Immediate
ShippingBathroom TV Mirror FAQ
What is a bathroom TV mirror?
A bathroom TV mirror is
created by permanently deposting thin layers of material on a glass
substrate. Each of these layers filters light at an atomic level, allowing
specific wavelengths to pass through, while refelcting the rest. Our TV
mirrors are engineered to allow some of the light from your TV to pass
through unimpeded, while keeping enough reflectivity for you to
comfortably shave, do your hair and put on makeup.
How do I evaluate the mirror
sample?
The easiest way to evaluate your mirror sample is to hold
it close to your TV screen, being careful not to scratch the screen with
the corners. With the TV on, you'll notice that the mirror becomes
transparent and you are easily able to see through it. Turn the TV off,
and you'll see that the sample becomes a mirror once more and is highly
reflective. It's best to evaluate the reflection from a distance,
as the mirror will not appear as reflective if you are standing
within a couple feet of it.
Which side is
coated?
The easiest way
to figure this out is to put your fingernail against the mirror. If
there is a gap between your finger and its reflection (i.e., you can see
the entire tip of your finger in the mirror), it is the uncoated side. If
there is no gap between your finger and its reflection, it is the
coated side.
COATED SIDE - no gap between finger and reflection
UNCOATED SIDE - gap between finger and reflection
Which side goes closer to the
TV?
The coating on our standard bath glass is weatherproof and
should be closer to the viewer to maximize reflectivity. On our premium
bath glass, the mirror is equally reflective from both sides,
but it is very important that the mirror is mounted with the
coated side facing the TV to protect it against scratching.
How much light passes through the mirror and
how much is reflected?
Standard bath glass - 40% Reflective, 25%
Transparent
Premium bath glass - 70% Reflective, 30%
Transparent
What can be used to clean it?
On the standard
bath glass, you can use any standard glass cleaner, such as
Windex, and you can wipe it clean with normal paper towels. On the
premium bath glass, the uncoated side can be cleaned with Windex and
paper towels, but the coated side should only be cleaned with 50%
alcohol cleaner and non-abrasive wipes. The coated side has a tendency to
scratch and streak, so it's best to handle it by the edges and avoid
getting fingerprints on it. We recommend using Atlas Nitrile gloves when
handling the mirror.
Any other mirror handling
tips?
Never set the glass down on a hard floor, no matter how
gently. Only put the mirror down on a rubber or carpeted
surface. Use Atlas Nitrile gloves to enhance your grip and to keep
fingerprints off the glass. For larger mirrors, use two people to
handle it. Never lean the glass on a corner because it may
chip.
The coating on our premium bathroom glass scratches easily,
so make sure you keep it protected while you are handling it. If you are
doing any kind of edgework, take appropriate precautions so that the
coating does not get scratched. Do not lay the premium glass down on
the coated side on any surface, as it will get scratched! Do not use tape
or any kind of chemicals - including glue - on the coated side! If
you need to use chemicals around the mirror or do any kind of
edgework, make sure you test it first on a product sample before
attempting it on the full-sized mirror. We are not responsible for damage
done through mishandling or modification of our
products.
What makes this mirror superior to your
dielectric mirrors?
Dielectric mirrors are made to transmit a
maximum amount of light while offering a mirror-like effect when the TV is
off. Our bathroom mirrors have much better reflectivity, which makes
it easier for you to use them for shaving, combing
your hair, and putting on makeup.
What thicknesses are
available?
Generally, 6mm (1/4") thickness is what you will use.
Our premium glass is customizable, but in general we recommend that you
use 6mm (1/4") thickness for the best balance of quality and
strength.
Can the premium mirrors be
beveled?
You can
bevel the premium mirror, but there will be a 1/4" - 1/2" area on the
edge which will not be coated (the part of the mirror that is held
during the coating process). For this reason, when installing beveled
mirrors we recommend that you use black felt matting on the back and put a frame
around it to hide the edge. If you are going to be doing the
beveling yourself, make sure that the coating is protected from being
scratched.
Any other tips?
If your mirror is installed in such a way that
part of it is hanging over the edge of the screen, the frame of the TV may
show through the mirror, which can be unsightly. We recommend covering this overhanging area with black felt matting on the back side of the mirror so that it blends in better .
What size should I
buy?
Most customers use the
bathroom mirrors as main vanities, a size ranging from 30"x40"
to 46"x65". The mirrors can be cut the same way as regular
glass, but discuss your measurements with a framer or the installer
first.
Bathroom TV Mirror
Installation Tips
Selecting a television
We
recommend that you use a LCD TV for your TV mirror rather than a plasma
TV, because plasma TVs require plenty of air movement to allow heat to
escape. The mirror may impede this, causing a fire hazard.
We recommend the Sharp Aquos or Hitachi Ultrathin, because they are light,
thin, and the remote sensor and connectors in the back
are conveniently placed.
Some tips to consider if you are buying a different model:
Heat dissipation
After installation, put a digital thermometer to the back of the TV and leave it there for a while. Check the thermometer and compare the maximum heat reading you get to the specifications for the TV, and make sure you that are not exceeding them. If the TV is getting too hot, you can move it further from the wall, or install some small fans in back to blow the heat away from the TV. When constructing the frame or cabinet, make sure that the heat vents aren't obstructed so that there is sufficient air flow.
Mirror size
For standard installations, your mirror should be much larger than the size of your TV, which will be recessed into the wall.
Make the TV blend in
Any portion of the back of the mirror that will not be in front of the TV screen should be covered with a thin black material to help the screen blend in when the TV is off. If you are recessing the TV into the wall, you can paint the wall behind the mirror black to aid in reflectivity. If you use felt with a sticky backing, do not apply the sticky side directly to the glass. The cloth side should be against the mirror and the sticky side should be attached to some sort of firm backing to make the felt stay flat against the glass.
Remote control
The TV's remote control sensor can be either covered by the mirror or you can use an infrared repeater. Infrared repeaters are great if the sensor is going to be blocked by a picture frame or cabinet, or if you want to enhance the range so that you can use your remote from your bathtub or Jacuzzi.
Mounting
You should buy or build an in-wall mount that is specifically designed to bring the TV flush with the wall.
Types of installations
Most customers either recess their TV into the wall or build it into a cabinet. The easiest installation is to have a custom frame made that is the width of the TV frame. This frame will hold the mirror in place over the screen and is attached to the wall around the TV.
Speakers
In-wall, external speakers are the best and use 2.4G wireless speakers if you can. These speakers are great because you do not need to mess with a lot of cables.
Finding a contractor
Most of our customers will hire an experienced professional to make sure the installation goes smoothly. We recommend you consult a cabinet maker, interior designer, carpenter, home builder, general contractor, architect, framer, glass company, or other contractors working in similar areas.
We have a dealer search available to aid you in your search.