How to get a mirror on the ceiling over the bed - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

lafemmefatale · 08-15-2003, 10:50 PM

After watching Basic Instinct, the idea is too sexy to pass. I don't really plan to do it soon, but I just want an idea of how, so at first opportunity, it may be done.

So, my idea is not to have any ugly nails poking out, showing up etc, all i really want visible is the mirror [and frame, assuming wood] and at the same time not to worry for my safety. So...what would be a sturdy way about this? If it's really quite dumb to do this by myself, what sort of people should i call? carpenters?

Thanx.

Bamrak · 08-16-2003, 08:03 AM

you could use glue to glue it to the ceiling, depending on the weight of the mirror. you could also use combination of long, thin nails and glue so that the nails would not be seen.

fhqwhgads · 08-16-2003, 10:05 AM

A friend with a router and a miter saw and you're in business. Cut a rabbett in some 3/4" pieces of oak, miter the corners around the mirror and screw them into the ceiling joists. (If this isn't possible, use some expandable anchors to hold the weight).

Happy boning!

rodgerd · 08-16-2003, 12:33 PM

Mirror tiles would be a quick and easy, but not so classy way of doing it, since they'll adhere to the root quite happily.

(Mind you, I'm not sure there is a classy way to do this...)

Otherwise, as was suggested upthread, a framed mirror is the best bet, since you can anchor the frame. Make sure the frame is anchored to beams, not plaster.

If you aren't experienced with this sort of thing, it's best finding someone who is; a big pile of glass landing on you in the middle of the night would be less than pleasant.

lafemmefatale · 08-16-2003, 02:37 PM

^-^ thank you everyone, those comments were appreciated...the router, miter things sound like the best bet. Due to unwillingness of having tragically humourous tales in the future, strong glue is not something i would feel comfortable handling. Again, thanks a lot

FastShark85 · 08-16-2003, 10:50 PM

You ought to use anchors at the edges AND strong glue such as Liquid Nails. Don't take any chances.

Make sure the anchors are placed where there are joists or beams in the ceiling....which may require modifying the size of the mirror to get it just right. I wouldn't feel safe having it anchored to just drywall.

apetaster · 08-17-2003, 07:54 AM

Also plan ahead for either getting a few friends to help lift and support (supporting the entire length) of the mirror while the hanging process takes place (better would be to rent a drywall lift.)

If you do go the rabbet approach, I would either recommend that you set the rabbets way back in the stock if you use oak as that species has an open grain configuration and is not as strong in such applications (for supporting lots of weight with minimal stock ) 1x is OK but 5/4 is better OR choose a tight grain hardwood species for the frame (maple, cherry, poplar are decent choices.)

clues_blues · 08-18-2003, 07:23 AM

a mirror above the headboard is a very nice (and easier) alternative. All you need to do is have the top lean a bit away from the wall so that it is angled properly towards the mattress.

enjoy...
c_b

Jolt · 08-18-2003, 06:43 PM

a really cheap easy way to do this (albeit maybe with less-wonderful results) is with a large sheet of shiny mylar which you can glue onto the ceiling with wallpaper paste...

mtimmerman123 · 08-21-2003, 08:23 PM

wish i had a mirror over my bed

*walks to the store* :P

micah67 · 08-21-2003, 10:33 PM

"Why would anyone want a mirror over their bed?"

-- Monk

briana · 08-23-2003, 02:13 AM

mirror tiles are the quick and easy way (notice I didn't say classy), did that one in college and they never fell and I was able to get them off and clean up reasonably well when I moved out.

for a more professional look get a nice mirror (can by a 'thin' glass one since it won't be bumped or moved) and use any of the brands of construction adheasive. Push them up good by making a lumber frame, can be as easy as a rectangle of 2x4's, pad that and wedge it up with a couple more holding it tight against the ceiling for at least an hour (adheasive will have time). It will stay up there and will probably be a real bitch if you have to remove it.

