| Designing and building a glass block shower wall or | | | | Design Tip # 4 - When to choose the 8" x 8" x 4" |
| window should not be rocket science - but there are | | | | block - The most cost effective block to design your |
| wide array of sizes and patterns to choose from that | | | | shower, wall or window with is the 8 x 8 x 4 size. |
| can make the task seem difficult. This article will | | | | Since this unit uses a small number of units per square |
| provide specific tips and steps to ensure you get the | | | | foot and because the production runs of this size are |
| right size blocks for your job. | | | | large their total costs per square foot tend to be the |
| Design Tip # 1 - When to choose a 4" x 8" x 4" block | | | | most reasonable. Another reason to consider this size |
| - Since this block is the skinniest unit it is used either to | | | | is the end, step down, 45 degree angle, and 90 degree |
| fill in a window opening where a thin block is needed or | | | | corner blocks are available in this size and in multiple |
| to create a curved kitchen or recreation room bar. If | | | | patterns (including Decora, Wave, Icescapes, Iceberg & |
| you're looking for a way to jazz up your selection | | | | Clear). |
| consider sprinkling in some frosted or colored glass | | | | Design Tip # 5- When to use 12" x 12" x 4" blocks - |
| blocks as well. It is usually better to try to prefabricated | | | | The 12" x 12" unit is used primarily for its larger size |
| sections using this block because they are difficult to | | | | and mass. This selection is most commonly used in |
| lay using the unit by unit method due to the fact they | | | | glass block window and wall in-fill projects |
| don't have much surface area on the 4" side. | | | | predominately in the commercial market. Common |
| Design Tip # 2 - When to choose a 6" x 6" x 4" block | | | | patterns include Decora, Wave, Argus, Vue, and Clear. |
| - This unit is most often used for either new | | | | Design Tip #6 - Mix up sizes, colors and frosted |
| construction or replacement windows. It looks good | | | | options for a unique touch- Why be uniform when you |
| when it's paired in larger commercial openings with the | | | | can step out with a unique style of your own? Mixing |
| 12" x 12" x 4" sized masonry units. It is available in | | | | the sizes together provides just the touch that can |
| many of the common patterns including Decora, | | | | make a project stand out. It is usually easiest to mix |
| Wave, Argus, Vue, Clear and Iceberg patterns. This | | | | blocks like 6" x 6" with the 12" x 12" units or to mix 4" x |
| block is difficult to use with partition walls because | | | | 8" blocks with 8" x 8" units. Another option to consider |
| there are not any finishing end, corner or curved blocks | | | | is the use of colored or frosted glass blocks - use a |
| that accompany 6" sizes. | | | | few of them as accents, stripes or as a complete wall |
| Design Tip # 3 - When to choose a 6" x 8" x 4" block | | | | or window. |
| - This unit size is often an excellent choice when | | | | Design Tip #7 - If you're still not sure call the experts - |
| you're looking to complete a shower stall or enclosure. | | | | Sometimes it's easiest and best to call the block |
| The reason this block works out well is because the | | | | experts to design your shower, window or wall project |
| curved glass blocks and many of the finished bull nose | | | | and take any guesswork out of the process. |
| end units are manufactured in the 6" x 8" x 4" size. | | | | Now that you're equipped with these sizing tips you're |
| Since this size is not too large it comes in handy when | | | | ready to get moving on your glass block shower wall |
| you're designed a curved walk in shower wall where | | | | or window project. |
| there is not a lot of depth for the shower base. | | | | |