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How To Glue Mirror On Wall Without Nails?

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Written by: Jeremy Sanchez

Updated:

How To Glue Mirror On Wall Without Nails?

You can glue or stick a mirror on the wall; the specific method will be defined by the size and weight of your mirror and the type of wall you want to get it on. 

You can hang a mirror on a wall in a few different ways:

  • Adhesive 
  • Heavy-duty mounting tape 
  • Drywall hooks 
  • Toggle bolts 
  • Brick clamps

Please keep reading to discover how each method works, the necessary tools you will need, and how to utilize them to glue a mirror on your wall without nails. 

First Things First: Prepare The Wall

If you want your mirror to effectively and easily go on your wall and for it to last longer, then this step is just as important as the ones that will follow. 

Measure And Mark.

Before you can do anything with getting your mirror on the wall, you have to get your measurements in. 

Measure the space you want to glue a mirror on to know the mirror size you should get. 

Then, get your markings on the wall. Once you have the measurements of the mirror, measure it out on the wall and mark it. 

Use a pencil to mark where the corners or the edge plus the center of the mirror need to go. 

This is your chance to play around with this. Once we add the glue and stick the mirror, it will stay on the wall. 

Clean Each Surface. 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you are doing this type of project for the first time, you may not even think about this, especially if both the wall and mirror seem good. 

Even if neither have easily noticeable stains, such as dirt, debris, or grease, it is still necessary to clean them to remove any dust particles. 

Any dirt, grease, or dust on your wall or your mirror will prevent the adhesive from bonding effectively and tightly. If this is the case, there is no guarantee your mirror will stay on the wall. 

You can clean the surfaces using a clean cloth or towel and warm soapy water. 

Wipe them down and allow each to dry fully before moving on to the next step. 

Gluing A Light Mirror On The Wall 

Gluing mirrors on the wall is very much possible. But this method may not be suitable for all types of mirrors. 

Glue may not be enough for very heavy mirrors. 

There are two ways to glue the mirror on the wall without using nails:

  • Using a strong glue
  • Using a heavy-duty mounting tape 

How To Use Adhesive To Glue Mirror On The Wall

For this, we recommend a strong waterproof adhesive. This will enable the glue to keep a strong bond over time, even if you use this method to glue a mirror on your bathroom wall where there are often higher humidity levels. 

After you have prepared the wall and mirror, here is what you need to do:

  1. Apply the glue to the back of the mirror 
  2. You can add lines at close intervals working your way from the center outward 
  3. Leave a thin space right at the edge of the mirror as the glue will spread out once you press it on the wall 
  4. Gently press the mirror onto the wall
  5. Use a level to make sure it is level
  6. Once it is in place, press firmly on it
  7. Use tools to keep the mirror secured in places, such as heavy-duty tapes
  8. Let it cure for 24 hours before removing the support 

If there is glue spillage on the wall after pressing the mirror firmly to it, use a clean cloth and warm soapy water to wipe it off. 

If it is already drying up and the soapy water isn’t enough to wipe the glue stain off, use an adhesive remover solution, such as :

  • Acetone (or acetone-based nail polish remover)
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol 

How To Use A Heavy-Duty Mounting Tape To Glue Mirror On The Wall

If you want to use mounting tape to glue a mirror to the wall instead of using an adhesive, you can do so. 

For this to work, especially for a heavier mirror, use heavy-duty mounting tape and not a traditional one. 

Using mounting tape to hang your mirror on the wall is usually very safe; it won’t leave any damage or marks behind when you decide to take the mirror off the wall. 

Keep in mind that this method is best recommended for lighter mirrors. 

Here is how to use heavy-duty mounting tape on your mirror:

  1. Measure the sides of your mirror
  2. If you have a roll of tape, unroll it
  3. Cut sections that will fit the sides of your mirror, covering the full frame of your mirror
  4. Peel one side of the tape
  5. Apply it to the back of the mirror
  6. Press down firmly to secure it in place 
  7. Make sure there are no air bubbles beneath the tape, as this will prevent effective hold
  8. Repeat this step until the entire perimeter of your mirror is covered 
  9. Peel the tape off each tape section 
  10. Press the mirror on the wall
  11. Keep in place, applying pressure for a few minutes

Hanging A Heavy Mirror On The Wall 

If the mirror you want to hang on the wall is big and very heavy, the glue method may not be a very effective solution. 

