Partition of glass blocks. Methods for mounting partitions made of glass blocks, types of glass blocks, their advantages and disadvantages

Today, few people can say for sure what glass blocks are, but the situation has recently been going to change and at the moment glass blocks are essentially experiencing their second birth. Glass blocks are a rather original building material, which differs not only in modern design, but also in quite good soundproofing properties. So it makes sense to take a closer look at this building material.

According to GOST 9272-81 glass blocks- these are "products with a hermetically sealed cavity formed as a result of the connection of two pressed glass plates (halves-semi-blocks)". Each half is made of thick glass (6-7 mm). The shape of a glass block really looks like a brick, with the only difference being that inside this “brick” is hollow and even resembles double-glazed windows that are installed in modern windows. The air inside the glass block gives this building material excellent heat-saving and, of course, sound-proof properties.

The surface of such a "brick" can be both smooth and corrugated, transparent, matte and even colored. Now on sale most often there are glass blocks with a thickness of 7.5 to 10 cm. The weight of one such glass "brick" is from 2.5 to 4.3 kg. Typically, glass blocks are either square or rectangular in shape. The standard dimensions of modern glass blocks are 19 x 19 x 8 cm or 24 x 24 x 8 cm. But it should be borne in mind that in their price lists, firms, as a rule, indicate dimensions in millimeters. On sale you can also find the so-called halves (19 x 9 x 8 cm or 24 x 11.5x8 cm). In addition, glass blocks are also triangular, angular (for finishing corners, columns, etc.) and even round.

As you know, walls and partitions are built from glass bricks; this is a good heat-saving material. Glass does not burn, it transmits light well - and it is precisely these useful qualities that glass blocks have.

It can even be said that glass bricks to some extent went further than their “ancestors”. On the one hand, glass blocks (primarily colorless ones) transmit light as well as glass, which means that there is no need to install windows in a wall made of glass blocks. On the other hand, glass blocks are not as fragile as glass. So it is quite possible to build graceful internal partitions and even building facades from them. True, in this case, you will need to take translucent glass blocks.

It is especially valuable that such a wall, unlike brick or plasterboard, does not need to be plastered, painted or wallpapered. It is easy to care for it: just wash it.

Advantages

Of the key advantages of glass blocks, first of all, it is worth noting their high strength. Walls made of glass blocks are able to withstand significant temperature fluctuations (from -40 to + 50 ° C). They are very strong - able to withstand a slight earthquake. It will be possible to break the glass block only with a sledgehammer.

In the event that several glass blocks break for some reason, it is enough just to have a few spare pieces in reserve. If necessary, carefully knock out the damaged glass blocks and insert whole ones in their place.

Another major advantage of this building material is good thermal and sound insulation.

tion. The air space inside the glass block perfectly retains heat. In the West, attention has long been paid to the fact that glass blocks are an excellent energy-saving building material, and they are actively using it. Plus, glass blocks are a good sound insulator. By the way, their sound-absorbing properties are approximately the same as a brick wall of the appropriate thickness. That is, if you build two identical walls - one of bricks, the other of glass blocks, then they "extinguish" street noise in approximately the same way.

Another remarkable property of glass blocks is their incombustibility. They, as the firefighters say, do not support combustion. Moreover, the wall of glass blocks in the event of a fire remains intact - does not crack or melt for more than one hour. That is why this material is quite actively used.

They are used for the construction of walls in rooms that are subject to serious requirements regarding fire safety, for example, in the shops of the chemical industry.

And the last important advantage of this material is its lighting properties. According to experts, glass blocks are translucent (with a smooth surface of the front walls), light-scattering and light-guiding (glass blocks with corrugated surfaces, as a rule, have such effects). So, when choosing the color, texture and pattern of glass blocks, you first need to clearly understand where and for what they will serve you.

