Ready for Steam Free Bathroom Mirrors?

Over the past decade we've seen incredible changes in bathroom mirrors that leave most of our new Diamond Bath clients awestruck with options.  If you are still opening a mirrored door to a steel medicine cabinet stuck in your bathroom wall, prepare for a multitude of options to consider for your new bath remodeling project.  In this article we are not even going to touch upon expensive smart mirrors (with screens built-in) or even the Alexa powered mirrors like we talked about back in 2018. 

What are the current options for "Anti-Fog Mirrors"? 

1. Heated Mirrors: If you are preparing to professionally remodel your bathroom, one of the best ways to avoid steamed mirrors is to install a heated mirror.  When a mirror can match the ambient temperature in a hot bathroom, it stays fog free!  And given all the new dimmable led lighting options with modern mirrors, not to mention internal AC outlets for shavers and phone charging, including a heated mirror surface is fairly trivial. Further, it's very likely you already have power going to your existing mirror now, so upgrading to a heated mirror may be pretty easy and affordable during your bath renovation project. 

2. Shower Mirrors: Some "shower mirrors" are treated with a special "fog free" film or polished surface to dramatically reduce condensation. Depending on the process and manufacturer, over time these special finishes may fade. But we've seen some truly stunning results thanks to mirror companies like Hauschen and Fleurco. 

3. Special Solutions: Some people suggest equal mixtures of vinegar and water applied to typical mirrors, Rain-X or even applying shaving cream can keep them from fogging for awhile, but again over time your steam free views will eventually dwindle. Frequent application of these solutions will be needed, and as usual, your mileage may vary. 

But what causes your bathroom mirror to steam in the first place? 

1. Ventilation: If your bathroom fills with steam quickly during a hot shower, the first thing to consider is proper ventilation. Do you have suitable exhaust fan that's clean and working efficiently? Also, is there adequate clearance beneath your bathroom door to allow outside air to circulate in?  Is there a bathroom window you might be able to open slightly to help ventilation? 

2. Temperature: When a regular mirror is at room temperature and then quickly surrounded by hot air, condensation forms on the surface. That means your mirrors are more likely to steam in the Winter season versus Summer months.  If you were able to increase the temperature in the room (along with the mirror) before showering, you would see less of an impact on the mirror.  Or, if the surface temperature of the mirror was the same as the bathroom, you would also avoid steamed mirrors.  If you wish to take a long, hot shower in a cold bathroom, you can expect unheated mirrors to steam almost immediately. 

Here's a recent example of a heated mirror Diamond Bath installed in a master bathroom in Harvard, IL.

If you have questions about a professional bathroom remodel, please contact our Diamond Bath team at the Crystal Lake office today! ​