From the bathroom, where their usefulness is undeniable, to hallways, living rooms and bedrooms, mirrors are widely used. If you’re considering installing a mirror in your home—whether replacing an old one or refreshing your decor—this article provides tips to help you do it correctly and safely, regardless of the type of surface.

Before you start, consider:

• the size and weight of the mirror,
• ensuring the mirror is mounted straight,
• hanging the mirror at an appropriate height, usually at eye level,
• positioning the mirror to reflect natural light or highlight key decorative features.

When drilling isn’t possible, choose adhesive

Choosing the right mounting method can be challenging. When drilling isn’t an option, or if you prefer not to damage wall coverings, adhesive is the best choice. The key is selecting a suitable adhesive and applying it correctly. For this purpose, we have developed TKK SEAL Mirror adhesive, specifically designed for mounting mirrors.

To achieve optimal adhesion, follow these steps:

1.   Surface preparation

Every surface must be clean, solid, and dry. Porous surfaces should be cleaned mechanically, for example with a wire brush. Smooth, non-porous surfaces should be cleaned with TKK SEAL Active cleaner. The main goal is to remove dirt, grease, oils, dust, and old adhesives or sealants, ensuring a strong bond with the adhesive and tape.

2.   Use a primer

For porous surfaces, we recommend applying TKK SEAL Silicone & hybrid primer. The minimum drying time before applying the mirror with adhesive is 15 minutes.

3.   Applying the adhesive

Apply the adhesive together with double-sided tape at least 1 mm thick. This achieves two objectives:

• immediate adhesion of the mirror to the surface, provided by the tape,
• sufficient spacing between the mirror and the surface for proper curing of the TKK SEAL Mirror adhesive.

Adhesive curing is influenced by temperature and humidity. Most single-component adhesives are not suitable for full-surface application on smooth surfaces.

4.   Apply TKK SEAL Mirror adhesive in narrow vertical strips (approx. 10 mm wide) at intervals of around 20 cm directly from the cartridge using a manual, battery-powered, or pneumatic gun onto the back of the mirror. Apply the adhesive in interrupted vertical strips. Ensure that dust or other contaminants do not fall on the adhesive before pressing the surfaces together. Keep the adhesive 2–5 cm away from the mirror edge and double-sided tape. Take care not to block vertical airflow during application.

5.   Within five minutes of applying the adhesive, press the mirror onto the surface. If tape is not used to secure immediate adhesion, a mechanical support must be applied to prevent slipping or detachment. The mechanical support can be removed after 48 hours.

6.   The gap between the mirror and wall can be sealed with a sealant, such as TKK SEAL All purpose silicone extra.

This prevents water and moisture from reaching the mirror’s polished edges and protects against delamination at the back. Seal at least one week after mounting to ensure full curing of the adhesive.

How much adhesive do you need?

A general rule is: for 1 kg of mirror, you need 20 cm of adhesive strip.

Example: A mirror measuring 100 × 100 cm with a thickness of 4 mm weighs approximately 10 kg, so you will need a total of 200 cm of adhesive strips. Divide this into three interrupted vertical strips of about 70 cm each (e.g., 3 × 23 cm).
For an 8 mm thick mirror, the weight doubles, and so does the adhesive requirement.

For elastic adhesives such as TKK SEAL Mirror adhesive, the recommended final adhesive thickness is between 1 mm and 5 mm.