Your Guide to Mirror Tiles
This is a simple guide for deciding whether or not mirror tiles are the right product to put in your home. My goal is to provide as detailed a webpage as possible, helping you understand all the considerations, starting with design and ending with maintenance.
I'll also talk in detail about the pros and cons of DIY v. professional installation. If you have a question not covered on the page, use the "question" box below to send me a question. I'll try to get back to you within one business day.
Table Of Contents
- Choosing The Right Type Of Mirror Tile
- Communicating Your Ideas And Receiving Bids
- Considerations: DIY Vs. Professional
- DIY Techniques And Considerations (separate These)
- Cleaning And Maintenance
- Durability Replacements Glass Cracking From Heat
- Alternatives That Achieve A Similar Look
Some Things To Consider About Mirror Tiles
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.
a classic case of mirror distortion...
Design Phase
Mirror Tiles: A Quick Summary
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Affordable to buy | Installation can be complex and expensive |
Can create unique and stylish looks | Susceptible to distortion and breakage |
Easy to cut and shape for custom designs | Require careful cleaning and maintenance |
Can be difficult to match perfectly |
Choosing The Right Mirror Tile
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.
Attribute | 1/8" Glass Mirror Tiles | 3/16" Glass Mirror Tiles | 1/4" Glass Mirror Tiles | Acrylic Mirror Tiles |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | Low | Medium | High | Low |
Bending (Distortion) | Low | Very Low | Very Low | High |
Weight | Light | Medium | Heavy | Very Light |
Choosing The Right Shape Mirror Tile
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.
Square 8" x 8" mirror tiles
Choosing The Right Edge For Your Tile
Tile Edge Options:
Edge Type | Description | Availability | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Beveled Edge | Commonly found online. Bevel width varies: Smaller tiles: Around 0.5 inches. Larger tiles: Around 1 inch. |
Online | Generally affordable |
Flat Polished Edge | Commonly found online. | Online | Moderate price range |
Mitered Edge | Available at local stores with glass edging capabilities. | Local stores | Pricier due to specialized finishing |
Seamed Edge | Available at local stores with glass edging capabilities. | Local stores | Least expensive due to "rough" look |
Note: Online options for tile edges may be limited.
Bevel subway style mirror tiles
Choose The Right Finish For Your Tile (antiqued, Colorful, Clear, Etc)
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
Type of Mirror | Cost |
---|---|
Acrylic Mirror | Less Expensive |
Clear Mirror | Moderately Expensive |
Antiqued Mirror | Most Expensive |
Colorful Mirror | Most Expensive |
Building Phase
Communicating Your Ideas And Receiving Bids
When you are trying to figure out if a project is even worth doing -- or budgeting -- then making a plan for presenting the information to contractors is a great first step. See the checklist below for the information you will need to have handy when discussing this project with a professional
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
Installation Considerations: DIY Vs. Professional
Criteria | Professional Installation | DIY Installation |
---|---|---|
Cost | Higher - Professional fees and material markup | Lower - Only material costs and tools |
Timing | Faster - With scheduling and experience | Slower - Due to lack of experience and possible errors |
Difficulty of Installation | Low - Experts handle the process | High - Requires skill, precision, and tools |
Quality of Finish | High - Professional quality and finish | Variable - Depends on skill level |
Warranty | Usually provided by professionals | None - Responsible for any fixes yourself |
Customization | High - Experts can handle custom requests | Limited - Dependent on personal skill |
Experience Required | None - Handled by professionals | High - Need to learn and practice |
Stress Level | Low - Managed by professionals | High - Managing the project yourself |
Professional Installation Costs
Factors | Effect on Project Cost |
---|---|
Irregular shaped or large mirror tiles | Increases cost |
Antiqued mirror | Increases cost |
Complex shapes or tile patterns | Increases cost |
Fitting the tiles into an enclosed space (like a backsplash) | Increases cost |
Cut outs for notches, outlets, or any other fabrication | Increases cost |
Installing on a surface that needs to be prepped before mirror tiles can be mounted to it (like brick) | Increases cost |
DIY Techniques And Considerations
If you want to pursue the DIY route, the steps below are meant to sketch out the process. Each step has a description and then a link to more references. I use Youtube all the time to help understand how to do things. I recommend doing that!
Flat Surface
How flat the underlying (also called subsurface) that you plan to mount the mirror on will have a huge effect on how flat the mirror image will appear. A bumpy surface will be much more complicated to work with than a flat one. If you do not know how to evaluate your wall for