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Laying glass blocks with your own hands cannot be done without special diligence and attention. But if you take into account all the nuances and subtleties of installing glass blocks, then this procedure will turn into an exciting experience.

Before you install glass blocks with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with all (there are three of them!) Ways of installing a glass structure. Each method has its own duration, cost and labor intensity.

The traditional way of laying glass blocks with your own hands

The first method is cheaper, simpler and takes little time, but at the same time it is not very aesthetic, which is its main disadvantage compared to other methods.

Preparatory work

Laying glass blocks

1. Clean the surfaces of the walls, ceiling and floor, that is, those places where the glass blocks will be installed, from dust, chalk, linoleum and other old materials. 2. Mark the location of the future glass block structure directly on the surface of the bases along their entire length using a level, a pencil and a cord. 3. Start making the solution, with which the glass blocks will be fastened.

A cement mortar is used in the following proportion:

• one bucket of cement,
• three buckets of clean river sand,
• one bucket of water,
• 200 gr. PVA glue for better adhesion and plasticity of the adhesive solution. Or just use a special dry mix for laying tiles from tiles or bricks.

Photo gallery preparatory work before laying glass blocks

Important! If you decide to use cement, then buy it better white.

4. Having decided on the choice of the mixture, stir the solution thoroughly in a plastic container using a mixer and an electric drill and leave to "ripen" for about 5 minutes. Then mix gently again.

Important! If the glue solution is not very thick, it is prepared correctly, but it should not drain from the trowel during the laying of glass blocks. And this solution cannot be used again, since after drying it will lose its adhesive properties.

DIY glass brick laying

Drilling holes for rebar

1. Install the first two reinforcement rods on the floor surface.

Important! These rods must be either of stainless steel, or galvanized to prevent the formation of rust, which can appear on the outside of the masonry and worsen appearance glass block construction. Also, due to corrosion, the block system will weaken.

So, drill holes in the wall, in which after and place the first two rods.

Important! Drill the holes at the very border of the floor and wall. The distance between them should ensure the placement of reinforcement between the inner walls of the glass blocks.

Installation of reinforcing bars

Important! Lay not only horizontal but also vertical rods after laying the glass blocks of the first and subsequent rows. And don't forget to drill holes!

2. The first two rods are loaded. Apply the glue solution to the entire surface of the substrates with a trowel. 3. Take your time to stack glass blocks, while simultaneously insert vertical rods and fill the gaps adhesive solution... With the help of spacer crosses for glass blocks, which must be installed in each joint between the blocks, you can control the thickness of the gaps between the glass "bricks" so that it is the same.

Laying the first row of glass blocks

4. After laying the glass blocks with your own hands, remove the remnants of the solution with a damp sponge or cloth, and iron the seams between the blocks with a jointing trowel.

Important! If you assemble glass blocks with your own hands, and fill the seams between them with colored grout, then a spatula is not needed. It is necessary to free the gaps for grouting with a spatula.

5. When the installation of glass blocks comes to an end and it remains to lay 3 or 4 glass blocks, then do the same operations that were performed when drilling holes in the floor, but now in the ceiling.

Cleaning the joints between glass blocks

6. Installation of glass blocks is complete. Again, clean the seams between the blocks from the glue and their very surface. A fully glass block structure will dry out within 5 to 10 days. 7. After the construction of the glass blocks is completely dry, rub the holes between the blocks diagonally with a grout using a rubber or foam rubber float. Better with a moisture-resistant grout, so that the glass-block partition will serve you for more than a dozen years. 8. Remove the remaining solution from the glass blocks again. To completely remove small excess grout and give the glass block structure a dazzling shine, wipe its surface with a clean, dry cloth.

Glass blocks - DIY installation of arched walls and partitions

Curved partition made of glass blocks

Do correct styling do it yourself glass blocks, if the walls and partitions have a rounded appearance, you can follow the same instructions as above.

but differences of this styling from the previous one there is:

1) Reinforcement rods are bent in those places where the partition or wall is rounded, according to their shape.

