DIY CUSTOM BATHROOM MIRROR WITH GLASS TILE FRAME

There are many ways you can add a little vigor to your bathroom without breaking the bank. Adding a glass tile frame around your mirror is a simplistic yet effective strategy in creating a glamorous aura within your bathroom walls. Here are some steps you can follow to achieve this without the hefty cost of hiring an installation team.

The materials that you’re going to need are listed below:

• Glass Tile – You’ll need to measure the area that you intend to tile to know how much glass tile you need for this project. When selecting your tile, you may want to go for something that creates a lovely accent against the other colors or designs in your bathroom. It’s better to use glass tile with a mesh background for this project.
• Mirror – Since the main feature of this project is a mirror, you’ll want to also measure and purchase a piece of glass stock accordingly.
• Backer Board – Most mirrors are installed with some type of backing such as cork sheet, ply, MDH. Head to your hardware store and purchase a piece of backer board almost the size of your mirror. The backer board should be a little smaller so it doesn’t show when you place your mirror against it. Also, the thickness of the board should not exceed the thickness of your glass tile if you want to achieve the most precise and even installation.
• Adhesive Tile Mat – Tile mat is an adhesive that you can use as a substitute for thinset. It works better with smaller DIY projects, however, it can also be used on a larger scale. It basically functions like double sided tape.
• Spacers
• Grout
• A Grout Float
• Grout Sealer
• Mirror Adhesive
• A Drill and Screws to hold the backboard in place

Installing the Glass Tile

• Remove all power outlet covers and turn off the electricity to those outlets before beginning any work.
• To protect your face basin and floor, cover it with old newspaper.
• Mount the backboard in the space that you want your mirror to be in, securing it with nails or screws.
• Use the spacers at the very bottom of the wall to create a space for grout so that the tile isn’t resting on your face basin area.
• Use a level to ensure a straight line in the way that the spacers are placed.
• Measure and cut the tile adhesive to fit the area where the glass tile will be installed, preferably with a utility knife to ensure a precise cut.
• After cutting the tile adhesive mat into the size portions that you need, start attaching it to you wall. To ensure a neatly finished job, start by sticking the adhesive from the bottom left to the bottom right. Continue by working upwards from the left going in clockwise direction around the backboard until the entire area is covered.

• Tip: An efficient way to get a clean job done with no mistakes is to peel of a small piece of the protective film that coats the tile adhesive mat and line it up where you want to begin. Hold firmly for a few seconds then release, and continue by removing small portions of the protective film as you stick the entire piece of adhesive to the wall.

• Remove the protective film on the front side of your tile adhesive.
• Because the glass tile has mesh backing it makes it easier to piece together like a puzzle on the adhesive. You can also cut into the mesh where extra tile is needed without tampering the pattern. Start by pressing the glass tile onto the adhesive from the bottom left to the bottom right. Then continue going upwards and around in a clockwise direction.

• Tip: Press the glass tile into the adhesive and hold firmly for a few seconds before moving on.

The Grouting Process

• Now that you’ve installed your glass tile, it’s time to add grout to further secure the glass tile as well as keep water out. The grout you purchase will have to be mixed with water to be activated. The consistency should be like that of peanut butter. Using a grout float, start spreading the grout across the tile, making sure it is well packed into the creases.
• Let the grout set for five to ten minutes before beginning the cleanup process.
• Use a utility knife to scrape away the excess grout at the outer corners of your tile work. Then use a large damp sponge to clean the tile. Work in a diagonal direction for best results. Repeat this step until the tile is free of all grout residue.
• Wait a couple of days before applying the grout sealer. Use another large sponge to apply the sealer to the wall for a high gloss finish.

Installing the Mirror Glass

• Rid the backer board of all dust particles before you begin applying a generous amount of mirror adhesive to it.
• Mount the mirror and hold firmly in place until it’s set.

Follow these steps with careful precision to achieve a high-end look for a fraction of the cost that you would’ve spent hiring an installation team.