DIY Decorating & Design host Nancy Golden gives a quick survey of the types of mirrors commonly available at glass shops. Regular mirrored glass, plain glass that has been spray-painted with aluminum on the back to create a mirrored surface, is available in 1/8" and 1/4" thicknesses. Thin 1/8" mirrored glass is very lightweight (figure A), making it a sensible option for a heavy-framed wall mirror. Heavier and more durable, 1/4" plate-glass mirror is the more popular choice (figure B). It runs about $6.20 per square foot, about $1 more per square foot than 1/8" mirrored glass. It has a richer look than thinner glass, and its edges can be beveled. Beveled-edge glass mirrors are quite expensive, costing about $40 per square foot. The custom work involved in grinding down the edge of the mirror to form a beveled edge accounts for the high price. A plate-glass mirror with a beveled edge must be custom-ordered 2 to 4 weeks in advance. Beveled-edge mirror strips and tiles, at about $4 per foot, provide an inexpensive way to dress up a plain mirror. A plain mirror can be framed with beveled-edge strips or tiles, or they can be attached to the top edge of the mirror with mirror mastic. Colored mirrors, in smoke and bronze, provide soft reflections. Nancy Golden recommends using them on kitchen backsplashes and inside cabinets where a bright reflection isn't necessary. A great way to save money on a mirror is to buy an old frame and fit it with a new mirror. At about $5 to $6 per square foot, it will cost much less (and have more character) than a new department-store mirror. Mirrors made with acrylic "glass" are a good option for a child. Acrylic mirrors are as durable as plastic and very flexible. A 1/8"-thick acrylic mirror is 17 times less likely to break than regular glass. Acrylic mirrors cost about $6.50 per square foot. Because they scratch very easily and warp an image if not mounted perfectly flat, they're best used in situations where safety is the most important consideration.
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
