A mirror is much more than a piece of reflecting glass hanging on your wall, so selecting a high-quality, timeless piece is crucial.
Mirrors are not only functional but can bring life into any drab room. When selecting the perfect fit for your unique space, how can you be sure that it’s not going to crack or become damaged over time? Mirrors are beautiful and delicate design elements, so it’s essential to understand how to pick one out.
Continue reading for our best tips on how to buy mirrors for your home or business.
Glass Quality
Have you ever stood in front of a mirror that distorted your image? Unless you’re at a carnival or an amusement park, this reflection is usually less than ideal. One way to ensure that your mirror isn’t going to throw off your look is to check the glass quality. The purity of the raw materials used affects the final quality of the glass. To distinguish quality glass, check its surface for inconsistencies.
Distortions
Another way to tell if a mirror is distorted is to check whether or not its surface is flat. Choose an object in the reflection and move your head so that you pan between viewing it in one corner to another corner. If the image alters, you know you have a shoddy mirror.
Mirror Thickness
Another important feature to check when selecting a mirror is its thickness. As a good rule of thumb, thicker mirrors will offer better quality. Ideally, you should choose a mirror that is at least ¼-inch thick. The ¼-inch thickness will be sturdier and not cause the reflection to distort. Even if the wall it’s positioned on isn’t completely flat, a thicker mirror won’t misshape images.
As explained by Sergio Mannino in an interview by The Strategist, “a mirror is just a layer of silver applied to the back of a glass,” so the thickness of that glass is a crucial part of a quality mirror. When the glass is thin, it warps the reflection. If you turn the mirror to the side and see the back of the glass, that’s a solid indicator that the mirror is mediocre.
Mirror Silvering
Mirror silvering refers to the reflective coating on one side of the glass. This coating is commonly comprised of silver nitrate and other chemical compounds. Then, the surface is covered with red lead and a final layer of sealer.
Cheap or low-quality mirrors will use skinny coatings of reflective material. Think of a hand mirror you could pick up from your local grocery store and how quickly the surface scratches or peels off. A high-quality mirror will have a thick coating of silvering and a sealer to prevent the silver from tarnishing. The best way to determine the excellence of mirror silvering is to work with an expert glass company.
The Backing
In addition to the glass itself, what it’s mounted on also matters. The frame and backing need to be strong enough to support the glass for years to come. Cheap mirrors have a brown paper backing, and if you poke through it, there’s nothing else between the backing and the glass. If you’re looking to install a large floor mirror, it needs a much sturdier backing than this. Look for a rigid material such as wood or aluminum.
Accurate Measurements
Before you head to your local mirror retailer, make sure you have the correct space measurements for your new mirror. Returning an oversized mirror can be a hassle, so go to great lengths to determine the proper measurements beforehand.
Choose a Reliable Glass Company
Don’t take any chances with an unreliable manufacturer if you’re looking for a high-grade mirror. For a custom-made mirror, hiring a reputable glass company is critical. There are many manufacturers out there, so you’ll have to research which of them you can trust with your business.
The Best Quality Mirrors
If you’re looking for the best quality mirror to spruce up your home, focus on selecting one that is functional, stylish, and built to last. We’ve rounded up some of the very best mirror options to make your search easier:
- Silvered-Silvered mirrors are common and basic options for a standard mirror. This glass is used on virtually all residential mirrors, including convex, dental, one-way, two-way, rearview mirrors, etc.
- Antiqued-Antiqued mirrors feature tints and coatings that give the mirror an aged look. These mirrors have loads of character and can transform a room instantly.
- Concave-Concave mirrors curve inward to create more prominent reflections. These mirrors are typically found in bathrooms or over bedroom vanities because they significantly improve hair, makeup, and shaving routines.
- Convex – Convex mirrors have a spherical shape in the opposite direction of concave mirrors; hence, they make the reflected image appear smaller. These make great decorative pieces suitable in spaces like garages to help see oncoming traffic around corners.
- Laminated – Laminated mirrors are designed for ultimate durability. They are created by pressing two pieces of glass together with a layer of PVC in between. This process makes the glass stronger and more resistant to shattering.
- Safety-backed – If you have any reason to worry about your mirror falling off the wall, safety-backed mirrors are the way to go. Safety backing is an adhesive film that adheres to the back of the mirror for extra durability. It also helps prevent glass scattering in the event of accidental breakage.
Choose Murray Glass for Custom Glass Mirrors
If you’re looking for the best quality mirror for your next house project, Murray Glass is here for you. We supply homes and businesses along the Wasatch Front with the best mirror brands and manufacturers, including local companies. Our custom mirror services allow you to bring your unique vision to life.When you work with our technicians, you choose the best mirrors for your home or office space in Salt Lake City, Tooele, Summit, Weber, and Utah Counties in Utah. Contact our experts today to see what we can do for you!
