Bathroom Mirror FAQ
What is a bathroom TV mirror?Thin layers of material are permanently deposited on a glass substrate. Each layer filters light at an atomic level, allowing specific wavelengths to pass through, while the rest are reflected. The TV mirrors we sell are engineered to allow some of the light from your TV to pass through unimpeded, while keeping enough reflectivity to shave and put on makeup.
How do I evaluate the mirror sample?
Hold the mirror close to your TV screen while being careful not to scratch the screen with the corners. With the TV on, the mirror disappears and you are easily able to see through it. With the screen off, the TV disappears and the mirror is highly reflective.
Which side is coated?
Hold an object such as your fingernail against the mirror. If there is a gap between the object and its reflection, it is the uncoated side. If there is no gap between the object and its reflection, it is the coated side.
 COATED SIDE - no gap between finger and reflection |
 UNCOATED SIDE - gap between finger and reflection |
Which side goes closer to the TV?
VanityVision - Mirror coating is waterproof and should be closer to the viewer to maximize reflectivity.
Premium ClearChrome - The mirror is equally reflective from both sides. It is very important that the mirror is mounted with the coated side facing the TV to protect it from scratching.
How much light passes through the mirror and how much is reflected?
VanityVision: 70% Reflective, 25% Transparent
Premium ClearChrome: 70% Reflective, 30% Transparent
What can be used to clean it?
Any standard glass cleaner such as non-ammonia Windex works great on our mirrors, and you can wipe it clean with regular paper towels.
Any other mirror handling tips?
Do not set the glass down on a hard surface, no matter how gently. You need to at least use a rubber or carpeted surface. Use nitrile gloves to enhance your gripping ability, and for larger sizes use two people to handle it. Do not balance the glass on a corner because it will chip.
Can it be glued?
Yes, you can use black silicone glue. Other colors (or clear glue) will show through. Alternatively, 3M black permanent mounting tape works well and is easier to work with than glue. If you are planning to use glue or other adhesives on the mirror, practice on a sample mirror first.
Can it be glued?
Yes, you can use black silicone glue. Other colors (or clear glue) will show through. Alternatively, 3M black permanent mounting tape works well and is easier to handle than glue. Don't forget to mask off any unglued or taped areas with a black material for a consistent appearance.
What makes the VanityVision better than the Dielectric in the bathroom?
The purpose of the Dielectric mirror is to let a maximum amount of light while offering a mirror-like effect when off. The bathroom mirrors have a much better reflection which allows users to shave and put on makeup in them.
What thicknesses are available?
6mm (1/4") thickness. The premium glass is customizable, but we generally recommend that you use 6mm (1/4") thickness for the best balance of quality and strength.
Can the premium mirrors be beveled?
Beveling can be done, but there will be a 1/4" - 1/2" area on the edge which will not be coated (the part of the mirror that is held during the coating process). For this reason, when installing beveled mirrors, we recommend that you use black felt matting on the back and a frame around it to hide it. If you are doing the beveling after you receive the mirror from us, please make sure the coating is well protected from being scratched.
Any other tips?
If the mirror is installed so that part of it is hanging over the edge of the screen, the frame of the
TV may show through. We recommend covering this area with black felt matting on the back side of
the mirror to make it blend in.
What size should I buy?
Most customers are using the bathroom mirrors as main vanities, which a size ranging from 30"x40" to 46"x65". You should discuss the measurements with a framer or the person doing the installation.
The mirrors can be cut the same way as regular glass.
What size should I buy?
Selecting a television
Choosing a TV
In-wall installation: Almost any LED TV will work great for an in-wall bathroom installation. Be sure to choose a TV that can lay flat against the glass (a small number of TVs have curved bezels). Be sure that the depth of the TV doesn't exceed the amount of space within your wall.
On-wall installation: The thinner the better.
Heat dissipation
After installation, it's a good idea to put a digital thermometer in back of the TV and leave it running for a while. Compare the maximum heat reading to the specifications for the TV, and make sure you are not exceeding them. If it's getting too hot, you can move it further from the wall, or install
some tiny fans in back to blow the heat upwards. When constructing the frame or cabinet, make sure that the heat vents aren't obstructed and that there is sufficient air flow.
Mirror size
For standard installations, the mirror should be much bigger than the size of the TV, which is recessed into the wall.
Make the TV blend in
The back of the mirror should be covered with a thin black material except for the part which will be in front of the TV. The black material will help the screen blend in when the TV is off. If you are recessing the TV into the wall, the wall can be painted black behind the mirror. If you are using felt with a sticky backing, do not apply the sticky side to the glass. The cloth side should be flat against the mirror and sticky side should be attached to a firm backing to make the felt stay flat against the glass.
Remote control
The remote control sensor can be either covered by the mirror or you can use an infrared repeater. Infrared repeaters are an excellent option if the sensor is going to be blocked by a picture frame or cabinet, or to enhance the range so it can be used from a bathtub or Jacuzzi.
Mounting
You should buy or make an in-wall mount that is specifically designed to bring the TV flush with the wall.
Types of installations
The most popular types of installations are recessing it into the wall and building it into a cabinet. The easiest installation is to have a frame made that is the width of the TV frame, which holds the mirror in place over the screen. The frame is attached to the wall around the TV.
Speakers
Use in-wall, external speakers. 2.4G wireless speakers are nice because you do not need to do a lot of work in the wall with cables.
Finding a contractor
Most of our customers work with an experienced professional to make sure the installation goes smoothly. We recommend you consult one of the following: cabinet makers, interior designers, carpenters, home builders, general contractors, architects, framers, glass companies, and other
contractors working in similar areas.
We have a dealer search available to aid you in your search.
Questions? Call us! (419) 842-4554
