What are glass blocks?

Typically a glass block is a 3 dimensional piece of glass like a brick, in fact some people call them glass bricks. In the past only one size was available, but today you can buy glass blocks in 3 different sizes, 19 x 19 cm the standard size, or 24 x 24 cm and 30 x 30 cm, thickness will vary from 5 to 10 cm.

These blocks can be used in a variety of ways to build windows or walls. They add a striking decorative element to your home. You would use the larger glass blocks for areas where you want more light. Joints can be gray or white but you can also tint them, and you can use either joint for inside or outside. In areas that are wet like a bathroom you would use silicone joints.

You will also find colored glass blocks, both in strong colors or pastels. Some of the more decorative blocks will have a wavy look, or they will be smoother, others will show specks, there is a fairly wide variety for you to achieve whatever decorative and functional project you have in mind. Of course what you intend to do with your glass blocks will in great part determine the kind you choose. For example for a glass block shower partition, where some privacy is needed you would want a more opaque block, thus one with more texture would be more suitable.

You can also find glass blocks suitable for flooring material. If you plan on using them for a floor you must specify that when you buy your supplies as these have different properties.

What can you do with glass blocks?

They can be used for windows.

This sounds a little obvious but you must realize that you will not end up with a typical window when you have a glass block window. First your window will not lose heat as much as any other window does because it will be sealed all the way around, and by virtue of the thickness of the glass blocks a thick layer or insulating air will be trapped, making it very energy efficient. Like with any other window light will come in the room but unlike traditional windows the light can be more diffused depending on your choice of blocks. One other advantage of glass block windows is that, since they do not open, they are safer against would be intruders than other windows. In some areas this safety issue is an important factor. There is another application for glass block windows and that is if you need a basement window. Glass block basement windows are the perfect solutions to a lot of problems. First they are weather proof and maintenance free windows, they are also easy to install for the average handyman, specially when you use a pre-made glass block window panel, they will also keep burglars away while giving you the light you need.

They can be used for showers.

Sometimes people call this the Italian shower, that is a shower that is surrounded by a glass block wall, or at least has a glass block shower separation from the rest of the bathroom. Regardless of how you decide to design your glass block shower it is sure to be a hit. Glass blocks are well suited to transform a small space like an unused closet in a bedroom into an additional shower. To accomplish this all you need to do is replace the existing walls with glass blocks or glass block panels. In this way you will not need to add any wall tiles or a fiberglass shower enclosure. Because such a small shower might be poorly lit with conventional walls, glass blocks make a big difference as light will shine through. This can also provide a very decorative element to your bedroom.

This is nearly a perfect solution because it is so easy to maintain, a simple wipe and you are done, it is beautiful, and you can add privacy as much as you want by choosing your blocks ingeniously. If you are planning to install your glass block shower by yourself the only thing to remember is to use silicon mortar.

Building walls.

Just as you can build a glass block separation wall in a bathroom you can build glass blocks walls anywhere you need a wall. Interior walls that are not load bearing are obviously the easiest to accomplish, but you are not limited to that. Some people have built beautiful glass block exterior walls that have allowed a maximum amount of light, have provided great insulation, and have clearly defined the style of the home. It is possible to use glass blocks on inside walls or outside walls however you should not use them for load bearing walls. In addition some limitations of size should be respected. When a wall exceed a certain size (around 6 yards) it needs to be reinforced with steel rods.

Decorating with glass blocks

For a more esthetic look you can fill the spaces where mortar was applied with a strip of wood to hide the mortar joint. If you prefer to simplify the task you can buy kits online that are designed specially for this purpose, for non professionals who want to do their own installation. For another esthetic variation there are trapezoid glass blocks that would give your wall or window a whole new dimension. Finally you should be aware that there are lighted glass blocks that can be used for a variety of purposes.

Some of the best ideas using decorative glass blocks came from the work of Seves a European glass block company. They have done extensive work with a wide variety of glass blocks.  You can see some of their work in the images above, you can also visit any glass block sellers online to get ideas, as most of them provide images of work they have done and it can spark ideas of what you can accomplish in your own home.

Glass blocks entered the scene with the industrial revolution.

Glass bricks as they are sometimes called bring a touch of contemporary atmosphere to our homes, a touch of modernity in areas where stone tries to maintain a more rustic ambience. They can be transparent or translucent, clear or colored, but they always play with light.

Whether you use glass blocks for a wall or even a partial wall, to enliven a fireplace or to create a simple separation, it can add a different appeal, a different look, even a different way to let in the light but keep your privacy.

A glass block is made up of two half blocks bound together by a heating process, with air trapped in the middle. This construction method makes them ideal as an insulation material, both protecting your room from heat gain or loss, and from noises.

They allow for light filtering and give small rooms a larger feel and appearance.

Care for glass blocks is easy, if used in a bath and steam is settling on them, simply use a sponge to wipe them clean, if in another area a little dusting once in a while or a light wash, as you would any other window, will do the trick.

It does not matter if your home decor is primarily wood, metal, stone, or even concrete, glass blocks fit with all materials.

What can you do with glass blocks?

They are esthetic and bright, decorative or discrete, you can use them anywhere you want.

In the kitchen : you could make an entire glass block counter that might become the central decorative element of the area. Bright colors, motifs or other types of tiles can be used with the glass to enhance your construction.

In the bath, you can create a glass block shower that will be distinct from the other areas in the bathroom, giving privacy yet allowing light and space to flow. A glass block wall can be built between a bath and a bedroom, giving you the feeling of a larger area yet separating the two.Glass block windows can be substituted for regular windows, letting the outside light come in without offering any opening to the outside. Outdoors they can also be used on a patio as a wall or to decorate. Possibilities are only limited to your imagination.

You can visit a few sites and get more ideas of what has been done with decorative glass blocks

Glass blocks come in  a huge array of colors, patterns, sizes, frosted glass or clear glass. Different blocks will have different levels of light penetration, for example colored blocks will let through less light than clear blocks  You can design your own arrangement of glass blocks to get a unique shower screen for your bathroom.   The glass block wall does not have to be straight it can be curved and even illuminated if you choose.Glass blocks have become more and more common for many uses around the house, both inside and outside.  Glass allows light to filter though into areas that  may otherwise rely on artificial light to illuminate them.

Glass blocks can be installed in one of three ways mortar, silicon or dry joining. Mortar is the most common method of sticking the blocks together it is also waterproof and the only method suitable for outdoor use. Silicon is only for use inside and it much easier for the home handyman to apply. Dry joining methods are usually proprietary methods that each glass supplier has they range from plastic suction to keep the bricks to together to special brackets. The advantage of the dry joining systems is that there is no mess and no cleaning up. Unless you have worked with installing glass bricks I would recommend that you find an experienced installer who can give you sensible advice to make your shower wall properly functional and decorative.

Whatever type of glass blocks you choose for your shower wall, you will end up with a unique modern feature.