How to install glass blocks

To date, glass blocks are increasingly used in the design of an apartment, a private office or at home. They not only visually increase the space, but additionally illuminate it. The ease of use of glass blocks makes ordinary people wonder how to install glass blocks on their own.

Glass blocks are building elements made like small glass units: 2 glass with an air gap. There are two main forms in the form of which glass blocks are made: square and rectangle. At the individual order production of other form is possible.

Special properties of blocks

Due to its structure, glass blocks have remarkable properties:

• They let the light through thanks to the glass from which they are made.
• As well as double-glazed windows and other building elements for the construction of walls, retain heat indoors.
• Provide excellent sound insulation of the room.
• Protect an apartment or house from excessive moisture.
• Serve as a decorative element.
• Easy to install and maintain.

The glass base of this building material has one major drawback: behind the glass blocks, you cannot hold communications or close anything with them.

Since glass blocks, unlike ordinary walls, do not require further plastering, pasting with wallpaper or any other finishing works, they are easy to install yourself.

Self-installation of glass blocks

Before the direct installation of glass blocks on the place allotted for them, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory work. They are as follows:

• The installation site of the wall or partition of glass blocks is measured in advance: this allows you to determine how many glass building elements you need. Glass blocks can not be cut, so you need to choose their size very carefully. When calculating, the connection seam of the solution should be taken into account: from 5 to 10 mm each.
• Together with the number of glass blocks is determined by the amount of required adhesive for glass building elements. For these purposes, a glue solution for mosaic or tile may be suitable.
• Armature is being purchased - steel rods, which will support the wall vertically and horizontally.
• Additional accessories - level, crosses to establish the correct position of the blocks, as well as grout and sealant. Grout can be purchased in the color of the rest of the room.

Technology installation of glass blocks

Before you install the glass blocks, you need to consider one aspect: each glass block is protected by a special film. If you remove it before installation, there is a risk of damaging the glass block: the solution caught on the glass building element may damage its surface if it is not removed immediately. A protective film prevents such damage to glass blocks.

Stages of work:

1. The surface for future installation should be flat. Initially, the first layer of adhesive is applied in 5 mm. Glass blocks need to be installed on it alternately, coating the end side of each solution. The side gaps between the wall and the glass block are not filled with mortar: this is the plastic profile for the glass blocks. It allows you to absorb the temperature regime, and therefore, the expansion or contraction of the finished wall.
2. Immediately after installing each new block, crosses are put to align both horizontally and vertically. During construction work it is necessary to carefully monitor the smooth laying of the blocks relative to each other.
3. If horizontal reinforcement is required, the steel rods are laid on top of every third to fourth row. They must be connected to the wall. Vertical reinforcement is also carried out, only steel rods are attached to the ceiling and floor.
4. After every three or four rows, it is necessary to temporarily suspend the work in order, first, to clean the already installed glass blocks from the solution, and second, to seize the solution, and there will be no deformation of the wall. The erection of a wall or partition can be continued after 8-10 hours.
5. There are two approaches to the masonry wall of glass blocks: using only the adhesive solution, as well as using plastic profiles for each vertical row with the solution.
6. After the wall has been completely laid and it has to be dried it is necessary to use the grout to give the partition of glass blocks a finished look.

Installing glass blocks is not an impossible job, but it has multiple nuances, without which the appearance of the wall being erected can become much worse.

Due to the large selection of colored glass blocks, the room will “sparkle” with new bright colors, giving the apartment or house a unique look.

Video

We offer you to watch a video about the quick and easy laying of the partition from glass blocks.