How to choose a made-to-measure bathroom mirror

A bathroom mirror isn't just a silvered pane cut to size: in a damp area, the detail that decides whether it lasts for years or starts to stain at the edges is how the bottom edge is protected.

Made-to-measure mirror: the edge is the weak point in damp

The made-to-measure mirror is cut to the exact size of the opening, with the option of a bevel (an edge polished at an angle, with a more refined finish) or a plain edge. In bathrooms or damp areas, always protect the bottom edge of the mirror from standing damp (with a profile or silicone), since it is the point where the silver layer on the back starts to oxidise first — a mirror that starts to stain from the bottom almost always does so from there, not because of a defect in the glass itself.

Anti-fog mirror: with or without wiring

The anti-fog mirror has a specific resin or film on the back that stops it misting up from shower steam. There are two types:

• With a heating element: needs a small nearby electrical socket, more effective.
• Surface treatment without electricity: if the client doesn't want extra wiring, there are slightly less effective versions that don't have that installation requirement.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my bathroom mirror start to stain along the bottom edge? Almost always because of standing damp on an edge that wasn't protected — it's the point where the silver layer on the back oxidises first.

Do I need electricity for an anti-fog mirror? Only if you choose the version with the heating element, which is more effective. There is a surface-treatment alternative with no wiring, slightly less effective but without that requirement.

What's the difference between a bevelled mirror and a plain-edge one? The bevelled one has an edge polished at an angle, with a more refined finish; the plain one is cheaper and functional without that aesthetic detail.

Conclusion

Protecting the bottom edge of a mirror in a damp area is a cheap detail that stops it staining before its time. Choosing between anti-fog with or without wiring depends on whether the client is willing to accept a small extra electrical installation in exchange for more effectiveness.