Mirrors or Windows? How to Make a Mirror Look and Feel Like a Window
Admin • April 13, 2021
When can mirrors look like windows? If you like the multi-pane aesthetic of a window but don't have space for this type of major addition, take a look at how you can use mirrors instead.
What Makes a Mirror Look Like a Window?
You have an obvious way to make a mirror look like something it isn't - simply place the glass across from whatever you want to reflect. If you hang a mirror directly across from a window, the reflection can create a visual illusion. But this isn't the only way to make a mirror mimic a window. Along with this reflection strategy, you can also:
- Use size. A hand-sized mirror doesn't provide the grandeur of a large picture window. Scale up and choose a larger mirror to create the look and feel of a sizable window.
- Use shape. While some windows are circles, ovals, or triangles, the overwhelming majority are rectangle in shape. Combined with a larger size, a rectangular mirror may mimic a window's look or style.
- Use muntins. These vertical dividers separate panes of glass in a window. Install these over the glass to create an intricate window aesthetic.
- Use a grille. This grid-like overlay also adds the appearance of a window to a piece of reflective glass. Create a stained glass effect with black or leaded-looking dividers and tinted glass or give the mirror a rustic feel with a weathered wooden grille.
- Use a custom piece. Work with a glass contractor to create the perfect window-like mirror design. This type of mirror could have a vertical rectangle shape with a dome or semi-circle on top or another intricate window style.
If you choose to use muntins or a grille, you may also want to add a frame. Unlike a traditional mirror frame, select an option that looks more like a window frame than something you'd place around a painting or other piece of wall art.
Where Can You Use Window-Like Mirrors?
Now that you know how a mirror can look like a window, take the next step and choose places to display or hang the glass. Like other mirrors, a window-style mirror can go almost anywhere. Before you pick a place to display your mirror, consider:
- Does the window style match the décor? A window-like mirror may have a shabby chic or rustic feel that doesn't match a sleek, contemporary kitchen or an overly ornate, elegant dining area.
- Do you want to hang the mirror indoors or outdoors? Mirrors don't only belong in interior spaces. A rustic window-like mirror can complement the farmhouse style of your shed's exterior walls, a wooden fence, or your English garden.
- Do you have enough space? Again, a window-like mirror is often also a large or oversized mirror. Make sure you have enough space on the interior or exterior wall to safely hang the mirror.
- Do you want to reflect a real window? You don't have to reflect a window to create a window-like feel - but you can. Decide whether you want the mirror to also show the real window and what's outside of it too.
- What does the contractor say? Ask the custom glass contractor about the installation details. The professional can help you to choose the just-right wall space and install the mirror for you.
Along with aesthetics, you also need to consider safety issues when you choose a space to hang a window-like mirror. Avoid direct sunlight - especially outdoors. This could pose a potential overheating or fire risk. You may also need to think about whether the sky or trees are reflected in an outdoor mirror. These could pose flying hazards to birds.
Do you need a custom-cut mirror? Contact City Glass of Bloomington, Inc., for more information.
With the rise in availability of online workouts, staying fit at home has never been easier. A home gym is an excellent way to stay in shape without membership fees or travel times, and a mirror is an indispensable feature. A mirror in your home gym isn't just an effective way to open up the space; it's also an important way to make sure you're doing things safely and effectively. If you're ready to create your own gym at home, look no further. Here are a few tips to consider when adding a mirror into your own home fitness paradise.
How can you use mirrors and glass in your foyer? If you want to update your home's entry area, take a look at the ways to redecorate with custom-cut panes.
How can you use mirrors in a shabby chic design theme? If you're ready to redecorate, take a look at everything you need to know about this rustic cottage-like style, mirrors, and your next home design project.
Whether you're buying for a new startup, your own small business, or a major company, the type of exterior glass you use can make a huge difference. Choosing something safe and secure could save your business a great deal of money down the road. Discover four types of glass products that can make your exterior windows and glass doors more secure.
