Home Page link

Glass block window in concrete

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Glass block window in concrete JWulfsong 02-25-2007
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by on February 25, 2007, 12:06 pm


I am going to install a glass block window in my walkout concrete
foundation (In a bath I'm remodeling) I have asked several local
contractors for bids but it seems the job is too small for companies
in my area. I've had a couple of handyman types out last month but
none of these has even called back with estimates (We have called them
but never recieved return calls) So...

I am very handy myself and I was mostly wanting a pro to save me the
time and hassle. I'm doing a one block tall (8" by about 4' wide)
window just to allow light into the room over the shower. I don't
think I'll be running into load issues as I'll add a 2x psudo header
under the base of the first floor wall of my single story house.
Glass block will bridge between this and the concrete foundation.

Do I need more reinforcement? and any other advice on this would be
great. I've also thought of deepening the window to 2 blocks
(aprox16" still 4' wide) How badly would that effect the structure of
my upper story?) I need to start soonish. as I've wasted 2 months on
trying to get this done for me.

James Wulfsong


Posted by hallerb@aol.com on February 25, 2007, 12:42 pm


On Feb 25, 12:06=EF=BF=BDpm, JWulfs...@gmail.com wrote:
> I am going to install a glass block window in my walkout concrete
> foundation (In a bath I'm remodeling) =A0I have asked several local
> contractors for bids but it seems the job is too small for companies
> in my area. =A0I've had a couple of handyman types out last month but
> none of these has even called back with estimates (We have called them
> but never recieved return calls) =A0So...
>
> I am very handy myself and I was mostly wanting a pro to save me the
> time and hassle. =A0I'm doing a one block tall (8" by about 4' wide)
> window just to allow light into the room over the shower. =A0I don't
> think I'll be running into load issues as I'll add a 2x psudo header
> under the base of the first floor wall of my single story house.
> Glass block will bridge between this and the concrete foundation.
>
> Do I need more reinforcement? and any other advice on this would be
> great. =A0I've also thought of deepening the window to 2 blocks
> (aprox16" still 4' wide) =A0How badly would that effect the structure of
> my upper story?) I need to start soonish. as I've wasted 2 months on
> trying to get this done for me.
>
> James Wulfsong

Bath MUST then have exhaust fan!

should be easy to do, kinda a lego assembly add mortor

my mom changed her basement windows to glass block and caused mold
mildew and moisture troubles, those tiny vents were a joke.

old folks like glass block thinking it secure, when a burglar is more
likely to just kick in a door.

glass is mess, noisey and cuts the burglar.

at least provide ventilation, and it WILL be a issue at home resale
time


Posted by on February 25, 2007, 12:42 pm



>I am going to install a glass block window in my walkout concrete
> foundation (In a bath I'm remodeling) I have asked several local
> contractors for bids but it seems the job is too small for companies
> in my area. I've had a couple of handyman types out last month but
> none of these has even called back with estimates (We have called them
> but never recieved return calls) So...
>
> I am very handy myself and I was mostly wanting a pro to save me the
> time and hassle. I'm doing a one block tall (8" by about 4' wide)
> window just to allow light into the room over the shower. I don't
> think I'll be running into load issues as I'll add a 2x psudo header
> under the base of the first floor wall of my single story house.
> Glass block will bridge between this and the concrete foundation.
>
> Do I need more reinforcement? and any other advice on this would be
> great. I've also thought of deepening the window to 2 blocks
> (aprox16" still 4' wide) How badly would that effect the structure of
> my upper story?) I need to start soonish. as I've wasted 2 months on
> trying to get this done for me.
>
Call your local inspector's office- they may want a steel lintel 'L' above
the glass block, under faux header or sill plate, unless the block will be
surrounded by a steel frame. The usual cautions about putting wood in
contact with concrete, and using jackposts and a temporary beam under the
joists while you punch through the wall, apply. If you have never laid glass
block, recommend you look at the plastic cheaters to get pretty joints- you
lay it all up dry, the plastic doohickeys maintain the proper gap so it
looks pretty, and then you tuckpoint it or grout it with mortar. Some people
even skip the mortar, and just use a good grade of silicone caulk, but you
will have mortar mixed anyway to clean up the hole you cut with proper trim
blocks.

aem sends....



Posted by on February 25, 2007, 7:26 pm


On 25 Feb 2007 09:06:41 -0800, JWulfsong@gmail.com wrote:

>I am going to install a glass block window in my walkout concrete
>foundation (In a bath I'm remodeling)

As AAM pointed out glass block is not structural so you need the same
support you would have over a door or window. Precast concrete headers
are pretty easy. The question is how you support all of this until you
get the header in there. If you are in Florida you probably already
have a poured tie beam but that is rare to unknown in the frozen
north.

I am a rank amateur but I have been successful with glass block. (a
few small windows, a 5'x5' bevelled bay window and a 5x6 shower
enclosure) The trick for a newbee is don't try to do too many at once.
Lay about 2 courses and get them straight, level and clean in a day.
If that comes easy try 3. The spacers help but they are not a panacea.
Blue painters tape is your friend. Mask the surface of the block
before you start. It makes cleanup a WHOLE lot easier.
Plan on wastinmg some mud getting the mix right. It will end up a bit
dryer than you use for regular masonry units because they don't absorb
any water.Getting the mortar right is important.

Similar ThreadsPosted
Replacement hopper vent for glass block window March 25, 2007, 5:51 pm
Glass Block Windows July 23, 2005, 8:13 pm
Mortarless Glass Block July 7, 2007, 12:57 pm
glass block install cost September 8, 2006, 1:57 pm
glass block windows / walls May 23, 2008, 7:00 am
Basement windows -- glass block vs. awning July 23, 2008, 1:02 am
Source for block-and-tackle window balances? February 14, 2005, 4:41 pm
Garage Pad and concrete block July 12, 2005, 11:07 am
how to break up block of concrete November 14, 2005, 4:10 pm
Cutting concrete block November 27, 2006, 8:54 am

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap