Installing Acrylic Mirror: What You Need to Know Before You Start
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Acrylic mirror offers many advantages over traditional glass mirror, making it a popular choice for commercial, residential, and creative applications. It’s lightweight, highly impact resistant, and easy to cut or shape—while still delivering a reflective appearance that’s virtually indistinguishable from glass.
That said, acrylic mirror must be installed correctly to achieve the best visual results. Below are the key things to understand before mounting acrylic mirror sheets.
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Why Choose Acrylic Mirror Over Glass?
Acrylic mirror is:
- Approximately half the weight of glass
- Much more break-resistant
- Easier to fabricate and customize
- Safer for high-traffic environments
These qualities make acrylic mirror ideal for retail displays, gyms, décor, signage, and DIY projects where glass would be heavy, fragile, or difficult to install.
Understanding Flexibility and Visual Distortion
Unlike glass, acrylic mirror has a degree of flexibility. Over time, it can conform to the surface it’s mounted on.
If the backing surface is:
- Uneven
- Textured
- Not perfectly flat
…the mirror may develop localized bending, which can cause distortion in the reflected image.
Visual distortion is also influenced by:
- Viewing distance
- Material thickness
Thicker acrylic mirror is less flexible and generally maintains better optical integrity. While proper installation and adequate thickness can significantly reduce distortion, it’s important to understand that distortion may not be completely eliminated in every
Proper Backing Is Critical
For best results, acrylic mirror should always be mounted to a smooth, rigid, and sturdy backing surface, such as:
- 5/8" or 3/4" MDF
- Medium-density fiberboard
- Any equally flat, stable panel
Before installation, ensure the surface is:
- Clean
- Dry
- Free of flaking or powdery paint
Skipping this step is the most common cause of disappointing results with acrylic mirror.
Ceiling and Overhead Installations
Ceiling or overhead installations are not recommended unless the acrylic mirror is:
- Mounted in edge-engaging frames (such as T-bar suspended ceiling frames), or
- Mechanically fastened using proper hardware
This ensures both safety and long-term performance.
Adhesives: Use the Right Product
Acrylic mirror has a reflective film applied to the back, which is then protected by a paint coating. Because of this, only adhesives specifically designed for acrylic mirror should be used.
Some adhesives contain solvents—such as toluene, ketones, or hexane—that can attack the mirror’s back coating. Adhesives with 5% or more solvent content are not recommended.
Because there are many adhesives, cements, and mastics on the market, testing is essential:
- Test on expendable samples
- Allow at least 72 hours
- Check compatibility with the acrylic, reflective coating, and backcoat
If you’re unsure, a Delvie’s Plastics team member can recommend an adhesive that works well with our acrylic mirror products.
How to Apply Adhesive Correctly
When mounting acrylic mirror:
- Apply adhesive in vertical beads, spaced 5–6 inches apart
- Start beads about 3 inches from the edge
- Mount the mirror within 10 minutes of applying adhesive
- Mechanically support the mirror (clips or similar) until fully cured
- Do not apply adhesive if temperatures are below 60°F
Always follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Cleaning and Maintenance
To clean acrylic mirror:
- Use a microfiber cloth
- Mild soapy water, Brillianize®, or Novus® Plastic Cleaners
Avoid abrasive cleaners or rough cloths, which can scratch the surface.
A Final Word on Testing
We can’t stress this enough: test all adhesives on sample pieces at least 72 hours before final installation. This simple step can prevent costly mistakes and ensure your finished mirror looks exactly the way you expect.
Need Acrylic Mirror Cut to Size?
At Delvie’s Plastics, we offer high-quality acrylic mirror sheets in multiple thicknesses, cut to your exact dimensions. If you have questions about thickness selection, installation, or adhesive compatibility, our team is always happy to help you get it right the first time.