Black edges on a bathroom mirror? What causes them and how to slow the spread

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Black spots creeping in from the edges of a bathroom mirror look like dirt at first. They are not. The dark patches are the mirror's reflective backing breaking down, and once it starts, no cleaning product will bring the silver back. What you can do is understand why it started and stop it from spreading fast. What the black edge actually is A mirror is glass with a thin layer of silver on the back, protected by paint. Where moisture, cleaning chemicals, or salty air reach that backing, the silver oxidises and turns black. Because the backing is behind the glass, the damage shows through as dark spots or a dark border you cannot wipe away from the front. People call it desilvering or mirror rot. Why bathrooms speed it up Three things attack the backing. Steam and condensation keep the mirror damp for hours, and water wicks into the edges where the backing is most exposed. Ammonia-based glass cleaners, sprayed directly on the mirror, run down and pool at the bottom edge, eatin...
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Aluminium Sliding Window Price per Sq Ft in India (2026): 2-Track vs 3-Track

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Aluminium sliding windows are the most quoted window type in Indian homes - and the most confusingly priced. One dealer says Rs 450 per sq ft, another says Rs 1,400 for what sounds like the same window. Both can be telling the truth. Here is what sliding windows actually cost in 2026, and what separates the numbers.

2026 price ranges (supply + standard installation)

TypeTypical price per sq ftWhat you get
Local non-branded, single track 2-panelRs 350-550Basic 1.2mm profiles, standard clear glass, local hardware
Branded 2-track (Jindal, Hindalco, regional brands)Rs 550-850Better alloy and coating, smoother rollers, warranty
3-track with mosquito mesh panelRs 750-1,100Adds a sliding mesh shutter - the usual city choice
System windows (Domal, Fenesta, Aluk class)Rs 1,100-1,800+Engineered drainage, gaskets, tested hardware, site survey

Prices vary by city, floor height (lift access changes labour), glass choice and colour finish. Metro labour alone can add Rs 50-120 per sq ft.

2-track vs 3-track - the decision that matters most

A 2-track slider carries two glass panels. A 3-track adds a third rail, usually for a mosquito-mesh panel that slides independently. If your floors get mosquitoes (most Indian cities, most months), the 3-track avoids the ugly aftermarket mesh frames that never quite fit. The upgrade typically adds Rs 150-300 per sq ft - cheaper than retrofitting mesh later.

What quietly changes the quote

  • Profile thickness and alloy. 1.2mm vs 1.6-2mm sections - thicker costs more and rattles less in wind.
  • Glass. 5mm clear is the base. Toughened glass adds roughly Rs 60-120 per sq ft; laminated or double-glazed units more.
  • Rollers and tracks. Cheap rollers are the first failure point on sliding windows. Ask for the hardware brand.
  • Finish. Powder coating and wood-grain finishes cost more than mill finish or basic anodizing.
  • Grill integration. A fixed or sliding grill panel is usually quoted separately.

Quick checklist before you sign

  1. Get the quote per sq ft AND as a total for your exact sizes - both.
  2. Ask whether glass, mesh panel, grill, installation and silicone sealing are included or extra.
  3. Ask the profile brand, thickness and glass type in writing.
  4. Check one installed site from the same dealer, ideally a year old - rollers tell the truth after one monsoon.
  5. Confirm who handles waterproofing of the sill after installation.

A well-chosen branded 3-track slider is the sweet spot for most city homes in 2026: not the cheapest quote, not the premium system price, and it covers the mesh question from day one.


 

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