Surrounding Windows with Mirrors

For countless years, mirrors have been used to make rooms look larger, but did you know that mirrors strategically placed make a room look brighter? You can brighten a dark room by surrounding inset windows with mirrors. Instead of adding costly lighting to a dimly lit room, save money and perform a few parlor tricks around windows. Your electric bill will go down, and you'll greatly beautify your home in the process.

Adding mirrors to the wall around the inside of inset windows is a great way to add light to a dimly lit room. Light coming through at an angle will reflect off the mirrors and into the room. Besides adding light to an otherwise shady room, you'll have an interesting pattern of colors surrounding the inset frames of windows trimmed with mirrors.

Steps for Surrounding Windows With Mirrors

When surrounding inset windows with mirrors you'll need exact measurements, minus the measurement of the depth of the mirrors placed horizontally. Simply record the exact dimensions horizontally, and take note of vertical measurements. Find out the thickness of the mirrors you're planning on installing around windows, and subtract that amount times two from the vertical measurements. This will ensure a perfect fit.

Order the mirrors from a glazier who can custom cut them to your measurements and specifications. You can find a glazier by searching in your local yellow pages under glass. Many companies that sell and install glass also cut and sell custom mirrors.

You can also find custom-cut mirrors online. Shopping online for custom-cut mirrors is a great alternative to shopping retail stores. You can find the best prices online and shop from the comfort of your home. In addition, the mirrors you order to surround your windows will be guaranteed to arrive in satisfactory condition or they'll be replaced and reshipped at no extra charge.

When you're ready to install your custom-cut mirrors, you'll need painter's masking tape and oil-based liquid adhesive. Keep in mind that anything glued to the walls around windows is permanent, and the wall material will most certainly require repair if you decide to take down the mirrors.

Begin by wiping the wall between the frame and the window to remove any dirt or dust. Next, apply a thin layer of oil-based liquid adhesive to the horizontal section of wall overhead. Carefully press the first mirror into place being careful not to get adhesive on the front of the mirror. While holding the mirror with one hand, apply painter's masking tape to hold the mirror in place until the adhesive dries. Don't remove the tape until 24 hours have passed for best results.

Next, apply a thin layer of adhesive to the horizontal section of wall next to the windowsill, and press the second mirror into place. You shouldn't need to tape that mirror since it will lie flat in front of the windowsill.

Finish by applying adhesive to the first vertical section of wall next to the window, and apply painter's tape to hold the third mirror in place. Do the same on the other side to complete the window trimming process.

After the adhesive has dried completely, gently, and carefully, scrape away any excess adhesive with a nylon scraper. Clean the mirrors surrounding your windows with glass cleaner of your choice.

You're sure to love the look of your windows, and you'll enjoy the additional light provided by the reflection of the mirrors surrounding them. You'll want to surround all of your inset windows with the beauty and light provided by mirrors.