Glass blocks are mainly used for the construction of non-load-bearing walls (both external and internal). External walls made of glass "bricks" are usually erected in factories, factories and other enterprises where a lot of light is required, but it is not possible to put ordinary framed windows. Glass blocks lay out openings on the landings - which, admittedly, is also convenient and practical. On the one hand, it is more difficult to break, and on the other hand, they give light. In sports complexes, dressing rooms are finished with glass blocks - walls and windows are erected from them in sports halls, as well as swimming pools, baths and other wet rooms.

If we talk about residential premises, then recently glass blocks have become quite popular (and even fashionable) material that allows you to find the most unexpected solutions in interior design. Today, they are used to make walls in toilets and bathrooms, internal partitions, or simply insert glass blocks into walls as a decorative element.

Still, glass blocks are suitable not only for walls. They can also be used to decorate ceilings, roofs in private houses, make arches and canopies, winter gardens and attics out of them.

Which glass blocks to choose

Today on the construction market you can find glass blocks made in Russia, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy.

The glass "bricks" of domestic manufacturers actually resemble real bricks in some way - they are just as uneven and poorly processed. They are either transparent or dirty green, but they are cheap.

The most nondescript glass blocks are made in Belarus, at a factory in Grodno. These "bricks" of "bottle" color are familiar to many from the buildings of the Soviet era. Their size is 194 x 194 x 98 mm, there are only two types of ornaments - diamonds and small flowers with arcs.

Things are somewhat better with Russian glass blocks produced in the Bryansk region at the Starsteklo plant. These "bricks" are colorless and transparent. The range of patterns is somewhat wider. In addition to the standard size (194 x 194 x 98 mm), glass blocks 78 mm thick are made in Bryansk. The latter are only slightly inferior in their noise and heat insulation properties to the thicker "brothers", but they allow you to save a little space inside the room.

Imported glass blocks compare favorably with domestic products, which is quite natural. First of all - the richest choice of colors and shades (blue, blue, red, brown, pink, etc.), a variety of textures and patterns (diamonds, squares, with a wave, polo-juice, flower, marbled, transparent, matte, etc.), sizes and shapes (square, rectangular, triangular, angular, round, etc.).

For example, glass blocks from VitraBlok (Czech Republic). Here you will find a wide selection of ornaments and colors: from colorless and pale to saturated - green, red, blue, yellow. By the way, bright colors, which are not very popular abroad, are very popular with our customers.

Glass blocks of the Italian company Vetroarredo are generally a real work of art. One gets the impression that this is not glass at all, but crystal. And yet, according to professionals, one of the most solid and high-quality ones is German glass blocks. In addition to the fact that they are also famous for their beauty, their dimensions do not “jump” yet, which is extremely important during installation. The products of the Week and Solaris firms are presented on the Russian market.

Articles similar to Glass blocks: dimensions, GOST, description:

Glass blocks as a building and finishing material were used back in Soviet times, but after passing through decades and having undergone significant changes, glass bricks returned in a new way to perform decorative functions. In modern construction, this material has found wide application due to its unique properties and bright diversity.

Classification of glass blocks

Glass blocks are two glass half-blocks soldered together. Hollow inside. They differ in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, which can be found in the catalog with a photo. New production technologies make it possible to produce matte and colored glass blocks, corrugated and with inserts, which will transform the interior of any room.

• Forms. Available in the form of a brick, rectangular, half, hexagonal and angular. The last two are original, the first are the most popular.
• Color spectrum glass blocks in the interior:

1. colorless (from 70% to 90% transparency), colored (from 50% to 70% transparency);
2. matte (transparency less than 50%), transparent (transparent, light-guiding, light-scattering);
3. relief surface (drop, wave, cubes) and smooth;
4. with internal inserts and decorated in style stained glass(after viewing the photo, you can choose options with various decorative fillings);

• Coloring technique performed using two different technologies. They paint the inner surface before soldering the halves or give color when melting glass. This indicator affects the ability to transmit light.
• Application area. The three main types are decorative, interior and industrial. A shower room with elements of any kind will be original and unique.

