How To Install Glass Block Windows

08.20.2018

It is no cloak-and-dagger that vandals tend to effort to break into homes and businesses through basement windows. Commonly, these are less conspicuous locations on the building, and the windows are at "ground level," which makes them far more than accessible to break and enter. Furthermore, owners may not detect a broken basement window has been damaged as rapidly every bit other windows in the edifice.

Replacing standard drinking glass basement windows with loftier-quality glass block is a good idea for other reasons. In some climate zones, ground level basement windows may be exposed to significant snow buildup, flooding, and other weather condition-related stresses. And, when children and adults are engaged in ball games and other activities involving flying objects, standard glass basement windows tin can be shattered very easily.

Advantages of Installing Glass Cake Windows

Glass block is condign a meaning architectural characteristic of homes and commercial buildings around the world. Stunning and honour-winning structures in the United States and nearly every continent are becoming preferred over buildings created by more conventional structure methods for specific reasons. These are:

● Sustainability: The transparency or translucence of glass block permits natural light to permeate the building, thereby substantially reducing energy costs for both lite and oestrus.
● Dazzler: Glass block buildings reflect and diffuse light in interesting, e'er-changing ways.
● Durability: Glass block is highly durable and resistant to forces of nature.
● Fireproof: Glass block will not burn.
● Soundproof: While glass cake is an excellent energy insulator, the material also insulates individual rooms from sound penetration.
● Secure: Properly installed glass cake is resistant to breakage and volition discourage vandals from trying to interruption in.

While glass block windows are far more secure than conventional drinking glass, the textile can be every bit transparent. Still, sure textures and styles can even so acknowledge enough of lite while preventing others from seeing what is inside. The interior will seem as bright as before during the day.

And the glass block windows are first-class insulators, keeping oestrus inside in the winter and cool temperatures inside during the summer.

These practical attributes make glass block ideal for basement windows in homes and businesses.

installing glass block windows in basement

How to Install Glass Block Basement Windows

Because drinking glass block windows will exist an integral role of your dwelling or business security, you must ensure that these are correctly installed. Since whatsoever inappropriately mounted basement windows can notwithstanding exist kicked in, following the instructions for proper installation is essential.

If you lot are unsure near installing glass block yourself, you lot should seek a professional to make sure the chore is completed correctly. GBA Architectural Products + Services, a leader in drinking glass block technology in North America, can offer assistance all over the Usa.

The installation procedure consists of the following steps:

Completely remove the existing window frame without damaging the surrounding substrates. Cut the lesser of the frame, whether wooden or metal, and pry it from the bottom with a bar. Side by side, loosen the sides of the existing window and pry the top of the frame away from the opening.
Clean the opening, sills, and jambs and make as smooth as possible, chiseling abroad all erstwhile adhesives, caulk, and mortar. Brush the at present cleared window perimeter to set for calculation the glass block.
From the exterior, determine where the block should rest. It is a skilful idea to set the block into the opening, mayhap i or two inches, to allow space for efficient sealing of the new window.
Mask the sill to protect it from the mortar every bit you go on. If the reveal or jamb of the window is to exist 2" inside the outer edge of the sill, only two inches of masking is required.
Lay the bed joint or the horizontal layer of mortar upon which the block volition rest. The meridian of the bed articulation should match the head joint above the glass block.
Set the new drinking glass block window carefully on summit of the bed joint. Square the block so that the reveal spacing is the aforementioned on both sides. Plumb the window with a small torpedo level to ensure that information technology is entirely vertical. Insert a wooden shim wedge at the head to temporarily concord the glass block window in place.
Utilize a grout bag or pointing tool to fill the jambs and the caput with a full mortar joint. Remove excess fabric with the pointing trowel and polish the mortar. Remove the masking record.
Let the grout to set, usually about 15-twenty minutes, until the window is stabilized. Remove the shim wedge from the head articulation and fill the wedge hole. Smooth the space with a trowel.
Remove whatever excess mortar from the glass with a rag or steel wool. Don't scar the mortar since it has non still fully cured.
Finally, use a soft brush to clean the sill and area around the glass block window completely.

You are finished. Congratulations on installing a new, secure, and free energy efficient glass cake window. The added value of enhanced security, dazzler, efficiency, and low maintenance will last throughout the life of the home.

Contact GBA Architectural Systems + Services

GBA Architectural Systems + Services has been a provider of high-quality glass cake and glass brick materials for interior and exterior applications for over 30 years. GBA supplies and installs structural glass products, glass block, and LightWise systems for homes, businesses, and other commercial buildings.

The company serves North America past partnering with the global producers of the world's most elegant glass architectural products. GBA is a highly collaborative trendsetter in the abode, businesses and construction industries.

Cheque out the GBA website for ideas and new applications for glass block products, like drinking glass block pavement lights. In addition to accenting beautifully designed homes, GBA products take been used for commercial building exteriors, hotels, subway stations, and even a secure correctional institute. Drinking glass block can exist used for windows, walls, partitions, flooring, custom glass stairs, and more than.

Phone the professionals at GBA Architectural Products at i of the iii numbers below:

● Midwest: (877)-280-7700
● East Coast: (212)-255-5787
● West Coast: (213)-634-7050

Or, complete the elementary form on the GBA Contact Us folio, and ane of the GBA experts will contact you promptly.

Tags: Installation, Glass Block

Source: https://www.gbaproducts.com/blog/2018/08/20/how-to-install-basement-glass-block-basement-windows

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