When it comes to using mirrored tiles in a home installation, there are a few things worth reviewing. Here are some drawbacks of choosing mirrored tiles over other reflective surfaces:

Affordability vs. Installation Costs

• Mirror tiles are small, making them easy to warehouse and ship. This makes them readily available online and in stores at inexpensive prices.
• However, while the tiles themselves are cheap, the installation process can be expensive. Mirror is a fragile and difficult building material to work with, requiring skilled labor for a polished look.

Continue reading the next section for important factors to consider before beginning your mirror tile project.

Mirror Tile Project Considerations

1. Distortion: All mirror tiles have distortion, primarily due to the glue used to bond them to the surface. This creates a high spot in each tile. While thicker glass reduces distortion, it's almost always present.

2. Installation: Mirror tile installation is unique compared to other tiled products. Experienced tile setters might not have the specific technique for mirror tiles. Techniques that work for ceramic tiles might not be effective for mirror tiles.

3. Cost: Despite being inexpensive, the complexity of installing mirror tiles can make the overall project cost comparable to, or even more expensive than, using a single large mirror.

4. Fragility: Mirror tiles, especially those made from thin glass, are fragile and susceptible to breaking due to impacts or heat exposure. This is a common concern for all glass products, but it's more prominent with thinner glass.

Antique mirror tiles or aged mirror tiles are a popular look for achieving an artistic aesthetic for your mirror tile project.

This style is available online, though it's important to make sure that you pick the right style of antiquing. Antique mirror comes in many styles with many color inflections and designs.

Make sure that you're selecting a product that has the same aesthetic as the inspiration that you're looking at or look that you like.

It's a good idea to order samples of any product that you'd like. Also, find out whether or not the pattern on the mirror in the case of antique mirror repeats or is unique for each tile. Sometimes, a repeating pattern can have a unique look that isn't desirable for many people.

For many colorful mirror tiles, I would make sure they're not plastic or acrylic. As most colorful mirror tiles you'll see online are actually acrylic. Acrylic can have issues and be complicated to work with.

Standard Mirror Tile Sizes:

• 12 inches by 12 inches
• 11 inches by 11 inches

These sizes are more related to manufacturing processes than aesthetics.

Other Available Sizes:

• Subway tile style (small rectangle): This size is commonly found at home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. It's a popular choice for both ceramic and mirror tiles.

Tips for Choosing Mirror Tile Sizes:

• Pay close attention to the size of mirror tiles used in inspiration photos.
• Consider how different sizes would look with the other products in your project.
• Verify that the desired sizes are available for purchase, as online inspiration photos may feature sizes not commonly sold.

Remember that the size and shape of your mirror tiles can significantly impact the overall look of your project.

Tile Edge Options:

Note: Online options for tile edges may be limited.

Tiles: Glass vs. Plastic

• "Tiles" can refer to both glass and plastic reflective tiles.
• Glass mirror tiles typically come in 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 inch thicknesses.
• Thicker glass tiles are harder to bend and slightly heavier.
• Thinner glass tiles are easier to bend and lighter.
• Acrylic (plastic) tiles, even when thick, tend to bend and distort.
• Many colorful reflective mirror tiles are acrylic because colored glass mirrors are hard to find.

Cost Comparison of Different Types of Mirrors

Checklist for Getting a Quote from a Professional

• A photo of the space
• An inspo photo for how you'd like the space to look
• An inspo photo or drawing that shows the dimension of the mirror tile and look itself
• Information about other construction going on in the location
• The location of the space being worked on in your home (first floor, etc)
• The type of wall (stucco, drywall, etc)
• Overall size of the space
• Size of each individual tile