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 vs uPVC Windows in India (2026): Price, Life, Maintenance Compared

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Ask three fabricators whether aluminium or uPVC windows are better and you will get three confident answers - usually matching whatever they sell. This comparison keeps it practical for Indian homes in 2026: what each material costs per square foot, how long it lasts, what maintenance it really needs, and which one fits which situation.

Price in India, 2026 (typical market ranges)

Quotes vary by city, profile series, glass and hardware, so treat these as budgeting ranges and always ask for an itemised quote with the profile brand and glass thickness written down:

TypeuPVC (Rs/sq ft)Aluminium (Rs/sq ft)
Sliding, standard single glass350 - 700450 - 900
Casement / openable450 - 1,000600 - 1,300
Premium (slim profiles, DGU, branded hardware)900 - 1,5001,000 - 1,800+

Add roughly Rs 150-250 per sq ft for installation, plus 18% GST. Mesh shutters, grills and sills are extra in almost every quote. For the aluminium side, see our detailed aluminium sliding window price guide for 2026.

Lifespan and strength

  • Aluminium: 30-40+ years. Metal sections do not warp, sag or become brittle. Slim frames carry large glass panels that uPVC simply cannot hold.
  • uPVC: 20-25 years for a good branded profile with UV stabilisers. Cheap unstabilised profiles yellow and turn brittle in harsh sun - the single biggest uPVC failure in India.

Maintenance, honestly

  • uPVC needs the least day-to-day care: wipe the frame, oil the hardware once a year, keep drainage slots clear. No painting, ever.
  • Aluminium is nearly as easy, but sliding tracks collect dust and need occasional cleaning, and rollers may need replacement after years of use. Powder-coated finishes last well; cheap anodising can fade.

Heat, sound and weather

  • Insulation: uPVC insulates better as a material. With double glazing, both perform well; with single glass, the glass matters more than the frame either way.
  • Coastal and high-rain cities: aluminium handles Mumbai, Chennai or Goa weather well if the finish is good; uPVC also resists corrosion but check the steel reinforcement inside is galvanised.
  • High floors and wind load: aluminium's strength is the safer choice above the 8th-10th floor and for large openings.

Looks

  • Aluminium wins on slim sightlines - the ultra-slim frame trend is aluminium-only territory. uPVC frames are visibly thicker.
  • uPVC comes mostly in white and a few laminates; aluminium takes any powder-coat colour, including wood finishes.

Which one for which home?

  • Bedrooms facing traffic noise, budget-conscious, standard sizes: uPVC casement with double glazing gives the most comfort per rupee.
  • Large balcony openings, sliding formats, high floors, slim modern look: aluminium.
  • Rental or flip property: mid-range uPVC keeps cost down with decent life.
  • Forever home with big glass: quality aluminium series, branded hardware, DGU where sun or noise demands it.

Before you pay anyone

  1. Get the profile brand and series in writing (not just "premium aluminium").
  2. Confirm glass thickness and type - 5mm plain and 6mm toughened are different quotes.
  3. Ask what the per-sq-ft rate excludes: installation, mesh, grills, sill, GST.
  4. Compare at least two itemised quotes on the same measurements.

Planning new windows or a glass partition? Share your measurements through the contact section for a practical, itemised estimate.

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