Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Saligo Design offers 4 styles that can be toughened, namely; Vintage, Mottled, Mercury and Speckled. All other styles in our range cannot be toughened. Toughening involves a process of intense heat treatment and as such any ready-made mirror or antique mirror panel undergoing toughening would result in the silver being burnt off.

However, At Saligo Design we can toughen already cut glass panels and then after the toughening process is complete then we silver these panels creating a perfect mirror for our fine artist to distress.

Please note, toughening glass results in a very subtle rippling effect which is more apparent on plain toughened panels.

Yes, we offer a professional survey, delivery and installation service where required. In some cases depending on the number or configuration of antique mirror glass panels our customers prefer us to measure and fit. Of course in this scenario we take on the full responsibility for measure and fitting and in the very rare occasion of a fitting problem, we’re on hand to resolve the matter at no additional cost whatsoever and in the most time efficient way as possible.

We also operate on a supply only basis whereby measurements or templates are given to us. Please note that for supply only projects, measuring and fitting would be your responsibility in full. However, we’re here to advise and give important know how about glass cutting tolerances and achievability of intricate glass cutting.

Your chosen style of antique mirror glass and the volume of your order will dictate the average lead time.

Toughened Hand Finished products: between 4 and 6 weeks from receiving the survey / templates. In Most cases we are able to fully manufacture toughened antique mirror glass within 3 – 4 weeks however we have a strict quality control procedure and as such if any panel does not meet the criteria of “Perfect” we would re fabricate and re-silver prior to our fine artist’s antiquing process which may prolong the process.

All other styles can be manufactured within 1-3 weeks depending on the availability of stock.
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For measure and fitting we are able to schedule in the survey day within 14 days of placing your order and again within 14 days of completion of manufacture.

A good example where toughened antique mirror glass is recommended would be behind an Aga where there is constant heat being transferred onto the mirror surface or if the mirror is behind a heat source that is 25cm or closer to the mirror surface.

Due to expansion and contraction of any substance caused by temperature fluctuations, glass is brittle and damage can occur after prolonged exposure to heat or force damage.

Our Hand Finished Vintage Style allows customers to request intensity levels of distressing outside of the normal.

Please note, antiquing is not an exact science and every single panel of vintage style antique mirror glass that we make will differ from one panel to the next, each panel is in essence unique to itself.

Our fine artist can antique the mirror in the following ways:

Lightly distressed – This ensures that there is a lot more silver mirror and the contrast between colour and silver is a little less than normal.

Medium – Our most popular, the way that a mirror would naturally oxidise over time. The majority of our vintage products have been distressed with a medium intensity level.

Heavy – Less mirror surface and a lot darker areas of colour. This has a little less reflectivity than normal and good contrast between colour and silver.

With or without concentrated edges. – We are able to antique the edges a little more than the centre of the glass. It is not a thick band of colour around the perimeter but in certain areas of the glass edge the distressing is heavier. This works especially well for individual panels or Tiled layout configurations.

Please be aware that we cannot exactly replicate samples or images and specifying distressing levels is a guide for our artist. As the process of antiquing results in random movement and granulation of colour it is impossible for our artist to replicate an expected design, sample or image.

The Survey and Installation of Antique Mirror glass is generally the last aspect of finishing a wall area, kitchen or furniture project. As such, the wall should be as flat as possible and all other elements not including the antique mirror glass should be already installed so that accurate (to the mm) measurements can be made.

Each panel or tile that we make is custom cut to your requirement or area. We are able to provide small tiles (or panels up to 3 metres x 1.5 metres). Tiles or panels that measure less than 0.2 m2 start to become a more expensive due to the minimum size to cost ratio. These tiles or panels that measure less than 0.2 m2 cost the equivalent to a panel that measures 0.2 m2, thus is it more cost effective to ensure that each panel or tile is this size or larger.    

Some styles of antique mirror glass come at a maximum size of 2440mm x 1220mm. Please talk to us about your project so that we can advise about which styles would suit the area in terms of size requirements.

Other styles are cut from large pre-manufactured panels that are in stock, the lead time on these styles are significantly less.

Yes, however each panel is made to order. Please refer to the above question.

In some cases which our non-toughened range yes, with any toughened product it is not possible to cut the glass once it has been toughened. If you do intend to cut non toughened panels on site please note that any damage caused is not our responsibility to rectify.

Our Hand Finished styles go through a different manufacturing process:

Week 1: - Glass cutting and polishing
Week 2 – Toughening if Required
Week 3 – Hand Silvering
Week 4 – Antiquing, Varnishing, Painting and Foil backing

Other styles are cut from large pre-manufactured panels that are in stock and so the lead time on these styles are significantly less.

Please take a look at our styles page here to know which styles are hand finished and which styles can be cut from pre-made stock panels.

No, grouting is not required. All tiles or panels have polished edges which are finger friendly when cleaning. These panels or tiles can either be positioned right up next to each other or have a 1-2mm gap.

Yes, if you are comfortable using a level then it is possible. There are a number of things to look out for when taking measurements; for example identifying wall rakes.

If you are not comfortable taking “to the mm” measurements, then a template made out of ply wood or MDF board could be made and pre-fitted in the area. Once this is done please send over the template and we will cut the glass according to the template that you have provided within our 0 – 2mm tolerance level.

Fitting the glass is relatively simple and involves using either a Low Modulus silicone or mirror adhesive to bond the mirror to the wall / substrate. Caution is advised though as corners and edge shelling can occur if panels are knocked or bumped. If you would prefer we do offer a professional and hassle free measure and fitting service where we take on board the full responsibility of a successful installation. Prices for Measure, delivery and fitting start from £590.00 + VAT.