How to Frame a Heavy Mirror for Hanging

Framing a mirror is just like framing a picture, except the contents of the picture changes all of the time. Building a mirror frame is rewarding because you have the opportunity to enjoy the results every day. When building a frame for a heavy mirror, the materials must be heavy-duty and heavy-gauged. Anything less may pose a safety hazard for you, your family and guests.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lumber Table saw with a dado blade Miter saw 100-lb. picture hanger 14-, 16-, or 20-gauge hanging wire Heavy-duty D-ring hangers Corrugated fasteners Wood stain Polyurethane Foam brushes Cloth rags Wood glue Glazing points Hammer Flat-head screwdriver Wire cutters Sheet of 1/8-inch Masonite

Building the Frame

1. Choose the species of pre-milled lumber (wood that has already been milled to a finished size and quality) that you would like to use for the frame and buy it at a lumber or hardware store.

2. 
    
   Rabbeted edge

   Set up a table saw with a dado blade. Use the dado blade to rabbet one edge of four pieces of the lumber. The rabbet is where the mirror will sit in the frame.

3. Measure the outside dimensions of the mirror. Measure and cut the wood, keeping in mind that the mirror will sit in the rabbeted channel. The measurements of the mirror should be transferred to the edge of the rabbet, not the outside edge of the wood. Use a miter saw to cut the lumber to fit around the mirror. After the lumber is cut, check to see if the wood will fit around the edges of the mirror. The corners of the mirror should come within 1/8 inch of the cut edge of the rabbeted channel.

4. Lay the wood face-down on a flat surface. Starting at one corner, add a thin string of glue to the mitered edge of the wood. Then have a helper hold the two pieces of wood together that make that corner so you can hammer at least two corrugated fasteners into the joint to help hold the joint together. Repeat with the other three corners of the frame and allow the glue to dry.

5. With the frame still flat and face-down, place the mirror into the frame to be sure it fits. Then remove the mirror after the test.

6. If desired, stain the wood. Follow the application directions on the can. Allow it to dry completely. Then add 2 or 3 coats of polyurethane to the wood and allow it to dry.

Adding the Hardware

7. Measure the length of the sides of the mirror and divide the length by 4. For this example, let's say the the full length of the sides of the picture frame measure 60 inches. Sixty inches divided by 4 is 15 inches. Place a mark on the back of the frame 15 inches from the top of both sides. This is where the D-rings will be installed.

8. Use the screws provided with the D-rings and a drill to fasten the D-rings to the frame.

9. Measure the width of the top of the frame and divide by 2. For this example, let's say that the length of the top of the frame is 72 inches. Seventy-two inches divided by 2 is 36 inches. Place a small nail in the middle of the top of the frame at 36 inches as a reference point. Sink the nail into the frame 1/4 of an inch.

10. String one end of the picture hanging wire through one of the D-rings. Twist 5 inches of the wire around itself to tie the wire off. Wrap the wire over the top of the small nail and string the wire over to the other D-ring. Use wire cutters to trim the wire to length. String the wire through the D-ring and wrap this end like you did the other end to tie the wire off.

11. Remove the small nail from the top rail of the frame.

Attaching the Mirror to the Frame

12. Lay down the frame on a large, flat surface.

13. Place one edge of the mirror into the rabbeted profile and carefully lay the mirror flat. Add a thin, supportive backing, like a sheet of Masonite cut to fit into the rabbeted profile. This will help keep the mirror in place.

14. Press glazing points into the rabbetted profile every 6 to 8 inches with a flat-headed screwdriver. The glazing points will hold the mirror in the frame.

Hanging the Mirror and Frame

15. Measure and mark the wall where the wall hanger--or hangers, depending on the weight of the mirror and frame--will be installed.

16. Attach one or more heavy picture hangers (30-, 50-, or 100-lb.) to the wall according to the hanging directions on the package.

17. With the aid of a helper, lift the frame and mirror and hook the picture wire over the hook(s). Allow the hangers to slowly take the weight of the frame and mirror.

18. Step back to get a good view of your handiwork. Make adjustments if the frame is not hanging level.