Charlatan · 08-23-2003, 04:31 AM

Another thing is to get a standing mirror... the kind that is usually oval and has a stand that allows the mirror to pivot about half way up the side of the mirror.

You can move it around and put it where ever you wish... It isn't over the bed but... you get the idea.

Nizzle · 08-23-2003, 11:41 AM

I wouldn't do this project myself; a large pane of glass falling on you could be serious.

toxic515 · 08-23-2003, 02:10 PM

First off, using the ceiling joists and 2 bys is a must. there ARE lighter weight mirrors out there specifically designed for that sort of thing. Additionally, I personally would rent a ceiling sheetrock jack to put it up, it's designed to lift sheetrock and hold it into place for ceilings, and SHOULD work just fine. Make sure it's VERY carefully and completely anchored.

Redlemon · 08-26-2003, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah67
"Why would anyone want a mirror over their bed?"

-- Monk

Actually, I'd have to agree with that. My wife and I spent a night in one of those motels, and while the lighting and wall mirrors were very nice, the ceiling mirror was way too weird. I mean, the perspective is all wrong, it's like you have antigravity friends.

But hey, to each his own, don't let me stop you. But perhaps you should try a sexmotel before you go through all the effort.

mrsandman · 08-26-2003, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah67
"Why would anyone want a mirror over their bed?"

-- Monk

A quick glance up will reveal who's doing the snoring.

Soggybagel · 09-08-2003, 08:13 PM

Hahaha...though seriously I see you are in Vancouver. If you were in a "earthquake" country area I would not recomend any sort of mirror over head. My uncle had a mirror not on the ceiling but above his head on the wall where he slept. He lives in California and a few years back (1994) or so when the last pretty major quake occured the mirror flew down and probably would have shattered right on his face if not for complete luck that his dog woke him up extra early for some reason.

Basically though I just said this so you know that a mirror slamming down on you is bad

axolotls · 09-08-2003, 08:25 PM

good ideas. I would definitely use CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE on the back of the mirror even after screwing the frame into the joists.

i would also have someone else do the gluing cause it takes me three days to get that shit off my hands (even if I am wearing gloves that stuff still finds its way on me)

08-15-2003, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
lafemmefatale Insane Location: Vancouver	How to get a mirror on the ceiling over the bed After watching Basic Instinct, the idea is too sexy to pass. I don't really plan to do it soon, but I just want an idea of how, so at first opportunity, it may be done. So, my idea is not to have any ugly nails poking out, showing up etc, all i really want visible is the mirror [and frame, assuming wood] and at the same time not to worry for my safety. So...what would be a sturdy way about this? If it's really quite dumb to do this by myself, what sort of people should i call? carpenters? Thanx. __________________ -poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another-

08-16-2003, 02:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
lafemmefatale Insane Location: Vancouver	^-^ thank you everyone, those comments were appreciated...the router, miter things sound like the best bet. Due to unwillingness of having tragically humourous tales in the future, strong glue is not something i would feel comfortable handling. Again, thanks a lot __________________ -poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another-

08-18-2003, 07:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
clues_blues Tilted Location: 3 feet high and rising	a mirror above the headboard is a very nice (and easier) alternative. All you need to do is have the top lean a bit away from the wall so that it is angled properly towards the mattress. enjoy... c_b __________________ nothing to see here

08-21-2003, 10:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
micah67 Thor Location: 33:08:12N 117:10:23W	"Why would anyone want a mirror over their bed?" -- Monk __________________ ~micah

08-23-2003, 04:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Another thing is to get a standing mirror... the kind that is usually oval and has a stand that allows the mirror to pivot about half way up the side of the mirror. You can move it around and put it where ever you wish... It isn't over the bed but... you get the idea. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

08-16-2003, 08:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bamrak Enter Title Here Location: Tennessee	you could use glue to glue it to the ceiling, depending on the weight of the mirror. you could also use combination of long, thin nails and glue so that the nails would not be seen.