What is de-silvering, and what can you do about it? The dark patches or streaks that characterize de-silvering can make a mirror stand out for all the wrong reasons. If your mirrors have this issue, take a look at everything you need to know about this unwelcome process and what you can do about de-silvered glass. What Causes Dark Streaks and Spots Around Your Mirror's Edges? Mirrors aren't only made from glass. The mirror-making process includes a layer of tin and silver that's poured onto the glass base. This silver layer gives the mirror its sparkle and shine. But the silver layer can lead to black or dark spots and streaks around the edges. A mirror can de-silver if the backing lifts off the surface or wears away. This typically happens when: You constantly splash the mirror with water. Moisture plays a critical role in de-silvering. If you consistently splash the mirror with water (in a bathroom or kitchen setting), it may de-silver over time. You expose the mirror to high humidity. Direct contact with running (or splashing) water isn't the only way moisture can de-silver a mirror. A steamy bathroom or other humid home space can lead to this mirror issue. You clean the mirror improperly. Repeated cleaning with an ammonia-based product or constant exposure to a damp rag can cause your mirror to de-silver. You can protect your mirror from de-silvering, and this process won't attack every reflective piece of glass in your home. But what happens if the mirrors are already streaked and stained? If the time is too late and the process is underway (or you inherited de-silvered mirrors), you have options to correct, hide, or replace the damage. Can You Repair a De-Silvered Mirror? You can restore your favorite mirror to its original luster with a re-silvering process. Even though a glass professional can remove the backing, strip the remaining silver, and apply new silver, this process is complicated and can get expensive. Instead of re-silvering your mirror, consider: Mirror replacement. If your bathroom mirror or decorative wall mirrors are older and de-silvering, replace them with new custom showpieces. A mirror and glass contractor can create upgrades that freshen your space and add to the overall aesthetics. Frame the mirrors. Add a frame around the border and cover the de-silvered areas. This is an ideal option for wall mirrors used as decorative home accents. A frame will turn your existing glass pieces into elegant art. Reuse the mirror. A de-silvered wall mirror doesn't have to stay in place. Reuse and repurpose the mirror as a table top or shelf. Did you choose to replace your mirror? Instead of the same style, consider a custom cut. A glass and mirror contractor can help you to design the perfect mirror for your home's interior style. How Can You Protect Your Mirrors? Whether your existing older mirrors don't show signs of de-silvering yet or you recently bought new mirrors, you can protect your investment. To prevent de-silvering, limit the amount of moisture you expose the mirror to. From mirrors on your wall to mirrored furniture, stop this damaging process before it starts and: Clean wisely. Discuss the best cleaning product options with the glass contractor. The professional who custom cuts your mirror can recommend the best option to keep your mirror clean - without damaging the sheen. Dry mirrors immediately. Don't let moisture attack your mirrors. Dry bathroom mirrors immediately after you shower, bathe, or splash the surface with water. Ventilate well. Use windows and your home's ventilation system to reduce humidity and moisture levels. A whole-home or room dehumidifier can dry the air and reduce the risks to your mirrors. Do you need new custom-cut mirrors? Contact City Glass of Bloomington, Inc . , for more information.
When you order a custom mirror, you don't necessarily have to have it framed - an unframed mirror can be very attractive with certain décor. However, a frame can add a lot of value to your room's style. Depending on the shop, you might have as many mirror frame options as you do for pictures. Don't let all the choices overwhelm you. Try some of the following tips for frame selection.
When the time comes where you are planning on updating your windows, opt for windows with the most benefits. Vinyl windows have gained much popularity due to the plentiful benefits these windows offer home owners. The information here will introduce some of the many benefits vinyl windows offer, so you too can see why vinyl windows may be a good choice for your home as well.
