Interior doors with a mirror: style and functionality
In any interior, there are objects that pay attention to in the first place. An interior door with a mirror can become such an object that literally and figuratively catches the eye.
Peculiarities
They are mainly used in the following cases:
- when you need to visually expand the space of the room, make it lighter;
- when the style of the room requires it;
- when there is a need for a mirror, but there is nowhere else to install it;
- when you need to select an object in front of the mirror. If you are the lucky owner of a unique painting or piece of art, make sure that people will see them, not only when they are in the room, but also when they leave it.
The door itself can be made of natural wood, MDF, chipboard, plastic, metal. MDF and chipboard are popular due to their lightness and relative cheapness.
If you use an interior door in a living space, and especially in a kitchen, bedroom or children's room, where people spend the most time, consider options made from natural materials, or at least check that the seller has a certificate of conformity.
Views
By the type of mirror used, the doors are distinguished:
- with the usual (classic);
- with tinted. They are used to emphasize the color scheme of a room or to put certain color accents.
A classic mirror can be:
- glossy (shiny);
- matte (do not have reflection properties, are used as a decorative element that complements the style sustained in the room).
The shape of the mirror inserts can also be different:
- in the form of a rhombus;
- in the form of a rectangle;
- round;
- oval;
- any other arbitrary non-standard shape at the request of the client (figures, letters, flowers, animal silhouettes, etc.).
In addition, the mirror can be:
- clean;
- with a pattern matching the style.
Depending on the size, the door may include:
- several small mirrors:
- average or growth mirror.
If only the aesthetic function is pursued, then small reflective surfaces are used. From a practical point of view, it is better to install a mirror where a person will see himself in full growth.
In addition, mirrors can be:
- with an increasing or decreasing effect;
- whole or mosaic type;
- artificially aged.
The choice of doors with mirrors is huge. Having decided on the type, shape and color of glass, consult with a specialist how it is technically possible to complement this or that door model.
Constructions
There are several fundamentally different designs of doors with mirrors.
Swinging
The most common option, they are the most common and time-tested. The package includes a fixed door frame, a movable door leaf and hinges connecting them. Various inserts with carvings, images and mirrors act as decor. They come with one sash or two (for convenience, one of the sashes can be fixed).
By the way of opening, they are distinguished:
- opening in one direction;
- pendulum (open in both directions thanks to special hinges). They are not as widespread as they require a lot of space to open the flaps on either side of the doorway.
Advantages of swing door slabs:
- good sound insulation;
- do not let in smells (which is especially important in the kitchen and in the restroom).
A significant disadvantage is that the space on the side of the door opening is not consumed rationally.
Sliding
Move parallel to the wall with the doorway. More acceptable option to save space. Such models are the most popular, they will be a great addition to any room decorated in a modern style.
Modern technologies make it possible to produce them in almost any non-standard size, taking into account that there is a suitable mirror sheet.
There are two ways to close these doors:
- in one direction (for example, if there is a corner of the room on the other side);
- in two opposite directions (if on both sides of the doorway there is room for placement inside the walls or parallel to them).
Most doors are secured with two mounting rails (upper and lower), rollers with plastic or rubber pads ride on them. These pads provide a smooth ride and do not create additional noise.
- If the rails are placed over the wall, it is necessary to take into account that furniture should not stand next to the doorway close to the wall. Otherwise, such a door simply will not open. You can, of course, retreat the required distance and pick up a less protruding handle, but this will affect the overall appearance of the room and will be less convenient.
- If the rails are located inside the walls, when opening such a door it will not be visible, just as the fasteners themselves will not be visible. However, this installation method is more time consuming. And this method cannot be used when the repair has already been completed, without any intervention in it.
This is why it is important to make your choice in advance.
Foldable
They act on the principle of an accordion. They can have from two to seven leaves. A large number of flaps is not recommended, otherwise their operation will be difficult. The package includes strips movably interconnected by rollers inserted into the guides. Both top and bottom guides are required for reliability.
Depending on the place of fastening of the rollers, folding occurs in the "book" or "accordion" type. The elements of the "book", as a rule, are wider and have a greater thickness - accordingly, this gives more opportunities for using such heavy materials as wood and metal.
"Accordions" are made of lighter materials such as plastic, aluminum, chipboard, MDF. The folds formed when closing the "accordion" door will be less deep and take up less space than at the "book" door.
If such multi-piece doors, decorated with mirrors, are used as a partition, then when unfolding we will get an original mirrored wall.