2) Set the crosses for glass blocks only inside the curvatures so that the thickness of the hidden seams does not change. Outside the walls, the seams automatically take the same width.

Important! If you want to fragmentarily round the wall with glass blocks, then use the so-called. "Halves" of blocks. This, firstly, will give your structure strength, and secondly, the internal and external seams will practically not diverge in thickness.

Do-it-yourself frame way of laying glass blocks

Frame made of wood

Technology frame method the installation of glass blocks is much more difficult than the traditional one. This method is more expensive and more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional method.

In addition, the frame option the installation of glass blocks has a huge advantage: it is practically not used cement mix with glue, and the design is lighter.

Preparatory work

1. Measure the dimensions of the space for the future glass-block partition.

Assembling the frame

2. Based on the obtained parameters, make from dry and smooth boards required thickness and the size of a wooden frame. Important! The dimensions of the cells in which the glass blocks will be installed must provide a gap of no more than 2 mm.

Assemble the frame either by gluing or unscrew it using special fasteners.

3. Wooden frame ready. Paint it in the desired color using a thin layer of paint and dry until completely dry.

4. Install the painted frame in the previously prepared space and attach it to the walls, floor and ceiling using anchors or dowels.

Laying glass blocks with your own hands

Installation of glass blocks

1. Insert glass blocks into each well prepared earlier.

2. When all the cells are filled with glass blocks, fix them with colorless silicone. To do this: apply this sealant to all joints between the glass blocks and the frame so that the glass "bricks" never fall out.

3. Let the sealant dry for about 8 hours. Important! Use a simple putty where the glass blocks meet the drywall. Otherwise, when the sealant dries, traces will remain on the drywall sheets.

If you still associate this material with unpresentable glass squares from the recent past, it's time to get to know it better. The scope of application of modern glass blocks is practically unlimited, design solutions practical, beautiful and original, and the installation of glass blocks with your own hands can be done even without special skills in construction.

Features and technical characteristics of glass blocks

Modern glass blocks are a hollow material that is formed of two glass plates with a thickness of 6-9 mm, hermetically connected by pressing. Currently they are produced at automatic lines, which guarantees the immutability qualitative composition molten glass and seam tightness. The glass block can be transparent, matte, colored or corrugated. According to their light-optical properties, they are divided into translucent, light-scattering and light-guiding. The thickness of the tiles is 7.5-10 cm, the weight is within 4.3 kg. In addition to standard square and rectangular blocks, triangular, corner, round and half elements are produced. There are decorative glass blocks as well. They are presented in a wide range of colors and textures, which allows them to be used in various interior styles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other material, double-glazed windows have their pros and cons. This, in turn, affects the ability to use them for certain purposes.
Advantages.
Moisture resistance.
Light transmittance.
Soundproofing.
Fire safety.
Frost resistance.
Easy to care for.
Does not require additional finishing.

Disadvantages.

The wall remains intact. It is impossible to drive a nail or screw a screw into it, as well as to carry out an electrical wiring or sewage system inside.
Glass blocks are not processed. They cannot be cut to use the correct size. All measurements must be calculated in advance.
In the room where the window opening is glazed with glass blocks, it is necessary to carry out additional ventilation systems.

Glass blocks in the interior (hallway)

Variants of using glass blocks in the interior

Not so long ago, glass blocks returned to fashion and began to be ubiquitous in interior design. With their help, you can bring to life the most daring and original ideas, it is beneficial to play with light. Glass blocks in the interior of an apartment are photographed in the creation of walls, partitions, windows, furniture and much more.

