Bathroom mirrors usually have a mounting bracket and a frame that holds the mirror in place. A magnetic bathroom mirror would have been a good idea since it's much easier to move around as needed. Are you wondering if bathroom mirrors are all magnetic?
Bathroom mirrors are not magnetic because they're made of glass. Besides, even if you find one with a magnetic frame and mounting bracket, it won't last as long as a regular mirror.
A magnetic bathroom mirror may sound like a great idea, but the downside outweighs the upside. Read on as we share tips on choosing the best bathroom mirror for your bathroom. With that said, let's dive right into this topic below!
Why Is It Not A Good Idea To Have A Magnetic Bathroom Mirror?
Even if you can buy a magnetic bathroom mirror, you don't want to put a magnetized mirror in your bathroom. This is because many risk factors exist when using a magnet in a bathroom setting.
First, a magnetic mirror can potentially damage lighting fixtures and anything that is electronics.
The magnetic field required to hold a bathroom mirror is so massive that it could potentially disrupt anything with an electronic circuit.
Second, the potential corrosion is too high to risk it. Where there is humidity, there is rust.
The rusting of metal from water and humidity causes the magnetic fields to weaken, which means that the mirror will be more likely to fall off or out of place.
What Should You Look For In A Bathroom Mirror?
Bathroom mirrors come in many different styles and sizes.
Typically, they are mounted and fixed on the wall on a mounting bracket. Some, like a pivot mirror, are mounted on a pivoting arm that can be swung out or tilted.
The choice of a mirror can depend on your preference and the bathroom you are decorating. Here are some tips on choosing a bathroom mirror.
Size
Aside from using bathroom mirrors to look at our own reflection, they can make a bathroom look bigger.
The size of your bathroom and vanity sink will play a role in deciding the mirror size you should choose. A more oversized bathroom doesn't necessarily mean a bigger mirror.
A bigger mirror may reflect more light than smaller mirrors and give your bathroom a spacious appearance, but if it does not match the width of your vanity sink, it won't look very attractive.
Mounting
The mounting bracket must be made of durable, rust-resistant material. If it's not, at least the bracket is coated with a satin or semi-gloss paint so it can deflect moisture.
Frame
You want to ensure that it will be able to withstand daily use. If you are going to take a lot of baths, showers, or hot tubs, then you want to ensure that the mirror can withstand heat and humidity.
Ideally, the frame should be made of aluminum. Aluminum has been proven to be more resistant to humidity and corrosion than steel. It can also add that classic antique look to your mirror.
You can choose either a framed bathroom mirror or a frameless one. If a framed mirror matches your bathroom's design concept, go for it.
Framed mirrors serve to give the mirror some dimension and character.
It also serves as an accent for the bathroom and gives it some flair. If you want something that can complement any design, go with a frameless mirror.
The right choice depends on what you are looking for in a mirror. For example, if you like simple designs, you probably want a frameless mirror. If you like a more sophisticated look, you might wish to have a framed mirror.
Flexibility
You want to be able to move the mirror around. Pivot mirrors are perfect for this. They have swivel joints that allow you to rotate the mirror around its horizontal axis.
What's The Difference Between A Bathroom Mirror And A Regular Mirror?
When shopping for bathroom mirrors, it's essential to know the difference between a regular mirror and a bathroom mirror.
Many people think the two are one and the same, but they are very different. We'll go over the differences here.
Material
Perhaps the most obvious difference is that bathroom mirrors are made of a more robust material than regular mirrors. Bathroom mirrors are usually tempered glass, whereas ordinary mirrors are typically made of regular glass.
Tempered glass is a type of glass that has been heat-treated differently than regular glass. This heat treatment process gives the glass extra strength and flexibility.
It also makes the glass much more resistant to breaking.
Tempered glass can also break, just like regular glass. But unlike the fragments of standard glass that can easily shatter into many large, jagged pieces, the fragments of tempered glass are much more likely to break into tiny, blunt pieces.
This is why it's safer for you to use a bathroom mirror made of tempered glass than one made of regular glass.
Structure
Another difference between bathroom mirrors and regular mirrors is that bathroom mirrors have cabinets or shelves.
These cabinets can hold towels, lotions, and other things you may need in the bathroom. However, not all bathroom mirrors have these additional features because not everyone wants them.
Size
If you buy a bathroom mirror, you should consider the bathroom size, the distance you want to stand from the mirror, and the width of your vanity sink countertop.
A bathroom mirror that is not proportionate to the room will be out of place.
Typically, a bathroom mirror should be a few inches shorter than the width of your vanity sink countertop.
Can Bathroom Mirrors Be Glued On?
Frameless bathroom mirrors can be glued using heavy-duty glue. This type of glue is specially formulated to adhere to the backing paint of bathroom mirrors and onto the wall surface.
How To Glue A Bathroom Mirror
If you're in the market for a frameless bathroom mirror, you may wonder how you glued it to the wall. Thankfully, it's a fairly straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Get your measurements right
As previously mentioned, a bathroom mirror should be a few inches (ideally 1 or 2 inches) shorter than the width of the countertop.
This ensures that when you place the mirror on the wall, there will be room for it to move without hitting the edge of the countertop.
Mark the area where the mirror should be placed
Once you know the dimensions of your bathroom mirror, you can start by marking out where you want the mirror to go on the wall. You can use a measuring tape to mark the right spot.
Mark the area where the mirror will be glued. You can use anything at your disposal if the markings are clear. You can also use painter's tape for this.
Clean the back of the mirror and wall surface
Ensure that the surface you intend to glue your mirror to is smooth and clean. You can wash the surface with water and mild detergent if necessary. Make sure the surface is squeaky dry after washing it.
Apply the glue on the back of the mirror
Once prepping the surface, apply a small amount of heavy-duty glue to the back of your mirror. Apply the adhesive in small parallel lines to ensure that the glue covers a wide area.
Check out this heavy-duty glue on Amazon.
Position the mirror where the markings are
Now that you've cleaned and dried both surfaces, it's time to position your mirror. To do so, align the corners and edges of the mirror to where the markings are.
Press the mirror against the wall for at least a couple of minutes. Allow the glue to set and establish itself.
Apply painter's tape on the corners of the mirror
The painter's tape should secure the mirror while it's curing. Usually, it will take 48 hours for the glue to cure completely. You can take the painter's tape off after the curing time has elapsed.
Check out this painter's tape on Amazon.
How Thick Should A Bathroom Mirror Be?
Mirrors can be expensive, so you want to ensure you're using the best quality for your money. Bathroom mirrors are no exception to this rule.
The glass's quality and thickness hold up the value of the whole thing. So you want to ensure you're getting the best bathroom mirror possible.
While it might seem like bathroom glasses are all the same thickness, they aren't. Each type is made with a different number of layers of glass. The annealing process that a bathroom mirror undergoes also differs according to its thickness.
While there isn't the best set thickness, you want to ensure you're looking for something at least 0.25 inches thick.
To Wrap Up
While a magnetic bathroom mirror may seem like an ideal solution for those who think it would give them the freedom to relocate and reposition the mirror easily, several drawbacks should be considered.
First, the magnets used to attach the mirror to the wall could eventually weaken over time due to rust. A regular bathroom mirror will last much longer and provide better value for the money than a magnetic mirror.
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