Please help with mounting a bathroom mirror

RickDel · 05-24-2009, 09:33 PM

First... I'm VERY new to DIY and have limited skills, so forgive me if this is a stupid question or I fail to explain this properly.

I cut my cheap unframed mirror down to 25 x 20" and now I need to frame it and hang it.

I'm planning to use 1x3 poplar to frame it. I plan to rabbet the frame and hold the mirror in place with some brads or glue. Then I will cut the corners and use pocket holes to join them. I don't foresee any problems building the frame, my problem/ question is, 'how do I attach the mirror to the wall'?

I estimate the framed mirror will be approx. 10lbs, and I'm going to attach it to 1/2" drywall. I may be able to drill into a stud, but it is off centered, so it will only secure one side of the mirror.

I know I could use a wire and some D-rings or hooks, but I'm looking for a more secure solution since my wife will be constantly cleaning it.

I'm thinking I might be able to drill through the frame and into the drywall (maybe countersink the screws and use some type of caps to conceal the screws). What do you think??????

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated.... Thanks!!

hayewe farm · 05-24-2009, 10:58 PM

You might want to consider using a french cleat to hang the mirror. It would be fairly solid but allow the removal of the frame and no screws or plugs would be visible. The screws would be in the hidden mounted part of the cleat.

RickDel · 05-25-2009, 12:37 AM

Thanks for the idea!! Should I make these out of wood? And do you think I could use two cleats, one at the top and one at the bottom? That might cause the frame to look odd, because I think this will cause it to look like it's floating on the wall. However, I think it would be more secure and we'd be able to push against it while cleaning it. Maybe I could even space them evenly along the back of the mirror so they could also be used to hold the mirror in the frame and also provide the support/backing needed to push against it for cleaning (not sure that is going to be safe though)... Thanks Again!!

**Gary in WA** · 05-25-2009, 12:49 AM

You need to darken the inside dado of the frame that the mirror will mirror. Be safe, G

Willie T · 05-25-2009, 12:55 AM

This is how you handle French Cleats so they don't stand the piece off the wall. They are inset into the back by extending all the edges rearward by exactly the thickness of the cleat material.

Yes, you can use cleats top and bottom, but you need to be ever so precise in your placement of them. Get off even a tiny bit, and things get sloppy in the fit department.

hayewe farm · 05-25-2009, 01:59 PM

A cleat at the top is all you will need. The weight of the mirror will generally be more than enough to keep the cleat engaged. To remove the mirror you need pressure straight up, pushing in will not disengage the cleat. You can make the cleat out of just about any material, wood, mdf, or even plastic. For small units I have made them out of 1/8" plastic.

RickDel · 05-25-2009, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the help (many more question to come