Doors With A Mirror: Interior, Entrance And Their Varieties, Accessories, Installation And Operation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Mirrored doors - a stylish reflection of your interior

Elegant doors with glass or even stained glass have not surprised anyone for a long time, but doors with a mirror are a universal design trend. They combine the simplicity of design and the magical transformation of space, and they turn out to be a very practical addition to the interior.

Content

• 1 Mirror door arrangement

  • 1.1 Hanging mirror doors
  • 1.2 Glass frame doors
  • 1.3 Paneled doors with mirror
  • 1.4 Mirrored doors in aluminum profile

• 2 What are mirrored doors

  • 2.1 Using mirrored doors

    • 2.1.1 Interior doors with a mirror
    • 2.1.2 Entrance doors with a mirror

  • 2.2 Decor of mirrored doors

    • 2.2.1 Mirrored doors with a picture
    • 2.2.2 Mirrored doors with colored glass
    • 2.2.3 Mirrored doors with facet

• 3 Manufacturing of mirror doors

  3.1 Video: making wooden doors with your own hands

• 4 Features of installation and operation of doors with a mirror

  • 4.1 Repair and restoration of doors with a mirror
  • 4.2 Caring for doors with a mirror
• 5 Photo gallery: doors with a mirror in the interior
• 6 Reviews of mirrored doors

Mirror door arrangement

The design of doors with mirrors can be very diverse: from a canvas suspended on rollers to a folding accordion with a wood or MDF frame. Designers use mirrors in the same cases as glass - for filling panels, decorative finishing of the frame, or as an independent canvas.

Hanging mirror doors

Suspended mirror canvases are, in fact, a kind of glass doors, they also do not have a frame and are made of triplex. The top rail can be made in the form of a profile or a bar and can be closed or open, depending on the desired decorative effect. Suspensions are attached to the mirror through through holes, so the canvas is unable to slip out of the clips, as some buyers fear. In the upper part of the hangers there are rollers that provide easy sliding along the bar. When installing the door, the walls are practically not damaged, it is enough to drill only two holes for the hooks (as for the cornice).

Mirrored doors with a glass sheet on a rod - a very minimalistic option

A similar method of opening (sliding) can be provided by sliding doors (as in wardrobes), but such doors need a lower guide, therefore, such structures are inconvenient as an interior door.

Among the advantages of hanging mirror doors:

• are able to block an opening of any non-standard shape and size (since the canvas is mounted to the wall, it can be several cm larger than the doorway, an exact fit is not required here);
• simple design (with proper installation, the probability of breakage is reduced to zero);
• do not require the installation of a door frame, which simplifies the installation process (can be installed on a ready-made portal or arch);
• take up a minimum of space, which makes it possible to fully use the space around the opening and even the slopes (it can even enter the gap between the cabinet and the wall);
• the possibility of installation without thresholds (this looks more stylish and does not prevent the robot vacuum cleaner from moving from room to room);
• able to completely merge with the interior due to the absence of a frame (useful if you want to "hide" a bedroom, dressing room or utility room from strangers).

If we talk about the disadvantages, it is worth noting:

• heavy weight (creates difficulties when delivering the canvas to the floor, but when used complete with good guides, it is not felt);
• low noise insulation (a thin sheet fences off the room only visually, the door is installed without a box and seals).

This solution is best suited for singles and young childless couples who prefer a modern interior style. For children, such doors are not dangerous (they use triplex), but they will not help protect the sounds from the next room when the baby is sleeping.

Glass frame doors

Glass-frame doors are one of the new options for mirrored sheets, which eliminates the disadvantages of the above models. In fact, such doors are a kind of frame doors, only they are covered not with wood or MDF panels, but with mirror canvases. They can be made in the form of swing, sliding and even folding models. The frame of glass-frame doors is invisible, but its role in the interior is played by cashing, therefore, as a result, the door looks like a large wall mirror.

