Here at The Plastic People, we often think that mirrors are an incredibly underrated piece of home decor. Mirrors are so versatile that they can fit in almost any space and any design style. The perks of using mirrors around your home are endless as they can brighten spaces, make them feel bigger, and offer other sensual benefits.
When shopping for mirrors, the majority of customers always opt for a traditional glass mirror, but there is an alternative. Plastic developments in recent years have come a long way, leading to the creation of both acrylic and polycarbonate mirrors.
Plastics mirrors were born out of the need for increased safety in places such as schools, hospitals, stables, and prisons. They are virtually indestructible, and so less likely to shatter and cause harm to any passer-by. In this blog, we're going to consider the top benefits of plastic benefits and discuss where you can use them in your home!
We have another blog all about decorating with mirrors. Make sure to check that out if you need ideas on mirror placement, design, and location. Click here to read more today.
Safer and More Resilient Than Glass
Acrylic mirrors are17 timesstronger than glass, meaning they can withstandand survive greater impacts, such as bangs, collisions or crashes well. Its strength makes acrylic mirror ideal for use where safety is a priority or where glass may crack or shatter.
Should the surface of an acrylic mirror ever become scratched, an acrylic polish can be used to restore its surface, unlike glass. We have an in-depth guide to cleaning and maintaining acrylic mirrors available on our website - click here to check it out!
Polycarbonate mirrorsarean even stronger choice than acrylic. They performbetter outdoors than acrylic mirrors, as polycarbonate mirrors arecompletely weather-resistant and able to expand and contract without causingany permanent damage. Polycarbonate mirrors are also often used in public bathrooms.
Lightweight, Flexible and Easier To Handle
Acrylic and polycarbonate mirrors are half the weight of glass in addition to being much stronger. At the same time, they are also much more flexible than glass mirror so bends when you work with it. This makes them cheaper to deliver and much easier to lift,handle, and install than traditional glass.
Quicker To Fit
Because handling acrylic and polycarbonate mirrors are easier and safer than glass, fitting tends to also be quicker. For the best results, plastic mirrors should be mounted on a flat surface to prevent unwanted warping. If you are fitting it to a wall thatis not flat, it is best to fit it first to something rigid such as MDF or wood.
Acrylic and polycarbonate mirror can be wall-mounted with an acrylic mirror adhesive or with screws. We supply a range of plastic adhesives and glues for any project. Click here to check out our selection and order yours today.
To make things easy for yourself, order your mirror with holes drilled in ready where you require them – then you can get straight on with fitting/installation. Get holes drilled 2mm or 3mm larger than your screws.Don't try and screw screws through the acrylic mirror because it will shatter. Polycarbonate mirror is easier to drill; it has much less chance of crackingor chipping.
Low Cost
Acrylic mirrors arerelatively cheap to buy, and because of theirdurability and ease of fitting, proves to be a low-cost/long-lifechoice. Little maintenance is required – any acrylic mirror should be kept clean with a little household detergent mixed in warm water and applied with a soft cotton cloth.
We cut acrylic mirrors to any size or shape, giving you a bespoke mirror to use in your home! Click here to check out our services and get an instant quote today!
There are many applications where acrylic mirrors haveadvantages over glass. Its flexibility is useful where curved or bent mirrors are required – whether in a practical or a decorative application – its impact resistance makes it suitable for environments where safety is a concern, and its light-weight and low maintenance make it easy to install and maintain.
Polycarbonate mirror is more expensive than acrylic mirror but makes a better choice for longer-term projects.
Where to Use Plastic Mirrors?
Our customers have previously used plastic mirrors in all the regular places you would find them in your home, including as:
- Bathroom Mirrors
- Hallway Mirrors
- Garden Mirrors
- Playroom Mirrors (acrylic is child-safe!)
- Mirrored Table Tops
We love seeing and sharing your plastic mirror projects – thanks to all for contributing.If you’re looking for more inspiration, click here to check out ourcustomer stories.
Choosing acrylic mirror
You can buy an acrylic mirror and polycarbonate mirror to the measurements and shape you need for your project and anticipate its safe arrival, ready for your use.For more information on our mirrored acrylic and polycarbonate mirror please follow this link. If we can help you further do contact our friendly team who will be happy to help.
