Round Polycarbonate Convex Mirror with HDPE Backing

The Most Durable Convex Mirror Available: Polycarbonate Lens with High-Density Polyethylene Backing

Polycarbonate convex mirrors are the most durable safety & security mirrors available today. If you weren’t aware, with an impact resistance 250 times stronger than glass (acrylic is 15 times stronger), polycarbonate convex mirrors are constructed out of the same materials that bulletproof glass is made out of. Acrylic lenses are tougher and practical in most situations, but if you are placing safety mirrors in a location where vandalism may occur, or shattering/breaking simply cannot happen, polycarbonate is the right choice. We have experience with customers who’ve had their mirrors hit with a sledgehammer, and they did not break. We won’t go as far as to say they are indestructible, anything can be, but when it comes to the mirror world, this is as tough as it gets.

High-Density Polyethylene Backing is a Better Convex Mirror Choice than Galvanized Steel

Even though the price tag on galvanized steel is significantly more than a high-density polyethylene backing (heavy-duty plastic), we always do our best to steer our customers toward HDPE backing. HDPE is a highly durable, long-lasting backing material that will last a lifetime. They provide protection against wind, rain, water, and saltwater.

This is the same material NFL football helmets and commercial-grade toilet seats are made of. At 1/8” of an inch thick, versus 20 AWG galvanized steel (0.0800”), not only do you get a better bang for your buck, but you get a thicker barrier to protect your lens, with a much lighter weight. In addition, over time, extreme heat and cold with slight warp galvanized steel, will affect the mirror. HDPE will not do this. Finally, the cost. the galvanized steel is significantly more expensive than the heavy-duty plastic backing for convex mirrors.

Choosing the Right Mounting Brackets for Your Polycarbonate Convex Mirror

If you scroll below and look at the different mirror options, you will see “z-brackets” and “telescoping brackets.” Although the metal material of the z-bracket is okay for outdoor use, the z-bracket does not provide the give-and-take your mirror will need for outdoor mounting. In addition, the z-bracket is a one-size-fits-all bracket and does not do as well for larger mirrors. That’s why you won’t see it offered with some of the larger mirrors.

If you are mounting your convex polycarbonate mirror outdoors, always use a “t” bracket, which is a telescoping, adjustable arm. If your mirror is 26” or larger, I would always recommend a double telescoping mount, with a triple mount if you expect above-normal wind conditions. To help understand mounting in more detail, I invite you to visit our support page for additional information on convex mirror mounting options.

The heavy-duty plastic backing comprises 1/8” High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This is rigid and resistant to most chemicals, salty air, water, and moisture.

• The heavy-duty plastic backing comprises 1/8” High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This is rigid and resistant to most chemicals, salty air, water, and moisture.
• The lighter weight of the plastic back mirror does better in windy conditions than the steel. Over time the galvanized steel will deteriorate while the HDPE backing will not.
• The HDPE plastic mirror backing is significantly less expensive than steel
• HDPE is resistant to most chemicals.
• HDPE is great in extremely cold & hot weather conditions. Steel will expand and contract more than HDPE.