| Perhaps the coolest innovation to be developed in | | | | unit you need. |
| glass blocks has been the addition of standard and | | | | 4. Would you like a mirrored or reflective look for your |
| custom colors in all sizes and shapes. Most people are | | | | project? The newest innovation has been the |
| unaware of the options available or are unsure how to | | | | introduction of multi-colored dichroic (dichroic means |
| put their project together to use colors to create the | | | | two or more colors) glass blocks. These blocks allow |
| right design and effect. These 7 simple steps can help | | | | you to see more than one color when viewing them |
| you make the right block selection for you. | | | | from different angles and improves light transmission |
| 1. Where do you want to use colored glass blocks? | | | | because light is both reflected back and transmitted |
| The first decision is determining what type of project | | | | through the blocks. This process uses a dielectric |
| you have in mind. Answer these questions:o Is the | | | | coating which is applied on the inside face of one side |
| project on the inside or outside of the home or | | | | of the block (using silver, gold, chromium, aluminum, |
| building? Some blocks are designed for both interior | | | | zirconium, silicon, and magnesium) which are applied a |
| and exterior applications, others are for the inside | | | | high temperature vacuum furnace. The blocks come in |
| only.o Are you building a window, a wall, or shower or | | | | 7 ½" x 7 ½" x 3 1/8" thick sizes in multiple |
| bar? Although there are several color manufacturers | | | | patterns. |
| there is only one company's process that is capable of | | | | 5. What is your budget? Wouldn't it be great if all these |
| adding color to shaped blocks. These shaped blocks | | | | colors and options where the same price as clear |
| are used most frequently in walls, showers, and bar | | | | blocks! Unfortunately that is not the case. In general the |
| applications. The shaped units come in various sizes | | | | color units are 2 to 5 times more expensive than their |
| and can be used to finish off the end of a wall, step a | | | | clear counterparts. Given this fact color glass blocks |
| wall down (double-ended blocks), turn radiuses, and | | | | can be used for an entire wall, shower or window, but |
| even create 45 degree angles. | | | | most often are used to accent a project. Sometimes |
| 2. What type of colors or tints do you want? Ask | | | | these accents are randomly placed blocks, or stripes in |
| yourself, "Do I want more vibrant colors or softer, | | | | a wall, or designs created within the wall (a recent |
| more muted shades?" The more vibrant colored glass | | | | project involved creating a ruby red colored Ohio |
| blocks are generally created using a patented process | | | | State University Block O in a wall) etc. |
| where the blocks are drilled and filled with a polymeric | | | | 6. How do you want to purchase this product? Ok, if |
| color coating and then resealed. The vibrant color | | | | you're not an experienced mason or tile contractor the |
| blocks are available in a wide selection of sizes and | | | | thought of purchasing blocks and putting them together |
| shaped blocks. For many of the softer color shades | | | | yourself might be daunting. Fortunately there are |
| the color tends to be integral to the block (the color is | | | | options that can make it easier for a do it yourselfer or |
| created using different metals in the manufacturing | | | | someone who'd like to rely on an expert craftsperson |
| process), but the color selection is more limited. Here | | | | to get it right the first time. Blocks can be purchased |
| are just some of the color selections in the vibrant vs. | | | | one of 3 ways:i. Bought individually and installed unit by |
| the muted softer tones:o Vibrant color selection from | | | | unit (generally the toughest way to do a block project |
| drill and fill process - amethyst purple, emerald green, | | | | which requires the highest skill).ii. Purchased a |
| garnet magenta, sapphire dark blue, topaz orange, ruby | | | | prefabricated glass block window, wall or shower |
| red, sage, cinnamon, key lime, saffron, and pink | | | | assemblies - This option has grown dramatically in |
| champagne, evening sky, glacier, sky, smoke, ocean, | | | | recent years since there are systems like Vinyl Stack |
| cobalt, and seafoam. (you'll note that you can also get | | | | where the assemblies can be shipped across the |
| muted colors with the drill and fill process as well).o | | | | country and then grout or silicone installed at the job |
| Muted color selection from integral manufactured color | | | | site as the final process.iii. Installed by a professional - |
| process - cloudy blue, cloudy red, cloudy green, Wave | | | | this is obviously the easiest option and usually has the |
| Dark Blue, Wave Bronze, & Wave Green | | | | added benefits of coming with an installation guarantee. |
| 3. What sizes of glass blocks do you need for your | | | | 7. Still confused, then call in the specialist. Since glass |
| project? Standard (non-shaped) american sized blocks | | | | block windows, showers and walls are not a common |
| come in 4" x 8", 6" x 6", 6" x 8", 8" x 8" and 12" x 12" | | | | project for most people, it may be easiest to let your |
| sizes, and the most commonly available metric size is | | | | fingers (via a phone call, web search or email) do the |
| 7 ½" x 7 ½". If you choose the integral | | | | walking. Call a block design, fabrication or installation |
| manufactured processed blocks the size selection is | | | | professional who is familiar with the color and |
| generally limited to only 8" x 8" and 7 ½" x 7 | | | | installation options and processes to guide you through |
| ½" sizes (with no shaped blocks available). With | | | | your project and do the work for you. |
| the drill and fill process you can get any size or shaped | | | | |