| Creating a beautiful glass block wall for a shower or | | | | more attainable or cost effective than with the |
| partition in a home or commercial building no longer | | | | computerized laser etching process available today. |
| requires being a veteran mason contractor or tile | | | | Add a custom image or standard etched design into |
| setter. Starting with common-sense design steps and | | | | one block, or combine a group of blocks to create a |
| prefabricated glass panels the process has been | | | | distinctive mural. It's possible to etch your hobby, |
| simplified dramatically for those who don't tackle this | | | | family picture, nature scene or any image into blocks |
| type of project on a daily basis. | | | | - very cool and affordable and available in smaller |
| Learn 5 1/2 practical steps to move you from an | | | | order quantities as well. |
| initial design concept through a successfully completed | | | | Pattern - Using multiple block patterns (note: the |
| glass block wall installation. | | | | patterns are on the inside of block for easy cleaning) |
| Step 1 - Determine where you want to use the wall - | | | | you can create stripes, borders, or individual block |
| One benefit of a block wall is it's durability, strength, | | | | accents within an entire wall structure. |
| and thickness. Since the blocks for wall projects | | | | Lighting - Move light through the glass block wall with |
| range from 3 1/8" to 3 7/8" thicknesses they can be | | | | either simple rope type lighting behind the wall to |
| used on both the inside and the outside for a wide | | | | sophisticated fiber optic or even lighting systems that |
| variety of applications. Some of the more popular | | | | can be hidden inside the glass block shower curb like |
| uses inside include shower enclosures and stalls, | | | | was done by a remodeling contractor in Minnesota. |
| conference room walls, and partitions to separate | | | | Step 5 - Have the walls prefabricated to save time, |
| work and living spaces. Externally these glass block | | | | money, and improve your finished quality - In the old |
| walls can be used as a straight or rounded part of | | | | days blocks were installed in a painstaking and time |
| the home or building's structure or as free standing | | | | consuming process with a mason laying one block |
| separations for privacy walls between yards or to | | | | with mortar, leveling it, laying another block, leveling it |
| create a private outdoor living space with unique | | | | etc. Since these block units are made of glass vs. |
| style. | | | | standard cement-based masonry materials like bricks |
| Step 2 - Design and determine the size and shape of | | | | or blocks they do not dry as fast and are generally |
| the wall - Although there is virtually no limit to the | | | | considered more difficult to install than a traditional |
| size of a block wall, the size and shape will often | | | | brick or block. With the invention of spacers and |
| drive the preferred construction method. Here are a | | | | prefabricated glass block wall sections the process |
| few decisions to make regarding your wall: | | | | has come out of the stone ages and into the 21st |
| How wide and tall do you want the walls? When the | | | | century. Using a vinyl stack spacer system you can |
| walls are greater than approximately 15 feet wide or | | | | now install these glass block prefabricated wall |
| tall there can be the need for wall supports within | | | | sections and anchor them to adjoining walls for |
| the structure. Also the size of the structure will be | | | | support bypassing the need for the long and difficult |
| needed to figure the correct amount of anchors and | | | | block by block method. Here are the steps for the |
| wall reinforcement material required. | | | | pre-made wall section process: |
| Will the wall have a special shape or be straight in | | | | Compute the overall size of the wall (width x height). |
| design? There are now specially shaped blocks to | | | | Contact a glass block panel fabricating company to |
| make rounded walls, angled walls, or even assemblies | | | | help you determine how big to have them make the |
| that stair-step down in 8" size increments. | | | | wall sections. Some considerations for the size of the |
| Step 3 - Identify special features you want for your | | | | wall sections are where the wall is located, if one or |
| glass block wall - You want the wall to function for | | | | more people will be installing the sections, and the |
| your specific needs and application. The good thing is | | | | actual design and shape of the wall. (Note: Since |
| the blocks are not a "one size fits all" product. Listed | | | | these sections are made with the vinyl spacers and |
| below are special feature blocks you may want to | | | | specialized silicone to join them together they can be |
| consider for your project: | | | | shipped safely). |
| Enhanced security blocks - Some block units come | | | | Set the first vinyl stack premade wall section in a |
| with thicker inside walls that make them extremely | | | | bed of mortar to the base. Level and plumb the |
| difficult to knock out. A standard block has a face | | | | section and anchor it to an adjoining wall. Apply |
| thickness of 3/8", but there are specialty units that | | | | specialized glass block silicone wall sealant to the top |
| are ¾" thick and also one block that is a 3" | | | | of the horizontal vinyl strips. |
| solid glass brick. | | | | Set your next wall section on top of the first section. |
| Increased privacy blocks - Whether you're building a | | | | Repeat the additional steps above. |
| home or commercial building there are some spaces | | | | Finish off the spaces (joints) between the blocks |
| where you may want to have the combination of | | | | with either mortar, tile grout, or a glass block silicone |
| excellent light transmission and high privacy - for | | | | sealant. |
| these uses there are high privacy blocks. | | | | Step 5 1/2 - How to coordinate this wall or shower |
| Extended fire ratings - Standard blocks provide a 45 | | | | project if you don't want to do the work yourself - |
| minute fire rating. For increased safety there are also | | | | if don't have the time or want to have a professional |
| 60 and 90 minute block assemblies that can be used | | | | contractors installation warranty on the block work, |
| for tight spaces between buildings and homes. | | | | you can either order the wall sections directly from a |
| Combining accessibility and safety - A glass block | | | | qualified vinyl stack glass block wall manufacturing |
| shower or partition wall is durable because of it's | | | | company or have your contractor work directly with |
| thickness and safe for increased accessibility | | | | the wall supplier. Try to make sure the premade wall |
| situations because of it's smooth glass faces. | | | | supplier has installation expertise so they can guide |
| Step 4 - Add unique pattern, color, etched or lighting | | | | you and your contractor on both the design and |
| feature for a one of kind design - Why have a | | | | structural considerations of your custom wall. |
| generic wall when you can add features that will | | | | There are also some companies that can actually |
| make your design distinctive and customized with | | | | provide a custom or standard shower base that can |
| your specific interests, tastes, and decorating in mind. | | | | match up exactly with your prefabricated glass block |
| In the beginning blocks came in one pattern and size | | | | shower wall as well (some of these bases come |
| - fortunately this no longer the case. Here are some | | | | ready for the tile floor and other bases are made of |
| design options to consider: | | | | acrylic and don't require any additional finishing |
| Colored glass blocks for a wall - whether you want a | | | | material to go over them). |
| vibrant or more muted earth tone color, standard | | | | Now that you're equipped with these 5 1/2 steps |
| and custom colors can now be added to any size, | | | | you're ready to order your glass block wall for a |
| pattern, or shaped block. | | | | shower or partition in your home or business. |
| Etched glass wall - Personalization has never been | | | | |