Edgework and Enhancements of Mirrors
     Edging adds strength to clean-cut glass by eliminating very small imperfections created by cutting. Edging takes away the chips and gouges and smoothes the naturally sharp edges of the glass. For safety reasons, un-edged mirrors should never be used where the edges are exposed.

     Edging also provides a wide variety of aesthetic values to mirrors. Edging is a pre-determined grinding and polishing of glass into a shape. Today's mirrors are edged on specially designed equipment to provide the precision required and the desired look. To start, a series of diamond wheels shape the edge and then a series of polishing wheels produce the brilliance of the edge. Cost of various types of edging is directly related to the machining time of the required grinding and polishing.

Traditional Edges

• Clean-Cut is a natural edge created from the breakout process.
• Polished Edge is also called a pencil edge and uses minimal grinding to create a curved edge with a satin finish.
• High Polish Edge is a curved high gloss surface.
• Bevel is the most popular edge treatment and to produce it the edge is ground and polished to a curved, high polished surface while a similar process produces the bevel. The grinding angle and bevel width are flexible and only limited by the glass thickness. The thicker the glass, the more noticeable and attractive the bevel. Custom beveling can be curved, straight or patterned.

Advantages of Using Polished Edge for Mirrors

• Shows more uninterrupted surface
• Fits tighter into j-molding, clips and screws and other types of hardware
• Most economical

Advantages of Using Beveled Edge for Mirrors

• Creates more visual interest
• Reflects light from different angles
• Adds a touch of elegance

     Both polished and beveled edges have their advantages. Decisions on which to use should be based on the desired effect to be achieved and how much is budgeted.

Surface Treatments

     In addition to all the different colors and shapes that mirrors come in there are also a variety of surface treatments that can be used. These surface treatments include:

• Acid etching is used more in Europe than in the United States. Acid is used to create patterns in the glass. These patterns can then be painted.
• Carving creates multi-level effects using abrasives and high-pressure air sources. When applied to the back the pattern is usually painted. The painting can incorporate several colors.
• Coating is applied to glass to create effects ranging from translucent to iridescent. There are many kinds of coatings that can be used.
• Cutting is done with wheels on the front or back surface, using miter cutting or abrading. The effect is an embedded pattern on the mirror.
• Glue chipping is a special glue applied to the glass and when dried, flakes of glass come off in a frost pattern. The glass is then silvered.
• Laminating is when two or more pieces of glass are put together with a vinyl interlayer. A variety of film, patterns and materials can be used and then the laminated glass can be silvered.
• Painted glass is when designs are painted on the front surface of the mirror. In the 1800s floral patterns were the popular designs. In addition, the rear of the mirror can also be painted with images or a smooth lacquer.
• Sandblasting gives the glass a clouded surface that usually results in pattern. This technique can be applied to the front or back of the mirror. If the back is sandblasted some of the reflective coating and backing paints are removed and this allows light to enter the glass.

Additional Enhancement of Mirrors:
     The face of mirrors can be enhanced with brilliant cutting, creating geometric patterns. Or, in the rear of mirrors, patterns can be deep carved then filled with gold leaf. Mirrors can be enhanced with sandblasting, or laminating, or painted patterns. One's imagination and budget are the only barriers…

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