Due to their technical characteristics, glass bricks have a number of advantages that allow them to be used in a variety of directions, and a do-it-yourself wall made of glass blocks as a structural element will delight not only with beauty, but also with practicality.

Advantages

• Differ in the increased fire resistance. Withstand high temperatures.
• They are durable, have excellent heat-saving, energy-saving and sound-proof qualities.

• Moisture resistant, therefore suitable for showers and pools.
• Glass blocks in the interior do not require plastering, painting, cladding with other materials.
• They have no contraindications for use in residential areas and comply with all hygiene standards.
• Installation of glass blocks is easy to do with your own hands.

Glass blocks and interior

For a long time there was an unambiguous attitude towards them - boring, unremarkable material, it breathes a chill, its place is in clinics and catering establishments. And then completely oblivious. Now they seem to burst into our house as something new, original. Glass blocks in the interior make the room bright and spacious. In construction, they are widely used as a finishing material for the design of individual elements, kitchens, bathrooms, partitions in residential premises. Glass blocks in the interior of the apartment create a unique atmosphere of comfort, as evidenced by numerous photos.

IN one-room apartment the original solution is partition for space zoning from glass blocks. If we assume that the sleeping area remains at the window, then the living room has lost natural light, but thanks to the partition made of glass blocks, there is enough light in the apartment, and the bedroom is hidden from prying eyes.

Glass blocks in bathroom and shower is a sought-after decorative material. On the one hand, they are opaque and at the same time let through part of the scattering light. Thanks to glass blocks as a partition, the shower room will visually increase in size, and by closing the toilet area with such material, you will add originality to the overall style with your own hands.

Advice! Before buying blocks, check out the options for decorating rooms in the photo and choose the most suitable one so as not to bring dissonance into the overall picture with a bright element.

Redevelopment with the construction of new partitions is the first stage in the repair of many apartments and houses. There are not only many, but also other important questions: what to build new partitions from, so that they are strong and reliable, easy to install and ditch, give good sound and heat insulation and do not become an unnecessary load on the floors?

All materials from which interior partitions are erected can be divided into piece and sheet. Today we will talk about piece - their pros, cons and features.

Brick

Brick is familiar to everyone as a building material. It can also be used for internal partitions. The brick is corpulent (4 kg) and hollow (about 3 kg). Despite the fact that a hollow brick partition will be lighter, it has a significant disadvantage: it will be difficult to hang objects on such a wall.

Price: 12-13 rubles for 1 brick. There are also cheaper, but this is a low quality marker.

Pros:

• durable material;
• provides good sound insulation (it is worse for a hollow one);
• can be used in wet areas.

Minuses:

• do not make a brick partition less than 14-15 cm thick (together with a layer of plaster);
• high cost of the material;
• a skilled worker is needed for laying, otherwise the wall will turn out to be a curve - the payment for such labor will also cost a pretty penny;
• leveling will require a lot of plaster - additional costs for material and work;
• even a hollow brick gives a large load on the floors.

tongue-and-groove slabs

Gypsum boards measuring 667x500x80(100) mm and weighing 22(28) kg each. They are assembled in the manner of a designer according to the "groove-comb" system. Like bricks, they are solid and hollow, but it is better not to use hollow ones for full-fledged partitions: they have very poor sound insulation and nothing can be hung on them.

Price: 200-270 rub. per stove

Pros:

• very even, therefore they do not require plastering, only puttying;
• easy to install (compared to brick);
• the finished partition is 85/105 mm thick, which is very convenient;
• Moisture-resistant plates are also sold (they are green);
• strong enough for attaching attachments;
• easily chipped.

Minus: bad soundproofing.

Aerated concrete blocks

The blocks are made from quartz sand, cement, water and an additive in the form of aluminum powder. During solidification, air is passed through the material and the bubbles remain inside, facilitating the construction. Each block has a size of 600x250 and a width of 50 to 500 mm. Typically, blocks of 100 mm thick are used, they weigh 11 kg each.

