3 Considerations When Buying an Antique Mirror for Your Business

Businesses and Commercial Spaces: Think about This before Buying Antique Mirrors

If you’re looking to create an interesting new design scheme for your commercial space, you might be considering the addition of an antique mirror. If that’s the case, here are the top three things to keep in mind when starting your antique mirror search.



Don't invest in a  commercial antique mirror  until you've thought through these three important factors.

1. Custom Antique Mirrors versus Ready-to-Order

When it comes to antique mirrors, the first major consideration is whether you want to order something custom or you’re looking to purchase a ready-to-order mirror. One is not better than the other. The best option merely depends on your overall design needs.

Here are some of the primary differences between a custom glass manufacturer and a store that simply sells interior antique mirrors:

Custom Antique Mirror Manufacturer

• A custom glass manufacturer acts as a partner. You can work together, using the glass manufacturer’s expertise and your vision, to create something unique and beautiful.
• A custom order is ideal if you’re looking to match or to complement an existing piece.
• Custom orders are preferable if you need a specific size. For example, maybe you’re looking to fill a certain spot, and standard sizes are either too small or too large.
• A custom antique mirror is made to look distressed or tarnished, but it’s made using the best glass safety practices of today.
• A custom glass manufacturer can work with you to integrate antique mirrors into walls, ceilings, furniture, shelving, and more. (Learn more about architectural glass here.)
• Custom antique mirrors are often handmade. Every piece, therefore, is a unique work of art.
• Depending on the glass manufacturer you use, the production of your mirror could all occur exclusively in North America. This helps ensure a certain level of quality, workmanship, and corporate responsibility.

Ready-to-Order Antique Mirrors

• Depending on where you’re purchasing, ready-to-order mirrors can be less expensive than a custom option.
• If you don’t have any design idea in mind, a premade antique mirror could be a good fit. You could simply scroll through the available options until you found a piece that struck you.
• If you’re buying an actual antique mirror, be aware the product might not be compliant with the latest glass safety standards and manufacturing processes. If it were to break, that could pose safety concerns for you and your patrons.
• An actual antique mirror could contain mercury. While unlikely, this could potentially leak, especially if the mirror were compromised or damaged. (For more information, see this news story about the dangers of mercury in antiques and this CDC warning about antiques.)

2. Finding the Right Glass Manufacturer

If you’ve decided to go with a custom antique mirror, the next important consideration is which glass manufacturer to select. With so many available, how are you meant to choose? Finding the right glass manufacturer for your antique mirror project can seem overwhelming, but start with these seven must-have characteristics:

• Experience
• Expertise
• Stellar Communication
• Openness to Collaboration
• One-Stop-Shop Experience
• Safe, Proven Shipping Methods
• Honesty

Learn more about each of these characteristics and choosing a glass manufacturer here.

3. Variety of Antique Mirror Finishes Available

Once you’ve found some potential glass manufacturers for your antique mirror, it’s time to check out the specifics of what they create. Look through their portfolio of antique mirror finishes to see if anything aligns with what your commercial space could use.

At this point in the design process, it’s a good time to be in communication with the glass manufacturer. If there’s something specific you need, you can start working with the company to determine what’s possible—whether that’s starting with one of their preset finishes or creating something entirely new.

To give you a sense of the available range, TCG can provide antique mirrors with the following:

• Safety glass (tempered or laminated)
• Leaded glass
• Insulated glass panels
• Custom fabrication (holes, notches, and more)
• Custom colors
• Any thickness
• Most sizes, including large sheets

Additional Resources on Antique Mirrors

Interested in learning more about antique mirrors? Here are some additional resources for commercial spaces looking to overhaul their interior design:

• 5 Ways Antique Mirrors Improve Design in a Commercial Space (blog)
• Antique Mirror FAQs (blog)

Thinking about working with us as your custom glass manufacturer? Check out these helpful links:

• All about MirrorUnique™ Antique Mirrors (blog)
• Benefits of MirrorUnique™ Antique Mirrors (blog)

Ready to purchase? Want a quote? Have a general question about antique mirrors or interior design? Wherever you’re at in the process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help any way we can!