| Now, maybe more than ever, it's critical to make the | | | | make your project undoable. For an upper floor wall or |
| right choice of suppliers for your projects so you don't | | | | shower the finishing end blocks, corners, and radius |
| waste money by not getting it done right the first time. | | | | units for round walls are critical. One manufacturer |
| So how do you choose a glass block supplier that will | | | | from Indonesia even makes a thinner end block to |
| be concerned with making sure your project will not | | | | save you money for a shower or wall project. In |
| only be done with an eye on your budget, but will also | | | | addition colored and etched glass blocks can be added |
| provide you with the quality and product options to | | | | for a one of kind design you may not have realized |
| ensure your happiness with a window, wall or shower | | | | was possible.o Point 3 - Determine if a prefabricated |
| project both now and into the future? | | | | panel can be used - A block by block installation is not |
| Your key is to keep at the top of mind these 5 | | | | easy - and often leads to a less than stellar finished |
| specific criteria when making your selection:o Point 1 - | | | | quality work. Prefabricated glass block window |
| Make sure the pricing is all inclusive and the vendor is | | | | shower and wall panels can be used to reduce the |
| reputable - Ever started a project you didn't think was | | | | installation time, save money, and improve the |
| going to cost you too much only to feel you were | | | | completed work. There are premade window panels |
| "nickeled and dimed" along the way - only those nickels | | | | available both with and without vinyl frames (the vinyl |
| and dimes were dollars and more dollars? If you're | | | | framed window works well for new construction and |
| buying prefabricated wall or window assemblies or | | | | room additions, while the frameless windows are |
| individual colored or etched blocks that are being | | | | preferred for basement windows in masonry |
| shipped to you, make sure the pricing includes all | | | | foundations). |
| relevant shipping and handling costs. Don't be fooled by | | | | Partition and shower wall projects are an excellent |
| cheap prices that are quoted FOB (freight on board) | | | | place to use prefabricated assemblies. With Vinyl |
| the city they are being shipped from. FOB means you | | | | Stack spacers between the units the installation is |
| will pay the freight as an extra charge. | | | | made far easier and these sections can be safely |
| For installation projects make sure you get a firm | | | | shipped on a nationwide basis.o Point 4 - Ask about |
| estimate and there is not wording on the contract of | | | | the wholesaler's experience with your specific product |
| cancellation charges or extra costs that "may occur" if | | | | needs or market's requirement - Glass block products |
| the job conditions are not quite right. A good way to | | | | are sold into many varied markets. There are |
| judge your potential contractor or supplier is to see if | | | | pre-drilled units sold to crafters who put lights in them |
| they've won any consumer generated service awards | | | | to sell at shows or give away as gifts. Framed |
| - like Angie's List, the Better Business Bureau | | | | windows are used extensively by remodelers and |
| Accreditation, or Consumers Choice Award.o Point 2 - | | | | builders for their ease of installation in home |
| Find a company that offers a broad product selection | | | | construction. Architects and commercial contractors |
| - Why limit yourself to a distributor or dealer who only | | | | use glass block companies for projects that can vary |
| offers one manufacturer's products? Glass block | | | | from a fire rated window or wall, a block paver floor, |
| prices and quality do vary from one manufacturer to | | | | or even a bar in a nightclub. Homeowners use block |
| another, but like most industries the different producers | | | | windows in basements, bathrooms, and garages to |
| do have unique items they specialize in (no one block | | | | increase security and improve energy efficiency and |
| manufacturer has the lock or the capacity to serve | | | | ventilation. |
| the varied needs of all markets and uses). Here's | | | | The key question to ask is what specific expertise |
| specific things to ask of your potential wholesaler or | | | | does your potential supplier have with your need or |
| supplier:o Do you carry more than one manufacturer's | | | | market. Check out their web site to see if what you're |
| products? There are block lines of supply from the | | | | looking to do is even represented or explained.o Point |
| United States, Indonesia, China, and Germany to name | | | | 5 - Learn if this company has installation expertise with |
| just a few countries of origin. Pittsburgh Corning, the | | | | glass blocks - Even if you're going to buy a premade |
| U.S. manufacturer, has an excellent line of fire rated | | | | window or wall shipped to you from a glass block |
| and solid security glass blocks. Mulia, an Indonesian | | | | wholesaler who is miles away you should find out if |
| manufacturer, makes high value blocks for basement | | | | they do installations in their local market. You might |
| and bathroom windows and showers. And Dezhou, a | | | | wonder why. The reason - a building material product |
| Chinese manufacturer, makes cost effective blocks | | | | is not a good product unless it's installed correctly. You |
| with pre-drilled holes used for the craft market. The | | | | should not only be looking to buy good quality products, |
| best block for your project might come from several | | | | but to choose someone to purchase from who can |
| different companies depending on what you're doing.o | | | | lead you through the installation process as well. This |
| What sizes, colors and designs are available? - Since | | | | can save you both money and aggravation getting |
| the block cannot be cut like a brick or a concrete block | | | | your project completed. |
| - one size does not fit all. For basement windows the | | | | Choose your glass block shower supplier carefully and |
| most commonly used sizes include 6 x 6, 6 x 8, and 8 | | | | you'll have an excellent looking, high quality, and low |
| x 8 and not having the full complement of sizes can | | | | maintenance wall that will last a long time. |