Even if you want to avoid nails, there are some nail alternatives that you may need to use to get the job done. 

Toggle Bolts

Toggle bolts require a bit of drilling in the wall, but they are the ideal option for hanging heavier mirrors on the wall. 

  1. Use your drill to drill the right size hole in your wall for the toggle bolts.
  2. Fit your toggle bolt in the hole 
  3. Make sure your toggle has a solid grip inside the hole
  4. Hang the mirror on the head of the toggle bolt 

Drywall Hooks

These hooks are commonly used to handle both mirrors and picture frames. They work great on both drywall and plaster walls. 

For the drywall hook to offer you a secure hold, make sure it is locked. 

These hooks will curve inside the wall enabling them to hold and support heavy weight. So drywall hooks are also ideal for hanging heavier mirrors on the wall.

Place drywall hooks where there are no studs in the wall. 

Here is what you need to do:

  1. Use a pencil to mark where the top of your mirror will be on the wall
  2. If your mirror has D-rings, measure and marks the distance between each other and between the rings and the top of your mirror.
  3. Mark the spots where the hooks will go
  4. Add the pointy, sharp end of the hook into the wall (poking it in) by firmly pushing it into the drywall until all you see is a small hook on the outside.
  5. Hang the mirror on the hooks -either by the hook or D-rings

Hanging A Mirror On A Brick Wall 

Clamps generally work best if you want to add a mirror to a brick one. For this, you will need metal brick clamps.

These clamps work because they get a strong grip on the brick (top and bottom). 

To know what size of metal brick clamps you need to buy, measure: 

  • the height and width of your bricks
  • the width of your bricks
  • the space between your bricks 

When purchasing, look for:

  • A clip that is compatible and secure with the weight of your mirror
  • A clip with a spring at the bottom so you can adjust it if there is size variation in your bricks
  • A clip that will fit within the gap between your bricks (where the mortar is)

Add The Clips Over Your Brick

Once you have the right clips, here is how you need to attach them to your bricks. 

  1. Place the narrow end of the clip at the bottom of the brick and press it right under it.
  2. Push the clip upwards to get the top teeth to go over the top of the brick 
  3. Attach it over the brick 

Attach two clamps at an equal distance from the edges of the mirror and each other. Use a measuring tape for this. 

Use a level to check their level and not at different heights. 

If necessary, move the clamps until they are even. 

Hang The Mirror

Place your mirror frame onto the hook (the brick clamps). 

For this to work, you need to make sure the frame of your mirror is thick enough for the clamps so they can hold it in place securely.

Conclusion

If you want to glue a mirror on a wall, you need to take into consideration a few key aspects:

  • The weight of your mirror
  • The state of your wall surface 
  • The type of your wall: 
    • Is the surface flat and even?
    • Is the surface bumpy, like a brick wall?

When using glue, it is necessary that all surfaces all cleaned in detail to remove all stains that would prevent the adhesive from bonding properly, such as dirt, debris, dust, grease, or others. 

Always clean the surface of your wall and mirror with warm soapy water using a clean cloth or towel. 

Can I use picture hooks to hang a mirror on the wall?

You actually can. Just make sure that the picture hooks can hold the weight of your mirror. To ensure this, find out the weight of your mirror, then choose hooks that handle twice the weight of your mirror.

Is it safe to glue a mirror in the bathroom? Will it hold over time?

Yes, it is safe to glue a mirror to the bathroom wall. You can do this just as effectively as on any other wall. 

Just make sure that you choose the right adhesive for this. Choose a heavy-duty, water-resistant glue and flexible in various humidity conditions.

Can I glue a mirror on all types of walls?

When gluing a mirror on the wall, the wall must be flat. Otherwise, the glue may not hold your mirror over time. 

If your wall has a worn surface, it wouldn’t be safe to glue a mirror on it as it could fall.

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