Glass Block Installation DIY

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[MikeBMW]

Nice work, Jeff! I did this at a doctor's office to comply with HIPPA rules for separation of the waiting area to the check in area.
It's a time-consuming job and takes some time.
Yours looks great!

[jpopjr]

Great video Jeff. Many, if not all, other glass block videos left out useful information. In particular the metal supports at every third course, brick ties, and using glass block mortar between glass blocks, and the type S mortar for contact with rough opening. The spacers do come up in other videos, though, none showed, let alone mention, the twist removal of them.
I decided to install glass blocks instead of glass block windows because of the weight differences. Handling each block installation is much less weight then dealing with the weight of an entire window at once. Thanks so much Jeff

[dmech]

Your video work is as good as the installation! You nailed all the proper way to do this. Thanks for sharing, keep up the great work!

[nunyabidness]

I have 1 basement window I need to glass block in. I was going to use modified thinset for the simple reason that I have nearly a full bag of thinset and no glass mortar and I'd rather have no mortar at all than 2 nearly full bags I'd never use. Any opinions? I am in southern Ohio.

[samueladams]

Well that's interesting. I've never seen this done before and don't really have brick laying experience. I'd like to get a side window of the house done with something like this in Florida, i assume it helps reduce heat.

[SpringRubber]

Nice job! I heard you say you got the products locally at HD in your area (I figure you're near Pittsburgh, PA). For anyone watching, glass blocks are one of those things that are very area-specific. In the Wash DC area up to Northeast PA I couldn't find anyone who stocks the white mortar for glass blocks. In fact, neither HD nor Lowe's allows me to order it. One of the builder supply places I talked with said I could make the mortar from silica sand, white mortar and some liquid bonding polymer -- but that would have cost me about $60 bucks for my one-window project and I would have a bunch leftover. Soooo, I actually ordered a 50lb bag of glass block mortar from Menards, for $40 shipped to my home.

[jeffb]

Great video, thanks!! Just getting started thinking about replacing a 48"x60" bathroom sliding window above a jetted tub with glass blocks as I remodel/replace the never-used tub with a nice walk-in shower. (Definitely do NOT want shower spray sitting in the window channel and finding a way into the framing below!) A few questions after watching. For measuring/spacing, it looks like maybe 1/2" on all 4 sides and 1/8-1/4"" between tiles??? And reading other comments below, why shouldn't they be placed next to standard window wood framing?? if not, what goes between the 2x4 window frame and mortar?

[JimmyKwokDC]

Thanks for great video. I do have a question . I doing a basement window. Probably 3 rolls up. Any different than ur work. Do I need the stabilizer cable to go across?

[Stegosaurus]

I was thinking of installing a section of glass block into an exterior wall. The section would be about 15 feet tall (floor to near roof) and maybe five feet wide. Is there any reason that is a bad idea?

[mattwilliams]

Thanks for posting. Got a great deal on on around 100 of these. Gonna go to town like I know what I'm doing!
-youtube Certified Mason.

[bw]

Really great work and great video Jeff. The glass block looks fantastic. I'm looking to do something similar in an old basement doorway

[HighTunnelsGardeningBioChar]

Is there still a demand for installation of glass block windows? I’ve done glass block windows inside my home in two places to reflect light throughout home. Thinking of doing it as business startup. I did a glass block window in our master bath interior closet wall so closet doesn’t feel so dark. Did another in bathroom interior wall to reflect light from a nearby window. Look cool during sunrise. Reflects throughout upstairs room. Wish I could show pictures. I did both over ten years ago. Still love glass block!

How does one charge for glass block installation?

[mackensimon]

Hey Jeff, ive been watching/reading a few different peoples advice on glass block. I am wondering if there was a reason you did not use an expansion joint/foam between the glass and concrete? I live near Toronto so we have to deal with winter, wondered if this was something you had to deal with? Materials for this project are turning out very hars to find so i dont know if i can even go through with it

[kenatkinson]

Good job bro a rubber float would be easy next time for filling in the joints them use the sponge to clean up

[stephenmorgan]

Enjoyed this video. Just about to attempt a 7x5 block stand alone floor to wall for outdoor shower.
Big help this video

[raymarshall]

Hey, can you advise on the premade glassblock windows? I have the basic, 2 layer, with the small pullout window, but I am noticing that the bottom of the glass blocks are not siliconed in, like the top part. Is that a mistake on manufacturing? I bought from Home Depot. I am gonna call them, but wondered if you ever saw this on the prebuilt windows. I'm thinking that I could just silicone in between each one. I bought these 4 years ago, just now doing my project. Thanks for your video.

[TerryClark-qq]

Love this video!! Never laid block or brick, but mama wants a glass block bathroom window.
What is the name of the long metal thing you put over the 3rd row? I caught the Brick ties.
And, can you ley these glass blocks on wood? Or nail something on top of the wood?

Thanks,
Terry

[jamesT]

I have 2 acrylic(I think feels like plastic)clear wavy block bathroom windows. One window-middle bottom 4 cubes have cracks that I can feel inside and out that needs to repair. One suggested GE Premium window caulk another said they don’t think it would hold up but to use solar shield sealant to repair to cover it. Would appreciate your thoughts and thank you. Cold weather coming. No budget or time to anything major.

[sophiemartini]

Thank you, this is super helpful and it gives me hope to get it done one day

[giribaba]

Are we to assume that you came back and pointed and finished the blocks in the same way on the interior? I want to do this on a partition wall on a shower I'm building so both sides need to be finished. Thanks for posting this!