The Ultimate Guide To Smart Mirrors

Introduction

Mirrors have been a crucial furnishing for the average home for almost as long as homes themselves have existed. They provide us with the ability to check our surroundings and ourselves. They are useful tools for personal investigation and hygiene and they can really tie a room together. Mirrors are also currently going through an evolution, metamorphosizing into the Smart Mirror. 

When it comes to these fancy mirrors, there are four main types: LED Mirrors, Heated Mirrors, Touch Sensitive Mirrors and Virtual Mirrors. Today we will explain them all. So, if you want to understand everything you need to know about smart bathroom mirrors, so you can make an educated choice, you are in the right place.

But first, let’s get on the same page about mirrors.

How Are Mirrors Made?

There are two primary methods of mirror making, Silvering and Aluminum Bonding.

Silvering involves spraying a fine coat of silver onto a pane of glass, which when dry creates the reflective surface. This has been the case since the process’s invention in 1835.

However, a modern twist on mirror making is Aluminium Bonding, which involves heating aluminium in a vacuum. Once heated it is introduced to glass, which it bonds to due to the difference in temperature.

How Do I Hang A Mirror?

First of all, you need to check the weight of your wall mounted mirror. A light mirror can be hung pretty much anywhere, but a heavy mirror needs to be hung off of a wall stud, to make sure it is appropriately anchored. A light mirror is anything under 4.5kg and a heavy mirror is anything over 4.5kg, so keep that in mind when you’re shopping around.

Now, hanging is quite simple. The average mirror comes with either a frame and hook or a mirror cord, both of which hang beautifully off of a screw.

So, use your stud detector to locate a wall stud and to ensure you are not going to damage any wires or pipes, then screw in a screw most of the way in, but leave just enough to hang a hook or cord off.

Then place the hook or cord onto the screw and adjust the wall mounted mirror until it is level and straight.

Voila!

You have hung your mirror.

Which Mirror Is Most Accurate?

Which mirror shows the real you? It’s an important question. A mirror that doesn’t reflect you accurately isn’t much use outside of a funhouse. So which type of mirror is best?

It’s not actually down to the type of mirror, but the flatness of the glass that composes it. Reflection distortion comes from imperfections and warping in the shape of the glass causing the metal coating to reflect differently. This could make someone look thinner, fatter, or increase the size of their forehead.

You can test the reflection quality of any mirror by using a picture of a circle. If you hold the picture up to the mirror, you can then compare the picture and the reflection. If the circle is thinner or taller, or has warped in anyway, then you know your own reflection in that mirror is also skewed.

You are most likely to get glass warping with thinner mirrors, so if you want a truly accurate depiction, you are more likely to get it with thicker mirrors.

Can Mirror Glass Be Recycled?

No! Because mirror glass is metallically treated, it is not suitable for recycling. Instead, they need to be thrown out in the bin.

However, if your mirror is undamaged, it is worth donating it to a charity shop or gifting it to a friend, as not to waste it.

Can Mirror Glass Be Repaired?

Yes! (As long as the damage isn’t too bad.)

If you have a minor scratch on your mirror, then you can cover it with reflective paint. This hides the scratch and replaces it with a reflective surface, blending in with the mirror.

If there is a crack in the mirror, there are some options. Epoxy resin adhesive can be used to fill mirror cracks and there are some inventive ways of covering mirror cracks using decorations.

There is also kintsugi! A traditional Japanese methodology of repairing broken things with gold, to highlight the beauty in imperfection.

The Different Types Of Mirror

So, we now fully understand what a mirror is, how it is useful and how it compares to cameras. Now let us dive in to all of the glorious mirror variations to see which is best for you.

Classic Mirror

The classic mirror is a wall mounted vanity mirror that sits above your sink or vanity and is proportioned to let your head and shoulders. They are typically shaped like a rectangle or circle and are featured in most houses.

Full Body Mirror

Full body mirrors are a fantastic edition to any home. They allow you, get this, to see your full body. Crazy, I know! Full body mirrors are genuinely extremely useful, as you can review a full outfit rather than just the head and shoulders. Installing one in your bathroom as well can give you the perfect resource to get a good look at yourself!

Shaving Mirror

As the name implies, they are very useful for a very specific task. Shaving mirrors are designed to magnify your face so you can see the hair and skin more clearly. This can help a lot when shaving, but it is true not everyone finds them a benefit. However, as they are small and cheap, there is no harm in trying one!

Convex Mirror

Convex mirrors bulge outwards and due to their unique shape, they give you a wide view of the world around you. You will have seen them placed on country lanes to ensure drivers can see around sharp bends and overgrown shrubbery.

