Two-way Mirror Information

General Performance.

All modern two-way mirrors work in the same way, but depending on their base material and coating can be used effectively in a number of various ways.

The two main materials used are glass and acrylic, with pros and cons for each.

If you're Just looking for a standard two-way mirror, then glass Std 6mm would be your best option. Very good reflective quality, 50/50 light reflection to light transmittance, meaning it allows half the light through and reflects the other half. Working well in most environments.

Consideration.

It's worth pointing out here that the principle of two-way glass is always the same. The glass is usually placed between two environments, two rooms for example. To view the glass as a mirror you must be positioned in the lighter of the two room, whereas being in the darker of the two-rooms would allow you to see through the glass into the lighter room, just like looking through a tinted window.

Light can be adjusted in either room to create some very interesting effects and can be demonstrated with some good examples found easily on the web searching for 'Two-way mirror effects'

The amount of light is the primary consideration when positioning a two-way mirror and always worth remembering that any room with natural daylight will be very hard to overcome with artificial light. ( avoid using a room with natural light as the viewing side of the mirror, as you will find it very problematic to see through the glass).

Care.

All but one of our two-way mirror range share one property, that is the special coating is on one side of the base material only. In most cases, this simply means care should be taken when handling the mirrors, placing this vulnerable side facing inward towards the darker viewing area. By doing so, allows the cleaning of the want to be mirror side possible, without the risk of damage to the delicate surface of the special two-way coating.

If your project involves, say a public viewing window, then our laminated solution would best suit your needs, as the special coating is laminated between two sheets of glass, protected from perils of abrasive cleaners and the like.

Acrylic Option.

Acrylic two-way have all the same great properties of their glass counterparts, with added benefits such as of price, flexibility and durability.

However, a cautionary note must be made warning that Acrylic IS NOT GLASS and unlike glass will flex more easily, especially in larger sheet sizes. PLEASE NOTE reflections from even the slightest undulation in the surface of the material may result in an undesirable effect. Please think carefully before choosing the acrylic option. 6mm is more stable than 3mm but for best result use glass if the perfect reflection is important.

We have lots more technical information and fact sheets available on our main website.