Bathroom TV 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. Notice that with the TV on, the mirror disappears and you are
easily able to see through
it. With the screen off, the mirror reappears against the black
background and is highly reflective.
It's best to evaluate the reflection from a distance--it does not appear
as reflective when you are
standing within a couple feet of it.
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?
Standard bath glass -
The coating of our standard bath glass is weatherproof and should be
closer to the viewer, to maximize reflectivity.
Premium bath glass - 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?
Standard bath glass - 40% Reflective, 25% Transparent
Premium bath glass - 70% Reflective, 30% Transparent
What can be used to clean it?
Standard bath glass - Any standard glass cleaner such as Windex works great on our mirrors,
and you can wipe it clean with normal paper towels.
Premium bath glass - The uncoated side can be cleaned with Windex and
paper towels. The coated side should only be cleaned with 50% alcohol
cleaner and non-abrasive wipes. The coated side has a tendency to
scratch and leave streaks, so it's best to handle it by the edges and
avoid getting fingerprints on it. For handling, we recommend Atlas
Nitrile gloves.
Any other mirror handling tips?
Do not set the glass down on a hard floor, no matter how gently. You
need to at least use a rubber or carpeted surface. Use Atlas Nitrile
gloves to enhance your gripping ability, and for larger sizes use two
people to handle it. Do not lean the glass on a corner because it will
chip.
The coating of our premium bathroom glass scratches easily, so you
should keep it protected while working with the material. If you are
doing any kind of edgework, take appropriate precautions so that the
coating will not be scratched. Do not lay the premium glass down on
the coated side on any surface, as it will be scratched! Do not use tape
or any kind of chemicals including glue on the coated side! If you
decide to do any kind of edgework or use chemicals, be sure to test it
first on a product sample before attempting it on the full sized mirror.
We are not responsible for damage done through mishandling or
modification of our products.
Inspect the mirror thoroughly upon arrival for any damage or defects
and note them on the bill of lading so that insurance covers any
problems with the merchandise.
What makes this mirror superior to your dielectric mirrors?
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.
Bathroom TV Mirror
Installation Tips
Selecting a television
We recommend that you use a LCD TV rather than a plasma, because plasma
TV's can be a fire hazard if you block the heat from escaping. We
recommend that you buy a Sharp Aquos or Hitachi Ultrathin, because they
are is light, thin, and have
convenient positioning of the remote sensor and connectors in the back. Some tips to consider if you are buying a different model:
You will have limited space to work with inside the wall. Thinner is
generally better. On some models, the wires come straight out the back,
effectively making them thicker.
Brightness is important because you're going to be blocking a lot of
the light with the mirror.
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. |
