Subheading
Mirror Glossary
A clear guide to the terms used in mirror glass, LED lighting, coatings, safety, installation, shapes, frames, and smart features.
A
AC Alternating current supplied by standard household outlets and building wiring.
Acrylic Mirror A lightweight reflective acrylic sheet that is more impact-resistant than glass but can scratch more easily.
Adhesive A bonding material used to attach a mirror, frame, backing, or mounting component.
Aluminum Frame A lightweight, corrosion-resistant frame commonly used for bathroom, full-length, and LED mirrors.
Ambient Lighting Soft general lighting that improves the overall brightness and atmosphere of a room.
Annealed Glass Standard glass that has been slowly cooled during manufacturing and can break into large, sharp pieces.
Anti-Fog A feature or surface treatment designed to reduce condensation on a mirror.
Anti-Oxidation Coating A protective coating that helps slow corrosion around the mirror backing and edges.
Anti-Shatter Film A protective film that helps hold glass fragments together if the mirror breaks.
Antique Mirror A mirror with an intentionally aged, distressed, or spotted reflective appearance.
Arched Mirror A mirror with a curved top and straight or gently curved sides.
Asymmetrical Mirror A mirror with an irregular outline and no matching sides.
B
Backlit Mirror A mirror with LED lights positioned behind the glass to create a soft glow against the wall.
Backing Coating A protective paint or coating applied over the reflective layer on the back of a mirror.
Baroque Mirror A decorative mirror featuring elaborate curves, carved details, or ornamental framing.
Bathroom Mirror A mirror designed for use above a bathroom vanity, sink, or grooming area.
Beveled Edge An angled cut around the edge of a mirror that creates a decorative reflective border.
Black Edge Dark discoloration around a mirror’s edges caused by moisture or corrosion reaching the reflective coating.
Bluetooth Mirror A mirror with Bluetooth connectivity for compatible audio or smart features.
Brushed Finish A metal finish with fine directional lines and a soft, textured appearance.
C
Capsule Mirror An elongated mirror with rounded ends, also called a pill-shaped mirror.
CCT Correlated Color Temperature measures how warm or cool white light appears and is expressed in Kelvin.
Chamfered Edge A narrow angled cut that removes the sharp corner between the mirror surface and edge.
Cheval Mirror A full-length mirror held inside a freestanding frame that allows the mirror to tilt.
Clear Mirror A standard mirror designed to provide a natural reflection without decorative tinting.
CNC Cutting Computer-controlled cutting used to create precise mirror shapes, holes, notches, and curves.
COB Chip on Board is an LED technology that combines multiple light-emitting chips in one module.
Concave Mirror A mirror that curves inward and can create a magnified reflection at close distances.
Convex Mirror A mirror that curves outward to provide a wider field of view.
Copper-Free Silver Mirror A silver-coated mirror made without the traditional copper layer for improved corrosion resistance.
CRI Color Rendering Index measures how accurately a light source displays colors.
Custom-Cut Mirror A mirror manufactured to a specified size, shape, edge style, or installation requirement.
D
DC Direct current commonly supplied to LED strips after household power passes through an LED driver.
Decorative Mirror A mirror designed to add visual character as well as provide a functional reflection.
Defogger An electrical heating component installed behind a mirror to reduce condensation.
Demister Pad A thin heating pad attached behind the glass to warm a defined section of the mirror.
Diffuser A translucent component that softens LED light and reduces glare and visible light points.
Dimmable A lighting feature that allows the brightness level to be adjusted.
Distortion Visible bending, stretching, or warping within a mirror reflection.
Double-Sided Mirror A mirror with reflective surfaces on both sides, often used for makeup and magnification.
Dressing Mirror A mirror designed for viewing clothing, styling, and personal appearance.
D-Ring A D-shaped metal hanger attached to the back of a mirror for wall mounting.
E
Edge-Lit Mirror LEDs are placed along the edge of the mirror.
ETL Electrical Testing Laboratories certification.
F
FCC Federal Communications Commission certification.
Float Glass High-quality flat glass used in mirrors.
Front-Lit Mirror LEDs are located in front of the mirror.
H
Hardwired Permanently connected to your home wiring.
HD High Definition glass for clearer reflection.
Halo Lighting Backlit glow around the mirror for ambience.
I
IP Rating Ingress Protection rating for dust and water.
IP44 Protected against splashes from any direction.
IP54 Dust protected and splash resistant.
IP65 Dust tight and protected against water jets.
IR Sensor Infrared sensor for touchless control.
J
Junction Box Enclosure that houses electrical connections.
K
Kelvin Unit of measurement for color temperature.
L
LED Light Emitting Diode; energy-efficient light source.
LED Driver Regulates power to the LED lights.
Light Guide Plate Panel that directs light evenly across the mirror.
Lumen Measurement of total light output.
Lux Measurement of light level on a surface.
M
Memory Function Remembers your last used settings.
Motion Sensor Detects movement to turn the mirror on/off.
P
PCB Printed Circuit Board for electrical components.
PIR Sensor Passive Infrared sensor for motion detection.
Plug-In Mirror powers via standard plug and outlet.
Polished Edge Smooth, flat edge with a sleek finish.
PTC Positive Temperature Coefficient heater.
PWM Pulse Width Modulation for smooth dimming.
R
Reflectivity Amount of light reflected by the mirror.
RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliant.
S
Safety Backing Film Film that holds glass together if broken.
Silver Mirror High reflectivity mirror surface.
SMD Surface Mounted Diode LED technology.
Stepless Dimming Adjust brightness smoothly without steps.
T
Tempered Glass Stronger glass that resists breakage.
Thermal Protection Prevents overheating for safe operation.
Touch Sensor Touch-sensitive control on the mirror.
U
UL Underwriters Laboratories certification.
V
Voltage Electrical potential difference.
W
Watt Unit of electrical power consumption.