Price: 65-75 rub. per block

Pros:

• easily chipped;
• not very heavy;
• Sturdy enough to hold hanging items.

Minus: bad soundproofing.

Foam concrete blocks

The composition of foam concrete blocks is similar to the composition of aerated concrete, but instead of aluminum powder, additives of biological origin are used, which makes these blocks even stronger. In the form of additives, for example, eggs can be used, but do not worry about the smell: it will be completely chemically neutralized. The only feature associated with this: use foam blocks with a density of 600-800 kg per cubic meter, especially in private houses and summer cottages, since at a lower density the partitions can be very fond of rodents. And at a density above 800, not only rodents will not be able to cope with their teeth, but it will not be easy for tools for chasing walls.

Price: 65-75 rub. per block

This material has continuous pros:

• it is enough just to putty, which will add only 5 mm to the wall thickness;
• mounting such blocks is easier than bricks, but more difficult than tongue-and-groove slabs;
• moisture resistant boards are also sold;
• easily chipped;
• not very heavy, 11 kg block;
• strong enough to attach attachments, even stronger than foam concrete;
• good soundproofing.

glass blocks

Glass cubes measuring 19x19x8 cm and weighing 4 kg each. They are mainly used in rooms with high humidity and where there is not enough light: transparent blocks transmit about 80% of the light, and colored and matte blocks about 50%. Decorative blocks with a composition inside are also sold. Often only part of the partitions are made of glass blocks, as if laying out a window from them, but there are also full-fledged glass walls. There is a limitation here: no more than 15 blocks on top of each other, otherwise the lower ones will start to crack.

Price depends on the country of origin: Russia and Belarus - from 80 rubles. a piece; China - from 200 rubles; Germany, Czech Republic, Italy - from 230 rubles. Colored, matte and decorative are always more expensive.

Pros:

• waterproof;
• let light through;
• excellent sound insulation;
• non-combustible material;
• do not require fine finishing;
• relatively easy setup.

Minuses:

• light, passing through the glass block, heats up and can create a greenhouse effect in the room, which is good only for greenhouses;
• frosted blocks are very easy to get dirty, they should not be used in the kitchen, in the hallway and in other places with a high level of pollution;
• through the glass blocks you can see movement and silhouettes, albeit distorted, which not everyone will like;
• you can’t put anything in front of a wall of glass blocks (on the other hand, it will look like a threatening black shadow);
• don't hang anything on this wall.

Summarize

We recognize foam concrete blocks as the best piece material for the construction of interior partitions! Aerated concrete and tongue-and-groove slabs are also a good option where high sound insulation is not required. Glass blocks are best used as inserts in partitions made of other materials.

In addition to piece materials, there are also sheet materials - we will talk about them in the second part of this article, do not miss it!

Photos: gid-str.ru, stroyremned.ru, aquagroup.ru, delaytesami.com, budmaydan.com

Very often, when decorating a bathroom, glass is used, which resembles frozen water. It brings light into the interior of the room, expands the space. That is why the use of glass blocks is very popular in the arrangement of the bathroom. Everyone without exception likes this material, even the most demanding customers prefer glass blocks for space zoning.

What is glass block?

Glass block is a simple product that has the shape of a brick, is made of glass and has an empty interior. The thickness of its walls is from 6 to 8 mm. This material is in demand when creating partitions in the bathroom due to the non-standard distribution of light. The glass block has many properties that allow you to create reliable sound and thermal insulation due to the rarefied air located inside. It is made exclusively from environmentally friendly materials. Glass brick stands out for its good fire resistance.

One of the most important properties of glass block is moisture resistance, so it can be used when decorating a bathroom. This material allows you to create original forms of partitions, without limiting the designer's imagination. With it, you can select various effects, give the room luxury and charm. The bathroom will be bright, stylish and comfortable.

