Mirror and glass installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mirror and glass installation is

Mirror and glass installation cuts and sets mirrors, tabletops or glass panels with the right adhesive, clips or frames. The work handles heavy glass safely and aligns each piece to the wall or the furniture. People call for a new bathroom or closet mirror, a glass backsplash, a glass tabletop, or a glass panel for a railing or room divider.

Signs you need it

  • A bare wall or an old mirror that needs a larger or better-fitting glass panel
  • A table or desk that needs a new glass top cut to size
  • A glass splashback, shelf or divider that is planned and needs careful fitting
  • A mirror that has clouded, cracked or lost its backing
  • A panel for a room divider or railing that must be set plumb and secure

What the pro does

  • Measure the wall or the furniture in several places, and check it for level and plumb before any glass is ordered
  • Cut the glass to size and polish the edges, or set the edge finish the design calls for
  • Choose the mounting method for the surface, such as mirror adhesive, clips, a frame or a rail, and prepare the wall to take it
  • Set the glass with the adhesive or clips at the spacing it needs, pressing it square and level while it cures
  • Check that the glass is secure and aligned, remove any protective film carefully, and clean the finished surface

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Glass or mirror size, thickness and the number of pieces
  • Edge finish, such as polished, beveled or flat, and any cutouts, holes or shaped corners
  • Mounting method, including adhesive, clips, a frame or a rail, and the wall material it goes onto
  • Wall condition, including drywall repair, tile or a surface that must be prepared
  • Access, including high walls, stairwells, or a panel that needs lifting equipment
  • Glass type, such as tempered, laminated or tinted, and any backing or safety film
  • Removal and disposal of old glass or mirror, and cleanup of the area

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each piece listed by location, with its size, thickness and glass type named
  • Edge finish, and any cutouts, holes or shaped corners included
  • Mounting method and adhesive or clip type, with the wall material noted
  • Surface prep, including patch, paint or tile work, listed separately
  • Removal and disposal of old glass or mirror
  • Warranty on the glass and on the mirror backing or silvering

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the mirror backed to resist clouding, and what does its warranty cover?
  • What adhesive or clips do you use, and will they hold on my wall material?
  • Is the glass tempered or laminated where the safety rating matters?
  • How do you handle a wall that is not level or square?
  • How do you move and set heavy glass without damaging the glass or the wall?
  • What edge finish do you use, and can you show me a sample?
  • Will you clean the glass and remove the protective film before you leave?

Red flags

  • Mirror set with adhesive on a wall that is wet, dusty or has a glossy paint that will not bond
  • Glass cut on site with rough edges left exposed where people will touch them
  • No check of the wall for level before the glass is ordered
  • Heavy glass lifted by one person with no protection for the edges
  • A quote that does not name the glass thickness or the safety type

What you can do yourself

You can safely measure the wall or table, clean the surface, and hang a small mirror with the clips the maker supplies, into studs, using a level. Do not lift large or heavy glass alone, or set glass on a high wall or stairway without a helper and the right equipment. Call a pro for large mirrors, tabletops with a cutout, glass railings and any panel that needs a frame or a rail.

Licenses and permits

Mirror and glass installation is commonly done by licensed glass companies, glaziers or general contractors, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, since railings and panels in shared spaces can have specific rules.

Mirror and glass installation questions

Can a mirror be hung on any wall?

Not without the right support. Drywall needs anchors or studs, and tile and brick need the adhesive or clips made for them. A pro should check the wall before the mirror goes up.

Why do mirrors go dark at the edges?

Edge damage and moisture can make the silvering fail over time. A mirror in a damp room should have sealed edges and a backing that resists moisture. Ask the installer what is used.

Can I put a glass top on a table with a wood frame?

Yes, with a pad or support that spreads the weight and keeps the glass from rubbing the wood. The edge of the glass should be finished, and the top sized to the frame.

What is the difference between tempered and laminated glass?

Tempered glass breaks into small pieces. Laminated glass holds together when it breaks because a layer sits between two sheets. Ask the installer which one the location needs.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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