Posted by: glassblockblogger | December 7, 2015

Winter Weather and Glass Blocks

The cold Fall months will soon become the colder Winter months, and with that things change. One of the things affected by the colder weather and low temperatures, other than the real fun things like mowing the lawn and painting the deck, are exterior glass block projects.

EXTERIOR_01

Glass blocks installed in interior spaces are obviously not affected by the cold temperatures and sometimes harsh Winter weather, but exterior spaces are. For starters, there are only so few hours in the day where the natural sunlight sticks around before going back down making 4:30pm feel like 9pm. Additionally, when the snowy and freezing rain weather comes along, it leaves even fewer days good enough to install glass blocks into exterior spaces such as basement windows, entryways and other exterior window spaces. Glass blocks can be installed in the Winter months, but it isn’t as easy.

glass block window

We highly recommend that those who wish to get a glass block project started, or those who wish to get their glass block finished in time, to do so before the weather and temperature limits the number of suitable days available.

A benefit of glass blocks for the colder seasons is that they insulate much better than regular single-pane windows. This keeps the inside of you home or business feeling warmer thanks to a lesser amount of the hot air escaping. Concurrently, is also keeps the ice cold air from seeping into cracks and windows that aren’t 100% flush at a much higher rate. Our glass blocks can also come in handy when snow piles up near the foundation of the house. The sun may melt some of the snow away for weeks creating a small but constant water attack against the basement windows. Glass block basement windows act as actual bricks in a sense that water won’t seep through like it could with regular windows.

Eastern Glass Block is a local distributor of all Pittsburgh Corning glass block products. Winter season is slowly approaching and glass blocks can be a major benefit in more ways than one, but be sure not to wait around before the seasons make it harder! Give us a call at 800-635-1226 or email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com  so we can help you with your projects. For additional glass block products and information, check out our website at www.easternglassblock.com

 

 

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Posted in Basement, Commercial, Commercial Glass Block, eastern glass block, Flood Prevention, Glass Block, Glass Block Basement Windows, Glass Block Design, Glass Block Ideas, Glass Block Installation, Glass Block Insulation, Glass Block Safety, Glass Block Security, Glass Blocks, Glass Bricks, Home Improvement, Home Insulation, House, pittsburgh corning, Remodeling, Renovations, Residential, Security, Weather Protection, Window Alternatives | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: glassblockblogger | November 5, 2015

All You Need To Know About Installing Glass Block

We frequently get asked how we install our glass block products into both interior and exterior openings. The answer isn’t a “one size fits all” type of answer. There is more than one way to install glass blocks and each way is determined by the size and space of the opening, our designers/installers and of course the customer. Some installation methods might work best in one situation, like installing a basement window, while the same method might not work as well for lets say a glass block shower. This article will help you learn about our different installation methods and products we use to complete each installation we help the customer do or we do ourselves.

Mortar

The most common way to install glass block is by using mortar. We use a specific mortar mix designed for glass block use that is similar to actual brick laying. There are two ways to install glass blocks using mortar: the mortar I system and the mortar II system.

Mortar I: The mortar I system utilizes Pittsburgh Corning perimeter channels on all four sides of the opening. This method is designed to be used with Pittsburgh Corning Series Glass Block, mainly for panels of 25 sq. ft. or less.

Mortar II: The mortar II system does not utilize Pittsburgh Corning perimeter channels, but instead utilizes expansion strips, panel reinforcing and panel anchors. This method is designed to be used with Pittsburgh Corning Premiere Series (4″ thick) and Thinline Series (3″ thick) glass block. This installation system are for interior and exterior panels that are bigger than 25 sq. ft. and may be framed on two to four sides.

Both methods require our universal mortar spacers and our premixed glass block mortar to make a clean, traditional grid-like pattern holding the project together. Our premixed mortar comes in 50lb bags that only require you to add water and mix together. There are detailed brochures available on our literature downloads page on our website that show step-by-step instructions for all of you DIY-ers out there who want to have a little fun with the project. For everyone else, we got you covered. Our installers have been doing installations daily for over 25 years!

Mortar installations are most commonly seen in exterior windows, basement windows, showers, partitions and glass block bars.

Glass Block Bar Glass Block Partition

Silicone

Silicone installation methods are most commonly requested when the all glass look is preferred. Mortar installation obviously requires visible joints such as you would see in brick-laying whereas with the silicone there is nothing to see. A benefit of using our structural glazing sealant is that it is a lot easier to put your glass block project together because there are less steps in the process. However, as mentioned before, it is sometimes better to use mortar in some applications and silicone in others. The two main silicone systems are the ProVantage I system and the ProVantage II system.

ProVantage I: The ProVantage I installation system is best utilized when dealing with Pittsburgh Corning Premiere Series (4″ thick) glass blocks. In this system, that glass block panels are installed in perimeter channel. The use of vertical and horizontal spacers are also needed.

ProVantage II: The ProVantage II installation system is used when installing straight and 90 degree angled walls. This method utilizes panel anchors which are secure the glass block panel to the wall and expansion strips. There is also a great brochure explaining in detail the installation process and every other detail you would need if installing on your own.

Glass block basement window with silicone Glass block window with silicone

If you are asking yourself “Well which one is better?”, you’ll be struggling to come up with a simple answer. To help clear up that commonly asked question, here is this. For any glass block project that is being hit by water constantly, like a shower, mortar is recommended because water can creep in between silicone joints if improperly installed. For something like a Hurricane-Resistant glass block panel, then silicone is used. Why? Simple. Silicone would offer the panel a slight give when it comes to withstanding the high-force winds. Silicone allows the panel to “bend” with the winds instead of just staying upright absorbing it all as mortar does. Glass blocks done with either process can be pre-assembled or built on site and both processes can also be assembled with or without a frame.

Has this helped you decide which process is right for you? Let us know! We would be more than happy to help you with a project. If you would like to learn more about mortar and silicone installation, or any other glass block products, call us at 800-635-1226 or email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com. We have over 26 years of experience in the industry and our knowledge will attest to that. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Posted in Basement, Bathroom, Commercial, Commercial Glass Block, eastern glass block, Fire-Rated Glass Block, Garage Windows, Glass Block, Glass Block Basement Windows, Glass Block Design, Glass Block Ideas, Glass Block Installation, Glass Block Insulation, Glass Block Showers, Glass Block Windows, Glass Blocks, Glass Bricks, Remodeling, Renovations, Residential | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: glassblockblogger | October 19, 2015

Why Color Glass Blocks Can Be The Perfect Addition

Most people who inquire about our glass blocks do so in a rather conservative matter. Sure, glass block themselves are far from conservative, but color glass blocks take it a step further in terms of boldness. Most customers come in wanting the same thing out of glass blocks: limited visibility in terms of privacy, good lighting, sleek designs and something that “pops”. These are all good things and we are happy that our glass blocks offer them, but for the customers who come in and inquire about our color glass blocks, we get a little more excited.

Color Glass Block Window

Color glass blocks still give you the privacy factor, the lighting and most definitely something that “pops”, but it also gives you a whole different area of design that isn’t available with our non-color glass blocks. These colored blocks can be the perfect addition for your bathroom, living room, walkway or even as its own freestanding partition. Imagine being able to match the interior decor to your colored glass blocks. That would be one way to get some positive reactions and praise from your guests. Color glass blocks can also give you a year round, and free, supply of colored light that would brighten a room beautifully. If you may be thinking colored glass blocks are not as strong as regular glass blocks, then you are mistaken. These blocks are just as structurally sound as every other glass block, with the exception of our Vistabrik glass bricks, and can be used in any place a non-colored glass block can be.

Feel like having a glass block bar match the color of the room? Done. Blue Glass Block Bar

Color Glass Block PartitionWant to create a glass block partition to blend in with the kitchen? Done.

Want a giant window shedding colored light all over the place? Done!

If you are looking for a colored product a little different than our traditional 8″ x 8″ blocks, then let me tell you about our colored glass bricks. These color bricks come in rectangular which measure 9″ x 4.5″ x 2″ and square which measures 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 2″ and come in four colors: Clear, Royal Blue, Dark Amber and Nordique. These color bricks are more traditionally used in the accent type of application such as walkways, desks, tables or furniture in a restaurant.

The possibilities you can create with color glass block products are endless. They can become the perfect addition and really add an extra “wow factor” to your home. Our color glass blocks are sure to have a lasting impression on both you and those who see your masterpiece so do not be afraid to get a little crazy when it comes to glass blocks and color.

If you have any questions on color glass blocks do not hesitate contact us or comment below. We would love to hear your opinions! To learn more about Color Glass Blocks and how you can use them in your home, please visit our website at http://easternglassblock.com/color-glass-blocks/. Call us at 800-635-1226 or email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com. We have over 26 years of experience and we will be happy to help you in designing or material supply!

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Posted in Bathroom, Color, Color Glass Block, Color Glass Block Ideas, Colored Glass Block, Designer Glass Block, eastern glass block, Glass Block, Glass Block Art, Glass Block Design, Glass Block Ideas, Glass Block Installation, Glass Block Mural, Glass Block Showers, Glass Block Windows, Home Improvement, Remodeling, Residential | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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