Over the past few years, the glass block has become very popular. Manufacturers offer a wide range of products. They create a variety of shapes: square, rectangle, corner, round, etc. Today you can buy glass blocks of any color or texture. At the peak of popularity today, glass blocks with decorative fillers or decorated with backlight.

Glass block is an excellent choice when decorating a bathroom, because neither fungi nor bacteria can survive on its surface. In addition, glass is easy to clean and disinfect.

Dimensions

Glass blocks for decorating rooms have standard sizes - 19x19x8 cm and 24x24x8 cm. One glass block has a weight of 2.5 to 4 kg. The thickness of the product is from 7.5 to 10 cm.

Price

Today you can buy glass blocks at different prices. The buyer independently chooses the option that satisfies his needs. The price of glass blocks depends on many factors - size, color, shape and manufacturer. But on average, glass blocks are available to everyone. One such "brick" can cost from 110 to 310 rubles.

Diversity

Glass blocks are presented by manufacturers in different colors. Their surface can be corrugated, glossy or matte. The choice depends entirely on the preferences of the client. For the play of light, you can choose the appropriate option, because they are translucent, light-scattering and light-guiding.

Glass blocks can be of different shapes: rectangular, square, round, oval, triangular, with rounded corners, in the form of corner parts or other irregular shapes.

Glass block partitions in bathroom design

Ordinary partitions

Translucent glass blocks can be used in a variety of partitions when decorating a bathroom to create multiple zones. They transmit light well, and at the same time create a blurry image. Often glass block partitions are used to separate the shower and bathroom. This design creates a magnificent tandem with ceramic tiles.

shower cabin

A glass block shower enclosure is often used by designers who want to create an elegant and modern interior. If you use glass blocks for the walls of the shower cabin, then the room will become lighter, because they let in about 85 percent of the light. Glass blocks can be of various shapes, which allows the designer to be creative. Using glass blocks as shower walls, you can achieve several goals at the same time: divide the space, reliably protect the entire room from splashing water while taking a shower, create privacy, and also decorate the interior of the bathroom.

Window

Not every bathroom has a window, but if there is one, you can also add originality thanks to the use of glass blocks. They allow you to add unusualness, create soft lighting, and are also distinguished by high strength and a variety of shapes. There are a lot of pluses, but there is one small minus - the lack of ventilation. Therefore, before you put glass blocks on the windows, you should take care of the ventilation of the room.

Decorative inserts

Very often, designers use glass blocks to create partitions in the bathroom. Glass stones will add originality and style to the interior. But you should know the measure, do not overload the partition with decors.

Installation

The process of installing a glass block partition is not easy, but you can do it yourself, even without special skills and abilities.

You can use one of the existing mounting methods:

• special frames, modules and profiles;
• cement-sand mortar;
• adhesive compound.

With the help of special frames, the installation of glass blocks can be entrusted even to a beginner. Blocks should be placed in special cells of the module, using rubber gaskets for fixing. Even without a plumb line and building level, you can quickly and easily build a partition. This method of installing glass blocks allows you to move the partition to another location if you wish. The entire structure remains intact. If you use an adhesive composition or a cement-sand mortar, then its location cannot be changed.

Each glass block has a protective film. Before installation, it should not be removed, because you can not only stain the block, but damage it.

In construction stores, you can buy a special high-quality adhesive that provides quick and easy installation of glass blocks. Due to its transparent texture, it remains invisible, so it will not affect the appearance of the glass blocks in any way.

