Mirror Coating
Mirrors are widely used in decoration among other industries because of their reflective properties, well guess what, the reflective property of mirrors comes from coating a layer deposited on the surface of the glass, making it reflective and sometimes making better reflections or giving a higher reflection on some specific colors.
Mirrors coatings are mainly made of Metal plating in most cases, which means deposing metals on the surface of the glass, like Gold, Platinum, Silver, Copper, etc. The most popular household mirrors are just made of Aluminum or Silver coating, and the amount of metal deposition is minimal.
Mirror Coatings are important
For commercial and household use, there are two important factors: Percentage of Reflection and Durability (resistance to rust). Different percent of metals used on the glass coating result in a variable reflectance, also if less carefully manufactured, it's more likely to see bubbles or waves in the mirror. These problems come directly from the mirror manufacturer most of the time.
Aluminum Mirrors reflect only 90% of the light, which means you get a less vibrant reflection and colors from the mirror itself. Although they are a cheaper option, most of the time these mirrors come with waving issues and their coating is thinner, which makes it easier to scratch.
Silver Mirrors reflect up to 95% of the light spectrum, they are popular among women due to their vivid reflection and much warmer colors. Despite their higher cost, most consumers prefer it, and until a few years ago it was a synonym of quality in Mirrors.
Silver-coated layers are also much thicker and rust-resistant, and despite being cleaned with more corrosive chemicals they last longer than aluminum mirrors. Most of the home decorations and bathroom mirrors nowadays are silver coated, making them a standard product in most markets.