Glass block wall

During the redevelopment of apartments, it is often necessary to remove or move some walls. This helps to plan the space and create a comfortable layout for the rooms. Glass wall - original and interesting solution... Visually, it lightens the space. There is only one drawback in this option. By itself, the glass block looks cold and does not contribute to the creation of comfort. Therefore, it is often combined with other materials, for example, plasterboard, or multi-colored elements are used. This combination makes the interior more interesting.
This type of decor is especially popular in corridors, lobbies and other darkened rooms, where a wall made of glass blocks will be not only a functional element, but also an additional light source. Glass blocks will look gorgeous if there is an opportunity to lay out a wall rounded like in the photo in the interior of the apartment.

Partitions

Partitions of varying complexity, width and height from glass blocks are often installed in the bathroom. Glass here looks the most harmonious, goes well with tiles, is not afraid of moisture, is not affected by fungus and is easy to clean. Frosted glass blocks allow not only to zone the space and organize the so-called intimate areas, but also to create practical shower cabins the right size and forms from glass blocks according to the photo. A small partition can advantageously divide the kitchen into a working and dining area, and living room to the bedroom and living room.

Window

This way of connecting the external and interior space with transparent or frosted glass blocks, it is best suited for baths and swimming pools. As decorative element make a glass panel, in the form of a window. Decorate it if desired light curtains... Glass blocks in this form are laid not only in the bathroom. Original windows can share a living room or kitchen with a corridor. When glass blocks are used as windows, openings usually take on the most incredible shapes.

Floors

The strength of the material allows the use of glass blocks with a rough texture as floor covering... Backlighting is usually placed under such transparent areas, the effect is impressive.

Do not lay glass blocks on the floor in the bathroom or corridor, here their surface can become dangerously slippery.

Furniture

Modern glass "bricks" are comfortable and practical material for creating furniture designs... In the kitchens, islands or bar counters are built from them. In the bathroom, you can erect a console under the sink, and a narrow wall of glass blocks can smoothly transition into a small functional table. Glass furniture looks impressive and original, but rearrangement will be difficult.

Individual decor elements

When decorating the walls of rooms, glass blocks are often placed pointwise. Recessed into the wall, they do not let light through, but they reflect it very beautifully. One tile is placed on an approximate area of ​​1 m2. The options for using the material are limited only by the designer's imagination. Glass tiles decorate kitchen apron, frame door and window openings, mirrors. Risers of stairs, podiums and even false fireplaces are laid out from them. The shower cubicle made of glass blocks looks interesting as a proof.

Glass blocks in various interior styles.

When developing the design of a room, it is important to take into account that glass blocks must harmoniously fit into the style of the room and create a single composition with it. Special attention you need to pay attention to color and texture building material, choose the right form and method of constructing. The most harmoniously transparent or monotonous glass block looks in modern styles, urban, loft or hi-tech. Baroque or art deco decorativeness can be emphasized by multi-colored tiles, as an addition to the main material. Art Nouveau interior will fit in the best way stained glass, they will also be appropriate in oriental stylizations and modern classic interior... They practically do not use the material in the interior, made in country, rustic or retro style.

Installation of glass blocks

Having mastered the theory, you can safely begin to practice. Installation of any element of glass blocks can be done in one of two ways:
on the frame;
on glue or mortar.

Regardless of the method chosen, before you start laying, you need to take into account a number of features of working with the material.
The floor on which the glass blocks will be laid must be perfectly flat and clean.
The total wall area should not exceed 15 m2, otherwise the blocks in the lower rows may crack due to their heavy weight.
Any wall made of a decorative glass block cannot be used as a load-bearing one.
The protective film of frosted glass blocks is removed only after filling the joints.

Technique "On the frame"

This mounting technology is quite simple. It is sometimes called dry. The glass block is fixed on special modular systems. This method allows you to quickly lay out ideal smooth walls without plumb lines and level. Usually, the frames are made of plastic or wood, aluminum and polyurethane are also found. Each block has its own cell, its size is selected depending on the dimensions of the glass block. The frame is fixed to the wall with screws, also fixed to the floor and ceiling. The blocks are fixed in the cells by means of special rubber gaskets. This method of installation does not require special skills, but is used only to create decorative or interior partitions, where good sound insulation is not needed.