A lot of businesses find great use for them as it helps them keep an eye on their shops or any other front facing business. While unusual, they could also be a great edition to your home as the distorted reflection resembles numerous gimmick cameras like the fisheye or 360, so it could be a fun decoration to have that allows you to take interesting, experimental photos.

Stylised Mirror

Stylized mirrors are regular flat mirrors but instead of being a tradition shape like a rectangle or circle, they are shaped in highly stylized ways. You may see some abstract zigzag explosions or wiggle running river shapes, whatever they may be, they are stylized and can add a fun look to your home.

Vanity Mirror

Much like a shaving mirror, the vanity mirror features a magnifying effect, however this is on the back of a swivel head. On the front is a regular mirror. These mirrors stand on top of your vanity and provide you with plenty of options when you’re getting ready.

Mirror With Storage

Typically designed as a mirror on the door of a cupboard, storage mirrors can be extremely useful ways of adding some form to the functional. The only issue is, you can’t look in the cupboard and in the mirror at the same time.

Smart Mirror

Finally, we come to Smart Mirrors. These mirrors make use of technology to give added functionality or improve on existing functionality. They are extremely useful and the focus of the remainder of our article. So now we have the overview of what a mirror is in all its forms, let’s have a look at, how through smart technology, what a mirror can be.

The History Of Mirrors & Smart Technology

Most associate the phrase “Smart Technology” with voice commands and weather updates, but a lot of other technological feats fit under this umbrella. Smart gadgets are simply items that, through the power of technology, can perform enhanced or extra feats. This includes items such as heat up mirrors and light up mirrors, not just augmented reality mirrors.

How Smart Bathroom Mirrors Work

The exacts of how they work will naturally change mirror to mirror, depending on what feat they have been enabled to perform.

For example, a digital mirror and a heat up mirror will work differently. However, there is a simple throughline, electronics are safely stored behind the mirror that activate and affect the mirror.

Are Smart Bathroom Mirrors Safe?

Yes, because they have to adhere to a rigorous Ip rating to ensure that they are waterproof/resistant. All technology based mirrors have to pass this test. This means that the mirror is sealed completely, so that all of is electronics are unreachable from the bathroom. This is to ensure that there are no water/electrical mishaps.

How Much Do High Tech Mirrors Cost?

Depending on the brand and the functionality, they can cost anywhere between £100 and £1000. Durovin sells electric mirrors at a range between £100 and £200, to ensure you can have luxury for less.

Advantages Of Smart Mirrors

Bringing technology into your home can greatly improve your life by adding or improving on functionality. They can streamline your bathroom time and make your quality of life soar.

Disadvantages Of Technological Mirrors

These mirrors are much more difficult to install than regular mirrors and will require a professional to do so in order to ensure it is done safely.

How To Install Smart Bathroom Mirrors

And how do you install high tech mirrors exactly? Well, that depends on the type of electric mirror. However, they will roughly all follow the same beats of needing to be wired into the wall and then mounted. It is important to understand that these installations should be done by professional electricians, so we advise you seek one out.

Now, let’s take a look at the different types of electric mirror.

LED Mirrors

First up, the LED Bathroom Mirrors!

What Is An LED Mirror?

An LED bathroom mirror is a mirror that lights up so that you can see it in darkness or in steam. It does this through the use of Light Emitting Diodes, or “LEDs.”

How Do Illuminated Mirrors Work?

There is a battery pack behind the mirror, connected to the LEDs which live on the edge of the mirror or frame. When activated, they light up, allowing the mirror to be used even when visibility is low.

Are LED Mirrors Good For Bathrooms?

Illuminated Mirrors are extremely useful for the bathroom, because the bathroom is a room with often obscured visibility. This is due to steam from hot showers, baths or taps. Steam can make it hard to use a mirror, so having lights that make it more visible is a must.

As well as this, it means you have a more cost effective way of using the mirror, as the small LED lights of the mirror are cheaper to run than your room lights.

Plus, the added light can help expose details which is extremely useful when moisturising or dealing with blackheads.

How Do I Choose An LED Bathroom Mirror?

The main question on your mind should be whether you want internal lights or protruding lights. Hollywood style mirrors feature big bulbs circumnavigating the edge of the mirror, while a more minimalistic style features lights a strip of lights around the edge. Think about what aesthetic you are trying to achieve and follow that thread.

Can LED Lights In A Bathroom Mirror Be Replaced?

