How to Fix a Broken Mirror makes a room look more rundown than a broken mirror with cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. Besides poor aesthetics, it’s also considered bad luck in some cultures to have a ruined looking glass. The good news is that fixing a broken mirror often turns out simpler than you’d think. We’ll discuss various options for repairing and replacing the following.
Thoroughly Assessing Damage and Repair Options
Before tackling any broken mirror repairs, you first need to thoroughly examine the break and determine if it’s salvageable or needs replacement. Carefully gather up all glass shards – even tiny slivers – wearing thick leather gloves to avoid cuts.
Lay out the pieces on a protected surface like a towel atop a piece of cardboard to analyze
- Location and size of cracks/shatters
- Whether mirror backing/frame is still usable
- If broken shards can realistically be puzzled back together
- Where the unfinished edges may be located if replacing
Tip: Number each shard with a marker to map placement when reassembling.
Types of mirror glass like acrylic vs real glass impact how repairable damage may be. Here is a breakdown of what kinds crack most easily
| Mirror Glass Type | Description | Crack Pattern When Breaks | Difficulty of Repair |
| Acrylic | Made of flexible plastic | Spiderwebs across pane but pieces hold together | Easiest |
| Plate Glass | Most economical float glass | Large, jagged shards split apart | Hard |
| Tempered Glass | Heat-treated for strength | Shatter into tiny cube pieces if triggered | Nearly impossible |
If your break isn’t too severe – just chips along the edges or a single crack across the surface – simple DIY resin repairs often do the trick. A few options.
Mirror Repair Resin
- GlassWelder, Loctite, Kintsugi brands
- Inject into cracks via syringe
- Dries clear in sunlight
But if there are large missing chunks or the whole mirror collapsed into piles of shards, replacement is likely needed. When assessing, consider
Where’s unfinished edge?
- Wall side – replace whole mirror
- Frame side – insert new pane
Calling in professionals for tricky wall-mounted and unusually sized mirror installations is also often wise.
Quick Tabletop Edge Chip Repairs
For minor edge and corner chips on tabletop vanity mirrors or decorative wall mirrors, you can achieve quick fixes with common household items.
Clear Nail Polish
Use the tiny brush to precisely fill missing shards smoothed back into place along frame. Allow 12 hours to fully cure and strengthen bonds before handling.
Tip: Apply diagonal strokes overlapping the glass edge for a smooth fill.
Super Glue
Carefully dab gel formula along broken edges using a toothpick for control. Clamp cracked corners with binder clips pulled tight. Give at least 30 minutes to an hour to set.
Colored Markers
For stable but now exposed unfinished glass edges, simply color the seam to blend with your frame finish.
Restoring Large, Shattered Wall Mirrors
Trying to solidly re-adhere all the shards of an exploded decorative mirror is ambitious but not impossible. Follow these tips when tackling the rebuilding process.
Step 1) Thoroughly Clean All Pieces
- Handle shards by edges only
- Gently scrub both sides removing grime
- Rinse and dry each piece
Step 2) Map Out Placement
- Start shards with most defined corners
- Create rows using painter’s tape
- Photograph progress
Step 3) Mix 2-Part Epoxy Resin
- Clear 5 or 30-minute formulas
- Slowly stir avoiding bubbles
- Use popsicle sticks to apply
Step 4) Affix Shards to Backer
- Begin at eye level in sections
- Apply thin layer across each piece
- Use binder clips to hold until cured
Once fully restored, protect the surface but also reinforce the frame with corner gussets before rehanging any intricate puzzle-pieced mirrors.
Baby-Proofing Mirrors with Safety Accessories
In rooms where rambunctious kids play, preventing another tragic broken mirror incident requires proactive measures
Adhesive Safety Padding
Self-stick clear bumpers like those found in this 3M Safety Kit available on Amazon absorb impacts along the frame edge.
Plastic Corner Guards
Slip-on transparent or patterned covers from brands like Lucky Baby adapt to all mirror sizes to cushion blows.
Foam Mirror Tiles
These colorful foam squares stick directly to glass surfaces muting potential cracks from collisions. Kids can help decorate!
Frameless Mirrored Cabinets – Secure Installation Steps
For straight-edged frameless mirrors like bathroom medicine cabinets, use shatterproof film backing and secure mounting to walls blocking moisture damage
Step 1) Prepare Wall
- Fill/sand uneven surfaces
- Ensure surface is clean
Step 2) Attach Mounting System
- Adhesive mirror mounts
- Concealed French cleat
- Mirror clips
Step 3) Insert Mirrored Glass
- 1/4″ tempered safety pane
- Apply waterproof sealant
- Check alignments
Step 4) Seal Edges
- Transparent silicone
- Decorative trim moulding
- Leave 1/8″ gap between wall
This finishing touch contains the edges while allowing the mirrored glass to flex minimally when opening/closing the cabinet without cracking.
Tempering and Backing Choices When Ordering New Mirror Panes
When replacing the glass entirely, customized mirrored sheets now offer protective upgrades right in fabrication.
| Tempering Process | Resulting Strength Increase | Ideal For |
| Heat Treating | 4-5 times stronger | Bathrooms, doors |
| Chemical Tempering | 3 times stronger | Wall accents |
Backside options to reduce risk of injury and damp wall damage:
- Safety film adhered across the back side catches all shards if broken
- Foam padding cushions and insulates
- Waterproof coating prevents corrosion and black edges
Helpful Online Resources for Mirror Repair Guidance
Before attempting to puzzle back together tiny slivers or building out a frame for a fresh mirror sheet, utilize these helpful videos and tutorials
Solving Common Mirror Problems
You may also read: How to Get Paint Off a Mirror: A Complete Guide
Weigh whether investing sweat equity into meticulously restoring an irreparable antique is worth it or determining if an upgraded shatter-resistant replacement ultimately brings better peace of mind. Either route – repair or replace – can restore beauty and functionality when armed with the right advice.
So try out some of these DIY glass fixing techniques and safeguarding options to keep your mirrors intact for years to come. Still nervous about getting things perfectly pieced together again or preventing future breaks? Consulting professional services remains the foolproof route for positive, long-lasting results.
