Pros and cons of glass blocks - an independent installation of simple structures

Recently, very popular in design dial glass blocks. And their use as room dividers, and as a decorative element. The modern market offers a wide range of different glass blocks any texture and color. You can own hands to create a cozy and unique design, make his home unique space. On the pros and cons of such a design solution, read on.

The use of glass blocks as screens and partitions

The glass block is a soldering glass plates. Such large spike is of unitary construction, which is formed inside the air cavity (sealed). This makes the partition of glass bricks sound and heat insulation at the same time.

Pros:

1. The structure design includes only natural materials, so this partition is safe for the environment and living beings.
2. High strength material, durability, resistance to temperature extremes.
3. Sound insulation and thermal insulation properties of the material.
4. Glass blocks are resistant to fire.
5. Stekloblochnye mount partitions easily.
6. Does not require special care, it can be washed with ordinary detergents.
7. Material water-resistant, so you can use glass blocks for decorating the exterior elements of the room.
8. It requires no additional decoration or finish.
9. A wide choice of different colors, textures, patterns.
10. It gives the original lighting in the room due to the ability to pass through a scattered rays of the sun (while remaining opaque).

Minuses:

1. Great weight of the finished walls, so it is not recommended to mount a glass wall or partition area more than 15 m..
2. The high cost of decorative glass blocks (more than 1600 rubles / pc).
3. The glass blocks virtually impossible to fasten a screw or nail without destroying the integrity of the structure, so that the shelves or other objects have to be mounted on dedicated devices.

Construction of glass blocks are still considered fairly exotic design decision that is unfair. Many people pass by this material, because the glass is associated with their fragility and brittleness. But glass blocks are durable version ordinary glass, so that even a strong blow hammer hardly ruin your glass wall or screen.

Installation of glass block walls

If you do not want to resort to professional help, you can try to mount design with their own hands. You can use different methods, but must take into account that the design must be supported (ie, stand or supporting wall).

Classic installation - step by step guide

To build such a plan, you will need the guide of timber or metal frames, as well as cement mortar or special adhesives for bonding elements. Before installation draw detailed diagram markup stacking. Then it will be necessary to produce the guide frame. To do this, lay the first block line and attach plastic spacers between them. After that, measure the dimensions of the first row, and already from the data start collecting frame, which fasten on the floor in the future.

To make the design more robust use reinforcing mesh. When installing grid use plastic crosses.

Traditional masonry steps:

Step 1. Mark and set the guide area.

Step 2. Mount vertical reinforced bars.

Step 3. Apply a layer of the adhesive masses on the frame surface (layer should not exceed 1 cm). Do not forget to lubricate the solution of the lateral boundaries of glass blocks. Lay the first row.

Step 4. Smooth out the bottom number of a mallet on a horizontal line and measure all levels. Fit the horizontal reinforcing rods and secure them in a hole on the wall.

Step 5. Repeat the sequence with other rows.

frame assembly

An alternative to the classic technology stacking blocks. The essence is that the baffle elements are mounted not on the adhesive or mortar, and the carcass structure. In fact, it is a conventional metal or wooden frame with Realized in it slots for glass blocks.

For the installation of such a system using an aluminum profile, as used for wood construction sanded boards (their width must be equal to the width of the glass fragments).

The whole system is clearly vymeryat level, and then painted in the desired color, fastened to the floor, ceiling or wall, and is coated with glass blocks of the desired size and texture.