How to Cement a Mirror to a Wall

Mirrors can be glued to walls with special adhesives.

Mirrors seem to expand the size of any room they're installed in. Special adhesives have been developed for gluing mirrors directly to the wall. They don't destroy the mirror coating on the back of the glass and they are strong enough to hold the weight of a mirror. Using an adhesive provides a much cleaner installation look than using mirror clips around the outside edge of the mirror.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Level
• Stud finder
• 1-by 2-inch-by-8-foot wood strip
• Electric drill
• Wood screws
• Screwdriver
• Caulk gun
• Painter's tape
• Spackle
• Paint

Instructions

1. Clean the wall where the mirror is to be cemented. Wipe it down with a damp sponge and make sure it's dry.

2. Mark the outlines of the mirror on the wall where it's to be permanently cemented, using a pencil and tape measure. Use a level to ensure the horizontal lines are level and the verticals are plumb--straight up and down.

3. Search for the vertical wall studs behind the wall where the mirror is being installed, using a stud finder. A stud finder is a magnet with a dial that will indicate when it's sitting over a stud. Locate at least two studs and mark their location on the wall.

4. Cut a 1-by-2-inch strip of wood the width of the mirror plus any extra to ensure the strip spans two studs.

5. Place the top edge of the 1-by-2 along the bottom horizontal line of the mirror outline.

6. Drill through the wood strip and into a stud. Insert a wood screw and screw it in tight with the screwdriver. Repeat for the second stud.

7. Lay the mirror on a smooth, flat surface. Load the caulk gun with a tube of mirror adhesive. Staying 6 inches in from the edge of the mirror, squeeze a dollop of adhesive every 12 inches all the way around.

8. Lift the mirror by its edges. If it's a very large mirror, have someone help you. Set the bottom edge of the mirror on the 1-by-2 strip but keep it away from the wall.

9. Place the mirror along the plumb, vertical lines before moving the bottom edge of the mirror so it makes contact with the wall. Slowly push the mirror against the wall from bottom to top.

10. Wiggle the mirror slightly with the palms of the hand to ensure it's seated tightly against the wall. Stand at each side of the mirror to check that it's flat against the wall.

11. Place tabs of painter's tape on the front the mirror. Run it off the edge on to the wall. Space them 3 inches apart along the sides and top. Allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours.

12. Remove the tape and unscrew the 1-by-2 from the wall. Fill the screw holes with spackle and touch up with paint.

Tips & Warnings

• For very large mirrors, after placing adhesive 6 inches in from each edge, work a grid pattern across the back, placing adhesive every 9 to 12 inches vertically and horizontally.

• Don't squeeze out too much adhesive at each point on the back of the mirror; otherwise, the mirror might not seat tight enough to the face of the wall.

References

• Creative Homeowner: Fastening a Mirror to a Bathroom Wall