The design of hinged glass-frame doors with a polymer frame assumes high accuracy of cutting and assembly, therefore, it is implemented only in production

Unlike usual glass doors, glass-frame doors have a number of advantages:

• increased shock resistance, thanks to the frame, which does not allow the glass to bend;
• good sound insulation due to expanded polystyrene in the frame and seals on the door frame;
• ease of installation (a well-thought-out system of a profile, box and canvas is sold assembled with already prepared holes for fastening);
• the ability to vary the color and pattern on the mirror from different sides (for example, a bronze mirror in the corridor, and an enlightened one with arabesques in the bedroom).

Glass-frame doors, unfortunately, usually cost more than all-glass doors, but their application is much wider. By varying the look and color of the platbands, you can fit such a door into any interior style. For example, an imitation of a baguette will give the door the look of a mirror canvas in a palace, a strict black profile will give loft features, and a wooden one with milling will make the model friends with the classics.

Paneled doors with mirror

Familiar doors with wood or MDF panels can also be decorated not only with glass, but also with mirrors. They consist of a frame-strapping (frame), cross-bars and panels filling the cells. As a rule, in such models, the mirror occupies no more than 25-30% of the area, so it is almost impossible to achieve the dissolution effect with them (it is easy to paint the canvas in the color of the walls, but the layout on the mirror will quickly give out the door). But the mirror inserts will still increase the illumination, give solemnity and expand the space.

In the "accordion" system, the panel can be completely mirrored

By the way, if the above-described mirrored doors could only be interior doors, doors with panels or their imitation can also perform the function of entrance doors. Most often, metal frame doors with external and internal linings are used for this.

If the mirror on the entrance doors is located outside, it is worth protecting it with a grill

If you are afraid of experimenting in the interior, but want to add a real zest to your house, paneled doors with mirrors are created just for you. They will help freshen up traditional interiors and will look great with classic crockery display cases.

Mirrored doors in aluminum profile

This type of doors is a bit like paneled doors, but it consists of a frame-strapping and one filling sheet, in a mirror version - two (amalgamated to each other). Since the frame is made of metal, it is thinner and more inconspicuous than wood, although it can be wide and decorative if needed. Such models are often made hinged in a hidden box (without platbands), which allows them to simultaneously dissolve in the interior and maintain sound insulation. The aluminum profile of a mirrored door can have any color; for a pop-art or kitsch-style room, it is quite possible to order a door with a yellow, crimson or light green frame.

Decorative multi-level profile will turn an office door into a home

A variety of doors in the aluminum profile are entrance groups with a metal-plastic frame, which are often used as entrances in small shops, offices, dental offices, etc. Mirrors in such doors are supplemented with the name of the institution or the name of the office owner.

In a country house, a mirror entrance group made of metal-plastic for access to the terrace will be appropriate

What are mirrored doors

Doors with mirrors are classified by design, area of use, type of opening, method of decoration and other characteristics. If you have already familiarized yourself a little with the design of mirrored doors, it is worth understanding the areas of their application. Depending on this, the decorative design of the mirror sheet is selected, as well as the type of profile and the method of opening.

Using mirrored doors

Like ordinary doors, products with mirrored inserts can be used as entrance and interior doors, smaller versions are also sometimes used for the installation of inspection hatches (in the bathroom) and as furniture fronts.

The aluminum profile helps to create mirrored doors of all sizes and proportions

Interior doors with a mirror

Mirrored doors for the interior can be:

• sliding or sliding in different directions (canvases of any design);
• hinged (glass-frame, in profile, less often - all-glass);
• pendulum, which are able to open in both directions (mostly all-glass);
• folding like an accordion (any design, but glass-frame is very rare).

It can be argued that the desire to have a reflective surface on the door practically does not limit you when choosing a way to open it. Glass doors are quite capable of saving space not only visually, but also in fact (especially sliding and folding models).

Mirrored doors will perfectly fit into a luxurious interior with many reflective surfaces

But the main purpose of glass doors is a design highlight. They perfectly cope with the task of expanding the space or creating the illusion of a passage to another room. Mirror reflections always add chic and solemnity to the interior, which is why they are so in demand in expensive boutiques, beauty salons, entertainment centers and restaurants. And the mirrored door also helps to forget about the outside world, as if nothing exists but this room. This effect is used in the design of dance studios and gyms, because it allows you to focus on training and achieve better results.