08-16-2003, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
fhqwhgads Junkie	A friend with a router and a miter saw and you're in business. Cut a rabbett in some 3/4" pieces of oak, miter the corners around the mirror and screw them into the ceiling joists. (If this isn't possible, use some expandable anchors to hold the weight). Happy boning!

08-16-2003, 12:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
rodgerd Psycho Location: Wellington, New Zealand	Mirror tiles would be a quick and easy, but not so classy way of doing it, since they'll adhere to the root quite happily. (Mind you, I'm not sure there is a classy way to do this...) Otherwise, as was suggested upthread, a framed mirror is the best bet, since you can anchor the frame. Make sure the frame is anchored to beams, not plaster. If you aren't experienced with this sort of thing, it's best finding someone who is; a big pile of glass landing on you in the middle of the night would be less than pleasant.

08-16-2003, 10:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
FastShark85 Psycho Location: In the garage, under the car.	You ought to use anchors at the edges AND strong glue such as Liquid Nails. Don't take any chances. Make sure the anchors are placed where there are joists or beams in the ceiling....which may require modifying the size of the mirror to get it just right. I wouldn't feel safe having it anchored to just drywall.

08-17-2003, 07:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
apetaster Insane Location: P.R. Mass.	Also plan ahead for either getting a few friends to help lift and support (supporting the entire length) of the mirror while the hanging process takes place (better would be to rent a drywall lift.) If you do go the rabbet approach, I would either recommend that you set the rabbets way back in the stock if you use oak as that species has an open grain configuration and is not as strong in such applications (for supporting lots of weight with minimal stock ) 1x is OK but 5/4 is better OR choose a tight grain hardwood species for the frame (maple, cherry, poplar are decent choices.)

08-18-2003, 06:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	a really cheap easy way to do this (albeit maybe with less-wonderful results) is with a large sheet of shiny mylar which you can glue onto the ceiling with wallpaper paste...

08-21-2003, 08:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
mtimmerman123 Upright	wish i had a mirror over my bed walks to the store :P

08-23-2003, 02:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
briana Tilted Location: Midwest	mirror tiles are the quick and easy way (notice I didn't say classy), did that one in college and they never fell and I was able to get them off and clean up reasonably well when I moved out. for a more professional look get a nice mirror (can by a 'thin' glass one since it won't be bumped or moved) and use any of the brands of construction adheasive. Push them up good by making a lumber frame, can be as easy as a rectangle of 2x4's, pad that and wedge it up with a couple more holding it tight against the ceiling for at least an hour (adheasive will have time). It will stay up there and will probably be a real bitch if you have to remove it.

08-23-2003, 11:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
Nizzle God-Hating Liberal Location: Silicon Valley, CA	I wouldn't do this project myself; a large pane of glass falling on you could be serious. __________________ Nizzle

08-23-2003, 02:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
toxic515 Addict Location: Texas	First off, using the ceiling joists and 2 bys is a must. there ARE lighter weight mirrors out there specifically designed for that sort of thing. Additionally, I personally would rent a ceiling sheetrock jack to put it up, it's designed to lift sheetrock and hold it into place for ceilings, and SHOULD work just fine. Make sure it's VERY carefully and completely anchored. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.

09-08-2003, 08:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
Soggybagel Psycho Location: Lovely City #1	Hahaha...though seriously I see you are in Vancouver. If you were in a "earthquake" country area I would not recomend any sort of mirror over head. My uncle had a mirror not on the ceiling but above his head on the wall where he slept. He lives in California and a few years back (1994) or so when the last pretty major quake occured the mirror flew down and probably would have shattered right on his face if not for complete luck that his dog woke him up extra early for some reason. Basically though I just said this so you know that a mirror slamming down on you is bad

09-08-2003, 08:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
axolotls Tilted	good ideas. I would definitely use CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE on the back of the mirror even after screwing the frame into the joists. i would also have someone else do the gluing cause it takes me three days to get that shit off my hands (even if I am wearing gloves that stuff still finds its way on me)