When it comes to indoor décor, mirrors are a popular choice to add interest to a room. Their functionality and aesthetic contribution make them suitable in almost any room, and businesses and homeowners alike can find designs that suit their needs. However, glass mirrors are heavy, and there is always concern about what happens if they crack or shatter. Instead of dealing with fragile glass, consider mirrored acrylics a better option.
Mirrored acrylic surfaces can have the same qualities as a mirror but do not rely on glass to create their reflections. This leaves them with greater overall flexibility and safety than standard mirrors, which is why they are becoming increasingly popular.
The following are some advantages of mirrored acrylics over traditional glass.
Safety and Durability
One of the biggest concerns with glass mirrors is that they can crack, chip, or shatter entirely. This leaves them unsafe in certain areas, such as those with children or pets who could get hurt by the glass shards or ingest them. The fragility of glass also means that mirrors cannot be placed in high-risk areas, such as outdoors.
Because glass is prone to damage, it may need to be replaced more often than other types of décor. Conversely, mirrored acrylics can last for a long time because they do not crack and are resistant to blunt forces. This makes them safer and removes the need for frequent replacements.
Ease of Cleaning
Mirrors with crystal clear surfaces are attractive installations in any room, but getting them to that glossy sheen can be a pain. It is easy for glass to streak, fog, or pick up small flecks of dust, leaving a person wiping the mirror frequently in order to keep it clean.
Acrylic mirrors, on the other hand, do not require such in-depth cleaning. They can simply be wiped to restore them to their shining finish.
Flexibility
In many rooms, the single biggest challenge with installing a glass mirror is where to place it. Glass is a fragile and solid object, so the concept of going around corners or creating a curved surface is almost out of the question without significant investment.
However, for mirrored acrylic, these feats are simple. The acrylic is much more flexible, allowing it to bend around curved features with ease. The mirror can even be created in a unique 3D shape such as waveforms to bring visual interest to the room. Mirrored acrylic that has been bent in this way is no less durable than a flat panel.
Customization
Speaking of the flexibility of mirrored acrylics, this adaptability goes beyond just the flat or curved nature of this décor. Because acrylic mirrors are not at risk of shattering like glass, they can be cut into various shapes more easily, allowing mirrored acrylic to be used for logos, hanging wall decorations, and more. It can even be cut to fit on top of existing installations, such as suspended architecture or wall panels.
Additionally, mirrored acrylic can be made in various colors and styles. From a patina-looking finish to a glossy gold or antique granite-like surface, the possibilities are almost endless.
Weight
Glass is made of a mixture of sand and other materials, resulting in a relatively heavy product; on average, a small mirror of less than two-by-two feet already weighs almost seven pounds.
For larger installations, glass can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds, which must be fastened to a wall or other architectural feature. This limitation can make traditional glass mirrors a challenge in some circumstances, and it comes with extra steps that can be cumbersome or costly, even for smaller endeavors.
Mirrored acrylics, on the other hand, are light and easy to use. The same two-foot mirror would weigh only about three pounds in acrylic, allowing installation in places that may not otherwise be able to support the weight of a mirror. Consequently, mirrored acrylic is easier to move within a space or transport to another, reducing shipping costs.
Try Mirrored Acrylics to Level Up Your Space
Achieving bright, beautiful, reflective surfaces in a space is no longer the sole domain of glass mirrors. Mirrored acrylics can transform a room with distinctive colors, shapes, finishes, and more, providing greater diversity than what traditional glass can achieve.
If you are considering how mirrored surfaces can breathe new life into your space, the team at Tree Towns can help you bring that vision to life. Contact Tree Towns to learn more about how to use mirrored acrylics and get started on a custom order that suits your needs and the aesthetics of your space.