Marvellous Mirrors at Ger Malone & Co.

No bathroom is complete without the perfect mirror, but how do you choose the right one? Our mirror guide will give you all the necessary information you need to select the perfect mirror for your space.

Can I use a regular mirror in the bathroom?

In short, yes you can use regular mirrors in a bathroom, but we strongly advise against this for many reasons. Safety is the most important reason not to use a regular mirror in the bathroom. Bathroom mirrors are made with tempered glass, meaning that the glass is stronger and when shattered it forms small rounded shards of glass rather than jagged pieces, helping to prevent injuries
Another reason is that regular mirrors become foggy more easily, which is not ideal if you are having a hot shower or bath. A lot of bathroom mirrors now include heated demister pads to help prevent the build-up of steam and condensation.

What size mirror should I get?

There are various factors that you should take into consideration when choosing the right sized mirror, it also depends on your preference.
If you are opting for a single mirror over your basin or vanity unit, the general rule of thumb is that the mirror should not be wider than the basin or unit. Other ideas include a full wall mirror, or if you have a double sink or vanity unit you can either fit one large bathroom mirror that spans across the full width or hang two separate mirrors.

When it comes to the hanging height of the mirror, it should reach about a foot above and below the eye-line of whoever will be using it.

Top tip – a taller mirror can enhance a sense of space in your bathroom.

Should I get a mirror with lights?

Illuminated bathroom mirrors provide a way to enhance your bathroom’s style as well as providing a practical use. LED mirrors are the perfect way to create a light source in the bathroom that can be used to apply beauty products, makeup and help illuminate your face while shaving.

There are many styles and shapes of LED mirrors. Another new trend that is on the rise, is colour temperature changing illumination. The fresh cool white light energises and invigorates and is perfect for your morning routine and when your day is done, switch to a warm white light to create a sense of relaxation, helping you to unwind and get ready for bed.

What mirror shape should I choose?

There are many shapes of bathroom mirrors to choose from; oval, round, square and rectangular. Rectangular mirrors are a very popular choice and a versatile option. For a minimalist feeling opt for a sleek LED rectangular mirror.

For a more relaxed, simpler look, round bathroom mirrors are the perfect choice. Round mirrors create a sense of softness, which can fit in perfectly if you have geometric designs and hard surfaces in your bathroom.

If you want something a little different but want to keep the softness of a round mirror, Oval bathroom mirrors are a great option. If you are looking for a statement piece, Round mirrors that hang by a strap help create that wow factor.

What are the benefits of mirror cabinets?

Mirror cabinets are the perfect mix of storage and style. These mirror cabinets are available with and without integrated lights, and some incorporate heated demisters and charging sockets.

Mirror cabinets are a great place to keep your toiletries and beauty products hidden away yet easily accessible, helping your bathroom remain organised and clutter-free.

If you want a level finish, some mirror cabinets can be installed/recessed into your wall to create a sleek effect. Mirror cabinets are also available in different finishes to suit your bathroom furniture. From Gloss White, to Craft Oak, there is something to suit everyone.

Mirror cabinets can also come in single, double and triple doors to suit your storage requirements. Single and recessed mirror cabinets are perfect for your smaller WC or ensuite bathroom. For a bigger family or main bathroom, a triple mirror cabinet is perfect as it has plenty of storage space.

I’m looking for that something extra…

If you want that little something extra to bring to your bathroom, Bluetooth bathroom mirrors are the way to go. Connect your music device to the mirror and dance away while you’re doing your make-up, or listen to relaxing nature sounds as you soak in your tub.

Bathroom mirrors are the perfect way to bring your dream bathroom to life. It is amazing how one item can bring so much into your space. Choosing the right bathroom mirror can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry Ger Malone’s are here to help you choose the perfect mirror.

What is Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is a way to evenly and effectively add radiant heating to your home. Think of it as a large radiator under your floor but unlike radiators the heat is spread evenly throughout your home so you don’t end up with any cold areas.

