Bathroom Mirror Woes

[SB4U]

Do any of you have any experience installing large mirrors onto tiled walls? I installed one in the en-suite project I did last year but have a problem and need some advice. I appreciate it's not really a question for here but you guys gave me such good advice whilst I was working on the project that I thought I'd give you a try first. (Plus I've rather missed chatting with you.) Dan, please delete this if it's not appropriate for the tilers forum.

I installed a large (2000 x 1000 x 6) mirror with demister pads behind it. The demister pads are connected into the lighting circuit so that they only come on if the light is on. All was fine until I went out to work one day and forgot to turn the light off. When I arrived home I discovered that the mirror was cracked.

I need to get replacement mirror now of course but I'm nervous about it cracking again so wanted to get some advice beforehand. There's a couple of points where I think I may have gone wrong:

• Rather than buy a large demister that would cover the whole mirror, I bought 2 500 x 500 mirror demisters and fitted them where we'd be looking when standing at the sinks. I wonder if this caused the mirror to expand unevenly when hot. The crack seems to be mainly behind where the most central demister was. (These are the pads: Mirror Demister Pad - 519mm x 524mm 50w)

• I didn't tile behind the mirror. Instead I left a void which I filled with plasterboard to bring it to the same level as the tiles. I think it's pretty level though. Not sure if that could have caused a problem though.

What are your thoughts guys. Any advice would be gratefully received before I splash out on another mirror.

Steve

Before

After

 

[SB4U]

Ray, can you expand on your suggestions please. What kind of brackets would I need to use for a mirror of that size? Plus I'm not sure what you mean with your second suggestion.

 

[John Benton]

Ray, can you expand on your suggestions please. What kind of brackets would I need to use for a mirror of that size? Plus I'm not sure what you mean with your second suggestion.

I think this is what Ray means. Did this one a couple of years ago. Worked out where the mirror needed to go. Set out the tiles with box trim on the 4 internal sides and then just measured the internal dimension, took 2mm of each length and then got the glass cut to size and just fixed with mirrormate

 

[tommyzooom]

Id agree the drilled holes are causing a weak point
I'd replace with an undrilled mirror and use these....
8 BRACKET LARGE MIRROR / PICTURE HANGING KIT + SCREWS Fitting Wall Anchor Set

 

[J Sid]

I would get a glass company in to template and fix the mirror, why do it yourself?
Do you get your electrician to do your plumbing? Or your plumber to do your tiling? Well maybe but look at the mess they normally make.
Get a professional glass/mirror company, they should know what to do and if it goes wrong they will put it right.

 

[White Room]

I would get a glass company in to template and fix the mirror, why do it yourself?
Do you get your electrician to do your plumbing? Or your plumber to do your tiling? Well maybe but look at the mess they normally make.
Get a professional glass/mirror company, they should know what to do and if it goes wrong they will put it right.

You know it's true Julian😀

 

[SB4U]

Thank you all for your suggestions. They're all very much appreciated. The boxed in mirror looks really tidy and I wish I'd done it like that in the first place. I'm not sure that I fancy re-cutting the tiles once they're on the wall though if I'm honest. Would you just use an angle grinder for that?

@JulianSidney you asked 'why do it yourself?' My answer is because I enjoy it. We all get our fun in different ways. This is one of the ways I get mine.

Steve