How to Attach a Hanging Wire to a Heavy Wall Mirror
Hanging a heavy wall mirror requires a gauge of picture wire rated for the weight of the mirror. Wire and eye screws for installing in the mirror frame are available at hardware stores, picture framing shops and many craft stores. The weight rating is printed on the packaging. Attaching the wire to the mirror frame takes only a few minutes, but there is a technique for the installation that prevent the wire from being exposed above the mirror once it hangs on the wall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Weight scale
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Electric drill and bits
- 2 eye screws
- Picture wire rated for the mirror weight
Instructions
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1
Weigh the mirror on a scale to determine the correct gauge of wire to purchase. Wire comes in different strength ratings listed on the package. Eye screws also list the maximum weight on the package. Buy hardware that meets or exceeds the weight of the mirror.
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2
Extend the tape measure across the back of the mirror to place a pencil mark on the frame at the back edge on the left and right. Place the marks in the center of each edge, level with each other, so the wire cannot stretch above the mirror frame and be exposed when it hangs on the wall.
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3
Drill a pilot hole at each pencil mark, using the electric drill and a bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the eye screws.
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4
Twist an eye screw into each pilot hole until the eye is flush with the mirror frame.
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5
Unspool a length of picture wire and thread one end through one of the eye screws so six inches of wire extends through the other side. Hold the spool or coil of wire across the mirror and extend six inches farther than the other eye screw. Cut the wire at the coil or spool with wire cutters and thread the end through the second eye screw.
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6
Bend the end of each wire back toward the mirror frame and twist around the section of wire between the two eye screws. Twist the wire around itself until you reach the end. There is now enough flex in the wire to hang on a wall without the wire stretching upward so it protrudes above the mirror.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
