How to make a glass floor

More recently, the interior of modern homes began to use glass floors, through which designers implement a huge number of ideas and ideas. If you decide to create an original and spectacular interior in your home, then you should consider options for decorating the floor with glass. Many technologies and methods of creating a design allow you to implement it, even for a non-professional, you just need to familiarize yourself with the detailed instructions on how to make a glass floor with your own hands. This article will review some examples and tips from professionals.

Features and benefits

The basis of any glass floor is a transparent or translucent surface, equipped with lighting or supplemented with three-dimensional images that create a delightful effect. With this idea you can easily give expression to the interior of the dwelling. In addition, you can use the entire floor or only part of it.

Among the main advantages of placing a glass floor in the interior of any room in an apartment are:

• aesthetic appearance;
• visual enlargement of the room;
• use as a source of additional lighting;
• cleanliness and hygiene;
• ease of care;
• durability.

Note! When choosing a floor made of glass, one important factor should be taken into account: the surface is very easily damaged by mechanical impact. It is worth considering options only from the high-strength and tempered material which will not be damaged.

Varieties

It is not enough to lay ordinary glass sheets on the floor. Today, designers use several basic types of floors when designing an interior design:

1. On the whole area. If finances allow, you can make glass floors for the entire area of ​​the living room. It will impress your guests.
2. Tapes. This type is most often used when it is necessary to divide a room into several zones, therefore it is used in large stores or entertainment centers. Inside the tape set the backlight of the LED strips to create a bright accent.
3. Niche. If you wish to create a piece of oasis under your feet, you can make niches that will be covered from above with glass plates made of transparent relief glass. In most cases, floral or marine themes are chosen.
4. Aquarium. It is one of the variants of niches in which a standard aquarium with ordinary fish and algae is placed. On top of them also cover a solid glass plate. Ideally, this example should be considered with a backlight, as it will emphasize the depth and unusualness of the solution.
5. Overlaps. They are most often used in multi-storey construction in the form of glass stairs, bridges, partitions.
6. Podium. This element is very often used in the interior of all modern houses. Previously, it was trimmed with wood and tiles, but now glass is relevant.

Each of these types of glass floors can have a completely different design, made of different materials and with the use of additional decor.

Material selection

At the preparatory stage, it is necessary not only to choose the type of glass floor and plan the construction, but also to determine the color solution and the materials used. So, glass panels and all other elements should be made of high quality materials. Glass must be high strength to withstand the load. On average, this figure should be about 400 kg per 1 m². You can also consider options using tempered and laminated glass.

In addition, it is necessary to purchase a metal profile in order to assemble the frame and arrange the joints. It is very important to choose the right size to hide the attachment points of LED strips for backlighting. If we are talking about niches, then you should choose the finishing material: tile, wood, plastic, laminate.

If we are talking about installing a glass floor in the bathroom, then it is worthwhile to carefully study the types of glass surfaces, since with the wrong choice you can later slip and get injured. In this case, experts recommend the use of a mosaic method, which is implemented through sandblasting technology. Attractive appearance will decorate any bathroom.

Note! Designers advise to choose a three-layer model of glass, where each layer is about 1 cm, and they are glued together with a special adhesive from polymers.

Base for floor installation

To create a decorative element had the longest operational life, it is important not only to select quality materials, but also to make a solid foundation on which to place the glass tile. The ideal option is concrete, steel or wood, which have a sufficiently high strength.

The dimensions of the base will depend on the option chosen. For example, if glass windows in the floor are chosen for decoration, it is better to make depressions from each other at a distance of 15 cm. If a podium is used, the construction rises by 20 cm. To build a niche, it is recommended to choose a simple form, since it will be easier to make. for example, square or rectangular.

Note! To achieve an ideal result, the surface of the base must be even and smooth, otherwise even minor defects can spoil the overall look.

Mounting the frame

The first construction stage in arranging a glass floor with your own hands is the installation of a metal frame. It is worth choosing stainless steel which fastens anchor bolts or self-tapping screws. When attaching the glass, it is important to be careful, as one panel can weigh more than 100 kg.

It is important to firmly secure the frame on the base so that after fixing heavy glasses it does not deform and bend. For glass floors using lighting, it is necessary to make a strobe at the base through which electricity can be supplied. It is enough to fix the LED tape on a double-sided tape to the metal frame.

Note! At this stage, it is important to treat all elements with anti-corrosion agents.

Facing the base tile

When the frame is fully assembled and secured, you can proceed to the finishing works of the foundation. The tile is laid using a special glue, which can be bought in hardware stores. Apply glue to the tile and wall with a spatula with teeth or smooth. To achieve the required size, you can use a grinding machine.

If ceramic tiles are used for finishing, it is important to seal the joints with special grouting, and remove the excess with a flexible spatula or a damp sponge. After all the work, you must wait a few days so that the adhesive solution is completely dry and entrenched. At the final stage, the entire tile is cleaned with a soft, damp cloth, and then it is necessary to walk over the entire surface with a dry cloth.

Note! It is very important to remove dust and dirt from all surfaces before proceeding to the next step.

Options for decorating the floor of glass

To achieve the desired effect can only be provided with high-quality and proper decoration. But first you need to consider the materials for finishing the base. In most cases, suitable for this:

• seashells;
• самоцветы;
• pebbles of different fractions;
• sand;
• coins;
• beads;
• stones;
• sparkles;
• flowers or their petals.

On the inside of the glass surface, you can apply a drawing with paints or a self-adhesive film; stencils can also be used for this. In some cases, it is possible to tint if the resulting decor matches the overall style and direction of the room.

Note! The end result will depend entirely on the artist’s imagination and creative ideas. There are many options that you can use or change to your liking.

Lighting design

You can make a glass floor without lighting, but if you want to transform it in the evening, you should think about it. To do this, you can use fluorescent lamps, LEDs, cords, spotlights. When designing a glass floor for the whole room, many designers use spotlights.

When planning the placement of light sources, it is necessary to determine in advance the type and sequence of placement. There are no restrictions, it is important only to comply with safety. The best and most acceptable option is the lighting of neon lamps, which scatter the soft and even light of any shade.

Note! When choosing light sources, give preference to modern innovative options, such as ribbons. Halogen bulbs will not work. Because of the heat they emit, glass may be damaged.

Fixing glass panels

Before placing heavy glass panels on the prepared floor, it is necessary to fix the seal along the entire perimeter to the metal frame. This will eliminate the possibility of contact between metal and glass, which will lead to damage to the latter.

The entire structure is fixed with special bolts made of steel. It is also worth considering the option of using a decorative profile, which not only emphasizes smooth lines, but also eliminates the likelihood of contact between the glass and the finishing frame.

Note! For maximum protection, you should use a sealant that is applied to the product in a thin layer.

So, if you are planning to make glass floors in your home, then use different colors. At the same time, strive to preserve one common thread with the interior of the entire premises. We hope that this article will help you with this.

Video

More information about the technology of manufacturing glass floor, you can learn from the video: