Large frameless mirrors can make for beautiful room accents while also serving a functional purpose. However, proper installation is necessary to ensure that the mirror securely adheres to the wall. After all, you don’t want to spend money on a mirror only to find it shatter to pieces a few days later. But how do you hang a frameless mirror? We’ve researched the most common ways to do this, and in this post, we will answer this question for you.
Here are a couple of techniques to hang a frameless mirror:
Using Adhesive
- Use a pencil to outline the mirror’s placement
- Use painters tape to mark the areas on the wall
- Sand the wall
- Prime the wall
- Apply a holding brace
- Apply mirror adhesive
- Attach the mirror to the wall
Using Mounting Clips
- Locate the studs in the wall
- Mark the areas where your clips will be placed
- Drill pilot holes into the wall for the clips
- Attach the mirror
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The steps to hang a frameless mirror will vary slightly depending on the method that you use. Below we will discuss the most commonly used methods to hang frameless mirrors on the walls of your home securely. We’ll also suggest some prime locations for your mirror and design elements to make it look good.
Methods to hang a frameless mirror
Using Adhesive
Things you’ll need:
- Painter’s tape
- 6-inch paintbrush
- High-grade adhesive
- Electric drill
- A holding brace (scrap plywood or a metal brace)
- Primer
- A sanding block
1. Use a pencil to outline the mirror’s placement
Start by gathering all of your materials in the area where you plan to hang the mirror. Next, take a pencil and place a small mark on the wall where you want the mirror’s top. Then grab a level and place it on the mark. Next, place vertical marks on both ends of the level to mark where the mirror’s corners should be.
2. Use painters tape to mark the areas on the wall
After you have placed the vertical marks on the wall, take four pieces of painter’s tape and place them on all four marks. Remember that once you place the mirror on the wall using adhesive, it will be permanent, so it’s important to be mindful of where you are placing the painter’s tape and how it will affect the mirror’s final position.
3. Sand the wall
To ensure the strongest bond, take a sandpaper block and prime the area covered by the back of the mirror. Continue to sand the area until you get to the drywall. This means that you should not see any paint on the entire surface area where the mirror will be placed. Next, use a clean towel or tack cloth to wipe the dust from the wall.
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4. Prime the wall
Take a can of primer and apply a couple of coats to the wall where the mirror will be placed. Be sure to let the first coat of primer dry before applying the second coat.
5. Apply a holding brace
To hold the mirror in position while the adhesive dries, install a metal or wooden brace made from plywood scraps to the mirror’s bottom edge. To do this, remove the painter’s tape from the wall and drill screws into the wall where the mirror’s bottom corners will go. Be sure to drill pilot holes before the screws to ensure good placement. Next, drill the brace into the wall and make sure that it is secure.
6. Apply mirror adhesive
Apply the adhesive to the back of the mirror. To keep the adhesive from squeezing out along the mirror’s edges, be sure to apply it at least two inches from the mirror’s edges.
7. Attach the mirror to the wall
Next, carefully place the mirror on the wall and press it firmly against the drywall. Slide your hands down to press the corners of the wall and slowly release them once the mirror is secured. Allow the mirror to sit on the wall with the brace for at least 24 hours before removing it.
Using Mounting Clips
Things you’ll need:
- A measuring tape
- A hammer
- A pencil
- Mounting brackets
- Screws
- Level
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- A flathead nail
1. Mark the area on the wall where the mirror will hang
After gathering your tools and materials, take your pencil and mark the spot on the wall where the mirror will hang. Start by marking the center position with the mirror’s top will go, and then use a level to make vertical marks where the edges of the mirror will line up.
2. Locate the studs in the wall
Using a stud finder, allocate the studs in the wall with a mirror will be hung. The studs are needed to help secure your mirror and place they should be evenly spaced between each of the mirror’s edges, or a single stud should be centered with the mirror. Mark the studs with a pencil.
3. Mark the areas where your clips will be placed
Once you have located the studs, take your pencil and make small lines where the top and bottom clips will be placed on the wall. Ensure that the areas are spaced out evenly, as you don’t want the mirror to be crooked, and you also don’t want it to be on the edge of a stud, as it may not be secure. Keep in mind that the clips’ markings should also be aligned to the back of the mirror.
4. Drill pilot holes into the wall for the clips
Drill the pilot holes into the wall where the clips will go. Next, use your hammer to tap in a wall anchor until the anchor is completely flush with the wall. Then place a clip into each pilot hole and drill it in until it is flush with the wall. Be sure to place the clips in the correct location, as the bottom clips should have a U-shape, while the top clips will have an L-shape.
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5. Attach the mirror
Once the clips are in position, slowly place the mirror into position and slide it across the bottom clips. Make sure that the mirror lays flush against the wall and flies into the top clips as well. Then take a screwdriver and tighten the top clips so that the mirror is firmly held in place.
What is the best place to hang a mirror?
Mirrors can add a great sense of style and appeal to your home’s different areas. So whether you’re a big Feng Shui fan or simply looking for ideas for mirror placement, here are a few locations to consider:
In the Entryway
Performing a quick mirror check is a must when you’re going out on the town. This is why having a mirror at the front door is the perfect location. It’s even better if you have a small table placed at the front door to accentuate the mirror.
In the bedroom
Bedrooms are great locations for mirrors, especially full-length mirrors. You can also hang the mirror on your closet door, bedroom door or lay a full-length mirror against the wall, making it a perfect location to try on new clothes and shoes.
In the bathroom
Most American homes will have a mirror in the bathroom, but who says that you can add another mirror? If you don’t already have a mirror over your sink, this is a great area to place one. You can also consider hanging a magnifying mirror on a side wall, convenient when you are shaving or applying makeup.
Over the fireplace
Hanging a mirror over the fireplace is just one of the most traditional home looks you can think of. Fireplaces make a living room look cozier, and the addition of a mirror can help the room look a bit bigger.
How can I make my frameless mirror look better?
The best way to make your mirror look even more amazing is to decorate it. You can decorate your mirror by painting it with mirror paint, adding flowers to the area beneath the mirror, or bordering the mirror with decorative tiles or a wood frame, among other things.
What is the best adhesive for mirrors?
If you plan to attach your frameless mirror to the wall using an adhesive, here are a few quality products to consider:
Gorilla Max Strength Clear Construction Adhesive
This version of Gorilla Glue is the strongest construction adhesive made by the brand. You can use it to hang mirrors as well as glue other building materials together, such as stone, glass, laminate, and wood.
CRL Gunther Premier Mirror Mastic
This permanent bonding adhesive is flexible and can be used on porous and non-porous surfaces to provide high-quality adhesion. You can apply it to the back of your frameless mirrors for a secure hold.
Liquid Nails Mirror Adhesive
Liquid Nails is another great permanent bonding adhesive that will not damage the backing of your frameless mirror. It adheres within 10 minutes and is heat and steam-resistant.
How much weight can mirror clips hold?
Mirror clips can typically hold around 20 lbs of weight. If a mirror is heavier than this, toggle bolts or masonry anchors are usually installed to help secure it to the wall.
Wrapping things up
We hope that this post has provided you with the information you were looking for regarding hanging a frameless mirror. Remember, a frameless mirror is only as secure as the glue or clips holding it into the wall. When installing wall clips, be sure that they are positioned in the center of wall studs so that the mirror is secure.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
How Big Should A Mirror Or Art Be Over A Console Table?
How Far Should Bathroom Mirror Be Above Sink?