How to hang a mirror that says do not hang with wire

[masraum]

The missus bought a mirror that's designed to look like an old window, but it's a mirror. It came from Hobby Lobby, so I'm sure it's cheap chinese construction. It's very lightweight (about 19#) considering it's about 26" wide and 4.5' tall. The "frame" feels like wood, but if it is, it's very light. On the back there is a sticker that says "do not hang with wire".

OK, then what am I supposed to use to hang it.

It's something like this 2' x 4.5' and 19#. What I've got to work with is about 3" all of the way around the outside that seems like wood.



What are your thoughts.

If wire won't work, then I can't imagine why this would be any better.



Or do you think one of these would be better.

[ossiblue]

My guess is the frame is a dense foam-type material rather than wood and hanging with wire puts all the stress on a single anchor point--the screw-eye--and the stress is angular as the wire pulls toward the center line.

Looking at the picture, is there a cross member to the frame at the bottom of the arch? If so, that's where I would secure either the hangers in your first or second picture--across the horizontal member. All stress will be perpendicular to the anchor (nail or screw) with less likelihood of pulling out. If there is no cross member, then use the hangers in either the second or third picture, and mount them separately to the wall--could be a PITA to get level. You could also use a flat stock piece of aluminum running horizontally, secure it to each side, and mount the aluminum bar, level to the wall.

[faverymi]

Buy 2 3M sticky coat hangers or wall picture hanger put them in the back and attach a wire or rope.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

My guess is the frame is a dense foam-type material rather than wood

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking. I was curious to see if anyone on the board thought the same.

Looking at the picture, is there a cross member to the frame at the bottom of the arch? If so, that's where I would secure either the hangers in your first or second picture--across the horizontal member. All stress will be perpendicular to the anchor (nail or screw) with less likelihood of pulling out. If there is no cross member, then use the hangers in either the second or third picture, and mount them separately to the wall--could be a PITA to get level. You could also use a flat stock piece of aluminum running horizontally, secure it to each side, and mount the aluminum bar, level to the wall.

There isn't anything at the bottom of the arch on the back. The mirror itself is the shape of the thing. The only place that's not mirror is a 3" rim around the perimeter. I like the idea of the flat stock. I could maybe even run 2 pieces up each side, and then mount another piece to those two, that way the whole thing would be attached at several points down each side.

thanks.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by faverymi

Buy 2 3M sticky coat hangers or wall picture hanger put them in the back and attach a wire or rope.

I'd wondered about that sticky stuff. That might work. I'll have to check the surface back there.

[Noah930]

I was going to suggest a French cleat, but it doesn't sound like there's any material to screw the cleat into.

I wouldn't do that 3M sticky stuff. I have never had one of those work. Eventually it falls off my wall/door, sometimes with nothing even hung on it. I certainly wouldn't trust a glass item with it.

Maybe a discrete little shelf at the bottom of the mirror to hold it up?

[rwest]

Steve,

How about those little mirror clips that you place around the outside- all sorts of styles, I was thinking of the clear plastic ones.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Mirror+clips

[Evans, Marv]

If you want to hang it from the back side, maybe you could go to some place like H.D. and buy or get them to give you some of the large paint stir sticks. You could permanently glue two/three/four/??? on the back and attach your hardware to them to hang it by.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I was going to suggest a French cleat, but it doesn't sound like there's any material to screw the cleat into.

I wouldn't do that 3M sticky stuff. I have never had one of those work. Eventually it falls off my wall/door, sometimes with nothing even hung on it. I certainly wouldn't trust a glass item with it.

Maybe a discrete little shelf at the bottom of the mirror to hold it up?

I'd wondered about that after one of the other posts. Maybe same AL right angle stock screwed to the wall and then to the bottom of the frame.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rwest

Steve,

How about those little mirror clips that you place around the outside- all sorts of styles, I was thinking of the clear plastic ones.

It won't work, because the frame around the mirror is 1.5" thick faux wood.

[faverymi]

It has worked for me.
Surface preparation?
Surface texture?

[David]

French cleat would allow for several small screws every few inches to spread the load out

They sell them next to the picture wire at home depot

[masraum]

Originally Posted by faverymi

It has worked for me.
Surface preparation?
Surface texture?

I have had good luck with that stuff for several different purposes. I'll have to check the back where this would be sticking to see if it's a good surface for it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

French cleat would allow for several small screws every few inches to spread the load out

They sell them next to the picture wire at home depot

Really? I didn't know that, but I have used them (came with some shelves from Pottery Barn and like them. I'll check that out.

[MBAtarga]

How about using a piece of real wood that you glue to the back side of the mirror itself - around the area of the arch bottom? Use mirror mastic glue. Then mount wire brackets to it - or actually cut the board for use as a french cleat (top section) itself. I would not trust the 3M products for something like this.

[Hugh R]

Don't hang it above the headboard of your bed!

[Norm K]

Looks like yet another use for JB Weld. A proper Sawtooth bracket combined with a couple of generous and well-placed dollops of the grey super-goo will have you (probably? ... maybe? ... have the broom standing by?) squared away in no time.

_

[javadog]

Cut a thin piece of plywood the shape of the whole thing and glue it to the back. Anchor the wire mounts in the plywood.

JR

[dad911]

Originally Posted by David

French cleat would allow for several small screws every few inches to spread the load out

They sell them next to the picture wire at home depot

This. Home Depot sells, as does Amazon.

one half screws to wall, screw other half to frame, and hang. Easy-peazy.

[1990C4S]

I would hang it with wire and add two small nails along the bottom as rest points.