Hanging mirrors isn‘t the same as hanging other wall decors. Precautionary measures should be taken to ensure that the mirrors are properly secured to the wall. The slightest movement or even ground tremors caused by construction might cause these mirrors to come off and cause injuries. This is why it‘s important to hang them properly.
There are many types of different mirrors that vary in size, shape, and weight, we collected 11 of the best farmhouse style mirrors that require different methods of hanging because of the reasons mentioned and other factors like the material and construction of the wall that you‘re hanging it on.
There’s plenty of bonuses of putting a mirror in a room including making a bathroom look bigger, adding the sense of space to a living room, but each of the locations you plan on putting a mirror provides different challenges and it’s important to know them before committing.
This article will serve as your guide to figure out how to hang a mirror to a wall.
Figure out where to put the mirror
There are bound to be essential pipes and wirings that are hidden behind your wall. You would want to avoid drilling into these materials, as it would damage them. First, it is crucial to locate the main vent pipe that runs up to the ceiling. The vent pipe is somewhat connected to the main drain. Find a hollow space on your wall by tapping on points horizontally across the wall, and drill an inspection hole on this area. Then, bend a wire in an L-shape, and feel around behind the wall until you locate the vent pipe and wirings. This will help you have a good idea of where to put your mirror. If you place your mirror near the vent pipe, the exposure to heat over time will damage the mirror and cause unclear images.
Also, be wary of devices that are near your wall. Wires are usually located 6-10 inches above any appliance or device and are usually laid out in a line. Be sure to leave about three inches clearance from the bottom of the row, to avoid drilling into any light fixture that may be located on both sides of the wall.
This is also the reason why the recommended screw sizes to be used 1 ½” to 1 ¾” in length, and ⅜” for drywall. And while you’re at it, pick up #8 galvanized or stainless screws as they are rust-resistant and will undoubtedly last a long time holding up that mirror for you.
Mirror hanging primers
After choosing your desired space, be sure to clean the wall off of grime or any dirt that might be clinging into it.
Locate the studs (wall support beams) that are placed inside of the wall. It is crucial to drill screws into these studs so that the actual mirror is clinging to something else—aside from plaster and drywall. Invest on a good stud finder to automatically locate these studs, and know the area of where you will be hanging your mirror.
Next, before you attach or hang your mirrors, mark the areas first of where you’ll be attaching or screwing on the hangers. You may also use a measuring device to ensure accuracy.
Use appropriate hangers
It’s crucial to utilize hangers that are specifically designed for your mirror’s design, thickness and weight. Also, there are specific kinds of hooks that only work for certain wall materials. To save you the trouble, here are different wall materials and their corresponding hangers.
- Drywall – A drywall is pretty forgiving, and you can directly screw-in studs or toggle bolts. Another hanger choice that you have are Zip-it’s, which are corkscrew-like materials and can sustain up to 35 lbs of weight.
- Stonemasonry – You have to have a hammer drill and screw on hand, as stone walls only work with lag screws or Tapcon, which are specifically used to penetrate mortar. On a stonemason wall, the most natural part of drilling in is the mortar. This is the smooth cement paste that was used to glue together the cinder blocks. You will find that you will be able to pierce a hole easily, as compared to harder spots of the wall.
- Tile wall – You have to be extra careful around the bottom hangers, as these will be the ones that will bear most of the weight of the mirror. Start with the bottom hooks first, making sure that they are correctly secured. Use rubber spacers to help you. And then, proceed to the top and side hangers of the mirror, using the bottom hangers as guides.
Using D-rings and glue
There are many methods of which you can hire a wire, depending on your hanger. D-rings are attached to the back of the mirror, and a sturdy wire is fed through them, to act as a “border” that will carry the weight of the mirror. The mirror, with attached D-rings and wires, is now lifted to the screw that will support the majority of its weight. This method is only applicable for light mirrors.
Some mirrors whose size, shape and weight are only advised to be used with waterproof glue. Waterproof glue is such a good material that can hold up heavy mirrors. The only downside that comes with them is that they are such a pain to remove.
The point here is that you must know the appropriate hangers to use, in relevance to your wall and your mirror’s dimensions.
Figuring out hanger ratings, spacings and layouts
You should use hangers that are rated twice more than the weight of your mirror, making sure that they are evenly and symmetrically spaced as much as possible. However, you may also choose to lower the hanger rating, but at the same time increase the number of hangers, and decrease the spacing between each one.
If you are hanging on an uneven space, you are risking movement and damaging the mirror. That’s why it’s best to use rubberized spacers, to make the wall surface more even, before actually attaching the hangers.
This was everything you needed to know about hanging mirrors, from using the right hangers and working with uneven spaces. You are now geared to hang your mirror safely.