On glue or mortar.

This technique is more complicated, time consuming and requires some knowledge. The material is fixed on a special glue for glass blocks. Reinforcement is performed at the place of laying. Two stainless steel rods are laid on the floor parallel to each other. The width between them should be less than the depth of the glass block. Vertical reinforcement is performed with a step equal to the width of the block. For better sealing, an insulating tape is fixed to the base of the frame. On it, the place of joining the blocks is marked with the help of spacer crosses. After laying each row, the structure is reinforced, two reinforcing rods are laid in parallel and sunk into the solution.

Laying glass blocks

Cement or carcass?

How to decorate your home with modern glass blocks, we wrote in the article "". This time we will talk about the features of block mounting. How to lay out a wall or partition from them? Which of the installation methods is optimal in this or that case? What kind important nuances need to keep in mind when planning this job? Let's start with the planning and preparation phase. Before starting work, you need to be sure that the choice in favor of glass blocks was the right one.

What should you know when planning to use glass blocks in your home?

1. It is undesirable to build a wall with doors from glass blocks. An opening in the wall of glass blocks may be present, but the doors should not be fastened. Mount window systems in a glass block wall is also impossible.

2. Of course, a wall made of glass blocks cannot be load-bearing.

3. Glass blocks have excellent sound insulation. Do not be afraid that the glass-block wall separating the two rooms will only perform a decorative function.

4. Glass blocks are also a heat-saving material. They can glaze large window openings - and the room will be warm (just like with modern plastic double-glazed windows).

5. Glass blocks - unique material, which is both construction and finishing. This is the particular convenience of their use. I erected a wall and you can think of nothing else: no putty, no painting, no cladding. This will save you money, effort and energy.

6. It is undesirable to create surfaces of more than 15 square meters from glass blocks. m.

What do you need to know before starting work?

1. The surfaces to which the glass-block wall or partition will adjoin must be prepared (in the place of adjoining). Namely, to clear from old finish, wash, let dry, prime.

2. Glass blocks are sold, as a rule, covered with a protective film. It is not recommended to remove the film before the end of the installation in order to avoid damage to the surface of the blocks, the appearance of scratches, stains from glue and cement, etc.

If the blocks were sold without film, you can protect them yourself - for example, by pasting facial surfaces blocks with masking tape.

Ways of laying glass blocks

There are two main methods for installing glass blocks: cement and frame. The frame method is used to create very flimsy, not very reliable structures. Therefore, this method should be adopted only for the construction of small partitions in residential premises.

If there is a need for a large partition, glazing window openings and in creating glass walls in wet rooms- the choice should be made in favor of the "cement" method.

Installation of glass blocks on cement

For work, use cement or tile glue. The cement must be of high quality, homogeneous, without large grains of sand (they can scratch the glass, hitting the glass block). Tile adhesive is preferred.

In addition to cement or glue, you will need special spacer crosses and metal rods (section 4-6 mm).

Spacer crosses help to leave a fixed distance between the blocks, so that the surface of the glass blocks is flat. In addition, crosses make the wall stiffer. Metal rods are needed for reinforcement, that is, to strengthen the glass block wall.

After laying a row of glass blocks, a new layer of glue is applied and a metal rod is laid horizontally, after which the second row of blocks is laid. The rods are also laid vertically if the area of ​​the structure is large enough. Some experts recommend reinforcing not all rows, but only every third one.

Spacer crosses are installed in the joints between glass blocks. The “hats” of the crosses remain outside. After the cement is completely dry, these protruding plates must be chipped off. The crosses themselves remain inside the wall, making it stronger.

The building level should always be nearby. With its help, you should constantly monitor the evenness of horizontal and vertical rows.