Unlike radiators that just heat the air around them, underfloor heating creates radiant heat that gives you a warm, cosy and comfortable home.

Why Choose Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is fast becoming a number one choice for home heating and for good reason:

  • Low Maintenance: Being virtually maintenance free is a big bonus for home owners.
  • Efficiency: Compared to traditional radiators underfloor heating is a far more efficient option. When your floor heats up it holds the heat for a much longer time. Combine this with an energy efficient heat pump and you’re looking at huge savings on your home heating bill. Joule’s products are designed specifically to work at low water temperatures, improving the efficiency of the heat pump, reducing running costs and saving you money.
  • Comfort: There’s nothing comfortable about a cold, clammy or unevenly heated home. You will feel the difference with underfloor heating, as it warms up a room using radiant heat This more comfortable than heating a room by air alone, as you do with radiators. We get a similar feeling of comfort from the sun.

Choosing the Right Hot Water Cylinder

Not sure what kind of hot water cylinder to choose for your home? Let us explain the differences and if you want more advice you can talk to our design team to work out a complete home heating solution tailored to you.

Direct and Indirect, what’s the difference?

With direct, it’s the cylinder itself that heats the hot water using an immersion heater. If a property doesn’t have access to gas or oil this can be a solution for getting your hot water.

An indirect cylinder on the other hand has an immersion heater as a backup source only with the primary heat source being an external source of heat. This could be done with a traditional boiler or much more efficiently using either a heat pump or solar thermal. A coil inside the cylinder is heated from the external source and passes this heat over to the water in the cylinder. This water inside the coil re-circulates through the coil but never comes in contact with the water used for the domestic hot water.

What size do need and do I have the space?

Picking the right size cylinder for your needs can be confusing. If it’s too small will I have enough hot water for my home? Too big and am I wasting energy heating all that water. Here is a simple guide to choosing the right size cylinder for your home.

Property Size – Cylinder Size

  • 1 Bedroom 1120-150L
  • 2 Bedrooms 1150-180L
  • 3 Bedrooms 180-210L
  • 4 Bedrooms 210-300L
  • 5 Bedrooms or more 300L or bigger

If you are worried about space for your cylinder there are options you can choose from. A horizontal cylinder may be a better fit for your situation. You could choose a next-generation pre-plumbed cylinder from Joule, with a sleek design that reduces the space requirements needed.

To produce a superior cylinder takes a mixture of knowledge, experience, technology, precision and skill. Joule and its owners have been involved in manufacturing cylinders for more than 30 years and over this time we have seen many developments in the manufacturing processes. We are confident today we operate one of the most advanced production facilities supplying cylinders to the European market including the UK and Ireland.

Quick Tips to Save on Heating Your Home

With some of the coldest winters since records began along with the ever-rising cost of utilities and new taxes and charges; household budgets are under pressure. Check our list to see if there is anything else you can do to save.

Turn Down Your Thermostat

You’ve probably heard it before, but turning down your thermostat really is one of the most effective ways to reduce your heating bill. Most homes get a little too warm too quickly when all you need is to regularly take the chill out of the air and maintain a comfortable temperature. You can reduce each heating bill by up to 10% by turning down your thermostat by just one degree! Try one degree, to begin with and you may find you are happy to turn down by another degree, further cutting your costs.

Bleed Your Radiators

Trapped air in your radiators greatly reduces their effectiveness and the efficiency of your central heating system – a costly system to operate. Air becomes trapped in radiators over time and therefore should be regularly checked and bled if necessary.

Service Your Boiler

Servicing your oil or gas boiler will improve efficiency by up to 10%, saving you money on heating costs while also reducing CO2 emissions and improving the boiler’s reliability and safety. This 10% increase in efficiency will save you up to €150 per year. The service should be carried out by a qualified service technician or service engineer; for oil, they need to be OFTEC registered, and for gas, they need to be RGII registered.

Consider a Solid Fuel Stove

Solid fuel stoves are up to three times more efficient than an open fire and offer superior performance and control. Boiler versions can even heat your home’s water and radiators too.