If you have recently looked at bathroom mirrors, you might wonder why they are so expensive. Manufacturing mirrors requires high-quality material, fine cuts, exceptional procedures, and excellent craftsmanship. All of these require time and skills. With great polishing and detailed final touches, there is no wonder why bathroom mirrors can cost a big chunk of your budget.
Why are bathroom mirrors so expensive? The type of glass used, frames, craftsmanship, size and weight, quality and durability, and features are the main factors why bathroom mirrors are so expensive. Aside from that, the process of making a mirror, polishing, and detailed final touches by expert craftsmen also makes the bathroom mirror more expensive compared to mass-produced mirrors.
Bathroom mirrors can make the room look bigger and provide an aesthetic look, which improves the bathroom’s overall feel. They are the necessary furniture for every bathroom. The problem with bathroom mirrors is that they are expensive. In this article, we will discuss the different factors why bathroom mirrors cost more than regular mirrors. Check out the rest of this article for more tips and information.
What Makes Bathroom Mirrors Expensive?
The major factors contributing to the price of bathroom mirrors are craftsmanship, frame, material, size, and quality. Let us delve more into each factor below.
Type of Glass
Good bathroom mirrors are made with high-quality glass. The better the glass, the longer it can provide a more accurate reflection. Mirrors with cheap glass or those made from imitation materials tend to be blurry and reflect distorted images. Moreover, if the wrong glass is used to make a mirror, it will not turn out correctly.
Frame
A framed mirror is usually more expensive as compared to frameless ones. Bathroom mirrors with frames or beveled edges come with a higher price tag. There are many kinds of frames available, and the ornate ones are more expensive. Moreover, framed mirrors are heavy and require manpower or equipment to move, which can also add to the mirror’s overall cost.
For more information about beveled mirrors, you can check out this article titled, are beveled mirrors better? We have shared information about why beveled mirrors are better compared to regular mirrors.
Craftsmanship
Bathroom mirrors require specific craftsmanship to produce, which increases the price. For the mirror to be of the best quality, it needs to be smooth, flat, and polished. Custom-made mirrors are made by hand and need time to make sure that they are accurate. Quality bathroom mirrors cannot be produced without skills and craftsmanship.
Weight and Size
The weight and size of the bathroom mirror will also affect its price. Large mirrors take up a lot of space on the wall and serve as a decoration or art piece. Because the mirror is large, the price is also expensive. Making a large and heavy mirror takes a lot of work and patience, which adds to its price tag. Aside from that, you will also pay extra for the shipping cost.
Quality and Durability
The quality of the bathroom mirror has a big impact on the price. High-quality mirrors can last a long time and are also resistant to scratches. The bathroom can be a harsh environment for the mirror. When using the sink, the mirror can get wet, and sometimes, and it can get scratched from cleaning. High-quality mirrors are often thick, heavy, and durable. However, they also tend to be more expensive.
What Makes a Good Quality Mirror?
The purity and quality of the glass sheet, mirror silvering, glass thickness, and flatness of the glass determine a good quality mirror. Take note that a high-end mirror cannot be manufactured without high-quality raw materials. Below are the factors that make a good quality mirror.
Glass Quality
A high-quality mirror has pure glass sheets with no inconsistencies. Distortions can happen if there are any inconsistencies with the glass sheet, which can lessen the mirror’s quality. The smoother the surface of the mirror, the better the quality it has.
Glass Thickness
The glass thickness plays a huge role in the cost of the mirror. The thicker it is, the more expensive the price will be. 1/8, 1/4, and 3/16 are the common thickness of mirrors that you can choose from.
Glass Polishing
Silver or aluminum is used to create a reflective coating on the glass. High-quality mirrors have high silver content. Under normal conditions, silver usually tarnishes. To prevent this, the silver polish is coated with tarnish-resistant materials like red lead or anti-corrosive paint.
✅ Video – Modern Bathroom Mirrors
Decor Puzzle shared the video below on YouTube. It shows the top 100 modern bathroom mirrors. If you do not know what kind of mirror you want for your bathroom, you can check out the video for some design inspiration.
Why Thick Bathroom Mirrors are More Expensive?
Thicker mirrors are better as compared to thin ones. On the other hand, the thickness adds to the weight of the mirror, which then reflects the price. The best mirrors are ¼ thick, which are also more expensive. Thick mirrors are heavy-duty and durable. On the other hand, it can be challenging to hang them on the wall.
What is the Difference between Cheap and Expensive Bathroom Mirrors?
The quality of the mirror makes a difference. By paying extra, you can get a better quality and more durable bathroom mirror.
Cheap bathroom mirrors are made with a thin coating of reflective material, making them easily lose their reflection. This also makes the mirror unclear and dull faster. The reason for this is that the glass used in cheap mirrors is not as thick as that of high-quality mirrors. Aluminum is usually used to polish the back of cheap mirrors, which does not provide an ideal reflection quality than silver polish.
Expensive bathroom mirrors are made with high-quality glass sheets not to have any spots, bumps, or distortions. They have an expensive silver coating on the back, which provides perfect reflection properties. On the other hand, silver tarnishes faster as compared to aluminum. To remedy this problem, the silver polish is once again coated with a tarnish-resistant polish to make it last longer. You can also check out this article that talks about where bathroom mirrors should be placed. We have shared tips on how to properly place mirrors in your bathroom.
Which Mirror is the Most Expensive?
The most expensive mirrors are those that are used for decorative purposes. They are usually flashy and designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the room. Decorative mirrors have intricate and detailed frames, discrete cuts, and are made from durable materials, which increase their price.
Bathroom mirrors that are technologically equipped are also expensive. They are designed to have built-in voice commands, music, wi-fi, and lighting. Bathroom mirrors that are used for ornate purposes are more expensive.
Are Lighted Bathroom Mirrors Expensive?
Lighted bathroom mirrors are expensive, but they can save you money in the long run. LED bathroom mirrors use less electricity and can last around 40,000 hours. Meaning, you can save on your electric bill, and you can also lessen your carbon footprint. Aside from that, they are also environmentally friendly. LED bathroom mirrors are available in cool or warm color temperatures ideal for putting on makeup since the light complements your skin complexion.
Related Questions
Are Lighted Bathroom Mirrors Worth It?
Yes, lighted bathroom mirrors are worth it. They have multiple functions, and their pros outweigh the cons. Lighted bathroom mirrors are ideal for putting on makeup because they provide adequate lighting. They are also energy efficient and equipped with beneficial features.
What Kind of Bathroom Mirror Should I Choose?
Style, size, shape, weight, and frame are some of the things that you need to consider when choosing bathroom mirrors. You also need to think about the design and theme of your bathroom. Make sure that the design of the mirror will blend in and add an aesthetic look to your bathroom. For more tips and information on the kind of bathroom mirror that you should choose, you can check out this article that discusses how to choose a bathroom mirror. We have shared tips on the things that you need to consider when shopping for a mirror for your bathroom.
Are Custom Bathroom Mirrors Expensive?
Yes, custom bathroom mirrors are expensive. The price will depend on your preferences and how big and thick you would like the mirror to be. As we have mentioned earlier, the thicker and larger the mirror, the more expensive it will be. You can check out online for manufacturers that provide custom mirrors.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this post that discusses why bathroom mirrors are so expensive. We have found out that different factors affect the price of the mirror. Bathroom mirrors made with great craftsmanship are durable and high-quality, which also increases their price tag. On the other hand, you can rest assured that the mirror will not easily get damaged and last for a long time. Thank you for reading!