It is not recommended to lay more than three horizontal rows of glass blocks at a time. We laid out a plot of three blocks high - paused. If the installation of glass blocks is carried out with tile adhesive, work can be stopped for a couple of hours and then continued. If the glass blocks are laid on cement, you will have to wait a day. Why is a pause necessary? If you go above three rows, at some point the structure may "float" or completely collapse. Be sure to take breaks!

If the glass block structure will be adjacent to other surfaces, then the "seam" between them should be no more than one centimeter.

By the way, about the "seams" or joints. If the glass blocks were laid on cement, after its complete drying, the joints can be rubbed with a tile grout of the desired color. But it's even easier to buy colored cement / glue and put glass blocks on it. In this case, the joints must be immediately made neat, removing excess cement, and then, after drying, no additional processing is required.

After laying all the glass blocks, the structure should dry well. It is worth taking 10-15 days for this. And only after this time you can start grouting the interblock joints.

Frame method for installing glass blocks

This method of installing glass blocks is suitable for creating small lightweight structures - for example, semi-partitions for zoning rooms. Soundproofing qualities will be significantly lower than with a cement installation method. Strength indicators are also not comparable.

The advantage of this method is aesthetics (the blocks seem to be framed), cleanliness of work and the possibility of replacing single blocks.

The frame is made of wood (polished boards). They make it to order - for example, in carpentry workshops. The frame is a structure with equal cells and resembles either a lattice. The cells correspond to the dimensions of the glass blocks.

Blocks are inserted into cells and reinforced. To do this, use rubber gaskets or silicone sealants. Sealants are more often used - this strengthens the structure, since the blocks are literally glued into the cells. However, there is also a drawback: if the block is installed with a rubber gasket, it can be easily removed if necessary, in order, for example, to replace a cracked block. If it is glued with a sealant, it will be more difficult to remove it so as not to damage the entire structure.

Before filling with glass blocks, the lattice frame must be fixed by attaching with dowels or anchors to the main surfaces - the floor, the supporting wall, the ceiling.

If you want to give the frame a certain color, you need to paint it in advance, before filling it with glass blocks.

The work is quite easy, but you need to do it carefully, being careful, remembering that glass is a fragile material.

The installation of glass blocks into the wall is carried out in the same way. In the wall, you need to create a cell for a glass block and insert it, securing rubber seal or a sealant.

Manufacturers of glass blocks also produce ready-made modules for fixing blocks. The frame is assembled from the modules. Moreover, it is assembled simultaneously with the installation of blocks. The modules themselves are made not only of wood, but also of PVC.

Such modular systems for the installation of glass blocks must be asked in the same stores that sell this material. Work with ready-made modules quite simple - similar to assembling a constructor. It must be remembered that the design is also very fragile: it is impossible to glaze the window with this method, but you can fence off the sofa from the bed.

Creating a rounded wall from glass blocks

Rounded walls can be made of cement. In this case, the reinforcing rods have to be bent to the shape of the future wall, which is not so easy. To facilitate the process, thinner metal rods are used than when erecting straight walls.

Spacer crosses are inserted between blocks only inside the rounding. From the outside, the seams remain the same, and their size depends on the radius of the rounding. There is a discrepancy in the size of the seams inside and outside the rounding. This cannot be avoided if one-piece glass blocks are mounted.

Reducing the dimensions of the joints in a rounded wall allows use of "half" glass blocks... And the smaller the radius of curvature, the more desirable the use of narrow blocks.

Some foreign manufacturers of glass blocks offer special systems for the construction rounded walls... But it's still the same wireframe method installation that is not suitable for creating a solid, sturdy, water-resistant wall. But you can create a light rounded partition. Ask for such systems in stores that sell glass blocks.

Modern building and decorative material in the form of glass blocks provides ample opportunities for interior design. Using these glass "bricks", you can implement the most unexpected solutions for decorating rooms. Such structures are very convenient in operation - they perfectly transmit light, are characterized by high rates thermal and sound insulation. To mount a wall or a partition made of glass blocks, you will need to take into account some of the features of working with this material.