Suspended
They occupy a special position, as they are attached only with the help of an upper guide rail, which can be closed with a decorative strip. In addition, the components of such a design can be an independent decorative item and fit into the general style of the room. Closing and opening of such doors with a mirror occurs along the wall.
There are the following types:
- sliding;
- folding. In such a multi-part design, the lack of bottom mountings can lead to rapid breakdown. Therefore, such suspended doors are less reliable.
Their features include:
- ease of use (even a child can cope with such an opening mechanism);
- ease of installation (only the top mount needs to be mounted);
- the absence of thresholds and violations of the integrity of the flooring;
- hygiene (there is no need to clean out debris from the hard-to-reach places of the lower mounts).
Radius
These models have become a kind of innovation in the interior door market. If smooth lines and smoothed corners have become the highlight of the interior of your room, this type of door suits you perfectly.The package includes: one or more leaves of different radii, hinges, guides or roller systems (depending on the opening method). To decorate such a door with a mirror becomes possible, you need a frame made of metal, plastic, wood or MDF.
With the help of concave and convex parts, you can create not only an original door, but also an extraordinary, at the same time functional, combined partition. It is difficult to install such a structure on your own; it is better to use the services of specialists. Radial mirrors in such cases are made to order and have special mounts. In addition, they can distort the displayed image and are expensive.
If you do not want to wait long or want to save money, you can combine straight elements with mirrors with radius elements without mirrors.
How to choose?
In order for a piece of furniture to give pleasure with its appearance for a long period of time, it is necessary to take into account several nuances:
- Do not put only the aesthetic component at the forefront. If the product is beautiful but impractical, after a while you will start to feel weary about it. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of a particular model, imagine how it will look in your case. Special programs will help you visualize your desires.
- Consider value for money reasonably. A high-quality door will not be cheap: firstly, because of the presence of glass in it, and secondly, high-quality fittings make up a significant share of the cost of the product. Needless to say, metal rollers are stronger than plastic rollers. The mirror of a trusted manufacturer will not fade, and the image applied to it will not be erased during the cleaning process.
- For safety reasons, pay attention to how firmly the mirrored part of the door is fixed. It can be fixed with glue or special holders. The disadvantage of holders is that they are visible. Usually they are well chosen and do not spoil the appearance. But if necessary, the mirror can be removed, and the holes can be masked. Fastening with glue or silicone is invisible, but less reliable, since the door is used quite often.
- Do not be afraid that you will have to endlessly wipe away stains or fingerprints. Of course, on a mirrored surface, as well as on any other glossy surface, any contamination is most noticeable. Special detergents will come to your aid, which will not only remove dirt, but also help to keep clean for longer (for example, they can relieve static electricity and dust does not settle on the treated surface).
If you have small children or animals in your home, use the mirrors at the top of the door.
Where in the apartment can I put it?
When installing a door with a mirror in one or another part of the apartment, you need to remember that each material has certain operating conditions.
In a private house, in rooms with poor heating or high humidity, it is not recommended to install doors made of natural wood that have not undergone special processing. The door leaf can swell, making it difficult to close. In rooms with dry air, it is recommended to use a humidifier so that the solid wood product does not crack. Plastic parts, in turn, are harmful to direct sunlight.
If the room or room does not have natural light sources, then by adjusting the artificial lighting and installing additional mirror surfaces, you can eliminate this drawback. A door with a mirror can be installed in a small or narrow room - mirrors reflect light well, and a light room seems more dark.
If you are fencing off the area with sliding or folding doors, use mirrored inserts - this design will look lighter.
You can install a door with a mirror in a closet or niche, turning them into a wardrobe. In such a case, it is wise to use a full-length mirror.
Interior ideas
All the variety of models can be applied in the living room. Frosted glass with bronze tint and patterned patterns will complement the classic interior. And shiny inserts in the idea of squares or rhombuses will suit the living room in the Art Nouveau style.
It is not recommended to install mirrors in the sleeping area so as not to create additional psychological stress. The original solution will be the doors supplemented with the owner's initials in the form of mirror letters or a picture. It is better if they are located outside, speaking about the individuality of the owner of the room.
You can't do without a bathroom mirror. And if you install an additional one on the door, a family with a large number of people will be able to save time in the morning.
A door with a growth mirror in the hallway will give you confidence before heading to an important event.
This video is for those who doubt the strength and reliability of a door with a mirror.
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