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Like a good deal of product categories the installation choices for glass block windows have grown proportionately to the expanding design options. Years ago, blocks were made in a 8″ x 8″ x 4″ size in a few patterns and put together inside a masonry window opening (usually by a skilled mason) block by block with a gray mortar and masons sand – not real sexy, but it worked. In today’s world people want to use blocks more creatively in dissimilar types of openings (could be masonry, framed, steel openings etc.) for a wide assortment of uses, and not have to rely strictly on a mason to get the occupation done. The following 5 installation steps may help you think through what’s necessitated to have your block window installation project go smoothly. o Step 1 – Ask, “What size is my window opening?”- The size of the opening is a big element in the window installation approach. There are two basic ways to install a glass block window: * (Option 1) As a window panel alone, or as a panel built into a vinyl or metal framed window system. * (Option 2) installing the glass blocks one by one inside of the opening. A gain of glass block is it’s a heavy material, the challenge is it’s a heavy material when you’re installing it! For most openings less than 25 square feet consider option 1, the block window built as panel (or section) vs. option 2. Option 2 is ordinarily more difficult, costly, and requires a higher skill level. For the original option you may get a block window panel built by a glass block window manufacturer, oftentimes saving time and money. o Step 2 – Ask, “Where is this block window going?” A key factor in the block window installation is if the glass window is going in new construction or a rebuilding project, and whether the surrounding construction is masonry (poured concrete or concrete blocks) or frame (surrounded by wood). Here are galore recommendations for each occupation condition: * New construction projects in framed openings – For new construction framed openings use a vinyl framed nail in glass block window. Consult your glass window manufacturer for the size to develop your rough framed opening. These windows (which are normally siliconed together for an all glass look) may be purchased with nailing fins to merely nail in from the outside just like a established vinyl window in new construction. Since they may be fictitious with the 2″ thick series of blocks (in either a high privacy “Ice” pattern or “Wave” pattern from Mulia Inc.) they are lighter than traditionalisti block windows. These windows may also be purchased for the 3″ and 4″ thick series of blocks as well if you’d like to try one of the upscale designed Beveled or Spyra series of blocks from Pittsburgh Corning. * New construction projects in masonry openings – For most masonry openings under 25 square feet it is best to buy mortared or siliconed block panels that may be set into the opening and mortared in at the top (also called the head), sides (also called the jambs), and bottom (also called the sill). * Remodeling projects in framed openings - - (Option A) If you may adjust your openings to fit one of the vinyl framed glass block windows you may install your project like a popular vinyl substitute window (make sure the window manufacturer takes the window nailing fins off for this type of installation) by placing the vinyl window in the opening, insulating around the window, and installing aluminum coil stock capping to meet the glass block window. - (Option B) If you can’t adjust your existent wood opening then remove the existent window sashes and mortar the glass block into the wood opening and install aluminum coil stock to the block and caulk where the coil stock meets the glass masonry units. * Remodeling projects in masonry openings (concrete blocks or poured walls) – In reconstructing projects measure the entire size of the masonry openings with the existent frame being got rid of (the only time you don’t remove the metal or wood frames is when the frame is either seated over the concrete blocks or poured walls and removing them might cause harm to the surrounding interior or exterior walls). Then size your block window panels to be littler than the masonry openings (these block windows may be sized basically in any 2″ size increment). The window panels may then be mortared into the openings. o Step 3 – Ask, “What must I use to put the glass block together into a window panel assembly?” – You might have heard varied views with regards to how the block panel will have to be collected (the most mutual methods are using mortar or silicone). While some companies may tell you that only one method is correct, they are many times just attempting to get persons to buy the fabrication method they prefer. You must choose that method where the panel size is going to fit best into the opening (making sure the joints do not exceed 1″ around the window). Included under you’ll find a heap of vantages of both the mortar and silicone systems: - Advantages of Mortar over Silicone – Mortar is the conventional way to build a block window. The vantages of this scheme are the capacity to vary the size of the mortar joint (helpful when you have an odd size), the mortar joints may be finished to match the existent masonry, and it’s very difficult to break a block out of mortared joint. - Advantages of Silicone – Silicone is preferent if you like an all glass look to your panel, or if you need a littler window in an opening (silicone joints are littler than mortar joints), and transportation is safer because the glass window will stay together better than with mortar. o Step 4 -Ask, “How do I handle an opening dandier than 25 square feet?” – When openings become more spectacular than 25 square feet (mostly in commercial, architectural and institutional projects) it is many times better to build the window block by block within the opening (this is because the panels would need to become larger, heavier, and are more difficult to handle). With openings of this size you will need to keep the following installation points in mind: * The window commonly requires a “soft joint” at the top (head), and sides (jambs) of the opening – Windows dandier than 25 square feet need more space for elaboration and contraction necessitating glass block caulk be used at the jambs and head of the opening along with an elaboration strip. For larger openings an aluminum channel will likewise aid with worries in regards to wind loads. * Structural steel or aluminum may be required – To grant for wind loads and structural safety larger openings (greater than 20 feet high for 4″ blocks and 10 feet high for 3″ blocks, and 25 feet wide for 4″ blocks and 15 feet wide for 3″ blocks) there ought to be a metal stiffener put into the glass block window. This stiffener could be a metal concealed plate, an I beam, or a T shaped mullion of steel behind the window/wall. o Step 5 – Ask, “What must I do if my achievements or physical abilities don’t concede me to do this type of installation?” – Call a special line of work glass block contractor or find a nationwide glass block window manufacturer (to make a pre-made glass panel) to make contract out the installation of this window. This will ease the process, reduce cost, and improve the quality of the block window installation project. Now that you’ve got the 5 installation steps you’re ready to either to get your hands dirty or hire the right special line of work glass block contractor for your project. |