If the lights are an external component that can be detached from the mirror, then they can be removed and replaced. However, if they are internally set, then they cannot be removed and replaced. For example, if the lights are underneath the glass, it is not advisable to try and replace them, as they are not designed to be removed or replaced.

How Long Do LED Lights In Mirrors Last?

LEDs can last many years of consistent use without burning out, with some reports even suggesting LED bathroom mirrors being able to last over ten years. This is ideal for a bathroom, as you would not want to have to keep replacing electrical elements.

Are LED Lighted Mirrors Bright Enough?

Yes, a high quality illuminated mirror is extremely bright. Durovin’s light up mirrors actually feature three different colour temperatures with different brightness settings, including the 3000k Yellow LED Bathroom Mirror, the 4000k Warm White LED Bathroom Mirror and the 6000k White LED Bathroom Mirror.

For reference, interior home lights typically fall between 2500k and 5000k, so our light up mirrors actually provide a fantastically bright range.

Do LED Bathroom Mirrors Need To Be Plugged In?

This completely depends on the brand, as some favour the use of a battery over being wired to the mains. There are pros and cons to both sides, so let’s explore those.

Battery Powered

Battery powered mirrors are completely independent, so if there is a power cut in your home, the mirror will not be affected. This can be quite useful, as you will have at least one confirmed light source in an emergency.

However, battery powered mirrors will not last very long in comparison to wired mirrors, as wired mirrors can run until the LEDs die, while battery mirrors will only run until the battery runs out of charge. This makes them less than ideal as a purchase for intended longevity.

Mains Powered

Mains powered mirrors are wired directly into your home or business. They use power from the grid like other appliances. This has the benefit of meaning they will last much, much longer than battery based mirrors. However, if there is a power cut, your mirror will lose power too.

The Advantages Of Light Up Mirrors

There are a lot of good things to love about large illuminated bathroom mirrors. They allow you to see in the dark and in steam, they allow you to see more detail on your face and other areas. As well as this, they come with multiple colour temperatures, so you can set the mood exactly how you want it.

The Disadvantages Of Illuminated Mirrors

As with all technological mirrors, they are more difficult to install than a regular mirror. Plus, battery powered mirrors might need replacing sooner than preferred.

Heated Mirrors

This leads us on to our next type of high tech mirror, the heated bathroom mirror!

What Is A Heated Mirror?

A heat up mirror has the ability to warm up the glass which in turn prevents condensation and the forming of steam on the mirror. This is the perfect utility for the bathroom, as it completely negates the cumbersome effect of steam.

How Does A Heated Mirror Work?

There are currently two primary types of heated bathroom mirror.

Demister Mirror

Demister Mirrors feature a pad that heats up when activated, and in turn heats up the glass. This is the simpler version of bathroom heated mirrors and works very effectively.

Infrared Mirror

The second type of bathroom heated mirror is the infrared mirror. These panels emit infrared radiation which warms up the mirror. This is typically a more efficient manner of heating the mirror.

Don’t worry by the way, infrared mirrors are perfectly safe! Their radiation levels are not dangerous.

How Do I Choose A Heat Up Mirror?

Choosing the right heated mirror for you completely depends on your criteria and budget. Both types of heated bathroom mirror work perfectly well, so we suggest investing in a mirror with multifunctionality, such as having LEDs as well as a heating element. That way you are maximising the bang for your buck.

Can The Heating Element Be Replaced?

It is not advised to replace a demister pad in your mirror as incorrect installation could cause electrical or heating based issues. However, if you are experience with electronics, it is feasible, as you would just have to swap out the existing pad for a new one.

Do Heat Up Mirrors Need To Be Plugged in?

Yes. Bathroom heated mirrors run off of the mains, so you will have to wire it in. it is recommended this is done by a professional.

The Advantages Of Bathroom Heated Mirrors

There are many advantages to owning a heated bathroom mirror, one of the main ones being that they completely prevent the steaming of your mirror. If you couple this with LED lights, you have the perfect bathroom mirror.

As well as this, they can contribute to keeping the room nice and comfortably toasty.

The Disadvantages Of Bathroom Heated Mirrors

The only real drawback of heated bathroom mirrors is that they rely on electricity. Luckily, they do not consume much electricity, but it is still something to consider when purchasing mirrors.

Touch Sensitive Mirrors

Now let’s look at the smart ways you can interact with mirrors.

What is a Touch Sensitive Mirror?

A touch activated mirror is a mirror that does not need to feature an extraneous button or switch, because it has a section of its body that acts as a button if touched. This is a great method of interaction for smart bathroom mirrors, as it keeps the aesthetic pristine and modern. Plus, a touch screen can be more ergonomically satisfying than a clunky switch, as we are used to them because of touch screen phones.

