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Decorating your home is a complex job. You have to keep many things in mind, such as how each piece of furniture will align with the layout of your room, which colours and shades to choose for a cohesive ensemble, and the overall style you’re aiming to achieve. Add to this the fact that you probably want to redecorate with items that are both fashionable and which can also stand the test of time and ensure that you don’t have to change everything every few months.
With all this in mind, you’ll probably have a difficult time deciding on the pieces that work best for your home. One of the best options you probably haven’t considered is acrylic mirror sheets. These pieces are essentially plastic items that have undergone special treatment endowing them with the reflective properties of glass mirrors. But why should you choose this option over the traditional one? Are there any specific advantages?
The advantages
An acrylic mirror is thinner and lighter than a glass mirror, meaning that it is easier to work with and install. If you’re a beginner who’s never been involved in significant work decoration tasks before, it can be much less daunting to deal with acrylic than with a regular mirror. However, despite their lightweight properties, acrylic mirror sheets are also impact-resistant. When you buy acrylic sheets, you invest and purchase an item that will last a long time.
The lifespan of acrylic is typically longer, and the material is UV-resistant and flexible. You know how challenging it can be to clean a mirror perfectly well. Stains and smudges are common on mirrors, and wiping them off perfectly can be a hassle. Just when you think you’re done, you discover you haven’t cleaned one of the areas well enough. You’ll have no such problems using an acrylic sheet, as they’re much easier to wipe clean. All you need is some cold water to which detergent has been added. You can also use a commercial plastic cleaner if dealing with peskier stains or residue. Make sure to use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth, so you don’t scratch the surface.
Although acrylic sheets are roughly thirty times more durable than glass, they’re also quite flexible. It is also more translucent, allowing more light to get through. Approximately 92% of the available light passes through acrylic, so if you require additional protection from sunlight and UV rays, your best bet is to choose matte or tinted sheets. Acrylic mirror sheets are also ideal for household use due to the fact that they’re much safer than glass. The material is much more resistant and difficult to break. For this reason, it is the perfect option for balcony glazing.
The costs
There’s an ongoing debate on whether or not acrylic sheets are more cost effective than traditional mirrors. The discussion isn’t only centred on how elevated the upfront costs are but also on what value you can expect to get for the same amount of money. In the initial stages, when you purchase materials to use for decoration, the cost of acrylics is likely to be a little higher than that of glass. The difference, however, will be observed over time. Acrylics are highly resistant, meaning they’re less likely to shatter. Maintenance is also more accessible, so you won’t have to pay a lot for cleaning products or minor repairs if a section has become damaged. If you relocate, you’ll find that transporting acrylics is relatively easy. You don’t have to worry that they’ll shatter to pieces during the journey to your new home.
And, of course, acrylics don’t need to be replaced as often. That means you save quite a lot in replacement costs, which can be rather substantial depending on the size and type of the items requiring acrylics.
Installation process
Working with acrylic mirror sheets is an overall straightforward endeavour. However, you must still take all the necessary precautions to guarantee an effective installation. Remember to wear protective equipment, gloves, and specialised clothing when handling a mirror sheet. Choose an acrylic mirror that is suitable for your intended application. The sheets come in various sizes and shapes, so you can choose between a wide variety of prospective items. Decide whether you’ll use screws, bolts or adhesive to hold your acrylic mirror in place. This will vary depending on how you plan to use the sheets.
The applications
Acrylic sheets have a wide range of uses. Their high quality makes them an excellent option for commercial and retail settings as well as for household decoration. If you have children, they’re a much safer alternative than glass. Since the endurance of acrylic sheets is much higher, you don’t have to worry that your kids could break them and end up injuring themselves rather severely. When you choose acrylic sheets, you end up with virtually unbreakable mirrors, so you don’t have to worry about unfortunate accidents.
These sheets are also the ideal option for outdoor usage. This is the best material to choose if you plan to incorporate some elegant pieces into your garden decorations. Acrylics provide your home décor with a touch of understated elegance. If you leaf through the pages of interior design magazines, you’ll notice that the style is quite popular.
When choosing an acrylic mirror for your home, ensure you get something that has been optically tested for quality. Just like in the case of glass pieces, acrylic mirrors can produce little distortions. You want to avoid this scenario and get the best items available that meet your requirements.
When you don’t use the mirror sheets, make sure you store them someplace that’s cool and dry to maintain them well. High temperatures and moisture can damage the material, causing it to become brittle over time. This affects its overall performance and appearance.
The choice you make for your mirrors should depend on how you plan to use them. If you want to get something that’s cost-effective and stays looking brand-new for years to come, choose acrylic sheets. They are the optimal choice for most projects.