Learning how to frame a bathroom mirror can help you create a custom mirror for any bath in the house. Whether your mirror is to be permanent or moveable, there are several choices for mirror framing.
Types of Frame Mirrors
When framing a mirror yourself, you'll have two choices for the type of mirror: those that are permanently affixed to the wall and those you can move.
Permanent Framed Mirrors
Mounting a plain mirror to the wall can allow you to build a permanent frame right around it. Tile or wood moldings are attached not to the mirror itself, but to the wall around it, forming a frame. This technique works well if the rest of the wall is tiled or you know you won't be moving or changing the mirror out anytime soon.
Moveable Framed Mirrors
A moveable framed mirror encases the glass inside a frame much like a framed picture. Slats of wood are grooved to fit the glass into, the corners of the frame are stapled or glued together, and the mirror can be moved from one wall to another at any time.
How to Frame a Bathroom Mirror
Before you can frame your mirror, you'll need to know what kind of mirror you're after and how you want the finished product to look.
Framing a Permanent Mirror
To frame a permanent mirror, get a flat piece of mirrored glass from a glass or window shop and have it cut to the required dimensions. Have the shop apply an attachment to the back of the mirror at the top and bottom which will allow you to mount it flush to the wall.
Take the measurements of the mirror to purchase tile or wood moldings to surround the mirror, taking into account both the corners of the mirror and any trim or edging the wood or tile will need to die into the wall around it.
Lay the mirror out on a flat surface and place your tiles or wood molding around it to get an idea of how they will fit. Cut corners at to meet one another at an angle unless you plan on using ceramic or mosaic tiles with available corner pieces.
Mount the mirror on the wall and begin framing it from the top, center with tile or the top piece of a wood molding. Work evenly down the sides from the top, and from the center of the bottom out to the sides. The tile or moldings should butt right up against the edge of the mirror; apply painter's tape to the mirrors edge before spreading tile adhesive on the wall to avoid marking the glass.
The tile or wood will be attached to the wall with either adhesive or nails; make sure that the frame is thick enough to accommodate both the glass and any clearance it needs coming off the wall from its attachments.
Framing a Moveable Mirror
Framing a moveable mirror can be more simple. Picture frames with the front glass removed can be used as mirror frames. Simply have the mirror cut to the dimensions of the frame at time of purchase.
Artists' frames made of plain wood can also be used to frame a mirror. Decorate the wood before applying it to the glass. Use paint, fabric or embellishments to transform the plain frame into a custom work of art.
Fit the sides of the frame onto the glass first, then the top and bottom. If possible, use wood staples on the corners to hold the frame together tightly. If not, use wood glue and clamp the frame in place until it dries.
If the glass is too thin for the grooves in the frame to be held steady, lay the frame on its face with the glass inside so the glass settles to the front, leaving the gap in the back. Fill this gap with a thin line of silicone adhesive to hold the glass in place and prevent it from moving.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to frame a bathroom mirror can help you achieve the perfect finishing touch to your bathroom design. Give it a try to create a one-of-a-kind look today.