Even if you can't increase the square footage in your bathroom, you can still help it look and feel larger. The average person spends a full 416 days in the bathroom during their lifetime, and you don't want to spend this time in a bathroom that feels cramped and uncomfortable. Read on to learn four bathroom design tips that can make any small bathroom appear and feel more spacious. 1. Install a Sink/Toilet Combo You can save bathroom space while helping the environment by installing a sink/toilet combo. These bathroom fixtures are similar to traditional toilets, yet they have bathroom sinks located directly on top of them. Typically, the water used at the sink of a toilet/sink combo (called grey water) flows through the sink drain and directly into the toilet tank. When your toilet tank is filled with recycled grey water instead of fresh water, you cannot only help reduce water waste that takes a toll on the environment, but you may even be able to shave a few bucks off your water bill, as well. 2. Choose a Glass Shower Enclosure Unless you take baths on a regular basis, then skip the bathtub in your small bathroom and install a stall or walk-in shower instead. The average bathtub occupies 13 square feet of bathroom space, while the average shower only takes up about 9 square feet of space. When you choose a shower instead of a bathtub, you gain 4 extra square feet of bathroom space. Also, be sure to choose a glass shower door for your stall shower or have your walk-in shower encased in clear glass to provide the illusion of a larger bathroom. Opaque shower curtains and/or opaque shower walls provide visual breaks in a bathroom that can make it look and feel smaller. 3. Install Plenty of Windows To help a small bathroom look and feel larger, install plenty of windows. A room that is filled with natural light appears larger than it is. To help preserve bathroom privacy, install windows in strategic locations and choose the right window glass. Transom windows are small, rectangular windows typically used as accent windows. To allow plenty of light into your bathroom without sacrificing privacy, install a row of transom windows well above eye level on your bathroom's exterior walls. By placing these windows high on the wall, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for outsiders to glance into them. One type of window that is underused in bathrooms is a skylight window. Install a skylight window on your bathroom ceiling to help illuminate the bathroom naturally during the day and provide a great view of the sky after the sun sets. The view outside of this window can help you avoid a cooped up feeling in your small bathroom. While you can install traditional safety glass in transom and skylight windows, choose textured glass or glass blocks when selecting glass for windows closer to eye level. These glass types obscure the view inside of your windows while still allowing plenty of natural light through them. 4. Don't Skimp on Mirrors Every bathroom needs a mirror, but don't think that since you have a small bathroom, you should install just one small mirror. Consider installing several mirrors or other mirrored surfaces to help your small bathroom look and feel larger. Both natural and artificial light bounce off mirrors to brighten the room even further. Mirrors also add visual depth to a room that can help it appear larger. While you can simply place mirrors on your bathroom walls, also consider installing mirrored cabinets and a full-length mirror on the interior side of your bathroom door instead of allowing this space to go unused. If you are remodeling a small bathroom, then keep these four small bathroom design tips in mind to help your bathroom look and feel more spacious than it is. Contact the glass professionals at City Glass of Bloomington, Inc., for all of your window and custom mirror needs today.
Windows are a crucial feature of your home when it comes to saving energy and reducing your utility bills. If your windows are not energy efficient, you'll need to pay more money to heat and cool your home, something the typical homeowner definitely does not want to do. This article offers homeowners a quick guide to energy-efficient residential windows and what you need to look for. Multiple-Pane Windows If your current windows are single-pane, then a great way to make your home more energy-efficient is to switch to multiple-pane windows. A single-pane window is inevitably going to allow more heat to escape from your home than a multiple-pane window. For example, double-pane windows provide significantly more insulation than single-pane windows, which makes them an excellent choice for areas with cold winters, such as Bloomington, IN. For even more protection from heat loss, triple-pane windows are also available. Gas-Filled Windows Another important aspect of many multiple-pane, energy-efficient windows involves filling the space between panes with gas. The gas-filled space increases the ability of the window to stop heat loss from your home. The space is typically filled with either argon or krypton, the two most common gas choices. When the space between panes is filled with gas, that extra layer of gas makes it more difficult for heat to escape to the outside, so gas-filled windows have a better insulation rating than windows where the panes are separated only by air. Argon is used to fill most gas-filled windows, as it is somewhat less expensive than krypton. The latter gas has a somewhat stronger insulation rating, however, and is often used in triple-pane windows. A mixture of argon, krypton and oxygen is used