Replacing the glass and keeping the frame is one way to fix your old, broken, smudgy, or discolored mirror. While mirror shops offer many options if you want a new or custom fabrication, swapping the glass has many advantages. Professional glass and mirror services also involve reinforcing and improving the overall aesthetics of your existing frame. Here are the steps for replacing the glass in your framed mirror:
Choose Your New Glass Option
Swapping the glass in your mirror gives you a chance to create a different appeal. All framed mirrors, including antique mirrors, bathroom vanities, kitchen backsplashes, mirrored walls, and table covers, come in various options. Before you order the new glass, determine the size, shape, edges, frames, and design elements you want. Get a larger or smaller glass, customize shapes and edges, add text and logos, or choose from etched designs. Sticking with the same glass your mirror has is also an option if glass shops have it.
Get Your Measurements Right
Companies that offer glass and mirror services help with measurements, which often present challenges when dealing with custom fabrications. Changing the size, shapes, and edges of your mirror calls for new measurements and cuts. If you’re sticking with the dimensions of your old mirror, measure the glass, frame, and groove on which the glass sits. Some mirrors use the backing and clippers to hold the glass instead of a groove. Measure the length, width, and thickness of the glass and frame and enter them accurately when ordering the replacement.
Disassemble the Old Mirror
Glass and mirror installers you work with handle disassembly and installation services. This step involves setting down the old frame on a flat workspace and removing the clips holding the mirror and backing. Once all clips are removed, the backing is lifted out of the frame to expose the old glass. The mirror installer then removes the old glass and completes any steps required to polish or improve the frame. Any additional customization is completed during this phase to prepare the frame and backing for the new glass.
Prepare the Replacement Glass
The new replacement glass, frame, and backing require cleaning and polishing to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Each part is cleaned with an antibacterial spray and then left to dry. Before putting the mirror back together, each piece is wiped down with a dry cloth. These steps remove bacteria and other germs from the new mirror. New mirrors arrive covered by a thin protective film to prevent scratches and keep dust and dirt away from the glass. The plastic film is removed and any smudges and streaks are removed before installing the mirror.
Assemble Your New Mirror
Custom fabrications with new designs, frames, and backings require unique assembly. For a standard mirror, the process involves laying the frame down first followed by the mirror and backing. New frames come with new backing for consistent and precise installations. Set the mirror on the frame with the reflective side facing outward. Place the backing against it to achieve a snug fit within the frame, then reattach the clips to secure them in place.
Complete Final Installation of Framed Mirror
If any streaks and smudges appear after reassembling your mirror, wipe them off using a glass cleaner. Use a dry cloth to wipe down the frames and backing, too, before rehanging your mirror. Mirrors have unique designs so the standard steps above don’t work for all cases. Some mirrors are installed in the wall or closet, which involves additional screws and steps. The best approach is to work with experienced glass and mirror installers. Involving a professional protects your new glass and fixtures from damage and assures a clean installation.
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Professional Glass and Mirror Services
Swapping the old glass in your framed mirror is an affordable alternative to buying a completely new mirror. The option is more appealing if you don’t want to lose the rustic appeal of your old frame. You’re also free to stick to the same design, choose from other options, or customize your new mirror. Hire professional glass and mirror services today to reinvent the look of your framed mirrors.
