How to Frame a Wall Mirror

Posted by Eric Morgan on 1st Aug 2014

Framing a frameless wall mirror can make a significant impact on any room’s decor. With an array of endless ideas, frameless styles transform into modern-day or vintage works of art.

Framing Mirrors with Wood

Wooden wall framed mirrors are one of the most customary and easiest ways to achieve a common everyday bathroom mirror. With the following step-by-step instructions, you can easily achieve an upscale bathroom mirror that has a designer, custom appearance.

Measure – Measure the mirror and cut primed MDF baseboard to match the measurements. Some home improvement stores will actually cut the baseboard for you, allowing you to forgo the costly expense of purchasing or borrowing a chop saw. For a vintage appeal, consider using door casing woodwork, which is more ornate and gives bathrooms a chic appearance.
Prepare – Lay out the trim on a flat surface, making sure all corners match.
Paint – Using latex paint, paint the backside of the trim. Let dry two hours and then work on the front side. Always paint the edges of the wood.
Sand – Purchase an extra-fine sand paper and lightly sand all surfaces. Later, wipe surfaces clean using a tack cloth.
Glue – Using extra strength wood glue, glue three baseboard portions together. Firmly pressing together, let the glue dry for a minimum of two hours.
Caulking – Using caulking, run a fine bead of caulking to hide the seam joints. Wipe away excess caulking and let the silicone dry for an hour.
Touch Up Paint – Apply touch up paint over the silicone to seamlessly blend the joint together. Once the first layer is applied, apply a second layer and let the assembly dry for a minimum of 12 hours.
Adhesive – Place a secure paneling adhesive, which is available at any home improvement store, to the top of the frame.
Level – Press the adhesive and frame firmly into place and make sure the mirror is level.
Repeat Steps – Repeat each step until all trim is applied.

Classic wood wall mirrors reflect a variety of colors or can even match stained cabinets, trim and millwork or even coffered ceilings. These designs can reflect vintage style with aged bronze paint, traditional cherry wood, contemporary birch or an eclectic vivid red.

Framing Mirrors with Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic and tile mirrors are a great way to dress up any room. These are especially popular in bathroom areas, where tile helps set off backsplashes and transforms into one-of-a-kind works of art.

This systematic guide highlights how to create a mosaic-style wall mirror.

Purchase a SimpleMat, which is available at any home improvement store. Cut the SimpleMat into place, allowing enough room to leave a border for your tile edge.
Peel off the SimpleMat backing and firmly press the mirror in place.
Use a soft flat, which floats across the SimpleMat’s surface and activates the essential two-part epoxy.
Carefully peel off the clear plastic from the tile side of the SimpleMat. Lightly place the tile in place, until you confirm the exact desired pattern. Once you firmly press, the tile forms a seal and is very difficult to move.
Once you decide on a pattern and determine the mirror is satisfactory, firmly press the tiles in place.
Once again, place the soft float across the surface of the tiles.
Before using grout, tape the mirror with painters tape to help protect the delicate mirror surface.
Use a trowel and diligently grout the tile using a pre-mixed grout.

Tile-frame mirrors add an instant splash of color to any room. They are easy to incorporate a wide selection of colors, making it simple to mix and match with future apparel and home wares.

Framing Mirrors with Metal Clips

Frameless-style mirrors look superb with metal clips. This is the most common method to frame frameless mirrors. Frequently used mirror clips include metal or acrylic, but more upscale styles are available at modern-day home retailers

To frame a square or rectangle mirror, use this easy to follow guide.

Using a mirror-friendly marker, such as a china marker, soapstone marker, grease pencil or crayon. Measure the mirror’s width, marking the exact center.
Measure the bottom location to help center the mirror placement.
Using one of the aforementioned markers, mark both the center and edge locations directly on the wall.
Measure exactly how far the clips are placed based on the mirror’s edge measurements.
Mirror placement is not a science and is mostly about aesthetic looks. Common measurements are 2” to 4”.
Mark each projected clip area on the wall and drill mounting holes. Generally, a small pilot drill will suffice.
Install the bottom wall anchors first, lightly tapping with a hammer. Leave screws just loose enough to allow for proper mirror placement.
Place the wall mirror inside the bottom clips and place the top clips in place. Use a level to ensure the mirror aligns. Remove the mirror and follow step six and seven, then reattach the mirror into place and tighten all mirror clips.

When framing oval or round mirrors, metal clip placement is a matter of personal preference, albeit it at 10 o’clock, 2 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock or 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock.

There are several different types of small clips, holding rods or frames, which help to secure wall mirrors. It is important when hanging a heavy wall mirror to find wall studs to secure the mirror directly into the wall.

Mirror Shapes

Mirrors come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, which complement certain types of decor and interior styles.

Oval and Round Mirrors – These mirrors are very popular styles and are readily available in a wide range of colors, including wood stains, popular bold tones and even versatile hues. Round and oval mirrors compliment all types of decor and rooms, including contemporary or vintage bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms and even entryways.
Rectangular and Square Mirrors – Rectangular and square mirrors are designed to capture the angular beauty of modern-day and contemporary styles. Blending well with strong features or whimsical curvy designs, these attractive mirrors easily blend with home or office decors.
Sunburst Mirrors – Reminiscent of the 1940s, this wall mirror dates back to King Louis XIV of France. Reaching a pinnacle of popularity in old Hollywood, this artistic style adds an imaginative flair to any home. With an edgy Art-Deco style, these playful mirrors are all the rage this season.
Geometric Mirrors – These styles reflect a unique, upscale design that highlights a modernized vintage aesthetic.
Tall and Thin Mirrors – Highlighting French architecture and structural accents, these mirrors can range from Venetian to Industrial styles
Round Top Mirrors – These styles are similar to those found in old-style cathedrals. Featuring an arched look, these mirrors appear especially charming with stained glass. This architectural style of mirror blends well with dining room buffets, console tables, headboards and even fireplace mantels.
Beveled Mirrors – Blending well with modern-day, contemporary styles, beveled mirrors elevate the classic frameless mirror to another level – one that highlights edginess, sophistication and the utmost style.

Customizing Frames

Custom wall mirrors are the perfect accent to interior decors. They highlight furniture or rooms, reflecting custom designs. Oversize mirrors can serve as general focal points in rooms. Depending upon the finish, mirrors can turn rooms into exotic, bold areas or allow rooms to blend with original, classic artwork.

If you want a balanced approach, select a mirror that features a larger frame, as this helps maintain the proportion and balance of oversized mirrors. Mirrors reflect windows, artwork or light, visually opening small rooms and spaces.

Mirror frames’ colors can reflect similar tones throughout the home, highlighting furniture color or even cabinetry designs. Mirrors are customized based on style, color, finish and exterior dimensions. In short, mirrors are an extension of the home, blending well with home decor, walls, trim, carpeting and other home elements.

References:

http://www.hgtv.com/bathrooms/how-to-frame-a-plate-glass-wall-mirror/page-1.html

http://ext.homedepot.com/community/blog/wp-content/wpuploads/Tiled-Mirror-Do-It-Herself-Project-from-Home-Depot.pdf

http://diyhousehelp.com/how-to/construct-and-install/installing-frameless-mirrors-with-mirror-clips/

http://www.ehow.com/way_5859454_different-shapes-unique-wall-mirrors.html

http://houseappeal.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/the-radiance-of-the-sunburst-mirror/

http://ext.homedepot.com/community/blog/many-styles-of-mirrors/

http://www.indianapolis.thegreatframeup.com/custom.asp?id=463030&page=9