Many people remember fragments of walls and blind windows industrial buildings and public spaces made of glass blocks. Further this material for some time was undeservedly forgotten. Currently, glass blocks are experiencing a rebirth - using these products of a new format, you can create unexpected and original solutions not only for exterior decoration private houses, but also to create original and unique interiors of various premises.

Glass blocks are products of two glass plates of thick glass (opaque, transparent, colored in the mass or with a pattern), connected to each other in a hermetically sealed structure. The air gap gives this building material excellent sound and thermal insulation characteristics... Glass blocks are made with a smooth or corrugated surface. Depending on the relief, they can be transparent, scattering or directing light. On sale are glass blocks of rectangular and square shape, as well as triangular, angular and even round products, with a thickness of 7.5 to 10 cm, with a weight of about 2.5-4.3 kg. Standard sizes glass blocks are 19x19x8 or 24x24x12. Samples of Euro glass blocks are on sale, in which the ends are covered with paint - thanks to this, the seams from the solution do not shine through in the masonry.

This material has a number of advantages, among which are the following:

• natural composition;
• high wear resistance and durability - walls made of glass blocks are resistant to abrasion, mechanical damage, moisture, and temperature extremes;
• thanks to the presence air gap, glass blocks perfectly retain heat and provide excellent sound insulation, approaching this indicator to the characteristics brick wall or modern plastic double-glazed windows;
• a glass brick wall can withstand even a mild earthquake. In addition, glass blocks are not flammable; in the event of a fire, they do not melt or crack for a long time;
• ease of assembly and ease of use - glass blocks are a unique building material that does not require subsequent finishing in the form of cladding or painting, since they themselves have pronounced decorative properties;
• moisture resistance, thanks to which glass blocks can be used for construction interior partitions and walls, as well as glazing of windows in rooms in the mode high humidity(in pools, bathrooms, toilets).

Glass blocks effectively diffuse the sun's rays, without hindering their penetration into the room, making the lighting soft and comfortable. At the same time, transparent products provide the effect of a panoramic view, and corrugated ones close the room from prying eyes.

The use of glass blocks

Decorative glass blocks in the interior of the premises different styles look very impressive. It is convenient to embed them in various surfaces for decorating walls, windows and partitions.

This material is used in construction for the following purposes:

• when redeveloping housing for the construction of walls in a new convenient option, since glass blocks allow you to build walls without making the space heavier. Please note that this material cannot be used for construction load-bearing walls, since such a load may be excessive for a given building material. It is worth considering that a wall of glass blocks separating the room from the hall or corridor allows sunlight and will add illumination to this room, and embossed glass blocks will protect the room from prying eyes;
• a partition made of glass blocks with a flat or stepped top can be erected quickly and without special costs labor and time. This design is especially relevant in bathrooms and toilets. Since this material is moisture-repellent, it can be used to equip bathing areas. Glass blocks in the bathroom allow you to zone different zones, protecting from prying eyes when swimming and protecting the room from splashing water. Such partitions made of glass blocks look very harmonious in a room with high humidity. Showers made of glass blocks are distinguished by higher operational safety compared to glass counterparts.

How to mount glass blocks with your own hands

To carry out the installation of glass blocks with your own hands, you will need to take into account a number of nuances of working with this construction and decorative material... It is important to note that glass blocks can only constitute a built-in structure, which requires support in the form of a wall or an end post.

There are several methods for stacking glass blocks:

• the classic way - using a wooden guide frame or a module made of metal profile, which is attached to the floor, walls and ceiling. To fix the masonry, a cement mortar is used, in addition, a tile adhesive can be used as an adhesive for glass blocks. Tile adhesive is more viscous and elastic, while it dries quickly and fixes glass blocks with high quality;
• frame method - it is convenient to mount glass blocks on a base in the form of a special frame, while they must be fixed with a seal of a non-coarse structure. Silicone sealant, liquid nails, etc. can be used to secure the masonry to the frame.

