Swanley · Kent
Bespoke Mirrors in Swanley
Bespoke mirrors in Swanley start with a survey of the wall and its flatness, followed by a written quote that fixes the price for the mirror, edges and fixing shown.
- BR8
- Guide from £205
Made to measure mirrors for homes and businesses in Swanley
Large mirrors are usually fixed with mirror adhesive and supported at the base by a slim channel or clips while the adhesive cures and afterwards. Smaller mirrors can be screw-fixed through drilled holes with decorative caps, which also lets them be removed later.
Mirrors must be bonded with an adhesive made to be compatible with mirror backing. Some general-purpose adhesives and acidic sealants can attack the protective coatings and the silver, causing dark patches that spread from behind. We only use mirror-compatible products.
The price depends on mirror size and thickness, the number of panels, the edge finish, tint or low-iron glass, safety backing, cut-outs and the fixing method. Gym walls, very large single sheets and difficult access also affect cost. See the guide prices for typical ranges.
Black edges, often called edge creep, are corrosion of the silver layer, usually started by moisture or cleaning fluid getting into the edges, or by an unsuitable adhesive. Once the silver has corroded it cannot be restored, so the mirror has to be replaced.
Included as standard
- Fixing with mirror-compatible adhesive, clips or channels
- Safety backing film where the position calls for it
- Final clean and advice on protecting the edges
- Cut-outs and drilled holes for sockets, switches or fixings
About Swanley for this job
- Postcodes covered
- BR8 and the surrounding area, including Bexleyheath, Orpington and Dartford
- Coast
- Swanley sits roughly 15 km from the nearest coastline, close enough that exposure on open or high ground is worth considering. Mirrors are fitted indoors, but salty, humid coastal air can still reach the silver backing through exposed edges, particularly in bathrooms and near entrances. Protected edges, a compatible adhesive and good ventilation all help prevent black edge corrosion.
- Daylight and sun
- In Swanley the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 hours in midsummer. A mirror opposite or beside a window reflects daylight deeper into a room, which helps dark north-facing spaces through winter. Low direct sun on a large mirror can cause glare, so its position and any tint are worth considering.
- Access and setting
- Older rural homes often have uneven walls of stone or lime plaster, which can distort a bonded mirror unless the wall is levelled or a backing board is used. Damp solid walls also need checking before a mirror is fixed to them.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Swanley
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Polished mirror, 1200 × 900 mm | £205 – £265 |
| Safety-backed mirror, 1800 × 1000 mm | £365 – £465 |
| Gym mirror wall, 4000 × 2000 mm | £995 – £1,295 |
Specification choices
Low-iron mirror
Mirror made on low-iron glass, which reduces the slight green cast of standard glass for a brighter, more colour-accurate reflection.
Bevelled edge
An angled border ground and polished around the edge that catches the light and frames the mirror without needing a separate frame.
Tinted mirror
Grey or bronze tinted mirror that softens the reflection and adds warmth or depth, often used as a feature wall or in hospitality spaces.
Bespoke Mirrors in Swanley: questions
Why do mirrors go black around the edges?
Black edges are corrosion of the silver layer behind the glass, usually caused by moisture or cleaning fluid getting into the edges, or by an adhesive that reacts with the backing. Bathrooms are especially at risk because of steam. The damage cannot be reversed, so the mirror needs replacing, ideally with better edge protection and a compatible adhesive.
Can I have a bespoke mirror in a bathroom?
Yes, provided the room is well ventilated and the mirror is protected from standing water. We use mirror that meets the relevant standard for internal use, bond it with a compatible adhesive and keep edges away from splashes where possible. A heated demister pad can keep part of the mirror clear, wired in by a qualified electrician.
Can a mirror be cut around sockets and light switches?
Yes. We mark socket and switch positions on the template, cut the openings in the mirror, then remove and refit the faceplates so the mirror sits neatly behind them with the power isolated. If sockets need moving or adding, a qualified electrician should do that before we template so the cut-outs line up.
How is a large mirror fixed to the wall?
Large mirrors are usually bonded with an adhesive made for mirror backing and supported along the bottom edge by a slim channel or clips. The support carries the weight while the adhesive cures and adds security afterwards. Smaller mirrors can be screw-fixed through drilled holes with decorative caps, which makes them easier to remove later.
Do you cover Swanley for bespoke mirrors?
Yes. We can quote for bespoke mirrors across Swanley and the surrounding Kent area, including postcode districts BR8, and nearby Bexleyheath, Orpington and Dartford. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Swanley
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.