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Glass Blocks Make A Come BackBy Jim Sulski Summary: You see glass blocks used in hip and unusual ways on all the design shows. Learn why they are so popular and how to install your own glass blocks. Glass block, once relegated to basement windows, is making its way upstairs. Always a popular choice as a security window material-especially for basements-glass block is becoming more and more popular for other types of windows and as an interior design material. It's becoming especially popular with homeowners who want the light transmission glass block affords, but also want privacy. However, because of its strength, glass block is still regarded primarily as a security material. The blocks are composed of two thick pieces of glass that are fused together and then connected with wire-reinforced cement, making them an almost invulnerable window. A glass block window is awfully tough to break through, and even if you break a block, you couldn’t get through the window because of its size. Also, if the kids hit a glass block window with a ball, it won’t break as easily as regular glass. And they also don't scratch as easily as regular glass. In addition, you get more than 75 percent of the light that you would get with a typical window. Another attraction is insulation. Because there is dead air space between the two panels of glass, glass block also has some insulation value as well as sound absorption. The biggest plus is the relatively low cost of glass block windows versus wood or vinyl windows. That makes them an excellent choice as replacement windows. Varying styles allow for either complete privacy (images seen through some types are distorted or fragmented) or full transparency. Hence, many homeowners use glass block to replace bathroom windows. Likewise, on some narrow city lots, glass block is used to replace windows that are inches away from an adjoining house. Ventilation units built into the windows can allow for airflow. While big enough for fresh air, they are not big enough to allow anyone to crawl through. With glass block windows, you have several choices for installation: You can have them professionally installed; buy prebuilt windows and install them yourself; or build your own windows block by block. To build your own windows, you should have some masonry experience, the experts agree. The typical do-it-yourselfer usually goes for the pre- assembled glass block panel windows. The pre-assembled windows are usually sold in sizes that vary by two-inch increments. If you have a 33-inch window opening, you can use a 32-inch pre- assembled window and have a half-inch gap on each side, which will be filled with mortar. The blocks are made in several sizes, including 6 by 6 inches, 4 by 8 inches, 8 by 8 inches, 6 by 8 inches and 12 by 12 inches. And you can use any combination of those sizes to fill an opening. The glass block companies can also custom-make pre-assembled windows to fit unusual shapes or sizes. The first step to installing prefab glass block windows is to measure the size of your window opening from the outside of the house (it might be slightly larger than the inside opening). Measure from the outermost part of the window (where the window meets the brick). Also make note of any arches above the windows or other variations. After purchasing the new windows, you need to remove the old ones. First dismantle any movable parts (such as the window panels) and remove them. Then saw the windowsill - the bottom part of the window frame - in half and fold it out. Next, use a pry bar to take out the sides and the top. For the best results, remove the entire frame. Save any interior window molding, especially if it's in good shape, because you might be able to use it as trim around the inside of the window after you install it. Once the opening is cleared, insert the glass block panel and use wood wedges to hold it in place. Use a level to ensure the window is plumb (perfectly straight). Then, create a mortar thick enough so that it will not run (about the consistency of toothpaste). Using a trowel and a tuckpointer, push the mortar into the window's perimeter edge. When the mortar begins to harden, pull out the wedges and fill the gaps with mortar. Wipe away any excess mortar with a damp cloth. Glass block panels should be mortared directly to the brick window surround,
the experts say. Arches above the window should be filled in with brickwork
such as limestone or driftwood stone to make it look consistent. © by Jim Sulski. All rights reserved. February 15, 2005. NOTE: This column is distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. This column may not be resold, reprinted, resyndicated or redistributed without written permission from the publisher. © 2005 by Ilyce R. Glink. Distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate. |
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