If you’re giving your bathroom a full makeover with a renovation, or even if you’re just upgrading a few things to bring it into the 21st century, buying a new mirror for the space will likely be high on your agenda. But, while it might be tempting to choose a regular mirror, since there are so many more styles and colour options available, this isn’t a smart idea.
When visiting a mirror shop online, it’s always best to head straight to the bathroom section, instead of browsing their entire mirror collection. But why?
Here are a few things that make bathroom mirrors different from regular mirrors:
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They must meet general safety requirements
Building and government codes determine that all glazed fittings inside bathrooms, including mirrors, must meet specific safety requirements, and be made from tempered glass. This special type of glass doesn’t shatter into lots of tiny pieces when broken, making it far safer when used in an environment where you might be barefoot, such as the bathroom.
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They are structurally different
Mirrors for bathrooms typically come as shelved, as part of a medicine cabinet, or as a standalone mirror. To help enhance space and practicality, many people opt for bathroom cabinets with mirrored doors, providing them with storage as well as the benefit of a mirror.
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They are sized differently
Mirrors are most often placed directly above the sink and vanity area in a bathroom, and so the size of the mirror you choose, must complement the size of the sink and vanity unit (if there is one).
Why can’t you use a regular mirror in your bathroom?
While there is nothing to stop you from hanging a regular mirror in your bathroom, it isn’t advisable due to the high levels of steam, humidity and moisture that it would be exposed to. Over time, a regular mirror in such an environment would start to deteriorate around the edges, especially those with frames of either plastic or wood.
What are the different types of bathroom mirror?
Nowadays, bathroom mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, so the choices are wide and limitless, but generally speaking, they come in the following forms:
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Wall mirrors
Whether rectangular, round, oval or any other kind of shape imaginable, bathroom wall mirrors are versatile and come in a variety of sizes and colours. Some may take up an entire wall, or you may choose to have two mirrors hanging on the wall, especially if you have a double sink.
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Illuminated mirrors
Whether you want to give accented lighting to the space, or increase the amount of light even when other lights in the room are on, LED illuminated bathroom mirrors are incredibly attractive and functional. Some even have technology in which the surface of the mirror is automatically de-fogged during steamy, humid periods.
Bathroom mirrors can be found sold by any number of reputable manufacturers, and with plenty of shops and online sites having a great selection of them, you should be spoilt for choice.
