Posted by: glassblockblogger | January 13, 2012

Installation Help For Your Glass Block Project

We Install! We Install! We Install!
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

On this Blog, we provide useful information and resources for the weekend Do-It-Yourself’er. You can search our posts with your questions using the search window in the right sidebar.

But, did you know that Eastern Glass Block is an expert at performing glass block installations?

What is gained by having us do the installation phase of your project?

Having us do the installation of your 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.Installing Glass Block

At Eastern Glass Block, our installation crews are led by the most experienced glass block specialists in the industry. We are choosy in our hiring process but believe our real strengths begin after someone has been invited to join our company. Leadership is taught and encouraged throughout the company.

Our installers pride themselves on high quality installation service. When we install your glass block, you are involved in the total project to the level that you choose.

Popular Glass Block Installation Projects

Although we have installed unique and custom glass block designs, the more popular residential glass block projects are Glass Block Showers, Bars, and Kitchen Islands. Whether you are looking to build a unique bar in the game room, a new shower, a kitchen island to enhance your open floor plan, or simply add a design element to your home, Glass Block makes it all possible.

If you are considering improving the security of your home, you might consider replacing the basement windows with an alternative that is more resistant to forced-entry. As we have discussed before on this blog, your basement window is the most vulnerable part of the house to flooding. It is also vulnerable to forced-entry by burglars.

Glass Block providing Security and Beauty to Front DoorDo not forget to consider the your front entrance way. All too often we risk security for beauty by installing pane glass windows around the frame of our front door. Although the look of glass is surely desirable, regular glass can be an invitation to a burglar. Pane glass can easily be compromised providing ready access to the inside. Glass Block adds security while maintaining a beautiful look to your home entrance.

Call Us at Eastern Glass Block

Contact us at Eastern Glass Block. We have over 20 years of experience inContact Us at Eastern Glass Block commercial and residential design and installation Glass Block projects. We would love to hear about your plans and share our expertise with you.

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Posted by: glassblockblogger | January 6, 2012

Using Glass Block with Masonry Building Walls

Masonry Walls with Glass Block
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

When designing a glass block wall using 4″x 8″x 4″, the situation may arise that you will need a  4″x 4″x 4″  to create a running bond design.

The 4″ x 4″ x 4″ Premiere Series glass block from Pittsburgh Corning can be used with the 4″ x 8″ x 4″ glass block which provides a new look for glass block installations. The new 4″x 4″x 4″ glass block provides the needed security, privacy and aesthetic design to complement a masonry building.

More About Premiere Series Glass Block

  • Pittsburgh Corning’s best series for architects and designers.
  • The widest variety of sizes, shapes and patterns for the ultimate in design flexibility.
  • Highest color, visual brilliance quality and consistency.
  • Compliant with building codes in all states
  • Contact a PC Glass Block Authorized Master Distributor to advise proper installation and fabrication techniques
  • Made in the U.S.A.

Mortar Choices

There are choices available when using masonry building techniques with Glass Block.

Eastern Glass Block

Mortar I

This method is designed for use with Pittsburgh Corning Premiere Series Glass Block. The installation recommendations are for small residential panels of 25 sq. ft. or less. The interior and exterior panels must be framed on all four sides.

Mortar II

This method is designed for use with Pittsburgh Corning Premiere (4” thick) and Thinline™ (3” thick) Series Glass Block. The installation recommendations are for interior or exterior residential panels larger than 25 sq. ft. with variable maximums.

Contact us at Eastern Glass Block to discuss your design requirements. We have over twenty years of designing and installing Glass Block for residential and commercial projects and love to share our experience.

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Posted by: glassblockblogger | December 30, 2011

Let’s Discuss General Design Considerations for Glass Block

Design Criteria for Glass Block
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

Eastern Glass Block 4 by 4 by 4

4"x 4"x 4" Glass Block from Pittsburgh Corning

If you are considering a Glass Block project, you may be having questions about height, load support, and anchoring guidelines for your project. So, let’s review some information from a leading glass block product manufacturer, Pittsburgh Corning Glass Block.

According to Pittsburgh Corning Glass Block, assuming a normal design wind load of 20 PSF (about 88 mph wind) and based on using our Premiere series (3 and 7/8 inch thick) glass block products, the maximum exterior size panel should not be larger than 144 square feet with limiting dimensions of either 20 feet in height or 25 feet in length – without exceeding the maximum area of 144 square feet per panel. There is a 2.7 safety factor incorporated within this criteria.

For areas of glass block larger than 144 square feet, the use of structural columns and/or shelf angles must be used to sub-divide these areas. For long horizontal expanses, structural columns or mullions (stiffeners) must be used. For vertically high expanses of glass block, the use of horizontal supporting shelf angles must be used to maintain the maximum area recommended and to stay within the dimension limitations stated above.

The maximum area of interior panels should not be greater than 250 square feet with similar limiting dimensions per panel of either 20 feet in height or 25 feet in length.

Glass block must be used as a non-load bearing material. All construction above glass block panels must be independently supported. Individual glass block panels must be isolated within their openings with expansion strip material at head and jamb locations with no loads imposed on the glass black panel. Glass block panels are mortared at the sill. Sills should be coated with a water based asphalt emulsion prior to laying the first course of glass block.

Installed weights of glass block walls are 20 pounds per square foot of wall area for Premiere Series blocks; 25 pounds per square foot for Thickset 60 Series block; 30 pounds per square foot for Thickset 90 Series (thick-faced) block; and 40 pounds per square foot for VISTABRIK® and solid glass block units. All structural members supporting glass block construction must be designed and sized for maximum deflection of L/600.

For exterior applications the building codes allow the use of types N or S mortar utilizing Portland cement, and sand that complies to ASTM(C)-144. The use of accelerators and/or acid washing is not recommended. Nine gauge ladder type reinforcing is to be used in horizontal joints with maximum spacing of 16 inches on center.

Glass block panels are to be framed and anchored at head and jamb locations with either a channel type restraint or with PC panel anchors that give the wall a much cleaner look. Panel anchors are spaced at no more than 16 inches on center up both jambs and across the head.

This information gives you a general idea of design considerations. However, to get more specific and accurate information for your specific project, contact us at Eastern Glass Block. We have over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential design and installation Glass Block projects. We would love to hear about your plans and share our expertise with you.

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