Mirrored doors in an aluminum box - ideal for a brutal "rocking chair"

If you are choosing a mirrored door for yourself, pay attention to the following nuances:

• quality of fittings - it must be reliable and durable, therefore not cheap;
• glass thickness - an all-glass mirror must have a thickness of at least 6 mm, the mirror in the profile can also be 4 mm;
• the quality of glass - ideally, it should be tempered, triplex, for doors in a profile made of wood, MDF or aluminum, not tempered with a protective film is suitable;
• the presence of scratches, spots on the amalgam and other defects (sometimes a tiny scratch turns into a chip during installation);
• build quality - when opening / closing and pressing on the canvas, the mirror should not move away from the profile or move.

If you need a mirrored door mainly for decoration, do not rush to stop at the simplest option. Take a closer look, maybe a mirror with a facet, bronze glass or individual painting will look better in your house. Such products not only attract more attention, but are often easier to care for.

The mirrored door is not just a large mirror, but a stylish decorative accent

Entrance doors with mirror

As already mentioned, the entrance group with mirror inserts is made in the form of a metal door with a one-sided mirror plate or in a metal-plastic profile. The first option is best suited for apartments, the second is used in country houses and public institutions.

Mirrored doors for the entrance are most often chosen for reasons of practicality. Indeed, in some hallways there is simply nowhere to put a growth mirror, and leaving the house without seeing yourself in full growth is fraught with minor troubles. Who has not heard the stories of how an absent-minded man left the house wearing slippers, and a hurrying woman forgot to touch up one eye? The mirrored front door will definitely save the owner from such incidents.

Metal entrance door with mirror - double functionality

The only drawback is the door peephole offset to the frame, as most manufacturers tend to leave the mirror intact. But if you wish, it is possible to find a mirrored door with the usual peephole placement. Otherwise, the choice does not differ from the selection of ordinary entrance doors: they must be heavy, thick, with reliable heat and noise insulation, several types of burglar-proof locks, hidden hinges and sealing contours.

A one-piece mirror usually does not add too much cost to the inner door trim, and it can be replaced if necessary. Therefore, do not dismiss the models of mirrored entrance doors for fear of their price or impracticality. You can be sure that after a week of using such a door, you will consider it an absolutely necessary interior detail. And only the prints of babies or four-legged pets can cause trouble.

Mirror door decor

Mirrored doors don't have to look like a regular clear glass mirror. After all, their functional purpose is the separation of rooms, and the mirror insert is rather decorative. Therefore, product designers develop models with unusual mirrors, their variations are no less diverse than those of the facades of wardrobes.

When the door is closed, it is almost impossible to guess about the existence of a bathroom near the bedroom.

Mirrored doors with a pattern

When it comes to drawings on mirrors, they usually mean sandblasting matting. Using this technique, you can apply monochrome and color silhouette drawings of almost any level of complexity. It is believed that scratches on the glass reduce its strength, but doors are used with triplex of such thickness (from 6–8 mm) that they practically have no effect. For especially careful buyers, there is a matting technology using a white translucent film, which additionally strengthens the canvas.

The pattern on the mirror door will perfectly complement and diversify the interior

Sandblasting matting can be not only patterned, but also continuous. As a result, reflections become like dim shadows, and the reflectivity of the mirror is significantly reduced, but the canvas looks much more interesting than just frosted glass.

Full-color ultraviolet printing on the mirror looks no less decorative. In order for the mirror to perform its functions, only a small part of the canvas is covered with a printed pattern, most often in the corner or below. Thanks to UV ink, the picture looks very rich and colorful, and the variety of motives allows you to create absolutely unique doors. But if UV printing is applied to the glass from the inside, then on the mirror it has to be placed on the outside, which significantly increases the likelihood of damage to the picture. Because of this, mirrored doors with full-color printing are still rare.

