One Way Mirror

While driving down the road, have you seen buildings whose windows look like mirror, or have you ever been in such an embarrassing situation where you have posed in front of what you thought to be a mirror, only to realize that people can see you from the other side? This type of a mirror is called a one way mirror. These mirrors are partially reflective and partly transparent. If one side of the mirror is dark and if the other side is lighted, then people who are on the darker side can see what's happening on the lighted side, while for those on the lighted side can only see their reflection. Want to know what the special glass is or how to make one, then here is some information on this type of mirror.

How it Works

It's amazing how one side of this mirror looks like a plain glass pane, but the people who are on the other side of it, get to use the same as a mirror. I am sure you must be interested in knowing how this mechanism works. Here is a brief explanation about the working of this type of a mirror. The glass of this mirror is coated with a translucent and thin metal layer and the metal that is used is mainly aluminum, and due to this what happens is that the mirrored part of the mirror reflects some light and allows the rest to penetrate. If one side of the mirror is darker than the other, then it becomes difficult to see from the lighter side because an even brighter reflection covers this side, which is not present on the darker side, and thus people on the darker side can see what's going on the other side.

How to Make

Making your own one way is simple and you can easily make one by yourself. One can use the film which will create a mirror like effect on one side but allowing clear vision from the other side. You can place this silvered mirror between two rooms and then adjust the lighting of both the rooms so that one side is darker than the other and this will create an effect on the mirror. You will often see this kind of mirror in people's houses, where they use it as a home decorating item. It is a two way mirror placed in the middle of two rooms with lighting adjusted to make it look like a one way mirror. Besides decorating people's houses, these mirrors are used in various other places. Let us see what they are.

Where to Use

You have probably have never been to an interrogation room in the police department, but I bet you have some idea about it from all those Hollywood movies. Have you noticed, how the police officers can see the prisoners from outside the room, but to the prisoner, it is only a room full of mirrors. This mirror is also used for car windows, so that people who are outside the car cannot peep in while those inside, can enjoy the view outside irrespective of the window being rolled up. You can also use these mirrors for your sunglasses or maybe as security cameras.

Thus, now you know the mechanism behind a one way mirror and the steps to make this type of mirror for yourself.