Posted by: glassblockblogger | March 24, 2013

How to Help Prepare Your Home for Severe Spring Weather

Be Prepared for Spring Thaws and Severe Weather
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

Now that Spring is here, each cubic foot of compacted snow remaining on the ground contains gallons of water. As the snow melts, it can cause flooding in areas never before susceptible to flooding. Adding Spring thunderstorms to this situation can result in costly damage to your home, if not properly prepared.Eastern Glass Block Basement Window

In a previous post on this Blog called The Most Vulnerable Part of the House to Flooding, we discussed the damage that can occur through the Basement Window. Glass Block is a great choice for basement windows, or any window that may be susceptible to flooding. Glass Block Windows have the characteristics of a solid concrete block wall. And now, you can choose to have ventilation in the window.

While glass block windows provide protection against water penetration, they also provide a high level of security against burglary. Glass Block provides an excellent solution to demonstrating that our home is not an easy target for the criminal, while still maintaining beauty and elegance in the home. Glass Block provides the security that we need without sacrificing the beauty that glass provides.You can also forget about painting, caulking and puttying. There’s nothing to peel, rot or rust. To clean, simply hose the outside and wipe the inside lightly with a damp cloth.

Eastern Glass Block Basement Window with VentFlooding, tornadoes and hurricanes are an ongoing threat. As we remodel our current home or consider building a new home, we have to take extreme weather possibilities into consideration. An example is the LightWise tornado and hurricane resistant window from Pittsburgh Corning. This window meets the requirements for FEMA 361″Design and Construction Guidelines for Community Safe Rooms” and FEMA 320 “Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your Home or Small Business”.

Installation is easier than expected. Glass Block windows, such as those from Eastern Glass Block, are available pre-assembled. You can choose standard or custom sizes, with or without ventilation. Call us at Easetrn Glass Block for a Free Estimate. We have over twenty years of experience designing and installing commercial and residential Glass Block nationwide. We would love to share our experience with you.

Posted by: glassblockblogger | March 12, 2013

Consider Installation Methods When Installing Glass Block

In a previous post about installing Glass Block, we covered height, load support, and anchoring guidelines for your project. In this post, we will cover the more general issue of whether to choose an installation method that uses mortar or to do a mortar-less glass block installation; and the options within these choices.

When installing Pittsburgh Corning Glass Block, these are the four general installation methods and their specifications that you should consider.

Mortar I and Mortar II

Mortar I:Mortar GlassBlock Installation
The installation recommendations are for small residential panels of 25 sq. ft. or less. This method is not for use in constructing curved glass block walls. Interior and exterior panels must be framed on all four sides.

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Mortar II:
The installation recommendations are for interior or exterior residential panels larger than 25 sq. ft. This method may be used to install projects framed on two, three, or four sides. Using the Premiere Series – Panel size limitations – Interior (250 sq. ft. max) and Exterior (144 sq. ft. max.). Using the Thinline™ Series – Panel size limitations – Interior (150 sq. ft. max.) and Exterior (85 sq. ft. max.).

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Note: The joints of the Mortar I and Mortar II Systems utilize a traditional installation method using a mortar finish for the classic “grid” look. Glass block sealant should be used to seal the perimeter on both sides of the panel.

ProVantage I and ProVantage II

ProVantage® II Installation System (Channel Construction):Eastern Glass Block ProVantage
This method is used to install straight walls in 4-sided openings. In this method, glass block panels are installed in a perimeter channel. The maximum opening size for exterior panels is 50 square feet. The maximum opening size for interior panels is 85 square feet.

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ProVantage® II Installation System (Anchor Construction):
This 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.

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To learn more about installing ProVantage, see this Installation Video.

If you are considering remodeling or building a new home and want to better understand what Glass Block can offer, please call us at 800-635-1226. WeContact Us at Eastern Glass Block have been designing and installing Glass Block for over 20 years in the New York and New Jersey area. We love to share our experience.

RELATED POSTS:

Installing Glass Block is Easier Than You May Think

Installing a Glass Block Basement Window

Posted by: glassblockblogger | March 5, 2013

Compare Glass Pane Windows to Glass Block Windows

Glass Block Foyer

When planning a remodel or new construction project, the question is often asked about the difference between Glass Pane windows when compared to Glass Block windows. As stated in the Do It Yourself article discussing basement windows, “Glass block basement windows not only discourage burglars from entering your house but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your basement. Glass block windows are also famous for their good insulation capabilities.”

These are some additional comparisons followed by a chart for easy viewing.

BEAUTY AND VERSATILITY

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.

SECURITY

When added security is needed in their projects — 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.

If you are considering remodeling or building a new home and want to better understand what Glass Block can offer, please call us at 800-635-1226. WeContact Us at Eastern Glass Block have been designing and installing Glass Block for over 20 years in the New York and New Jersey area. We love to share our experience.

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