Sliding mirror doors can be decorated with cute and unobtrusive designs, which will not interfere with the functional use of the mirror

If you want to get a door with an exclusive design, you can decorate it with hand painting. The drawing is applied to the mirror with translucent (stained glass) or acrylic paints. It can be both plot drawings and abstract patterns, a flooded stained glass window or traditional folk painting (a great option for an ethnic style). Since even a master cannot accurately reproduce his drawing, no one will have the same door.

Edge-lit mirrored doors create a magical atmosphere in the room

Particularly sophisticated are contour illuminated mirrored doors that look like a tunnel extending into the distance, but the lighting can be used for visual highlight and frosted designs.

Mirrored doors with colored glass

A more subtle way to decorate mirrored doors is to use colored glass. It can be:

• bronze (gives the interior coziness, goes well with warm shades in decoration, American interior design and neoclassicism);
• graphite (makes the room more austere, “friendly” with silver details and modern styles);
• black (the reflection becomes almost invisible, but looks very good with matting; suitable for Art Deco and other elegant solemn styles);
• enlightened, which, unlike the usual, does not contain a greenish tint (it reflects and enhances light better than others, does not distort the natural shades of objects, is suitable for all styles).

When choosing a colored mirror, remember that red invigorates and raises blood pressure, blue calms and relaxes, green is good for the eyes.

Enlightened and ordinary mirrors can be distinguished only when viewed from the end or when comparing two canvases. If you don't notice much difference, you shouldn't overpay for the enlightened one. But if you are afraid that a large reflective canvas will disturb the comfort of the interior, you should spend money on the option with a bronze mirror.

Colored glass in mirrored doors can be used simultaneously with painting, decorative matting and other methods of decoration.

Mirrored doors with facet

In the last 7–8 years, the popularity of glasses and mirrors with a facet - a decorative beveled edge along the edge has been growing. Most often they are found in the form of panels and on furniture facades, but they can also be used in doors. The smaller the mirror fragment, the narrower the facet and vice versa, but in terms of technology, the angle and width of the bevel is limited only by the thickness of the mirror.

Wooden doors with mirrored beveled inserts perfectly emphasize the luxury of the interior

It is worth noting that the bevelling on a door made of a solid leaf seems almost invisible, but a wooden door with frequent glass-glazing, beveled inserts give the appearance of a cut diamond. Such an unpretentious decoration makes the mirror ceremonial, multifaceted and very solemn. This effect is especially noticeable on curved mirror elements.

You can also decorate the mirror on the door with engraving, glue decorative glass or patterned mirrors with a facet to it, partially cover it with a film stained glass window or come up with your own decor method.

Manufacturing of mirror doors

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to make all-glass doors with your own hands (unless you have acquaintances in production or an extensive set of equipment). The main obstacle is the use of tempered glass, since even reinforced canvases made of ordinary glass can crack during the installation process. It will not work to buy a prepared canvas and make a sliding door out of it, since you cannot drill holes in it for fastening and a handle with a lock. In production, mounting slots are pre-made and only then the door is hardened. When trying to create glass-framed doors, you will face the same problems.

But there is also an affordable option - a paneled door. The mirror in it can take up a large part (wood is only in the strapping), or complement the wooden, MDF structure, replacing the more familiar glass. Therefore, depending on your own preferences, you can give the door a modern or classic look.

Decorating a wooden door with mirrored panels is within the power of a novice master

It will not be difficult for an experienced carpenter to make a wooden door with mirrored inserts; the work is exactly the same as with glass. The only difference is in the thickness of the insert - in order for the door to reflect on both sides, you need to install two mirrors with amalgam to each other.

Video: making wooden doors with your own hands

youtube.com/watch?v=gQ0-QGPkbcM

For those who are not used to working with wood, you can buy a blank - a wooden door without painting and glass. It will be easy to insert a mirror panel into the prepared groove. If you don't want the reflective layer on the other side, you can install a mirror and thin fiberboard (to protect the amalgam), and then paint the fiberboard sheet to match the door. So, the door on one side will be with reflective, and on the other - with blank canvases.

