Building a Glass Block (Shower Wall)
Separating an area with glass block gives privacy and provides light and visual interest for the room. Whether a stand-alone wall or integrated with a traditional glass shower, glass block's combination of privacy and light makes it a great option for a shower wall. Glass block also gives you a futuristic high-tech look that's also a bit vintage. Glass Block is not solely for designers and contractors, newer acrylic glass block systems are suitable for do-it-yourselfers to set up themselves as well. The flexibility with this material is nearly infinite: you can use a glass block wall to split up a tub from a shower in your bathroom or as a backsplash in a kitchen or as a partition in your foyer or entryway.
(Glass block window in shower.)
Glass Block - DIY or Contractor?
You first need to plan the project by estimating the dimensions of the wall you want to build. A contractor may charge up to $2,500 to construct a curved-glass {block|stop} bathroom wall of about 4-feet by 6-feet. You can purchase the supplies for about $2,000 and build it DIY and save yourself a bit of money. The {materials|products} include glass blocks, corner blocks, spacers, mortar, point sections and extensions along with reinforcing strips. It'll cost more if a plumber's needed to to install the shower pan or install a brand new shower valve (or move the current one).
Visit a home improvement store or the manufacturer's website for glass blocks to pick up or print out a brochure to help see what kind of materials you'll need for the job. One such system is the Stark Glass Block: Eazy Grout Pre-assembled Glass Block Panel System.
Glass Block FAQ:
- How tall should a glass block shower be? Most walls are 80" high (and built on a 4" to 5" shower curb), making the finished height about 84" give or take.
- Glass Block Precautions? When planning a glass wall partition, remember that glass blocks are heavy, so make sure your floor can support the extra weight.
Glass Block Shower Example
(Photo from Hibbs Homes)
More Links
- http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-build-a-glass-block-shower - Estimate the Cost of Building a Glass Block Shower; Glass Block Shower Building: 4 Tips; How to Repair a Glass Block Shower Wall; Is installing a walk in glass block ...
- http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/electrical-plumbing/1276311 - Create this attractive curved-wall shower from an easy-to-build glass-block kit.
