Four reasons to Consider Glass Block in your next Home Improvement Project

When you think of glass block walls you may picture 1980’s Miami, or an older office building, but glass block has come a long way. 

There are so many updated features of glass block, including shapes, colors, and sizes. However, there are some functional reasons to incorporate glass block into your next home improvement project. 

Here are 4 reasons you need to consider using glass blocks:

1.    Light Control

Glass blocks are great for windows or shower systems, areas where you want privacy, but need light.  Depending on the type of block you choose for your project, 79% of incident light can be diffused perpendicularly, which gives greater light control and diffusion.

Glass blocks come in a variety of patterns and colors, all of which can be used in any part of your home that you want light, but need privacy.   Bathrooms, garages, basement windows, front entrances, high windows, or even to create a barrier between rooms in your home.  Glass blocks offer privacy and security while still providing a well-lit area.

2.    Insulation

Your home is your castle but should not cost you your kingdom to heat the place.  Energy efficient glass blocks can improve the energy efficiency in your home.  Many of these blocks are certified high thermal insulation capacity and have a double chamber inside the block. 

These glass blocks are assembled with a polystyrene frame that acts as a thermal break to reduce heat conductivity.  The glass blocks also use pressure controlled argon gas inside the block, offering a reduction in heat transmittance and are also manufactured with Low-E glass between the two blocks for even further energy efficiency.

Energy efficient glass blocks provide energy savings while creating an appealing décor feature in your home. 

3.    Fire Resistant

Fire rated glass block can withstand the heat of fire without breaking.  Many builders use this type of glass because it is safe while still being sturdy.  There is a specific range of glass blocks that can be used for vertical applications that require a fire protection and are certified. 

Just because it must be functional doesn’t mean it can’t look great.  Creating a barrier wall or using the blocks in a window feature while still providing the necessary fire safety applications is another benefit of using glass block.

4.    Sound Proof

Not only can glass blocks offer privacy and safety, they can also provide a sound barrier to make your home a quiet, calm, and relaxing environment.  In fact, some glass blocks are the preferred building material for noisy environments, including manufacturing facilities, nightclubs, etc.)  The blocks offer a great aesthetic while providing optimum sound insulation. 

Depending on the type of glass block selected, features such as mass and internal air space guarantee that these blocks offer a high level of sound insulation, which is a minimum of 36 dB. There are glass blocks that can even reach 51dB sound barrier.

Glass blocks certainly are not a throwback to the 1980’s.  The blocks of today come in a variety of patterns and colors, all of which can be used in any part of your home.  Bathrooms, garages, basement windows, front entrances, high windows, or even to create a barrier between rooms in your home.

Glass blocks reduce the environmental impact while combining design and function. They are also a versatile building material that you should consider in your next home improvement project.