While checking the price tags of mirrors, you might have wondered why they are so expensive. Mirrors are not only functional, but they are also decorative, and they provide a stylish look into your home. They have delicate and elegant design elements and how you use the mirrors in your home expresses your personality. However, mirrors are also expensive. What makes them expensive? Check out the rest of this article for the answers.
Why are mirrors so expensive? The design, craftsmanship, and materials of the mirror will determine its price. First-rate mirrors always need final touches by expert craftsmen and take considerable time and effort which also makes them more expensive. Moreover, high-quality mirrors are also made with high-quality glass. The better the glass, the longer it tends to last and provide an accurate reflection.
What makes mirrors so expensive? Why are full-length mirrors expensive? What is the difference between an expensive and a cheap mirror? These are some of the questions that we will talk about in this article. There are good reasons why mirrors are expensive. Let us find out those reasons below.
What Makes Mirrors Expensive?
The materials, craftsmanship, design, effort, and time spent on a mirror will determine its cost. Making a mirror is not an easy process, most especially if you want to make sure that the mirror is of high quality. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to check every part of the mirror to make sure that it is durable and high-quality. Below are the reasons why mirrors cost so much.
Frame
The frame of the mirror can increase its overall cost. A framed mirror or those with a beveled edge are usually more expensive than the frameless ones. Some frames are made of wood, while others are made of plastic or metal. The more detailed and ornate the frame is, the higher its price tag will be. Moreover, a framed mirror is also heavy, and they usually need the aid of equipment or additional manpower to create and transport the mirror. This will also add to its cost. We have also shared this article that discusses if beveled mirrors are better. Check out the article for more information about this type of mirror.
Some mirrors are small but with large frames to fill up a large portion of the wall. Others are mounted into a medicine cabinet. Simply put, when you purchase a mirror, you not only buy a single item but several products combined. This will determine the cost of the mirror.
The Glass
As we have mentioned above, good mirrors are made with high-quality glass. The glass is durable and provides an accurate reflection. On the other hand, mirrors with cheap glass will be blurry, and the image reflected on them can be distorted. If the mirror is not made from the right glass, it will not turn out correctly. Make sure that you understand the different types of glass involved and how it affects the quality and cost of the mirror.
Weight and Size
Another factor that affects the cost of the mirror is its weight and size. A large mirror is usually used in bathrooms and living rooms. Large mirrors are made to take up a wide area of the wall and also work as a decoration. The larger the mirror, the more expensive it will be. Large mirrors take more work, effort, and patience to make.
Moreover, large-sized mirrors are also heavier. You will need some assistance in the installation and you will also pay extra for the shipping fee. Shipping costs can be expensive as well because mirrors are breakable and handling them can be complicated. Hence, large mirrors can be expensive because of their size and weight. You can also check out this article that talks about what size a bathroom mirror should be. We have shared tips on how to find the right size of mirror for your bathroom.
Quality and Durability
The quality of the mirror has a big impact on its price. Some mirrors are more expensive than others and one of the reasons for this might be the quality of the mirror. High-quality mirrors can last for a long time and are scratch-resistant as well. You need to pay attention to some areas of your room where you hang the mirror most especially in the bathroom.
A mirror is usually placed above the sink where it can easily get wet. Make sure to choose a mirror that is easy to clean and scratch-resistant. You also need to pay attention to the thickness of the mirror. The thicker the mirror is the better quality it will have.
Craftsmanship
It takes expertise to create a mirror and not everyone can be able to make it. A high-quality mirror should be smooth, flat, and polished. And there are also those mirrors that are custom-made by hand. These mirrors take time to create as they need to be carefully polished and accurate. A mirror also needs to be polished and it is an extensive process that requires time and effort.
Without craftsmanship and the skills to create high-quality mirrors, you will probably only have cheap mirrors on the market. Plastic mirrors easily get scratched and your reflection on them may not be accurate at all.
✅ Video – How Mirrors are Made
Rvd4always shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how mirrors are made. You can check the video to learn the process on how to make mirrors.
How Thick Should a High-Quality Mirror Be?
When looking for high-quality mirrors, you need to consider the thickness. The thicker the mirror is, the higher the quality. If your budget allows, choose a ¼ inch thick mirror. The thickness of the mirror will provide an accurate reflection even if it is not mounted on a flat surface. Home application mirrors are usually available in 1/8, 3/16, and ¼ thicknesses.
What is Quality Mirror Silvering?
Tin-mercury amalgam, silver, or aluminum is adhered to the back of the clear glass to make the mirror reflective. High-quality mirrors have silver as their reflective coating. Moreover, a sealer and several coats of paint are applied to prevent the silver from tarnishing.
There are numerous coating materials used and the most common one is a mixture of silver nitrate with other chemical compounds. The surface is then covered with a red lead that offers mechanical protection for the silver nitrate. A final coating of sealer is then applied over the red lead.
Take note that inexpensive mirrors usually use thin coatings of reflective material as compared to expensive mirrors. Consult your local glass shop for your best choice of a mirror with high-quality silvering.
How Much Should I Spend on a Mirror?
