A Short History of Mirror Making
Mirrors are so commonplace today; hardly a thought is given to where they come from and how they’re made. The process of making a mirror is not very complex, as there are only a few steps to the process, but it does take some work to complete. Each mirror needs to be made using this process, and care must be taken to ensure everything is perfect, so the final product works as intended without any distortion.
While mirror construction is typically done in a factory setting to ensure quality, there are also methods that allow people to create their own mirrors at home. It’s also possible to create a smart mirror at home, that can provide the weather and other information someone might need when they’re getting ready for work in the morning. Once the mirror has been created and finished, it can be installed in the home or office.
When Were Mirrors Invented?
Mirrors are traditionally made using glass, but they have been around longer than glass. The first simple mirrors were made around 600 BC out of polished obsidian. While this was not as clear and reflective as the mirrors today, it was sufficient for someone to see their reflection. Later, these mirrors were made with bronze, gold, silver, and lead. The mirrors were usually very small as they were very heavy.
Mirrors in the Middle Ages
In the late Middle Ages, the creation of contemporary mirrors made with glass and a reflective backing allowed for those who had money to have their own mirror. The main problem was that the process was very difficult, with most of the glass breaking before a mirror was finally created. As time went on, new methods of making glass allowed for glass that did not break as easily during the creation of a mirror and new techniques for making mirrors made it easier to pour on the reflective layer, so there wasn’t as much of a chance of the glass breaking during the construction.
Mirror Making Today
Now, glass production has made it possible for extremely clear glass to be created and for the mirroring process to be perfected, so it’s much easier for mirrors to be created. Mirrors can now be as big as needed, lighter so they can hang on walls or be carried around, and even higher quality so they can be used for scientific purposes without worrying about imperfections causing issues. No longer are mirrors just for the richest people, thanks to modern production methods.
The Modern Commercial Process for Making a Mirror
Mirrors are created through a process called silvering. Silver is the most common metal used to create mirrors, but they can be created with other materials like gold as well. A clean, pre-shaped glass surface is needed for the mirror. This glass must be free of imperfections to reduce the chance of the glass breaking during the production of the mirror. It’s placed in a vacuum chamber and the reflective material, typically silver, is then put onto the back of the glass.
Evaporation vs. Spraying
Today, many manufacturers prefer to use an evaporating method instead of spraying the metal for the mirror. They use special machines that heat the metal enough that it evaporates, then when it cools, it is deposited on the glass. Using this technique, it’s possible to create a perfect coat of the metal on the glass or to stencil a mirrored design on the glass. This step can be done multiple times for one piece of glass, depending on how the mirror should look when it’s done. After the metal is added to the mirror, a protective layer is added on top of it to make sure the metal isn’t scratched during day-to-day use. Once the protective layer has dried, the mirror is ready to be finished and used in a home or office.
What About Framing?
Some mirrors are hung without any framing, especially ones that will be used for floor-to-ceiling applications to create a mirrored wall. However, most mirrors are finished so they can be hung in the home and match with the rest of the décor. The finishing will depend on how the mirror will be hung as well as what the mirror should look like. Various options are available, but a square or rectangle frame is standard for many home and office applications.
A frame should be constructed that will fit the mirror perfectly. Then, the frame is painted to match the décor of the home or office, if the mirror is being custom made. The mirror frame should be painted on the back and the front, as it’s attached to the front of the mirror. This means a small amount of the back of the frame will reflect in the mirror. Frames are typically attached using liquid nails to ensure they are securely attached to the mirror. Once this is done, a way to hang the mirror can be added to the frame.
Looking To The Future: Smart Mirrors
Smart-everything is popular today, with refrigerators, vacuums, light bulbs, and plenty of other items having features that make them easier to work with or use. Smart features can be added onto mirrors as well, though the process may be a bit complicated to do. Once the mirror has the smart components added to it, the mirror is able to display the current time, the calendar, the weather, a news feed, and more.
Smart mirrors are constructed using hardware like a Raspberry Pi with a Wi-Fi adapter, a computer monitor, a two-way glass mirror, a power source, and a frame. Everything needs to be assembled properly to allow the Raspberry Pi to display the preferred information on the mirror. A special program needs to be added to the Raspberry Pi to ensure it can display the correct information. Then, the mirror and its components need to be added to a thick frame to hide the internal components and allow the mirror to be hung on the wall. Once everything is put together, and the program has been installed, it can be customized for the user.
Mirror Installation in a Home or Office
Mirror installations can be simple, but they can be complex as well, depending on the application. Due to the cost of custom mirrors, it is often a good idea to look into our installation services for large or full-wall mirrors. We can ensure the mirror is attached to the wall properly to reduce the chance of it falling at any point. Especially with the very large or full-wall mirrors, safety during and after the installation is a concern.
We are also able to remove broken windows, protecting those in the home or office from the risk of getting cut by the glass while it’s being removed. They are able to remove all broken pieces of the glass and ensure they are disposed of properly. Then, they can create a custom mirror to replace the broken one or hang a standard mirror. The installers can handle any kind of mirror, including wall or wardrobe mirrors, vanity and beveled mirrors, and mirrors in homes, offices, or commercial settings.
What Does it Mean For Me?
Mirrors have come a long way since they were created by polishing obsidian. Though mirrors are commonly seen today, they still need to be made carefully to ensure they are as high quality as possible and to make sure they’re finished properly for the intended use. It’s also possible now to have smart mirrors that can tell the time, displace the weather or the news, and more. If you need a new mirror for your home, office, or a commercial setting, contact our expert mirror installers today so your new mirror will look perfect, hang on the wall safely, and be ready to use. We can handle any size mirror and any application to ensure safety during and after the installation and to make sure the mirror looks perfect.