragments may be worthwhile. These include very valuable or historic mirrors with … Read more

Best Silver Paint for Mirror Silvering – the Ultimate Test

by John

Professional mirror re-silvering is expensive and re-silvering shops are few and far between. A do-it-yourself alternative is to use silver spray paint. We test the major brands in 2023 and report the best. Our tests show that the best spray paint is “Mirror Effect” silver spray paint by Rust-Oleum – available in 6 oz cans (sufficient to silver about 5 square feet of glass. The closest to real mirror silvering is Spaz Stix brand “Ultimate Chrome Mirror” but this is only available in 2 oz bottles for air-brush painting. Modern Glass Mirrors In modern mirrors, the silver (or sometimes chromium) … Read more

Should I Re-Silver my Antique Mirror? Advice from an Expert

by John

You have purchased or inherited a beautiful antique mirror but the silvering is defective. Black-edge, black spots, flaking, or scratches have damaged the original silvering, and you wonder – should I re-silver my antique mirror? Re-silvering is offered by only a few companies in the USA. Unless you can deliver and pick up your mirror, shipping charges make the process expensive. Re-silvering is only worthwhile if you have an etched, historic, or specially shaped antique mirror. A degree of damage may even be aesthetically desirable – read on to learn the pros and cons of re-silvering. The first mirrors used … Read more

Hanging a frameless wall mirror with glue (4 simple steps)

by John

Large frameless wall mirrors are a feature of home gyms, dance studios, and residential bathrooms. For safe installation, it is essential to use mechanical fasteners (J-channel and clips) in addition to adhesive (mirror mastic). Follow these four simple steps for the safest and best results. Measure the wall and order the mirrors Prepare the walls ready for the mastic Install J-channel and clips Apply mastic and attach mirror to the wall Safety must be paramount when installing large wall mirrors. Learn from the cautionary tale below that all large mirror must be installed with mechanical fasteners as well as mastic … Read more

Removing a mirror from a wall: 4 simple steps (with images)

by John

Many large mirrors are attached by an adhesive called mastic and are difficult to remove from the wall. Using safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing, follow these simple steps – apply duct tape in case of breakage, soften the glue with a heat gun, and carefully separate the mirror from the wall using cut-out wire, or wooden shims, then pull the mirror away from the wall. It is easy to smash mirrors, creating dangerous shards, and earning seven years of bad luck (irrational superstition). This website explains ways to remove wall mirrors safely and without breakage. Important safety information. Mirrors … Read more

How to hang mirrors – a complete guide (with images)

by John

Mirrors can be installed with wall anchors, french cleats, mirror clips, or mirror mastic. They can be hung against the wall or away from the wall with or without LED lighting. This post explains all you need to know about installing the five main types of residential mirrors:- Framed Mirrors Frameless Mirrors Tilting & Swinging Mirrors Dresser Mirrors Magnifying Mirrors Framed Wall Mirrors Framed mirrors give the widest scope for interior design harmonization. Mirrors can be framed in a wide variety of styles from Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Contemporary, Chippendale, Chinese, Baroque, Mexican, Rustic, Abstract, Venetian, Federal, Victorian, and many … Read more