Mirrors are available at different prices and knowing what they exactly cost can be difficult. It can cost from a few dollars to thousands depending on its size and weight. Simple bathroom mirrors that are frameless can cost about 200 to 300 dollars depending on their size. With the wide price range, you can find the one that suits your needs and budget. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can connect speakers to a mirror. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
How to Determine the Quality of a Mirror
The accuracy of the flatness of the glass sheet, the thickness of the mirror glass, the purity of the glass sheet, and the reflective coating on the glass are some of the things that make up a high-quality mirror. These are also the factors that you need to consider when purchasing a mirror. Because they are expensive, no one wants to purchase mirrors regularly. Below is helpful information on how to choose a quality mirror.
Glass Quality
The quality of the glass is relative to the level of purity of the raw materials and the manufacturing process. High-quality glass does not have any inconsistencies in its material which results in a clear and accurate reflection that does not distort.
Reflective Coating
Good quality mirrors have high silver content. Silver tarnishes under normal conditions so it is further coated with a tarnish-resistant material like a red lead or anti-corrosive paint.
Mirror Thickness
The overall quality of the mirror can be generally represented by its thickness. A ¼ inch mirror is your best choice when it comes to quality. It will not distort the reflection even if it is mounted on a wall that is not entirely flat. These mirrors are heavy and durable.
Cheap Mirror Vs. Expensive Mirror
The quality of the mirror makes a difference especially when it comes to the price. By paying a few extra bucks, you can get a high-quality and durable mirror. Cheaper mirrors easily get scratched and are not long-lasting.
Expensive mirrors are created with high-quality glass sheets without any bumps, spots, or distortions. They have a silver coating at the back which provides high-quality reflection properties. Silver is then coated with a tarnish-resistant polish to make the mirror long-lasting. Expensive mirrors are ¼ inch thick which also adds to the overall quality of the mirror.
On the other hand, cheap mirrors are made with a very thin polish coating which makes them lose their reflection faster. This results in a dull, distorted, and unclear image in the mirror. Cheap mirrors are also not as thick as compared to the expensive ones which make them prone to breakage. Moreover, they have aluminum polish on the back which does not provide high reflection quality as compared to silver.
Are Expensive Mirrors Worth It?
Expensive mirrors are worth the price that you pay because they are created with high-quality materials, and craftsmanship which makes them last a long time. The time and effort made to ensure the quality of the mirror results in a clear reflection with no spots, distortions, or bumps. Expensive mirrors are made with thick glass so you can make sure that they will not easily break. Since they are high-quality and last for a long time, you can consider them as an investment and you will get your money’s worth.
Tips in Purchasing Quality Mirrors
If you are planning to purchase a mirror, there are things that you need to consider to make sure that you choose a high-quality mirror that does not only suits your budget and lasts a long time but will also look great on your home. Below are some tips on how to purchase quality mirrors.
Check the Quality
The three things that you need to consider to determine the quality of the mirror are polish, thickness, and glass quality. Make sure that the mirror has no inconsistencies and does not have a distorted reflection. It should have a flat surface and is ¼ inch thick. Silver should be used as the coating for the mirror.
Set Your Budget
There are expensive mirrors, but there are some cheap ones. Make sure that you set a budget on how much you can afford to spend on a mirror. It is wise to save money and purchase a high-quality mirror than to purchase an inexpensive one. Surely, you do not want to buy a mirror regularly because of poor quality.
Get the Measurement
Decide where you would like to place the mirror and measure the space accurately with the use of a tape measure. Double-check your measurement to make sure that you have the right dimensions. This will save you time and effort of returning to the shop to replace the mirror because it does not fit your space.
Take Your Time
Make sure that you have enough time to spare when you shop for a mirror. Spend some time comparing one mirror to another and check why they differ. Do not rush to get a mirror just to return it because it is not right for your space.
Consider Customizing Your Mirror
You can have your mirror customized. This will cost you extra money, but you can make sure that you have the perfect mirror for your space. Check your local mirror shops if they offer customization. You can also check out this article titled, why are mirrors beveled for more information about the topic.
Why are Bathroom Mirrors so Expensive?
Bathroom mirrors are expensive because they are made to last for a long time. They are usually placed above the sink where they are prone to get wet and they are also exposed to humidity and moisture. Bathroom mirrors should be of the best quality so that they can last for a long time. We have also written this article that talks about why bathroom mirrors are so expensive. You can check it out for more tips ad information.
Why are Full-Length Mirrors so Expensive?
Full-length mirrors are large mirrors which is why it is expensive. The size of the mirror has an impact on its price. Its quality and craftsmanship also make it more expensive as compared to smaller mirrors. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, can I turn my TV into a mirror? We have shared DIY tutorials that you can follow.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed why mirrors are so expensive. We have found out that different factors play an important role when it comes to determining the price of the mirror. Simply put, the more expensive the mirror is, the higher the quality it has. Take your time when choosing a mirror. It is best to save money and purchase a high-quality mirror that is durable and long-lasting because you will surely get your money’s worth. Thank you for reading.