Fitting a mirror flush in tiles - Tile Advice

[Stuart]

Hi guys,

I'm fitting a plain mirror inset and flush into tiles in a wetroom (It will be a custom size mirror, which isn't ordered yet and tiling isn't yet started).

I've seen conflicting advice re the order to do this in. Some says to fit the mirror then tile around it. Others say to do the tiling, leave a gap and then get the mirror cut to fit.

My initial thoughts....
- If I tile first, then if the hole I leave isn't *perfectly* square then I'm not going to get the best fit when I install the mirror.
- But tiling first also allows me to ensure the gap is a whole number of tiles to keep it simple and tidy.

Any thoughts on pros and cons?

Cheers

 

[Flintstone]

Tiling first, then fit your mirror in if you want it flush!

 

[Perry]

I always think it looks better on top of the tiles.

 

[Qwerty]

No cons with fitting mirror last. That's how I've always done it. Ensure your substrate is flat, your tiling is straight and level and it's simple really.

Fitting the mirror first is asking for trouble... risk of chipping, layout may not suit position etc

How big a mirror were you thinking?

 

[Qwerty]

I personally prefer the mirror set into and flush with the tiles as it looks neat and purposeful. I always leave the perimeter joint with the tiles free from grout and silicone instead.

Funnily enough I haven't done one for quite a while but here are some I've done from a few years back (I do wish people would stop choosing travertine mosaic borders!!! ).....

Full length mirror from border to coving.. ...

A mirror on top of tiles.....

 

[Dumbo]

Tile first . Then fit mirror , easy to make sure mirror is flush using mirror adhesive just push it in till it is flush . As @Plan Tec Tiling leave a gap then silicone ensuring you use low modulus silicone or else you might risk damaging the reflective surface of mirror .

 

[John Benton]

Tile first and then mirror, the one in the picture was framed with trim and then the mirror ordered, to size, and then fixed into recess.

 

[Flintstone]

Your best off using mirror adhesive to stick it

 

[One Day]

And fit a heat pad demister!

 

[Qwerty]

And fit a heat pad demister!

That's a good shout. One I fitted last month....

 

[GoneGuy]

Tile first then fit mirror flush to tiles and like @impish said fit a delisted pad as well.

 

[One Day]

Funny story, but I can't verify it:
I was doing some work in a boutique hotel in the Lakes last winter and they had big mirrors installed in all the bathrooms there. The guys who were installing them told me that they had just finished a really good job in Manchester in a large hotel where the mirrors had all been installed using cheap-as-chips silicone. They were called in to replace over 80 mirrors.
The numpties who installed the mirrors in Manchester thought they would have a "bit of a larf" and decorate the bare walls with large phalluses and swear words, all drawn in copious amounts of silicone to which the mirrors were then fixed.
Unfortunately, the cheap silicone then started to corroded the silver backing on the mirrors and all the hidden creativity started to show through in all 80 rooms at pretty much the same time!

 

[Perry]

Another case of doing a job you know nothing about. And possibly risking seriously hurting someone.