| To paraphrase Steven Covey "begin with the end in | | | | get the walls made into easy to handle and install wall |
| mind" when designing a glass block shower project. | | | | sections and the price of this system is affordable as |
| Too many homeowners and contractors have | | | | well. Don't settle for a hand made mud (or mortared) |
| wasted money building a base for a glass block | | | | base that is prone to failure in the long run. |
| shower wall only to find out either the base would | | | | Bases can also be made of solid surface materials like |
| not perform well or the blocks they'd like to use | | | | Swanstone, cultured marble or Corian. These |
| would not fit properly on the pan. The key to this | | | | systems are generally the most expensive way to |
| project - design it, use the right systems and | | | | go (especially for non-standard sizes). |
| materials and then most importantly enjoy your new | | | | Step 4 - Don't buy pieces - look for integrated |
| shower. | | | | systems - Would you buy a dishwasher in pieces and |
| This article will provide 7 steps to get your shower | | | | then look to put it together bolt by bolt and knob by |
| finished correctly right the first time: | | | | knob? If this doesn't sound like a good idea then why |
| Step 1 - Determine the size of the shower base - It's | | | | would you want to buy blocks individually and |
| possible to have a block shower even in a small | | | | attempt a unit by unit installation if you could get a |
| bathroom remodeling project if you plan correctly. | | | | prefabricated wall systems which are integrated to fit |
| First measure the area where you're looking to put | | | | with your base? |
| the base (if you're removing an existing tub to | | | | With the development of the vinyl stack panel |
| convert it to a shower remember your final opening | | | | installation system and custom fit ready for tile bases |
| will usually be about 1-2" bigger than the size you | | | | your glass block shower wall sections can be |
| might measure today with your current finished walls | | | | panelized and made into manageable sections to ease |
| in place). You'll want to allow 24" minimum to enter | | | | the installation, the design of the panels can be |
| the shower. | | | | matched perfectly to the shape of the base and |
| At this stage don't worry about the specific type of | | | | your finished quality will be vastly improved. |
| base (for example acrylic, mortared mud set pan, or | | | | Step 5 - Add style and designs for a unique touch - |
| expanded polystyrene) you might use - just visualize | | | | You don't have to only use standard clear wavy |
| where you think the shower will work best, the | | | | block any more. There are product lines of colored, |
| approximate size you want and the shape of the | | | | etched and frosted glass block to add to any shower |
| future shower. Draw on graph paper the size of the | | | | wall. Use them as an accent, stripe or throughout a |
| entire bathroom, the fixtures in it today (vanities, | | | | wall for a one of a kind design. |
| toilets etc.) and pencil in the size and shape of your | | | | Step 6 - Use the right grout or mortar between the |
| new shower. | | | | blocks - The material used between the glass block |
| Step 2 - Create a shape for your shower wall - Block | | | | shower walls is critical for long term performance. |
| walls come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. In | | | | Consider using urethane grout between the blocks |
| general straight walls are less expensive than curved | | | | for a maintenance free and waterproof joint - it may |
| or angled walls (note: for straight walls it's possible to | | | | cost more in the beginning, but the hassle of not |
| use the less costly 3 1/8" thick blocks with a finished | | | | having to deal with mold, mildew and grout cleaning |
| end that is usually needed for a shower). With that | | | | or re-grouting down the road will more than pay for |
| being said the rounded wall are an excellent way to | | | | the upfront investment (also this urethane grout is |
| create a walk in shower (thereby saving you on the | | | | available in a broad range of colors). If you don't use |
| cost of the door) in space as small as that of an | | | | grout you can use a pre-mixed glass block mortar |
| existing tub (the most common sized tub is 60 x 30, | | | | mix (it is usually available in 50 pound bags and is |
| 32 or 34"). When thinking through where to enter | | | | white in color). |
| the shower it's usually best to put the door or | | | | Step 7- Choose a wall surround system and |
| opening on the opposite side of the shower head. | | | | accessories to improve the function and looks of |
| Step 3 - Choose a standard or custom shower base | | | | your shower- There are many wall surrounds to finish |
| and floor system - The base is a critical element in a | | | | the inside of the shower space. If you want to keep |
| successful straight or curved glass block shower | | | | costs down you might consider acrylic walls (they are |
| project. The pan (or base) needs to be wide enough | | | | available in different patterns and colors but the |
| to accommodate the blocks (usually a minimum of 3 | | | | selection is more limited than some other systems). |
| to 5" wide) and needs to be shaped to mirror the | | | | For a more luxurious look with numerous decorative |
| block wall that will be placed on it. In the past many | | | | options Swanstone solid surface walls are an |
| people assumed there was only a limited number of | | | | excellent compliment for the blocks walls. Lastly - |
| standard size bases for the block walls (the most | | | | don't forget about the limitless choices of styles, |
| common acrylic sizes are a 72 x 51 walk in design - | | | | colors, patterns and borders available with tile (make |
| which is usually too big for many homes and a 60 x | | | | sure if you use tile to pick a water resistant tile). If |
| 34 size for a tub to shower conversion). Fortunately | | | | you use tile definitely consider the urethane grout. |
| this is no longer the case! | | | | To complete your shower accessorize it with a |
| Today you can get a 100% waterproof ready for tile | | | | corner seat, shampoo and soap niche, hand held |
| bases designed with the size and shape of the glass | | | | shower or a grab bar for safety. |
| block walls in mind (in other words you can get | | | | Now that you're equipped with these 7 steps you're |
| exactly the size and shape you want and the base | | | | ready to design and order your glass block shower |
| will be waterproof and ready for tile). You can even | | | | wall without breaking the bank or your budget. |