How Do Touch Sensor Mirrors Work?

A touch sensor uses a mild electric current to check for capacitance. Capacitance is the presence of a capacitor that can take on that mild electrical current, such as the human body. When you put your finger over the sensor, the electricity makes contact with the capacitor (you) and sends a message to the machine to activate or deactivate.

Are Touch Activated Mirrors Good For Bathrooms?

These mirrors are excellent for bathrooms as they give you an easy and risk way free to activate your devices. You don’t want to be pressing buttons or switches when you are fresh out the shower, in case of any damage to you or the devices. However, a watertight mirror with a touch sensor is the perfect solution to these woes as you just have to touch the glass.

How Do I Choose A Touch Sensitive Bathroom Mirror?

Touch sensors should be of a pretty universal quality. What you need to look for when choosing between them is functionality. It is best to try and get an electric mirror that fulfils as many of your needs as possible. For example, a combined heat up & light up mirror.

Can The Touch Sensitive Mechanism In A Bathroom Mirror Be Replaced?

It is not advised to replace a sensor in an electric mirror as they are not designed to be disassembled to that degree. This is because they need to be water tight and by opening up a mirror to the capacity you need to replace the sensor, you will more than likely compromise the water seal, even when put back together.

How long Do Touch Activated Mirrors Last?

Even with frequent use, a touch sensor should last for years. If it does not last this long, this could be due to special wear and tear or faulty installation/production.

Do Touch Sensitive Mirrors Need To Be Plugged In?

This completely depends on the functionality of the technological mirror, as some are battery operated and some are wired to the mains, the sensor will not affect this choice by the manufacturer. So, keep this in mind when choosing a mirror.

How To Fit A Touch Sensitive Bathroom Mirror

When buying a touch sensitive mirror, the touch sensor will already be installed, so you simply have to install it like any other high tech mirror. Remember to make sure you seal it completely!

The Advantages Of Touch Sensor Mirrors

No buttons or switches that could potentially be damaged.

The Disadvantages Of Touch Sensor Mirrors

Touch activated mirrors are only as useful as their functions, so you need to carefully look for a mirror that does what you require.

Virtual Mirrors

We now come to our final variation of high tech mirrors, the virtual mirror. Let’s dive in!

What is a Virtual Mirror?

A digital mirror is a mirror that also has an augmented display similar to a phone. This means it can show you the weather, temperature, the news, and more as an overlay on top of your reflection.

How Do Digital Mirrors Work?

They are connected to a device like a computer or phone and display data from that on the mirror using light. Some more advanced augmented reality mirrors used in retail can use augmented reality to show you what an outfit might look like.

Are Digital Mirrors Good For Bathrooms?

Augmented reality mirrors can be very good for the bathroom, as by showing you temperature and weather they can help you plan. However, they are more of a nice convenience when compared to other kinds of technological mirrors that solve pressing issues regarding bathroom mirrors.

How Do I Choose A Virtual Bathroom Mirror?

Look for a mirror with a high water proof rating and for one with some kind of anti-fog technology. There’s no point having your phone projected onto your mirror if you can’t even see the mirror!

Build Your Own Augmented Reality Mirror

You can actually build your own touch activated mirror using a Raspberry Pi. You can do this by installing a Raspberry Pi board on the back of a mirror and installing relevant modules that allow you to project interfaces onto the mirror.

The Advantages Of Virtual Mirrors

Digital mirrors are extremely convenient for the person looking to stay connected and, in the loop, when it comes to news and socials. They also can help you plan by showing you the weather and temperature.

The Disadvantages Of Augmented Reality Mirrors

However, without anti-fog technology, the benefits of these mirrors could be rendered moot. Also, having a constant stream of news could be wearing for someone looking to unwind.

Durovin’s Touch Sensitive LED Heated Mirrors

If you are in the market for smart mirrors, might we humbly suggest our own? Durovin has a range of touch sensitive, LED, anti-fog mirrors that are perfect for tackling your bathroom mirror woes. We even sell our mirrors in a variety of sizes, so if you want a large illuminated bathroom mirror, you are in luck. Our range includes 1000x800mm bathroom mirrors, 1200x800mm bathroom mirrors and more.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to learn when it comes to smart technology and how it can be integrated within mirrors. We hope this article has helped you understand what different mirrors can do for you and what exactly you may need from a technological mirror. If you are looking for more information, why not check out our blog? It is full of relevant information regarding all thing’s bathrooms.