The classic way of installing glass blocks

Before laying, the surface to be treated should be cleaned of debris, dust and remnants of the old finish. Then you need to apply the markings to the base base. To determine the size of the wooden module (frame) for fixing the masonry, it is necessary to lay out a row of glass blocks and insert plastic spacers between them. After that, you should measure its length and height and calculate the required dimensions of the frame, which will be installed in the place of the future laying of glass blocks. Having drilled holes in the frame, it must be attached to wall structure with 50 mm dowels and screws. To level the frame module, you can use chips placed between the wall and its supporting surface.

After preparation base surface you will need to prepare an adhesive mixture. You can use tile adhesive to lay the glass blocks or prepare cement-sand mortar in a ratio of 1: 3. In order to increase the plasticity of the mixture, it is recommended to add PVA glue to it (at the rate of 200 g of glue for five buckets of solution). For laying transparent glass blocks, it is preferable to use white adhesives - in this case, the seams of the structure will look more aesthetically pleasing. Please note that you should not cook right away a large number of adhesive solution, as it tends to quickly harden.

Before laying, it is necessary to check the integrity of the glass blocks, since the manufacturers provide a guarantee for this material before starting installation works. Protective film the blocks should not be removed before the completion of work in order to exclude damage to the glass plates. If there is no such film, you can use any polyethylene film, fixing it on the surface of the blocks with paper tape.

When installing glass blocks, reinforcement should be used, laying vertically and horizontally in the seams of the masonry rods made of galvanized or stainless steel wire - so that they constitute metal mesh fixing the structure. For this, the reinforcing rods must be fixed in the wall structure by fixing them in the holes prepared in advance. Metal rods are laid on plastic mounting crosses, while their contact with glass should be avoided. At the end of the work, the crosses remain inside the masonry and are overwritten.

For laying glass blocks, you can apply the following step-by-step instructions:

• you will first need to install vertical reinforcing rods into the holes on the bottom of the frame;
• then it is necessary to apply an adhesive solution up to 1 cm thick on the horizontal surface of the frame at the bottom;
• having laid the solution for fixing the first glass block on the side surface of the frame, install the first glass "brick" and fix it by pressing it into the solution layer;
• according to this principle, it is necessary to lay out the bottom row, leveling it with a mallet, and then install mounting crosses between the glass blocks, apply a layer of adhesive mixture on top and install a reinforcing horizontal rod, fixing it in a previously prepared hole;
• then it will be necessary to sequentially lay glass blocks in rows according to the above technique, alternating them with reinforcing rods.

To avoid subsidence and curvature of the erected wall, it is recommended to carry out the installation gradually - 3-5 rows, leaving time for further drying of the seams at least 12 hours. After fixing the glass blocks, remove excess adhesive mixture with a sponge.

After the end of the installation, you should wait until the structure is completely dry - this will take several days. Next, you need to carefully chop off the parts of the plastic crosses protruding from the masonry, if any. In addition, attention should be paid to the seams - in order for them to look quite aesthetically pleasing, it is necessary to apply a grout of a suitable shade. To seal the seams, you will need to use a silicone sealant.

After completing the specified work, carefully wipe the glass blocks with a clean cloth. If necessary, leftovers adhesive mixture can be removed from the glass surface with an anti-lime agent or hydrochloric acid solution - in this case, you will need to make sure that this liquid does not penetrate the seams.

The same classic installation method is used for the installation of round structures made of glass blocks. The only difference is that with arched laying it is necessary to bend the horizontal reinforcement, giving it the desired shape to get a rounded wall. In this case, the mounting crosses for adjusting the thickness of the laying joints should only be used with inside constructions. For laying the rounded part of the wall, it is recommended to use halves of glass blocks, since in this case a thicker one will be used reinforcement mesh, strengthening the structure. In addition, by using smaller bricks, it is easy to minimize the discrepancy between the outside and inside seams, resulting in a cleaner wall.

