The use of mirrors as a safety feature, as well as a security measure, has become standard practice in most businesses because they are an inexpensive way to provide adequate protection for merchandise, employees and customers. Finding the right type of mirror to use in your business can be a real chore, especially when you consider that you may need a different type for every location. There are so many choices that you will have a hard time choosing the one that is right for you. Below you will find a breakdown of the potential benefits and drawbacks of two of the most widely used types: convex and flat safety mirrors.
The first thing to consider when trying to decide what type of mirror you want to buy is the location you intend on installing it in. For small locations, such as an office or entryway, a flat mirror will be the better option, because it can allow you to see your surroundings clearly without providing you with a panoramic view. For larger areas, or ones that require you to be able to see at various angles, a convex mirror is much more appropriate. For instance, if you need to be able to see down the aisles of a warehouse, to make sure a fork lift is not barreling down with a full load of palettes, then you will want something that does not require you to poke your head around the corner to see what is down there. After you have figured out the mirrors location you will need to figure out which mirror provides a greater benefit to you.
Convex mirrors provide you with a way to view different angles from a fixed point but they sacrifice clarity in order to provide you with that ability. Thus, if you need to see what people are doing, to make sure they are not pocketing your merchandise or trying to sneak up on you, then they might not be the best solution to your needs. Another benefit to using a convex mirror is that that you can use them outdoors. The materials used in making an outdoor convex mirror, acrylic or reinforced glass, make them extremely weather resistant, but you have to be careful because they can easily become useless if they become coated in frost, providing a false sense of security that can lead to disaster.
Flat Safety mirrors provide you with a clear picture, but at the cost of versatility. They work best if used in stationary places where someone can watch what is going on for a some length of time. The fact that they can be modified into a one-way mirror makes them extremely useful as a way to monitor the floor of a warehouse from the office, because it will give the employees a way to check their surroundings while providing you a way to make sure they are staying on task.
Keeping all of that in mind will allow you to choose the right mirror for your situation. To find the best price you should look both online and in stores.
