Month: January 2016

How to Turn any Frame into a Bathroom Mirror

Remember when bathrooms featured a mirror the length of a wall? What about the classic click-in mirrored medicine cabinet? Well, those days are gone! Today’s trend features customized framed mirrors. Yes, this means you’re not stuck with the frame that the mirror comes in at the store. Janssen Glass breaks down the steps for turning any frame into a trendy bathroom mirror.

Step 1: Find the Perfect Frame (or Two)

The beauty of this trend is that you can take any frame and turn it into a mirror. You know that frame at the craft store you’ve been eyeing? What about that frame you have had around the house for years with nothing to put in it? That will make the perfect mirror frame! If you have two sinks in your bathroom, consider finding two of the same frame to add mirrors to. Below are a few of our favorite frames – rustic, industrial and vintage! 

frame-to-mirror-customization

Step 2: Pick a Glass Partner

Your next step is to find a company who can make a customized mirror. We recommend doing a quick Google search for your area, or if you live in the Kansas City metro, giving us a call. Mirrors are made out of silver glass. Typically, mirrors have a thin sheet of glass in front of a thin silver, copper film. All of this is in front of a painted layer. Because of this, most custom glass companies should be able to produce a customized piece of glass for your bathroom frame.

Related Read: How to Use an Oversized Mirror to Make Your Room Appear Larger

Step 3: Hang the Mirror (Properly)

Sure, you’ve hung various items on your walls before, but were you doing it the right way? Improper mirror hanging could cause a couple of messes, for example, running a nail into an electrical wire or pipe. Here are a couple of handy tips:

    • Find a Stud: Studs are the wooden structural supports for a wall. You should use a stud as the anchor for your mirror to ensure added support. Finding a stud can be done by knocking for a non-hollow part of the wall, using an electronic stud finder, or looking for signs of a stud such as windows, outlets, or molding nails.
    • Use an Extra Pair of Eyes: Line up your mirror with a family member or a friend to be sure that you are hanging it evenly. When doing this, it is important to know what type of hardware you will be using so that you can measure and mark your wall accordingly!
  • Hardware Dos and Don’ts: Be sure to account for the weight of your mirror. Heavier objects will require brackets for support. With wired mirrors, you will want to use hooks to hang the mirror onto.

Related Read: So You Broke a Mirror, How to Repurpose the Glass

Step 4: Make Your New Bathroom Mirror Shine!

custom-framesWhen it comes to cleaning your glass or mirrors, we recommend using Sprayway. It is ammonia free, meaning that it will not taint the film or tint of glass and mirrors. Be sure when you clean any glass surface that you are using a lint-free cotton cloth. This will help to get that streak-free finish! Looking to create your own home remedy, check out our DIY glass cleaner.   
Are you interested in a custom cut mirror for your bathroom? Give the team at Janssen Glass a call today, at (913) 677-5727, and we will get you taken care of!

2016 Shower Trends to Update Your Bathroom

Whether you’re planning a complete remodel, or you just want to make a few minor updates to liven up your old bathroom, 2016 is bringing lots of exciting trends and ideas to the world of bathrooms. Here at Janssen Glass, we do a lot of work in bathrooms, so keeping up to date on trends is part of the job. Here are some of the top bathroom trends we are seeing for 2016 that will be perfect in your Kansas City master bathroom.

Heavy Glass Shower DoorsMinimalist Showers

Clean, simple and elegant designs are here to stay, especially in bathrooms. We’ve seen this trend in the kitchen for a couple of years, and now bathrooms are headed in the same direction. Monochromatic looks, with all white, grey or black are uber popular. You’ll also see showers and shower doors staying on trend with minimalist designs. Heavy glass shower doors, are paired with minimal and simple hardware. Soaking tubs are either non-existent or simple white stand-alones.  

Related Read: How to Fix a Dripping Shower

Zero Entry Shower Universal Design

Exclusivity is out and inclusivity is in in a big way. With an aging population and a more disabled-aware public, home design trends are following suit. This means usual problem areas for the senior and disabled, like kitchens and bathrooms, are catching onto a new trend: universal design. Universal design makes bathrooms work for everyone, regardless of age, size and ability, ensuring that your shower will serve you well for years to come. In bathrooms this means zero entry showers, with an open concept design. You won’t see any ledge to step over in the shower, and nozzle heads will be adjustable or handheld.

Square Design ShowerSquare Shaped Fixtures and Showerheads

It’s actually good to be square – at least when it comes to bathroom design in 2016. Geometric inspired square faucets and fixtures are finding their way into master baths and powder rooms everywhere. Angular designs are making appearances in bathtubs, shower heads, tile design and soap dishes.

Water Efficiency

Rising water bills and increasing water supply concerns are influencing bathroom design in a big way. Water efficient appliances and designs are going to be big in 2016. Appliances like low flow toilets, water efficient showerheads and water saving bathroom faucets are going to be everywhere.
When it comes to bathroom and shower design trends, you can count on

Janssen Glass & Door to help you create a space you’re going to love. Call us today at (913) 677-5727 to help you get started.