How to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Whether it’s for vanity, decoration, or simply because you want a small room to look larger than it really is, hanging a large wall mirror is a good option. The only problem is, it’s very heavy. You must properly hang it, so it won’t fall.
What You’ll Need:
Heavy wall mirror
Pencil
Level
Toggle bolts
Electronic stud finder
Long wood screws
Electric drill
Drill bits
Picture wire
Mirror clips
Screw eyes
Helper
Procedure:
Determine if the wall you’re hanging the mirror on is large and sturdy enough. Is it in good condition? If you notice cracks or crevices, see if you can find another wall area. Hanging a heavy mirror on an unstable wall will be dangerous.
See if the mirror you got has a frame around it. If it doesn’t have any, then you’ll have to use mirror clips to install it. If it does, check its back and check if strong screw eyes can be found on the back of the frame’s either side. Get the picture wire and thread it from one eye to the other. Get the ends, then securely twist them around the eyes, and around the main wire.
Using a pencil and a level, make a tiny mark on the wall, just at the mirror’s center top. You’ll have to get two points where you’re hanging the mirror, with their distance a shorter than half the mirror’s width. Position the points a bit on top of the screw eyes’ level.
Find out if it’s drywall or a stud that’s lying behind the two marked points, with the help of an electronic stud finder. If you do find a stud, get an electric drill and a bit and use them to drill a pilot hole. The bit must be smaller than the wood screw’s diameter.
Screw your wood screw in the stud, using a screwdriver. As much as possible, don’t position it flush to the wall; just let the wood screw’s head to project from the wall, at least 0.125 inch. This will let you position the picture wire around the screw head.
If there are points where you don’t get a stud, use a toggle bolt. Check the directions on the packaging to find out what drill bit size you need to use to drill a hole through your drywall.
While in the hole, turn the screw six times in the hinged part or the “wings” of the toggle bolt. Afterwards, pinch the wings together and insert the hinged ends in the drywall hole. Push carefully the wings until they go through the drywall’s other side, then pull back on the screw and turn it. As you turn the screw, it pulls the wings back to the drywall, pressing on the insider part effectively, while the screw head pressed on the outside.
When the screw head is snug against the wall already, unscrew it enough so the picture wire gets around the screw head.
If your wall mirror does not have a frame, use mirror clips. These are made of clear plastic, used often for bathroom wall mirrors. Measure two points where the mirror’s lower edge will be positioned and mark them with a pencil. Make sure they’re straight, with the help of a level.
Find a stud with the help of the stud finder, the same procedure as above. Drill a pilot hole and use a long wood screw to attach the clip to the wall. If there’s no stud, just use a toggle bolt to attach your mirror clips. Tighten the clips properly, until the wall mirror is in place.
Ask someone to help you hold the frameless mirror. While it rests in the lower mirror clips, make a mark where you’re going to install the top clips. Lift the mirror in the lower clips, center it then tighten the wood screws. If necessary, move the top clips upside down, so the mirror will be flushed to the wall before you tighten the lower clips. Position the top mirror clips, then tighten the wooden screws.
A large wall mirror has a certain elegance, making any space look better and brighter. Follow these steps and install one in your home without any trouble.