Frame method for installing glass blocks

For the installation of glass blocks, you can use an easy-to-implement, but more expensive method of laying without cement mortar... This design is lighter and more aesthetically pleasing compared to the classic installation method.

To do this, you will need to use a specially made frame system in the form of a metal module or wooden (made from dry polished boards) - with cells suitable size, into which glass blocks are inserted. In this case, it is necessary that the cell size coincides with the size of the glass blocks with an accuracy of 2 mm. Such a structure will need to be painted in a suitable color and securely attached to the walls, floor and ceiling - for this, dowels or anchors should be used. It is important to carefully align this module vertically and horizontally.

Further, glass blocks will need to be placed in the cells of the prepared frame and fixed at the joints with silicone sealant, which resembles colorless rubber after hardening. It will take up to 10 hours for the joints to dry, after that frame structure will be ready for use.

The use of glass blocks - photo

Installation of glass blocks - video

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The purchase of decorative glass blocks is over, now you need to properly lay the glass blocks. But the question arises: "How to lay glass blocks?" In this article we will tell you how to install glass blocks and what is the cost of such an installation.

Features of stacking glass blocks

Before proceeding with the direct installation of glass blocks, it is necessary to consider some of the features of working with them:

Glass blocks

1) Walls and partitions made of glass blocks cannot be installed as load-bearing supports, since glass structures perform only the following functions: decorative, heat and sound insulation and protect against dust.

2) The thickness of the glass block must be at least 7 cm, but not more than 10 cm.

3) The weight of the glass block varies from 2.4 to 4.3 kg.

Preparation for the installation of glass blocks

• Before laying glass blocks, it is important not to forget to prepare everything necessary tools:
• Building level for creating even rows of glass blocks,
• Measuring tape,
• Pencil and cord for marking,
• Grinder for cutting unnecessary reinforcement rods,
• Foam or rubber float for grouting,
• Bucket for making glue for glass blocks,
• Building trowel for laying out mortar from glue,
• Sponges for cleaning already erected glass blocks,
• Electric drill for drilling gaps for rods in wooden bases,
• Mixer for mixing glue solution,
• Rotary hammer for drilling in brick and concrete surfaces,
• Stepladder, if the glass-block structure is high,
• A spatula for removing excess solution from the glue,
• Spatula for removing old material,
• Silicone sealant gun,
• Spatula for sewing joints between glass blocks,
• Hammer for creating a flat surface of blocks,
• Dry cloth for cleaning and finishing glass blocks.

Photo gallery of tools for laying glass blocks

5. Using a level, a row of glass blocks is leveled.

6. A fixing profile made of metal or wood is attached to the wall structure and between the glass-block rows and the blocks are laid.

7. The glass-block screen has been erected. A grout is applied for the gaps (seams) between the block tiles.

Applying grout to a glass block structure

8. Remove excess grout with a sponge, cleaning the surfaces of the glass blocks.

This is the general course of work on laying glass blocks, but there are three types of glass block installation in total. Read more about this in the article on our website "DIY glass blocks".

Laying of glass blocks VIDEO can also be viewed here: http://www.w-interior.ru/article.php?id=ykladka_stekloblokov

Laying glass blocks - the price of work

The cost of laying glass blocks is from 2500 rubles. up to 17 thousand rubles. per sq. m.

Installation cost varies depending on the number of blocks, their sizes, color scheme, countries of origin, and, of course, the complexity of the installation itself.

You can also buy crosses for glass blocks by different price... It depends on their specific sizes and countries of origin:

2, 3 or 5 mm - 22 rubles. (Italy)

Installation of spacer crosses

8 mm - 25 rubles. (Italy)

5 mm - 9 rubles. (Czech)

10 mm - 20 rubles. (Czech)

From 2 to 5 mm - about 16 rubles. (Russia)

10 mm - 14 rubles. (Russia)

Chinese crosses can be purchased from 12 rubles. etc.