How to install a mirror on a 12mm melamine sheet?

Question

Hi,

I removed the damaged backing from this mirror and painted the frame. How to install the mirror and the frame to a 12mm melamine sheet?

Can I use T-rex to glue the mirror, the frame and the melamine sheet together and attach the wire at the back, then use 3M Claw to hang it on a plasterboard wall?

The mirror was previously sandwiched between the frame and MDF sheet by screws. If this is better option, what screws can I use?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/3m-claw-20kg-heavyweight-hanging-solution-3ph45m-1es_p0203109?store=8057&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB_Tcd0bZV7Iam7X2deZTyQ6P&gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ4cN0d7XM-6BPSlMpZ7LwxV7sKQjr5b0pOsJOy-je1ixFq1_kLfQCxoCCFsQAvD_BwE

Thank you

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Beginner20,

I think it really depends on how the hooks and hanging wire are going to be attached to the mirror.

If the hooks are screwed through the 12mm melamine backing board and into the timber mirror frame, then you could potentially glue the melamine to the back of the frame, as the weight of the mirror would ultimately be transferred through the screws into the frame. However, if the hooks were attached only to the melamine, I wouldn't be comfortable relying on glue alone to hold the backing board to the mirror. In that situation, the melamine itself would need to be mechanically fixed to the frame.

Realistically, I think the best option would be to both glue and screw the melamine backing board to the mirror frame, and then screw your hanging hooks through the melamine and into the frame as well. This way, you're not relying on any one adhesive bond or the 12mm melamine alone to support the mirror.

If you can let us know the thickness of the mirror frame, we can recommend a specific screw length. Something around 25mm long with a button head like these

https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-8g-x-25mm-galvanised-button-head-stitching-timber-screws-100-pack_p2420712?store=7369&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInrCvo-qclwMVykoPAh3S9DpqEAQYASABEgKKQfD_BwE

should work well. I'd suggest using a screw every 200mm or so around the full perimeter of the backing sheet.

When it comes to hanging the mirror on the wall, ideally your fixings would go directly into the wall studs. If that's not possible and the total weight of the mirror is comfortably within the specified capacity of a suitable 3M CLAW plasterboard picture hanger, then that could also be an option.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob