Exploring Glass Block Applications and Design. Call us to discuss Glass Block. We supply, we deliver, we prefabricate, and we install Seves Glass Block products nationwide.
There are many different things one can do with glass blocks. You can fill in a window opening, make a wall, use it as a lamp or make a shower. There is something else you can do with glass blocks that may not have crossed the mind of an average individual. This concept is what we call Buffet Glass Block.Buffet glass blocks are used for many occasions such as parties, weddings, celebrations or any other time where you want added elegance. Additionally, it gives you more space by being able to stack them essentially creating “layers” that go up vertically. You can check out our brochure here.
Eastern Glass Block is a local distributor of all Pittsburgh Corning glass block products including these buffet glass blocks. Holiday season is slowly approaching and buffet glass blocks can be a cool, new touch to the party. Eastern Glass Block carries these in stock and we are able to deliver these anywhere nationwide. Give us a call at 800-635-1226 or email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com and we will be more than happy to help you turn up the style meter of your next get-together. Stock up now!
Abiding by fire safety codes is nothing to take lightly. They are there for a reason and that reason is to protect the building’s inhabitants and surrounding properties should something happen. It can be difficult and challenging to construct and model a structure with the fire regulations in mind. According to an article by Glass Magazine, a window that had to be fire rated used to have a minimum 45-minute fire rated assembly. To meet that requirement, wired glass would be placed in a steel frame. Additionally noted in the article was the fact that there are formulas and tables to look at that helps one figure out the fire rated assemblies; This is all assuming the building has regular glass windows. There is a different way fire codes can be met and that is with Fire Rated glass block.
Standard glass blocks naturally have a 45 minute fire rating. Furthermore, there is a line of glass blocks specifically made for commercial use or where fire rated materials would be needed. The fire rating on these special blocks is 60 minutes and 90 minutes. For a building undergoing renovations or for a company wanting to improve their fire safety, fire rated glass blocks can be easier for all people involved (and easier on the wallet too). You may ask yourself “Why should I choose fire rated glass blocks over traditional windows?”. The answer lies within the glass blocks themselves; they offer you more than other alternatives.
For starters, glass blocks have a unique design and style to them. Regular glass blocks come in many different styles and patterns, but fire rated glass block only come in a select few stylessuch as Decora, Vue and some in Endura. What’s more, fire rated glass blocks also offer increased noise reduction, increased impact resistance thanks to their thicker faces (when compared with regular glass blocks) and graffiti resistance in part for its slick coating and. Glass blocks are as secure as it comes and substantially cheaper when comparing them with other fire rated products.
Instead of going through the trouble of replacing or adding fire rated windows, only to have them potentially break from mischief or by accident with regular windows; glass blocks can avoid that problem too. As mentioned above, these glass blocks are commonly used in commercial applications or those that present a zero-lot line (where two buildings property lines are really close). Not strictly for commercial use, they can be and are used in residential properties, many college dorm rooms and public places like schools and train stations.
Another glass block product available is Vistabrik. Vistabrik is a solid brick of glass 3” thick that is the most structurally secure. This product offers a 90 minute fire rating, has all the added benefits of the fire rated glass blocks mentioned above, but has one more exclusive characteristic; it’s also boasts resistance to bullets.
If you would like to know more about Fire Rated glass blocks and what they can do for you, visit our website at www.easternglassblock.com. If you have any questions or comments about Fire rated glass blocks or glass blocks in general email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com or call us at 800-635-1226.
Need a visual representation of our fire-rated glass blocks? Click below to see our video!
There is something very cool that is becoming more popular in the glass block world. Our industry has always been about style, because after all that’s what glass blocks are known for. Over the years the style options have increased and with the introduction of color glass blocks added a whole other dimension of utilizing glass blocks. There have been times where customers come in or call asking about what glass blocks can do for them. Sometimes they decide to get a little crazy and ask if they can use different styles of blocks, for example using our Decorapattern with our IceScapespattern; we happily oblige each time. However, what is gaining more popularity when designing a glass block window is using different styles and different sizes of glass blocks together.
Aesthetically, glass blocks are one of a kind. Here you can see a glass block window made with 4 different sizes of glass block and 2 different styles.
The way the different blocks work with each other makes these already beautiful blocks that much better. This window lets in a great amount of natural light but with a level of privacy that does not cause concern. This glass block window would make a great addition to any home.
This interesting idea can be tricky to navigate because the openings need to have dimensions that allow us to use different sizes. Not only that, some styles of glass blocks like our Vuepattern only comes in 4″ thickness while our Mistpattern only comes in 3″ thickness. Both the we and the customer have to be keen in knowing which blocks can be used with one another during the design phase. Glass blocks are inherently eye-catchers so when a window has different shapes and styles it is much more noticeable.
Here you can see another glass block window using 2 different styles (IceScapes and Decora) and 2 different sizes (4″ x 8″ and 8″ x 8″) of block.
We love getting customer inquiries about windows like these because it’s fun to sketch up an idea that the customer really enjoys and wants to go ahead with. We are eager to accept the challenge of filling out any dimensions using different styles and sizes are you see above.
And here is one of my personal favorites: This window was made with 2 different sizes of block (12″ x 12″ and 6″ x 6″) and 3 different stylesof block (Decora, IceScapes and Decora LX).
Tell us what you think about these special windows. We would love to hear your thoughts and comments! If you would like to know more about these windows or glass blocks in general email us at egboffice@easternglassblock.com or call us at 800-635-1226. Please visit our website at www.easternglassblock.comto see what glass blocks can do for you.
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