Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 23

Thread: Hardware/hinges for a large mirrored medicine cabinet

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408

    Hardware/hinges for a large mirrored medicine cabinet

    Design calls for a 36" wide by 28" high framed mirror for a recessed medicine cabinet. Since the whole framed mirror would swing open (one door), I'm wondering about hinges that could support the heft as well as options to secure on the free side to keep from sagging (the door is wider than it is tall). Would something like Blum hinges work in this application?

    Mirror itself would be about 28"W x 20"H 1/4" thick (12lbs), surrounded by a 4" frame of lightweight wood, probably Af. mahogany. I'd estimate the total weight to be 20-24lbs.
    Last edited by Victor Robinson; 08-29-2012 at 3:55 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    I should add that I realize a 36" swing-out mirror isn't the greatest idea, so I'm looking for other creative solutions as well (e.g. parallel lift such as Blum Aventos, which unfortunately wouldn't fit). Basically I need to overlay the mirror over a recessed wall cavity. It won't need to be opened all the time every single day, but would provide for some hidden storage in an otherwise small bathroom.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    10,304
    Yeah, that size of mirror/door is worrisome. One alternative is to turn it into three doors. You'd get no seam in the middle, where your face is likely to be. I'd make the doors frameless, at least on the vertical seams between the doors. Another alternative is to make the recess narrower. That is, frame and drywall the opening to produce a recess that's more like 24" wide.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie Buxton View Post
    Yeah, that size of mirror/door is worrisome. One alternative is to turn it into three doors. You'd get no seam in the middle, where your face is likely to be. I'd make the doors frameless, at least on the vertical seams between the doors. Another alternative is to make the recess narrower. That is, frame and drywall the opening to produce a recess that's more like 24" wide.
    Yeah, some of these ideas have been thrown around but ruled out by the client. She is demanding. Aesthetics call for a wide mirror that two people can stand at and she wants the look of a large framed mirror. At the same time she really laments the loss of the storage of a medicine cabinet. I was hoping to satisfy these issues with some creativity or unique hardware...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    Here's another thought...how about some kind of hidden track that slides the framed mirror? It's not about the size of the cavity...that can be much smaller than the mirror.

    Anything like this exist? Mirror on drawer slides? Surely people must make secret compartments behind framed art etc?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Newnan, GA
    Posts
    503
    Since you're putting a wooden frame around the mirror, that should give you something to attach a good quality drawer slide to. Accuride makes a good ball bearing, 28" slide that might work. Can't see why it wouldn't.
    Just my 2 cents.

    Joe
    "When the horse is dead, GET OFF."

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    3,441
    Entertainment centers have large heavy doors.... I know that you probably can't use the slide system, but will similar hinges work here? The EZ Pocket door hinge system from Rockler includes hinges separately...

    http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...FcY-Mgod9GMA8Q

    http://www.hardwaresource.com/hinges...abinet+Hinges/

    Even a regular door hinge might work if needed.

    How about a large piano hinge?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Kieve View Post
    Since you're putting a wooden frame around the mirror, that should give you something to attach a good quality drawer slide to. Accuride makes a good ball bearing, 28" slide that might work. Can't see why it wouldn't.
    Just my 2 cents.

    Joe
    You know I was thinking the drawer slide idea had legs, but then I realized it can't move laterally because of the sconces to the side! Ugh! Of course using drawer slides to move the mirror vertically wouldn't be so great unless there was a very secure locking mechanism that would work against gravity.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    Thanks Andrew. Yeah, I think there are several hinge options but hinges aren't my favorite idea as 36" of mirror swinging out over a 22" deep vanity seems a little wacky.

    I'm still hoping I can figure out a way to shift the mirror upwards say 12"-20".

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Pitonyak View Post
    Entertainment centers have large heavy doors.... I know that you probably can't use the slide system, but will similar hinges work here? The EZ Pocket door hinge system from Rockler includes hinges separately...

    http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...FcY-Mgod9GMA8Q

    http://www.hardwaresource.com/hinges...abinet+Hinges/

    Even a regular door hinge might work if needed.

    How about a large piano hinge?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    10,304
    Okay, leave it as a wide mirrored door. Hinge it at the top, and use gas struts to support the weight. It'd be like the hatchback on a car.
    Stabilus makes products like this for cabinets: http://www.wwhardware.com/stabilus-g...id-stays-st43/ Unfortunately, they have a max height on the door of 24", and you want 28". McMaster-Carr is a source of a wide variety of gas struts -- five pages on their web site. I bought struts there to make a Murphy bed. (And a murphy bed is substantially larger than what you're trying to do.) http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-struts/=j2e945 You'll have to do a bit of engineering about pivot points and leverage and strut specs, but it can be done.

  11. #11
    Look into the Blum Aventos lift system

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    1,408
    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Watling View Post
    Look into the Blum Aventos lift system
    I had looked into the Aventos HL, which would have been perfect. However, the mechanism requires 278mm (~11") of cabinet depth. The studs will give me a little less than 6" (outer wall of home), but that means the cabinet would still have to protrude about 5" from the wall, plus the thickness of mirror and frame. Maybe the client will find that acceptable but I have a feeling it won't work for her. By the way, in case it's not obvious, the client is my wife...I assure you I'm not getting paid enough.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Los Chavez, New Mexico
    Posts
    753
    Blog Entries
    1
    I installed a 36 inch wide framed mirror in which the mirror was three non framed push to close/open doors. The break between the doors is really not noticeable when using the mirror. I'd hesitate to put up such a large mirror swinging out over a small counter just for safety reasons. The corners out in the middle of the room sounds like a killer. DAMHIKT

  14. #14
    Bill what kind of hinges did you use as I am trying to build a 3 pieces framless mirrored doors like you have done. what did you use for the door itself and how are the mirrors attached
    thanks
    Al

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Hood Canal, Washington
    Posts
    1,039
    I'm sure this won't be cheap, but I think it's what you're looking for.http://www.robern.com/onlinecatalog/...s/217_1179.pdf

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •