How To Reseal Glass Block Windows

I've been around the (glass) block (OK, I know that'southward a bad play on words) a long time. I started in this business in 1989 (I like to tell people I was only 11 years onetime at the time, but nobodies ownership it). In these 30 years I've seen a lot of drinking glass cake bathroom window jobs. Some supplied and installed by my business, others non.

Drinking glass block is thought of every bit a 'masonry' product (mortared together cake past block with an old, grizzly stonemason). Homeowners and contractors struggle with masonry-built drinking glass block windows. They're not sure how to design their window. They don't know how it should be installed into a framed opening (since almost bathroom windows aren't installed into concrete blocks or poured walls, like basement windows).

This lack of knowledge (and the bad data they get forth the way) results in some UGLY-looking jobs which don't last. My business has seen (and fixed) many of these ugly jobs (or y'all tin call them blunders).

The fact is these blunders (AKA crappy jobs) didn't have to happen. In fact, glass blocks can be simple to blueprint and install…if yous know a few tricks.

In this commodity my goal is simple.

Beginning, I want to place the top 7 blunders I've seen in my waaaay too many years in the biz.

2nd (and well-nigh chiefly), I want to give y'all applied ideas (or tricks), and so you lot don't autumn in the 'bad project' trap. I want you lot to accept a bathroom window which looks abrupt and is designed, made and installed to last (I was going to say to Infinity and Beyond, but that sounded besides corny).

So, let's dig into the 7 biggest blunders (and applied ideas to fix them) of glass block bathroom windows.

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A Guide to Great Home Pattern with Glass Blocks and Drinking glass Bricks

Drinking glass block bathroom window blunder #1 – You lot try to build your window block past block inside the window opening

Since window openings aren't square, the sill is sloped, and they can exist loftier off the ground, trying to install your blocks unit of measurement by unit inside the opening (after your onetime window is taken out) is a complete and total disaster.

To give y'all some idea of why this is a bad thought, my company (which was started in 1977) has NEVER installed even one glass block bathroom window block by block inside the opening.

And then, if a visitor which has installed over 870,000 windows in our history has NEVER installed one in the opening, you may (correctly) conclude it'south a bad thought.

With this beingness said, it's nice to know there's a far smarter way to do it.

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How to overcome blunder #1 – Use prefabricated glass block assemblies vs. installing block by block

The simplest way to overcome blunder #i is to buy (or have installed for you) a prefabricated glass block window. Prefab windows are built in one section (or multiple sections if you have a very big window). This preassembled procedure makes them far simpler to install. These sections are made with mortar or silicone between the blocks, or for maximum strength and free energy efficiency employ a 'Protect-all' vinyl stacking window.

Premade windows install in less than 1/3 of the fourth dimension of a block by block installation. Fifty-fifty more important, with premade window the joints sizes are consequent. Your chore won't look like your grandson or granddaughter put them together.

Glass block bathroom window blunder #2 – You installed your window, now you're scratching your caput on how to 'terminate around it.'

Drinking glass block basement windows are MUCH simpler than their upper floor bathroom 'brothers.' In drinking glass block basement windows offset, you ready the window in the concrete cake or poured wall. Second, mortar 'the puppy' in. Slam, bam, thank-you-ma'am, yous're washed.

Bathroom windows are non and then simple.

If this window is going into the middle of your bathtub/shower, there'due south ceramic tile or a shower wall surround y'all need to piece of work around. On the outside (if you don't have a brick veneer to mortar to) you'll need a plan to terminate to your siding or stucco.

The biggest corrigendum I see is owners and contractors presume all y'all demand to do is 'mortar this sucker' in similar a basement window. The problem with this is the moisture from the mortar will get absorbed into the forest studs around the opening and eventually crack. The joint on the inside (effectually ceramic tile or your shower environs) will likewise scissure and tin can cause leaking into the wall cavity (and that would NOT be a adept solar day!).

Here's some ideas to prepare these problems.

How to overcome corrigendum #two – Use the right details to finish the inside and outside of your glass block bathroom window

Finishing the inside

When finishing the within of your drinking glass block window it's a good idea to use silicone caulk to bring together the edges of the glass blocks to the ceramic tile or wall surround. This will provide a seal, but also let for flexibility as your home shifts. Around the perimeter yous can use cultured stone, a vinyl window trim kit or run the window flush with the shower on the within to eliminate any finishing at all.

Finishing the outside

Although the outside can be finished in many means (depending on if the exterior of your habitation is wood, stucco, vinyl siding, brick etc.), the virtually mutual is a sided domicile. With sided homes, it makes sense to stop the outside edges of the glass cake window in the same style as a vinyl replacement window. Utilise an 'aluminum curlicue wrap' around the window which is sealed to your siding.

Glass cake bath window corrigendum #3 – Yous didn't make sure the opening fit the design y'all liked

IMHO, the biggest trouble with drinking glass blocks is you can't cutting them. Y'all must work with the sizes available to bulldoze your design.

The hottest trend in glass cake window design is evolving away from the 'same one-time, same sometime,' where i block is stacked on another. Homeowners are flocking to 'stained-glass-window-esque' designs with various cake sizes. You want to brand a statement with your block window. You no longer want a generic job.

This is great…. except…when it's non and the opening doesn't (or won't) fit the pattern concept yous like. You may wonder how to become by this problem. Here'southward how.

How to overcome corrigendum #three and create a fun glass block window design which fits

Equally Steven Covey used to say (sort of), "With glass block design you've got to brainstorm with the end in mind."

With residential glass block bath windows you'll either be designing with American sized blocks (which are four" x eight", 6" 10 6", 6" x 8" and viii" x 8") or Metric sizes (which are 7 ½" x vii ½" or three ¾" x seven ½"). These sizes will drive your blueprint. So, hither'southward what yous need to practice.

Beginning, develop (or find on Pinterest) a fun design yous love. If information technology's a design which exists already, call the glass block prefabricator and inquire what the 'design repeat' is and the size of the design. Then, with your habitation builder or contractor figure out if your openings tin be sized to work with the design. If not, you lot'll need a new pattern.

Do Non – create the hole first and do the design 2d.

Glass block bathroom window blunder #4 – You're 'putting on' an 'unintended show' for the neighbors

Glass cake shower windows are perfect, except when they're non and you realize you're providing the neighborhood a 'show' in your altogether suit (and that 'suit' doesn't wait as hot as it did when you were in your 20'south!).

Privacy is personal (isn't that redundant?). One person's 'completely individual' pattern is another person's exhibitionist extraordinaire. You need to run into what cake feels right for you. This is where knowing your patterns (and processes) comes in handy.

How to overcome corrigendum #4, and non show more 'skin' than you'd like

With glass blocks there are 'completely private' patterns (Iceberg and Diamond, for example) and in that location are 'partially private' patterns ('wave' is most mutual). The amount of privacy which is right for you will also depend on where the window is located.

For example, if you accept a first-floor bath window, smack dab in the middle of the shower (which anyone on the outside can walk upwards to), you obviously will want maximum privacy. On the other mitt, if this window is on the second floor (even in the shower) a partially-obscure 'wave' pattern which blurs your outline, may offering enough privacy.

In addition, if y'all love the 'wave' wait and want to utilize it on your offset-floor window and maintain maximum privacy, y'all can use a frosted drinking glass cake window to ameliorate privacy.

No matter what, make sure the glass block pattern you choose feels right for you.

Glass cake bathroom window corrigendum #5 – You bought a frameless premade glass block window for your new home or room addition simply aren't sure how to install it.

Earlier in this article I talked well-nigh glass block premade windows. Now I'll tell yous while buying premade windows is a good thought, they aren't all created equal.

The most popular glass cake prefabs are frameless. In remodeling jobs in masonry openings, frameless glass blocks are perfect. Withal, in forest framed or new structure openings, non so much.

Contractors and DIY'ers struggle with how to finish around wood framed openings. They're used to installing 'nailing-flange' vinyl windows. They ask, "what the heck (they don't say it quite so nicely) am I going to exercise around the perimeter of this doggone window?"

This uncertain installation leads to crazy approaches to terminate it.

What many new home builders, remodeling contractors and weekend DIY-warriors don't realize is doing wood framed projects with glass blocks tin be unproblematic. Hither's how.

How to overcome blunder #five using a vinyl framed glass block window

New construction drinking glass block windows (for woods framed openings) can be 'easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy' (equally one of the guys who works with me likes to say). Instead of buying an 'unframed prefab drinking glass block window,' what yous need is a vinyl framed glass block window.

With the vinyl framed window you tin can still create whatsoever blazon of design (see blunder #3), merely the window is prefabricated into a vinyl frame with a nailing flange. With this unit the window is installed similar a new construction vinyl window.

Don't make a new construction glass cake bathroom window job harder than it needs to be. Use the right window. Take the anxiety out.

Glass block bathroom window blunder #6 – You lot have 'buyer's remorse' later on you go on Pinterest and see pretty, colored blocks

Inspirational ideas are wonderful if y'all come across them at the right time.

Inspirations ideas are painful when you come across them 'later on the fact' and information technology'due south also late to bring your dream bathroom to life.

I've dealt with bummed out people when they notice colorful cake options too late in the remodeling or building process. Then the lead times are as well long. Their designs (and window openings) won't piece of work with the available color options (which are commonly in metric sizes). Frustration and FOMO (Fear of Thouissing Out) sets in.

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How to overcome blunder #half-dozen when you want color in your glass block window design

There's no practical way to change a clear glass block window after it's been installed and add colors to it. It's as well expensive. It'southward impractical to remove drinking glass blocks from an existing window and put color in later the fact.

The central to solving this problem is to develop your pattern earlier your bath is remodeled or new home windows are framed. Here'due south what yous need to practice.

Outset, make up one's mind if the supplier y'all're working with offers American or Metric sized colored glass blocks. In the The states today virtually of the colored blocks are metric sizes (the just American sized colored blocks are done with an aftermarket drilling and filling color process).

Second, develop your blueprint and determine the rough opening you need.

Third, buy the colored drinking glass cake window.

Glass block bathroom window corrigendum #7 – You try to 'go it lonely'

Even though I've been in the drinking glass block business for a long time, if I'm being honest with myself, I know installing a drinking glass block window (for most homeowners at to the lowest degree) is a one time-in-a-lifetime feel. Nigh people (different installers in our visitor) don't install multiple block windows in their lifetime.

Then, what this means you're likely doing the installation for the starting time time. I too know many people are stubborn and try to 'effigy information technology out themselves. Pride trumps (no political play on words here) practicality.

This 'figuring information technology out lone' matter leads to the vi blunders mentioned previously. That'due south non good.

How to overcome blunder #vii – Become costless help.

Why go information technology lonely when you lot can get aid for gratis? Glass block is a niche business organisation. There are a small handful of companies beyond the country who actually know their glass cake stuff. The good news is they'll share it with you…for free!

Call an experienced company with drinking glass block designers and installers who've been down the road before (even if they have more than gray pilus than they care to admit. Annotation, I resemble this remark, only my solution is $9.99 bottle of Merely for Men pilus coloring – but that'southward but between you and me).

Decision

I hope these 7 blunders go you off the pot-hole filled dirt road of a bad glass block bath window installation. Use these 7 ideas to overcome the 7 biggest blunders and get 'er done right the offset fourth dimension. If y'all demand help click the links or call the numbers below. Me and my squad would be delighted to assist you lot.

How can I (or my team) help you with this project?

For assistance designing, building or installing a glass block bathroom window, shower wall or bar call Innovate Building Solutions at 877-668-5888 for nationwide supply. For a local installation service and supply contact Columbus Glass Cake at 614-252-5888 or Cleveland Glass Block at 216-531-6363.

Source: https://blog.innovatebuildingsolutions.com/2019/05/13/7-biggest-blunders-glass-block-bathroom-windows-and-7-tricks-fix-them/

Posted by: maplethoposel.blogspot.com

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