When sizing a glass block window panel you need to throw out the old saying “measure twice and cut once.” With an interior or exterior block window project you need to measure twice and don’t cut at all (this is because you can’t slice through a block and have it retain it’s structural integrity and energy efficiency properties). Although determining the size of the block glass window does require skill and knowledge, it does not take a neurosurgeon to figure this stuff out. In this article you’ll learn the 4 step process to get the correct window size, system, pattern, color and options for your needs and tastes.
Step 1) Where do you want to use the block window? What material is (or will be surrounding) surrounding the window opening?
o Will your glass block window be used in a lower level basement, a 1st floor garage or commercial building, or a 2nd floor bathroom window that is 20 foot to the sill? If you’re putting the window on the lower level you can generally make the window panel larger since you won’t have to be lifting it in the air (most basement windows tend to use anywhere from 8 to 15 blocks in a pre-assembled section - weighing from 50 lbs. to 90 lbs per section). Most second floor bathroom windows tend to use 12 to 24 blocks so you might want to select a thinner block thickness (either 2″ or 3 1/8″) so the panel is lighter and easier to install.
o The surrounding materials the window panel will be set in (also called the head - or top, jambs - or side, or sill - or bottom) are also important. If you’re doing a basement foundation window that will be set inside a masonry wall made of concrete block, sandstone, or poured concrete you may want to size your block window using a mortar joint (to match up with your surrounding masonry materials) vs. a silicone jointing process for the window. For a bathroom window inside of a wood framed opening the silicone vinyl framed glass block window system might be preferred because this window is lighter (usually built with 2″ thick blocks) and easier to set, making an upper level installation safer.
Step 2) Measuring an existing opening or determining the size you’d like to create a new opening
o To replace an existing window you start by measuring the opening first. When measuring an existing masonry opening for block basement windows or upper floor windows you usually want to measure assuming the frame will be removed (this happens about 90% of the time), from side to side, and from the top of the sill to the top of the header plate. The block window will need to be sized smaller than this opening remembering that you can’t cut the glass, or as my Dad used to say fit 10 lbs of you know what into a 5 lb. bag. For upper floor frame openings you usually will measure the area inside of the frame after the window sashes would be removed to size your window.
o Creating a new opening for a block window If you’re creating a new opening for a block window you want to begin with the end in mind. Choose your specific block window system, pattern, design, and/or colors and find out from your glass block window manufacturer what size the window panel will be after it’s manufactured. Then you’ll create your opening usually about
Everyone wants the biggest bang for their hard earned money - especially in these tougher economic times. How can you stretch your budget and get the most value in a glass block wall project? This article presents 6 concrete steps you can use to get your block wall completed at an affordable price.
Step 1 - Don’t hire “Cousin Vinnie” - Everyone has a “Cousin Vinnie,” a self proclaimed construction expert who can do it all. For a low, low price he’ll get ‘er done just for you. Don’t get ****** into the lure of a low initial pricing for a block wall specialty project. Check credentials (Angie’s List, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Better Business Bureau, Consumers Choice Award Winners, and past customers) and ask, “Does my potential contractor have experience specifically with glass block walls?” The design, fabrication, and installation is more complex, detailed, and structurally significant than a glass window project or other glass wall systems.
Step 2 - Curves are cool, but straight is slicker for your budget - Curved glass block wall sections are graceful and interesting to look at. Their drawback - they require a higher skill level and cost about 20 to 40% more per square foot than a straight wall. If you want a stylish look at a cost-effective price design straight walls and consider adding either 45 degree angles or corner blocks for interest (many of these walls can be manufactured in a factory and shipped to you).
Step 3 - Add colors, tints, and designs to your glass block walls up front - If you want a one of a kind look add colored, tinted, or artistically decorated blocks to the wall installation project. Taking block out later to add styled blocks will cost significantly more than installing them in the original installation. Since these blocks come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and even tints they can be used whether you want a vibrant colored look, or a more muted hint of color.
Step 4 - Consider both foreign and domestically manufactured block for your project -Although block that is manufactured overseas (especially block from China or Indonesia) tend to be less costly than U.S. made blocks don’t necessarily jump to get the foreign made blocks. Check the following before making your selection:
o Is my pattern selection available in American sizes? Does this manufacturer make end block finishing units, corners, angles, colors and tints for my design?
o Glass clarity and consistency. All blocks are not made alike. Is the manufacturer and installer/ distributor you’re considering known for their quality and service? Reputable contractors install only reputable products. Get a good value right from the beginning.
Step 5 - Prefabricate it and then you will save - Block wall panels can be factory assembled and shipped directly to your project site - saving time, money, aggravation, and increasing product quality. These sections can be made in 3″ and 4″ thicknesses and can include a variety of shaped, colored, and tinted glass blocks.
Step 6 - Don’t leave home without them…..the block accessories that is - As is true with most building projects what you don’t see (the structure inside, beneath, and at the top of an installation) is crucial to the long run visible quality of the work. Glass block mortar, spacers, wire reinforcing, anchors and in some cases intermediate wall stiffeners will make or break the wall’s quality over time. Refer back to step 1 (Don’t hire Cousin Vinnie) and find a block specialty designer, contractor, fabricator, and installer to ensure the correct wall accessories are being used.
Now that you’re equipped with these 6 price and cost saving wall ideas you should be ready to start your project.
Do you want to learn how to make stained glass but faced with a confusing array of stained glass tools and materials? Here’s the top 12 essentials for a stained glass kit, with buying tips and brief user descriptions to help your stained glass career take off without a hitch. All are available at any good stained glass suppliers.