in some windows, as well. Low-E Glass A third critical component of most energy-efficient windows is the use of low-E glass, which is glass that has a special coating. This coating helps to keep your home heated in the winter by preventing much of the heat in your home from escaping through the window. Window Sealing If a window is not sealed properly, it will leak and allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter. In order to avoid that problem and keep your windows as efficient as possible, ensure that each of your windows is sealed properly. One of the best ways to fix a leaky window is to replace any glazing, which is the special putty compound that is placed around the glass, that is cracked or has fallen out. Although some homeowners who are handy with tools might try to make this repair themselves, it's a messy process that is better left to a professional window repair firm. Energy-Efficient Windows Installation In some cases, repairing or making tweaks to your existent windows is not the best course of action. Windows that show signs of rot or excessive wear have usually reached the end of their usefulness, and you are better off simply replacing them with new, energy-efficient windows. It's extremely important to hire professionals for window installation so that you avoid any mistakes or issues with the installation process and enjoy all of the benefits. This is one task that is definitely not a do-it-yourself job. Leave to the experts who have the training and experience to do it right. Energy-efficient windows help you maintain a comfortable home all year round. Whether you need your current windows upgraded or new windows installed, City Glass of Bloomington, Inc., can help. We can also assist with any other needs that you have regarding your home's windows. Contact us today to learn more or hire our professionals for window services.
Shelving is essential for the interior decor of any home because it puts items on display while also creating more storage space. If you need to find the right shelving solution for your home, consider the numerous advantages that glass shelving has to offer. The following are eight of the most important advantages of glass shelving. 1. Design Versatility Glass shelving fits into your current interiors regardless of the type of design scheme you have in your home. Whether your home is traditional or contemporary, glass shelving is appropriate for your interiors. When you select from among various glass design options, you experience the striking diversity of interior design advantages that are possible with glass. 2. Visibility of Displays Glass shelving maximizes the visibility of the items you put on display in your home. Obviously, you want your collections and display pieces to be seen by your household and visitors to your home. You see items on display, regardless of what angle you look at them from with glass shelves. You see through glass shelves so that your shelves don't hide any prized display items. 3. Ease of Cleaning You give glass shelves a thorough cleaning by wiping them down with a good glass cleaner. Glass cleaners typically dissolve through residue that is difficult to remove from materials like wood and plastic. After you clean shelves with a glass cleaner, they immediately appear new again. Glass is generally impervious to stains and continues to look great through the years. 4. Elegance Glass is an increasingly popular material in both interior design and architecture. That's because it has an elegant and classy appearance. The simple yet elegant look of glass shelves is widely appealing and enhances the look of your artwork, collectibles, and display items. 5. Light Effects Other shelving materials like wood or metal have an unfortunate tendency to create shadows and make it difficult to adequately light displays. Glass shelves allow for brightness and transparency around your displays. They help to highlight the items on top of them and are more efficient in low light situations. 6. Low Maintenance Some shelving materials like wood require periodic maintenance. Wood and any material with a finish on it need repainting or refinishing periodically to keep up their appearance. On the other hand, glass looks the same through the years without any maintenance other that periodic dusting and cleaning. 7. Abundance of Materials Some shelf materials are harvested and manufactured in ways that are harmful to the environment. Wood requires that trees be cut down, and metal manufacturing often involves processes that consume energy and give off harmful emissions. Glass is manufactured from sand, which is a highly abundant material. Although some emissions result from glass manufacture, glass manufacture is relatively benign for the environment in comparison to the manufacture of materials like plastic, aluminum, and steel. Glass is also a highly recyclable material, so glass shelving can be produced from recycled materials. 8. Encouragement of Careful Handling Glass shelving is especially ideal when you want a way to store delicate items. When you put delicate items on display in your home, you may be concerned that guests will be tempted to handle these items and could accidentally damage them. Though glass is a durable material, its fragile appearance encourages people to take care around it and handle items stored upon it carefully. This means that your prized display items are less likely to become damaged if they're on glass shelves. Contact us at City Glass of Bloomington, Inc. , to learn more if you're interested in installing glass shelves in your home.
