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Mirror Framing

A

Al Geddes

New participant
Messages
2
Loc
Delta, Canada
Company
Deerfield Frames
Hello out there!! I have a customer who has just retired and was presented with a mirror as a retirement gift. The mirror has an etched image of countryside scenery on it. It is 30" X 24" and 3/16" thick which of course makes it somewhat heavy. I have framed mirrors before using wood moulding, with success, however my customer wants a metal frame. I'm not sure I want to take this on for fear of somehow damaging this most important gift. Using metal moulding on a mirror is something I've never done. Any suggestions ? What about "hanging" etc.

Thanks Al Geddes
 
Al Geddes said:
Hello out there!! I have a customer who has just retired and was presented with a mirror as a retirement gift. The mirror has an etched image of countryside scenery on it. It is 30" X 24" and 3/16" thick which of course makes it somewhat heavy. I have framed mirrors before using wood moulding, with success, however my customer wants a metal frame. I'm not sure I want to take this on for fear of somehow damaging this most important gift. Using metal moulding on a mirror is something I've never done. Any suggestions ? What about "hanging" etc.

Thanks Al Geddes
Click to expand...

I've framed mirrors with metal moulding and observed no adverse results.
If you're concerned, I supposed you could use some Volara to line the frame.

As for hanging, I would use either wall buddies or the Fletcher-Terry wireless system with wall anchors and screws in the wall.
(The F-T system needs a small trick to use the metal moulding. If you want to go that route send me a PM)
 
Here's an idea:

1. Put glass spacer on the edges of the top surface to separate the mirror from the metal. That is, spacing upward, not downward. Depending on the profile, 1/4" to 3/8" spacers might be needed. If you can use FrameSpace, which clips onto the edges of the glass, that would be better than using the adhesive type.

2. Line the inside bottom and side surfaces of the moulding using 4-ply matboard strips.

These provisions would isolate all of the glass surfaces from the metal surfaces.
 
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