Glass block pavers bring the versatility and beauty of glass block to horizontal surfaces. Whether glass block pavers are used to transmit natural light or alternatively to generate light, as with glass block solar powered landscaping lights, they both bring a brilliant beauty to dark spaces.
Glass Block Pavers For Flooring
Some of the most appealing qualities of glass block are their ability to transmit light while at the same time being extremely strong and durable. Just imagine the possibilities these qualities could bring to any horizontal or walkable surface. Glass block pavers open up the possibilities for natural lighting below while maintaining or increasing the amount of usable space above.
Seen from below, the natural light flowing through the glass block pavers brings illumination into dim areas, increasing safety as well as making a space more uplifting. From above, glass block pavers lighten up architectural heaviness by introducing a semi-transparent element while retaining complete functionality as a walkable, livable outdoor space. Whether from above or below, the effect is elegant and enticing.
Glass Block Pavers Are Environmentally-Friendly
Employing glass block pavers for light-transmitting flooring isn’t new — they’ve been used since the 1800s for vault lights in sidewalks and even earlier in ship decks. The original vault lights, invented in 1845 by Thaddeus Hyatt, were used to bring natural light into basements and other dark spaces beneath sidewalks. When electric lighting was introduced, vault lights were phased out, though many are now once again being restored using modern-made, historic glass block pavers. Using as much natural lighting as possible simply makes sense.
Today, with our desire to reduce our negative impact on the environment, vault lights are making a come-back, albeit in a more stylish, modern form. Some of the places you might see the modern form of the vault light concept, would be in sidewalks, walkable skylights, decks, landings, stair treads, risers and on bridges.
Glass block pavers help reduce the burden on the environment in other ways too: they are energy efficient and since they are made primarily of sand and limestone, they are completely recyclable. And because their lifespan is at least 50 years, they won’t need to be replaced or recycled for a very long time!
Privacy and Other Benefits of Glass Block Pavers For Flooring
Glass block pavers come in a variety of patterns, so you can obtain as much privacy as needed for the situation. A skylight would need maximum privacy, while a bridge made of fully transparent glass block pavers would permit a spectacular show of the water or other scenery below. As well, glass block pavers are scratch, graffiti, fire and noise resistant — able to fully maintain their beauty and functionality through a variety of aggressions.
Glass Block Pavers For Outdoor Lighting: Solar powered landscaping lights
Glass block pavers can lighten up dark spaces in other areas around your property as well, adding an atmospheric glow to your landscaping at night while increasing safety and security. Photovoltaic Solar Powered Lights are great for brightening up exterior locations while conserving energy. Use them along pathways, built into decks and patios, in walls, stairs or around pools or anywhere else you’d like to introduce some light and magic to your outdoor spaces.
Photovoltaic glass block solar powered landscaping lights combine the ecological benefits of solar powered lights with the durability and flexibility of glass block, including:
- Lights placed in the ground are safe to walk on.
- These lights are extremely hard wearing since the interior solar panel is protected by glass block.
- Daytime sunlight is stored in a lithium ion battery .
- While direct sunlight is best, they can still store energy on a cloudy day.
- They use a low voltage LED bulb that automatically comes on at dusk and turns off at dawn.
- They are resistant to rain, snow, and extreme temperatures (from -4 to +140 °F)
- They have a service life of up to 25 years or 50,000 hours.
- They do not require maintenance, except to keep the surface clear of debris.
Glass Block Pavers Bring Light Into Dark Spaces
Glass block pavers help brighten up those areas that present lighting challenges without relying on wires or burning fuels. Nothing beats natural sunlight for the feelings of well-being and happiness it induces. By bringing natural sunlight to areas that are typically dim and grim, glass block pavers also bring a new life and livability to the area. And they can do so, while retaining the usability of the space above.
Similarly, photovoltaic glass block solar powered landscaping lights capture and store sunlight to release it at night, bringing light to the dark areas of your property. Both work with nature and have a very low impact ecologically. Both solutions simply make sense, allowing us to improve our living situation and well-being without harming the environment. Glass block pavers offer win-win solutions to dark spaces!
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