| an’t designing and installing a glass block wall | | | | easier with the use of spacers, installation systems, |
| or bar be as easy as putting together Lego | | | | or purchasing pre-made sections of block. |
| blocks, a customer once asked. Although | | | | Here’s a quick overview of each type of |
| it’s not that easy, with the new shapes, sizes, | | | | approach: |
| prefabrication techniques and installation accessories | | | | Glass Block Spacers — In the old days |
| available today this unique glass wall product is being | | | | block had to be laid piece by piece by a skilled mason |
| used increasingly in homes, businesses and | | | | contractor — these skilled craftsmen can be |
| commercial buildings. Follow these 5 steps and | | | | expensive and difficult to find. With the use of all |
| you’ll be able to create a cool, stylish, and | | | | plastic spacers the blocks can be laid uniformly and |
| easy to maintain wall or bar. | | | | the spacers even help to keep the wall or bar flush |
| Step 1) Where do you want to use your glass block | | | | and in place as you’re building it. Spacers are |
| wall or bar? How big do you want to make the wall? | | | | available for either straight or radius walls. |
| These specialized glass walls can be used on the | | | | Installation systems — The new vinyl |
| inside, within the exterior structure of the home or | | | | stack installation system uses vinyl horizontal and |
| building, or even on the outside. Most common uses | | | | vertical spacers between the blocks to align and hold |
| include partition walls to separate rooms, shower | | | | the blocks in place for easy assembly. Silicone is used |
| walls, and bars for the kitchen and recreation rooms. | | | | to bond the blocks to the vinyl spacers on the inside |
| When you are designing and determining the | | | | of the block wall. This system can be used for |
| materials needed for this project the size and shape | | | | interior and exterior applications. Special tile grout or |
| of the wall are critical. | | | | silicone can be used to finish off the joints. |
| Glass block bar sizes & shapes — Most | | | | Prefabricated or pre-made block sections |
| bars are built 40 high (5 courses of 8 blocks | | | | — With the vinyl stack installation system |
| stacked on top of each other). The countertop is | | | | sections of block can be pre-assembled and installed |
| installed after the block work is finished. For extra | | | | in the field. Glass block panel manufacturers can build |
| stability and cool design consider making your bar | | | | these sections for you, often saving time and money |
| with either an L shaped or angled shape | | | | to complete the job. These sections should be |
| design or rounded (radius) look. The bars should be | | | | designed considering who(m) will be installing the wall |
| anchored into one wall for added support. | | | | and where it is physically located on the project site. |
| Glass block wall sizes & shapes — Block | | | | Step 4) Choosing the right sizes, shapes, and colors |
| walls can be built virtually any size, however the | | | | to make your glass block walls and bars cool and |
| maximum dimensions of each wall section (or panel) | | | | unique. |
| will vary based on the thickness of the block (3 1 | | | | There are a wide selection of block sizes, |
| 8 or 3 7/8 thick) and if the wall will be on the | | | | patterns, shapes, colors, artistically designed murals, |
| inside or exterior of the home or building. Since most | | | | and lighting options available for your wall or bar. |
| walls are built using the 3 7/8 thick size, | | | | Here’s a overview of your options:o Sizes and |
| here’s a quick reference for how big you can | | | | thicknesses of glass blocks for walls or bars — |
| make your wall without the need for some type of | | | | Glass masonry units are made is both metric and |
| engineered steel or aluminum support structure | | | | American sizes. Most of the blocks available in the |
| between your glass panels:o Maximum inside wall | | | | United States are American sized. The American |
| panel dimensions (3 7/8 thick block) | | | | sized blocks are available in 4 x 8, 6 x |
| Total square footage of the wall — | | | | 6, 6 x 8, 8 x 8, and 12 x 12. |
| 250 sq. feet. | | | | Specialty shapes can help you turn corners, make 45 |
| Maximum height — 20 feet | | | | degree angles, create rounded or radius walls if |
| Maximum width — 25 feeto | | | | you’re looking to make a walk in or roll in |
| Maximum outside wall panel dimensions (3 7/8 | | | | shower, or finish off the end of the wall or bar with |
| thick block) | | | | a smooth bullnose look. The blocks have nominal sizes |
| Total square footage of the wall — | | | | meaning the actual size of the block units is ¼ |
| 144 sq. feet. | | | | smaller allowing for a mortar joint to adhere the block |
| Maximum height — 20 feet | | | | to one another (an 8 x 8 block actually |
| Maximum width — 25 feet | | | | measures 7 ¾ x 7 ¾). The blocks for |
| Step 2) What type of floor, partial wall or base will | | | | walls and bars are 3 and 4 thick. Thinner block |
| the block wall be placed on? What is the smallest | | | | (3 1/8 thick) are more cost effective, but design |
| width of the base for the block wall? | | | | options are more limited in this thickness of block.o |
| Block walls or bars can be placed virtually on any | | | | Patterns, designs and color glass blocks — |
| surface as long as it is structurally sound and | | | | Blocks come in a multitude of patterns providing |
| approximately 3 to 4 wide. Most block walls | | | | different levels of privacy, style, and design options. |
| weigh about 12 pounds per square foot of wall area. | | | | The block are now available in standard and custom |
| Shower pans made of acrylic, fiberglass, and tile with | | | | colors, tints, and artistically decorated murals to |
| concrete work well. Interior walls with wood joists | | | | match any interior design style. Check out a |
| are usually fine as well as long as the floor is level. | | | | comprehensive block web site to see the |
| Placing the block on knee walls (also called half walls) | | | | possibilities.o Lighting your blocks — Putting |
| with metal stud and drywall supports underneath | | | | lights behind a glass wall has increased in popularity. |
| works as well. | | | | Consider a fiber optic system (where the colors of |
| Step 3) What do you need to put your glass block | | | | the block wall can change as the system is running) |
| wall or bars together? Can panel sections be | | | | or standard rope lighting behind a clear wall for extra |
| manufactured to make the project easier? | | | | impact. |
| The installation of block walls can be made much | | | | |