Posted by: glassblockblogger | November 26, 2014

Design a Home for the Holidays

When you are entertaining during the Holidays, you want an inviting entry way for your family and guests.  This can be best accomplished with light and color. However, you do not want to decrease the security of your home or increase your energy costs.

Glass Block is much more than just a bright idea! Glass Block adds many benefits to your home, such as allowing light in while keeping out unwanted views, energy-wasting drafts and uninvited guest

BEAUTY AND VERSATILITY

Extraordinarily versatile and available in many aesthetically pleasing sizes and styles, Glass Block offers virtually limitless design possibilities. Glass block walls, partitions and windows combine the delicate beauty and light transmission of glass with the strength of glass block.

VISIBILITY/LIGHT TRANSMISSION

Crystal clear Glass Block provides exceptional visibility in compliance with ADA guidelines for enclosed areas. It is also scratch-resistant and transmits up to 80% of available light in both directions without any yellowing, clouding or weathering.

SECURITYglass block foyer

When added security is needed, architects, designers and home builders have chosen Glass Block, which offers enhanced resistance to impact, fire, sound transmission and weather.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Glass Block can provide more than double the thermal resistance (R-Value) of single-glaze 1/8″ thick plate-glass. The differences between the shading coefficient of glass block and flat sheet glass is also significant.

INSTALLATION

At Eastern Glass Block, installation crews are led by the most experienced glass block specialists in the industry.  Installers pride themselves on high quality installation service.

Having Eastern Glass Block offers you the ability to be in total control of the design of your project without having to worry about the time and tools necessary to complete your glass block project. You save time and possible frustration while having the pride of designing and managing the project that results in a solution that fits your specific need. Call us at 800-635-1226; or email us at info@easternglassblock.com. We have been serving the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia areas for over 20 years.

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Posted by: glassblockblogger | November 20, 2014

New Homes Are Becoming Smaller While Home Owners Have Open Floor Plan Expectations

The NAHB says that the Single-Family Home Size Leveling Off as Market Recovers. This is an unusual trend in a housing recovery.

The average size of newly built single-family homes has declined for two consecutive quarters as the overall housing market recovers. Despite the recent leveling, current new home sizes reflect post-recession increases due to an atypical mix of home buyers. As more first-time buyers return to the market, typical home size will continue to post slight quarterly declines.

The NAHB is identifying the first-time buyers as the reason that the house size is declining during this recovery. The NAHB goes on to say “Nonetheless, current levels remain higher than the pre-recession period.” Using a longer rear-facing look, the overall market is still being driven by high income families, which can meet the credit level requirements. The end result is an atypical mix of buyers during a recovery.

NAHB size of new family homes

NAHB

 

Whether the buyer is a first-time buyer or a seasoned home owner, the desire remains for an open floor plan. The Kitchen Island and Breakfast Bar design was born from the development of home Open Floor Plans that began in the 1980s. Socially, we no longer wanted the people doing the cooking to be sequestered in a separate room. We wanted to mingle socially while cooking, eating, and watching TV. Another common and modern interest is for the home to have daylighting while still providing security to the family and producing low energy costs.

As a proven natural material, Glass Block adds beauty and inspiration while playing a significant role in sustainable design and security. Glass Block is 100 percent recyclable, inert, low maintenance, and highly durable. Yet its dynamic relationship with light provides the opportunity to create both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient spaces. In addition, no other glass product provides the same security as Glass Block.

When planning a practical and yet creative home design, explore the design possibilities and installation alternatives for Glass Block. Call Eastern Glass Block. We have over 20 years of experience designing and installing Glass Block. We love to share our knowledge. (PH: 800.635.1226)

 

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Posted by: glassblockblogger | November 13, 2014

Use Mortarless Glass Block For Your Next DIY Home Improvement Project

When planning your next do-it-yourself Glass Block project, you should consider a glass block mortar-less installation alternative. The result will be a professional look for a fraction of the time investment.

Mortarless glass block

To begin your design, determine the type of glass block that you want to use on your project. Be aware that although glass block is strong, it cannot be a load bearing structure. All construction above glass block panels must be independently supported. The different glass block shapes are used to accomplish different looks and purposes. For example;

  • Rectangular or straight blocks are used to build straight walls.
  • Finishing units are rounded on one or two sides and are used to complete open edges and corners of projects.
  • Shaped blocks are used to turn corners or create curves.

At this point in the design, you can consider the use of decorative glass block to add a splash of color. Or, utilize the many different options of colored glass block as the focal point of your project. So, feel free to be creative in your design and expectations. Glass Block is extremely versatile.

Now comes installation planning. The ProVantage® Glass Block Installation System is excellent for that DIY project. It uses spacers to precisely align each glass block for you. The blocks are held in place by horizontal and vertical spacers and are bonded together with silicone.

ProVantage® Glass Block Installation System using HEDRON® Corner Block

Provantage_using_Hedron

 

The ProVantage Glass Block System comes in two versions, ProVantage I and ProVantage II. You should pick the best method for your project.

The ProVantage I method may be used to install projects framed on two, three, or four sides. This is a mortar-less installation system for Premiere Series glass block straight panels using perimeter channels. This method is used to install straight walls in 4-sided openings. In this method, glass block panels are installed in perimeter channel.

The ProVantage II method is used to install straight and 90° angled walls and straight walls framed on at least two sides. In this method, glass block panels are secured to the wall using special wall anchors. The maximum opening size for exterior panels is 50 square feet, framed on all four sides. The maximum opening size for interior panels is 85 square feet, framed on at least two sides. The joints of these panels can be finished with ProVantage®Glass Block Surface Grout. Sealant finishing can only be used on straight walls in 4-sided openings, and it is not recommended for wet environments.

Here is a video so you can see the installation steps of a typical ProVantage project.

Call us at Eastern Glass Block to discuss your Glass Block installation project. We love to share our expertise to help you have a successful project. If you choose for us to install your glass block, you are involved in the total project to the level that you choose. You will have the pride of designing and managing the project that results in a solution that fits your specific need. Call us at 800-635-1226; or email us at info@easternglassblock.com.

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