Cutting
1 Oil-filled cutter. There’s lots of different types of cutter, but make sure you buy one that has a reservoir for oil. This automatically lubricates the tugsten carbide wheel as you make your scoreline, which saves you from constantly having to dip it in oil. Buy an oil-filled pistol grip cutter if you think you might have trouble applying pressure with a pen-shaped cutter.
2 Grozing Pliers. A tool specifically made for stained glass, the grozier is used for breaking difficult cuts and nibbling the edges of glass.
Leading
3 Lead knife. You’ll need to cut those 6ft lengths of lead accurately, so buy a dedicated stained glass lead knife and keep it sharp.
4 All Nova Tool or Fid. Silly names, but it’s actually one of the most useful - and cheap! - tools in your stained glass kit. Use it to open up the lead cames before leading, and to close them down after cementing.
5 Lead Vice. You could trap lead cames in your door before stretching it, but instead, keep your partner happy by investing in a lead vice. It grips one end of the lead whilst you tug on the other with pliers. Hold on tight!
6 Horse Shoe Nails. These have been stolen from blacksmiths - they use them to bang into horses hoofs, we use them for holding in place all those really annoying bits of lead that pop out all over the show when you’re leading up.
Soldering
7 Tallow Candle. These are made of animal fat and are used as a flux for the solder. Rub a bit on to each lead join before you solder. Think roast beef!
8 100W Soldering Iron. Try to get a soldering iron with a thermostat, as it won’t melt you’re carefully cut lead. My students have tried both gas and 200W soldering irons over the years, but the general consensus is that the 100W is the easiest to handle, and powerful enough for any soldering job.
9 Grade C Solder. Made sure you buy solder that’s 60% lead and 40% tin for leaded stained glass work. Try to work in a well ventilated area when soldering - along with everything else related to stained glass, it’s dangerous!
Cementing and Polishing
10 Leaded Light Cement. Strictly speaking this isn’t exactly an essential, as you can make this up a lot cheaper with standard putty, white spirit and black powder paint. But I don’t want to put you off with that hideous messy job right at the beginning - so buy a pot of ready made cement for starters.
11 Whiting. Used for absorbing all the mess made by the cement. Just sprinkle it over your panel and brush it off. Use some muscle.
12 Black Grate Polish. Use a shoe brush to shine your leads to twinkly perfection. Stand back and admire.
I admit it, I cheated. Top marks if you’ve spotted the two vital missing items in this otherwise most comprehensive of stained glass kits - glass and lead! But that’s the fun bit and for you to enjoy - gazing in wonder at all the different types of glass, the amazing array of textures and colours, and imagining the creative possibilities ahead…bliss!
Glass has been used in many applications. Glass bottles are used to store wine, glass jars are used to store pickles and glass slippers are used to round off a fairy tale. Glass is used in windows to let in the light while keeping out the rest of the elements. But is glass is brittle and breaks quite easily. Due to this, its application is limited to delicate matters that can be kept under care. The invention of Perspex allowed glass-like application in the automotive industry. Then there is plastic which can mimic the transparency of glass.
Glass countertops are a thing of beauty. It gives the countertop a kind of depth effect while simultaneously giving the countertop a prestigious look due to the glass’ clear surface. Normally, thick glass is needed to meet the required strength of holding up some weight. Even then, the glass is set onto a solid surface as a complement. This type of countertop design is usually pairing glass with an artistic surface - be it some form of artistic pattern or the natural grains of wood or stone. The glass surface will enhance the countertop further.
To stand on its own, tempered glass would be the way to go. Although not completely break free as many believe, tempered glass is much stronger than normal glass. With this attribute in strength, a glass countertop design is given more options than just resting it on a solid surface. With tempered glass, it is possible to create a floating glass countertop where the glass surface is placed on several resting points on a countertop to give it a floating effect.
One can also create a see through countertop with tempered glass. One way of doing this is by setting the glass onto a countertop that is cut through in the middle. You can then either have no cabinets at the bottom or a cabinet unit where you can look through the countertop and into the first level of drawers.
Another idea is to make an island with only the glass countertop as a little showpiece in the middle of your kitchen. To take this idea a step further, you can even build a whole countertop plus storage space made entirely of glass!
Innovation has never seemed to enjoy a breather since the day the first ever discovery in the world was modified or upgraded. Every arena or practice worth working on with creative juices, including even the furniture world has been through the pleasant grind. Now, since we are on about the presence of innovation in the furniture world, it is very important to mention the evolution of the new scenario filled with sophisticated items like glass desks that has been invoked by the creative progression.
Now, glass desks are the kind of stuff that would come across as a very attractive option for your office furniture. You should know that choosing your office furniture is as important as purchasing furniture for your home. You need to create the right environment through professionally appropriate office chairs and desks and that requires lots of care and precision. Fortunately, the furniture world has gone through such a creative roller coaster that you can take your pick quite easily.
There’s another factor that sums up as reason enough to go for trendy options as glass desks. A piece of furniture that is as sophisticated and elegant as the glass desk creates an atmosphere of professional sophistication that becomes clearly evident through the presence of positive vibes. This, inadvertently also elevates the corporate status of the workspace and impresses the visitors easily. What’s more, functionality also takes a spin besides style as things can be arranged in a dignified and orderly fashion.
Now, if that has filled your minds with enough intrigue to go shopping for glass desks, here’s another news flash that would lead you to a better position as a buyer. These desks are available in many variations by various makers, all of which are splendid works of art. The smartest way to seek these products is to browse online for the entire collection and choose the ones with the best price tag to land yourself with a profitable buy.
