What thickness should I choose for my custom mirror?

For most custom mirrors we advise a thickness of 6 mm. A mirror is usually 3, 4, 6 or 8 mm thick. Which thickness suits you depends on the size of the mirror and on how you mount it.

Always mount a mirror as flat as possible. The larger the mirror, the greater the chance of a distorted reflection, the well-known funhouse mirror effect. Flat mounting reduces that chance.

Do not simply choose the thinnest mirror because it costs the least. A thin mirror breaks more easily while you put it in place or move it, or if you accidentally fall or bump against it. You buy a custom mirror for a long time, so it pays to think carefully about the thickness.

Why 6 mm is usually the best choice

A 6 mm mirror is much sturdier than a 4 mm mirror and suits small to very large sizes. It is also easier to process: for example, you can have a wider bevelled edge ground on it than on a 4 mm mirror. Expect a weight of about 15 kg per m2.

When do you choose 8 mm?

An 8 mm mirror is usually thicker than needed and is not often chosen. You can consider it for a very large mirror in one piece, or if you want a solid, robust look.

When can 4 mm work?

There is no ready-made answer to that, because mirrors are mounted in many different ways. A 4 mm mirror can work if you bond it to a flat, solid surface and want as little weight as possible. The mirror then gets its strength from that surface. 4 mm can also work in your own (picture) frame, because the frame supports the glass. If it is a large frame, 6 mm is the better choice again.

And 3 mm?

A 3 mm mirror is very thin and only suitable for a few uses, such as a small make-up mirror. Even then the glass needs support, for example from a backing board you bond it to.

How to have the edges finished is explained under the edge finish of your custom mirror. You order your mirror in the right thickness in the mirror configurator.