To obtain a mirrored door, it is enough to stick squares from a mirrored surface on the door and arrange the joint with a thin foam baguette

If your skills are not enough for such feats, you can go the simple way - buy the most ordinary swing door with a smooth canvas and stick a mirror on it using construction silicone (always labeled “for mirrors”). It can be a large canvas (the width is limited by the position of the handle on the door), thin stripes or a composition of small fragments - it all depends on your imagination. All you need to do is buy mirrors with a polished edge or someone could cut yourself. The remaining intact parts of the door can be pasted over with a film, painted, upholstered with leatherette, etc. The result is a beautiful custom door with minimal effort.

Homemade doors with a large mirror and a dermantine frame are perfectly complemented by decorative carnations

Features of installation and operation of doors with a mirror

Conventional swing doors have been installed by almost every home craftsman, and the rest are familiar with this process at least theoretically. Swing doors with mirrored inserts in operation differ only in their high weight, which makes independent installation almost impossible. All-glass doors of all types are best mounted by professionals, since the canvas and the frame cannot be adjusted to the size of the opening (as is the case with wooden doors).

Therefore, we will focus on the installation procedure for sliding doors, which are not yet as common as swing doors. If you do not have experience yet, it is better to start with structures made of a wooden or MDF frame.

All the necessary tools should be prepared in advance so that during the installation process you will not be distracted by looking for them.

Required tools:

• building level with a length of 1.5 m to control the position of the web;
• 90 gon ^about to verify the correct geometry of the door frame;
• ruler with a length of 25 cm;
• tape measure from 2 m long;
• a screwdriver with a bat (tip like a Phillips screwdriver) and a set of self-tapping screws;
• a drill with a set of twist and feather drills (needed when installing the lock);
• side saw or hand saw with a miter box for sawing box elements at an angle of 45 °;
• straight and semicircular chisels for cutting a groove for fasteners;
• polyurethane foam and a gun to it (foam with a plastic spray is also suitable for one door);
• hammer and mallet;
• pliers;
• plane (manual or electric);
• a router with a set of cutters of different diameters;
• a vacuum cleaner (keeping the workplace clean is an important stage of installation, because dust or chips can get under the mounts).

It is also desirable to have a large sheet of cardboard or a blanket so that the door leaf can be placed on the floor without the risk of damaging it.

Let's start installing:

1. Carefully measure the width and height of the opening with a tape measure, make sure there are no distortions. Mark the resulting size on the panels of the door fittings and saw off the unnecessary part. Connect the resulting elements into the door frame, collecting it on a flat flat floor.

   

   When cutting horizontal elements, the length should be reduced by two thicknesses of vertical extensions

2. Install the finished box in the opening and make sure the assembly is correct. If correction is not needed, try on the frame to the door leaf in order to identify possible errors at an early stage. When everything is correct, you can fix the box in the opening.

   

   The more accurately the box is selected for the opening, the less construction foam will be needed.

3. Remove the connecting spike in the box and prepare for installing the platbands: take measurements of the length of each piece, cut along the marks. Since frames will be joined at an angle 90 ^of, rather than 45 ^of (standard), the crests in the vertical slats must cut the groove width of the horizontal bar.

   

   At this stage, you cannot do without a chisel, it must be sharp and thin

4. Thanks to the grooves in the box and the ridges in the platbands, they are installed quickly and without additional fasteners.

   

   Measuring the size of the horizontal bar after installing the vertical ones, you definitely won't be mistaken.

5. After installing all the platbands, install a stop bar to which the door guide will be attached. Fix the aluminum guide on it, having previously drilled holes for self-tapping screws. In work, you may need a longer bit or an extension cord for it.

   

   Please note: drilling with countersink is also needed here before screwing in the screws

6. While the guide is open on both sides, place the roller system in it.

   

   Pay attention to the correct position of the rollers: the first - "tail" forward, the second - back

7. It's time to prepare the door. Remove the transport strips, screw the brackets for fastening the rollers into the upper end and hang the canvas. Remember to tighten the fastening nuts. After trying on, remove the canvas by bringing it along with the rollers through the end of the guide.

