What Should I Look For In a Mirror? January 19, 2011

That’s a legitimate question that more people should ask.  All mirrors are NOT created equal and here is a quick rundown on what to look for.  For starters, any salesperson who is worth his salt will tell you they have the best of the best.  That’s fine, but DO ask him what makes the difference.  If he doesn’t have a good answer find someone else.  Good residential mirror has the following qualities:

• High silver content
• Multiple coats of protective paint on the back (to keep air from the silver which will make it tarnish)
• Use one glass source exclusively.  If  the manufacturer uses multiple sources for glass you may find subtle differences in the shade of the mirror.  It won’t be noticed until you put two pieces together, but by that time it is too late!
• The latest processes call for the elimination of copper in the backing.  This change enhances the life of the mirror dramatically.  The best mirror is “copper free”
• Size matters! Mirror comes in ¼” thickness and several thinner ones.  The thinner types are either for special applications like mirrored wardrobe doors or just plain cost cutting.  If it isn’t ¼” it IS a lower quality mirror
• ¼” thick mirror is a good start, but the best mirror is made from “mirror select” quality glass.  This is glass that has been selected exclusively for mirrors.  It has fewer flaws and distortions and is a key ingredient in the BEST mirror

Lastly, no mirror is perfect.  If you spend long enough looking at it you will find something that isn’t perfect.  Our technology simply isn’t that good.  Industry standards dictate that if you can’t see the flaw from about 10’ it is acceptable.  Also looking at the mirror from a sharp angle will almost always make it look distorted.

At Mirror Shower & Glass, we use Guardian Mirror exclusively for in home installation.  Guardian is the world’s largest producer of “mirror select” glass and they use it exclusively in their product.  It is  American made, produced in Reedley California.  It has a high silver content, multiple coats of paint and is “copper free”.  It is the very best mirror I know of.