Help!: Setting a mirror into tiles

[Dean A]

We have ordered a large frameless mirror for our bathroom that is going to be covered in 12mm thick, 300x300 mm trav tiles.

I wanted to set the mirror these, question is, with the mirror being about 6mm thick... how can I get it flush!

I was going to mount the mirror using gripfill, or something similiar. Sticking it directly to the new cement render.

There is the possibility of screwing/gluing 6mm hardibacker to the wall first, but wanted to get your thoughts first

Secondly, we are having someone tile the bathroom (see - Find a Tiler section) - I expect they wouldn't want to fit the mirror for risk of breaking it - or is this something they could do as they were tiling?

[inspiredandy]

Hi Dean,

I have done this several times before and have used 6mm hardibacker glued and screwed. The mirror should only break if its dropped, so if your tiler is careful it shouldnt be a problem.

[gaz man]

screw 6mm ply to wall then stick mirror to ply using mirror adhesive also would stick some pink grip on the back of ply before scewing up just for a little bit of added security

[david campbell]

you can also purchase mirror silicone from b&q,dialatech and screwfix,it is specially designed so it doesn't damage the backing on the mirror!

[Dean A]

Excellent tips guys, thank you.

David, my only concern with mirror silicone is that its just a silicone - will it hold the large mirror on the wall!! Have you had much experience with this?

[david campbell]

used it once before,used a fair few large dollops(spot fixed)and it's still there,i would know if it wasn't cause it was the mother in-laws(where better to try these things lol)

[bighen]

Hi Dean

I have fixed a few large mirrors ie. over 5' wide and used clear silicone.
But i would recommend using tile spacers to support the bottom whilst the silicone sets. usually 24 hrs depending on the thickness of the dabs

[oogabooga]

If the mirror is going in before tile, normally support it with a ledger screwed to the wall until the silicone cures. If that's not practical, lengths of timber perhaps to prop it up, whatever you have at hand I guess.

[doug boardley]

done lots of mirror inserts, the best way I have found is to rest mirror on the course of tiles (rest it on spacers on top of tile) use mirror adhesive and timbers wrapped in cloth to brace it off opposite wall overnight

[Dave]

Deffo use mirror mate adhesive and not silicone....the acitate in silicone can eat into the mirror backing and ruin it....

[Aztectiler]

Deffo use mirror mate adhesive and not silicone....the acitate in silicone can eat into the mirror backing and ruin it....

This is absolutley the right advice. Normal silicone has an acid in it that eats into the chrome backing of mirrors and will, in time deteriorate the mirror finish from behind.

Please use the correct product that is specificly made for the job in question "MIRROR ADHESIVE"

I have just completed a bathroom with this feature incorporated in it. Adhesive and screwed hardibacker to the wall and then fixed mirror with mirror adhesive.

Looks Fantastic!

Good Luck

[hillhead]

I've done a few lately,one was 5' wide by 4' deep,i had the wall tiled first,nice chrome bead running around.I then measured the opening and got the mirror ordered to that size allowing clearance.stuck it with mirror adhesive,two tubes.

[Tubsy]

dean a, we've fitted loads of mirrors and the mirror adhesive is a must, if you put the glue a few inches in from the outsude of the perimeter like a big square and make sure the bead meets one end to the other (like a big border) then repeat this a few times getting smaller into the middle of the glass you should have complete rings if you like. offer the mirror up to the wall and apply pressure from the middle of the glass out,if you push out the air trapped within the mirror adhesive rings it will vaccum itself to the wall like a big sucker pad... .

[CJ]

A glazier told me years ago if you stick a large mirror to a wall...........put lines of adhesive either vertical or horizontal........but NOT joined or one big unbroken line............it creates an air bubble which pushes out and can distort a large mirror...........he did it on a large mirror I had fitted.

[simhopper]

Use mirror glue

I worked on a large Edinburgh Branded Hotel and the main contractor use pink grip to bond the mirror onto plasterboard walls......about 25% cracked within 2 weeks

[oogabooga]

Okay, okay, I meant mirror silicone/adhesive.

[Colour Republic]

A glazier told me years ago if you stick a large mirror to a wall...........put lines of adhesive either vertical or horizontal........but NOT joined or one big unbroken line............it creates an air bubble which pushes out and can distort a large mirror...........he did it on a large mirror I had fitted.

He's quite right, my brother is a manager of a double glazing firm and says the same thing.

I would get some mirror adhesive from a local glazing firm, leagues ahead of the gear you buy in DIY sheds... thinking about it, just get it from the people that are cutting your mirror to size... are you getting the edges polished by the way?

EDIT: i've just dug out a tube from the stock, the gear i use is called 'Xtra Grip' here is a link, which is a really good price as it goes as some glazing firms can charge you up to £8 for this

http://www.bohleconvexmirrorsystems....-cartridge.php

[doug boardley]

this is one of the biggest mirrors I've fitted, altho' strictly it's not an insert, it had been measured and cut before tiling (Roger!!) this was done just after Xmas on a very large timber frame house, let's just hope the timber doesn't twist too much!!

[Colour Republic]

lovely corian sinks looks like a good job mate

[doug boardley]

lovely corian sinks looks like a good job mate

It was a toughie tbh, all the corners were mitred, but it looked good when finished, thanks mate

[365drills]

Remember to tile first and finish the space.

THEN buy the mirror.....