   

   The fastening system is thought out so that the work can be done without tools

8. Make a mark on the floor to attach the plastic flag, drill holes through the masking tape and secure the flag. After that, install the door on it. The ridge of the flag should fit into the groove of the door, and the rollers on the canvas - into the groove of the guide. If the door moves normally, tighten the stopper screws inside the rail to prevent the door from coming out of it.

   

   The design of the flag is simple and effective

9. Correct the size of the decorative strip and fix it so that the fasteners are hidden behind it.

   

   After fixing the decorative strip, it will completely hide the timber and the guide

As you can see, if you have an assistant for working with a heavy canvas, the process of installing a sliding door becomes a feasible task.

Repair and restoration of doors with a mirror

The most common failure of mirrored doors is damage to the amalgam or cracks in the mirror. Clouding of mirrors also happens, but this problem is solved by using cleaning agents. Thorough cleaning and polishing quickly returns the glass to its original transparency. But in more serious cases, there is only one solution - replacing the mirror or its fragment (if there are several of them in the door).

The mirror sheet in modern doors is replaced by pushing the damaged mirror through the bottom groove in the door

Doors with mirror inserts and a collapsible or conditionally collapsible frame lend themselves best to repair. In them, you can remove the interfering elements, take out the broken mirror, replace it with a new one and restore the appearance of the door. If done carefully, the door will look like new.

If defects appear on an all-glass door, you will have to replace the entire door leaf, which is not cheaper than buying a new one. That is why all-glass doors are made so reliable, with thick glass and protective films.

Mirror doors malfunctions associated with fittings or damage to the profile material (for example, scratches on wood) are repaired in the same way as for ordinary doors with glass inserts or blank panels. Accessories for mirrored doors are selected depending on the type of opening, nothing depends on the presence or absence of a mirror.

Caring for doors with a mirror

Mirrored doors require no more attention than glass doors. Hardware for most models does not require lubrication at home, as it uses specialized oils. Amalgam is usually protected from moisture and never remains open, so you should not be afraid of its rapid fading or destruction. The only precaution is the need to protect the amalgam from direct sunlight and heat. But in our time, few people live with open windows without tulle, and the door near the battery is also rare.

Making mirrored doors clean is even easier than washing a bathroom mirror, because there is no white coating on them.

It remains to fight only with the dangers that are inherent in glass:

• remove stains and traces of touch (the wider the door profile, the fewer such marks);
• do not use abrasive agents (including soda) when cleaning, because they can damage the mirror;
• avoid acid-containing compounds (including vinegar and citric acid) so that the aluminum profile does not become covered with dark spots (if the doors are all-glass, glass-framed, wooden or made of MDF, this rule does not need to be followed).

A variety of methods for aging mirrors will allow you to choose an option for every taste

Good housewives know that using glass cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth, you can quickly make a mirror clean and beautiful.

Photo gallery: doors with a mirror in the interior

Full glass mirrored door with matte pattern is a great accent for minimalism

Thanks to the enlightened glass in the mirror, this door looks like a portal

Thanks to the mirrored stripes, the front door seems to glow from the inside and creates the illusion of the continuation of the apartment

Only a double door from the same series can be more luxurious than a single mirrored door with facets

The wooden door with beveled mirrors fits perfectly into the Romanesque classics

Although black mirrored stripes do not add space, they noticeably enliven a modest door

Thanks to the mirrored door, the small corridor has been significantly lengthened

Interior mirrored doors are the most effective option for expanding the size of the room

If a door with a mirror is installed in the room, there will always be good lighting in the room.

Reviews of mirrored doors

If you want to add originality to the room, use mirrored doors. This element will become a "highlight" in the interior, which will emphasize the uniqueness of the decor. A mirror panel will dilute the familiar interior and visually expand the space. The main thing is to choose the right appearance of the door, as well as the way to open it.