The cheapest way to install a glass block partition is to use a cement-sand mortar. You will also need spacer crosses for even masonry. The installation process takes place in several stages:

• sand for the solution must be fine, because large grains of sand can scratch the glass;
• glass blocks have a special film that can be removed only after installation. If this film is damaged, then ordinary tape will help;
• work should begin with markings, while it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the room, the glass block and the seams that will be placed between them. If the bathroom has more than 15 meters, then it is worth laying a frame of profiles. To achieve high rigidity, the frame is fixed in three directions: on the floor, ceiling and wall. If the frame is not used, then it is possible to reinforce the seams with metal wire;
• Only three rows of glass blocks can be laid per day. The solution does not adhere well to glass, so it is necessary to give it time to securely fix;
• This installation method is used exclusively for low partitions. The lower rows cannot withstand huge loads, since the solution can spread as a result of a large weight;
• for structural strength, it is necessary to purchase special metal rods that have a cross section of 4 to 6 mm. They are used before laying the next row;
• after installing the glass blocks, you need to process them with grout to hide the solution. But to save time, you can immediately install using a colored solution.

Glass blocks are now used not only for partitions in the bathroom - any premises are zoned with similar walls, even building facades are created from them. They are also used as decorative elements in bulkheads made of other materials - drywall, wood, brick. Light transmission, thermal protection, moisture resistance and external beauty are the main advantages of glass blocks. They transmit light almost as well as ordinary glass, but much stronger. To create a glass block wall, it is not necessary to hire specialists - if you know the technological nuances, you can do it yourself.

The blocks are obtained by joining glass tiles with a thickness of about 7 mm into a kind of brick. Inside it is rarefied air, thanks to which the block walls protect well from extraneous noise and save heat.

To create a beautiful partition, you need to know the dimensions of the glass blocks:

Glass blocks for creating partitions do not necessarily look like bricks. For the construction of extravagant bulkheads, pyramids, cubes, hemispheres, stars, corners, curvilinear products are used. The latter are often used as decorative inserts.

The surface of glass blocks for bulkheads is absolutely transparent, matte, colored, corrugated.

Smooth unpainted products can pass up to 80 percent of the light rays, tinted - up to 50 percent. Matte blocks scatter light, while corrugated ones transform it, creating an interesting play of highlights.

They also produce decorative bricks with pictures inserted inside or even figures of animals, insects, shells, ship models. Modern technologies make it possible to equip the cavity of the block with LEDs, which creates a fascinating illumination of the partition.

Technology of laying glass blocks

Partition glass blocks - the design is beautiful and simple to build. One person can handle it. Here it is important to know and follow the rules for installing a glass block partition in accordance with the chosen method - “wet” or “dry”.

Proper installation of glass blocks

In order to properly lay glass bricks, it is necessary to take into account the nuances of working with the material:

• The surface on which the glass blocks are planned to be laid must be completely flat and clean.
• The wall area should not be more than 15 "squares", otherwise the elements of the lower rows may crack due to a significant load.
• The wall of this material cannot be used as a carrier.
• The film that protects the glass blocks is removed only after rubbing the seams.

If you decide to use glass blocks to create partitions in the bathroom, it is better to enclose the location of the old font with them, where all communications have already been connected.

The base for the false wall must have a margin of bearing strength. If in doubt, it will be necessary to make reinforcements using special metal structures.

Cement method of glass block laying

It is believed that the creation of a partition or ledge from glass blocks by laying them on a cement-sand mortar is the most economical. This process is called "wet": it resembles bricklaying, only glass blocks are not installed in a checkerboard pattern, but one above the other. Only a finely dispersed mixture can be used for the solution. Large fragments can damage the glass surface.

The use of special glue will simplify the work even more. Some compositions are produced colorless, which will preserve the ideal transparency of the false wall.

Identical seams between glass blocks are obtained by using spacer crosses. If the bulkhead is rounded, then the crosses between the elements are installed only in the inner part of the rounding. On the outside, the seams will remain equal to each other, but will be larger than on the inside. Their value is affected by the radius of the rounding. It is possible to reduce the size of joints in a rounded wall by using "half" glass blocks. And the smaller the radius, the higher the need to use semi-blocks.

For the construction of solid bulkheads of significant dimensions, it is required to assemble a frame base from a metal profile, fixed on the floor, ceiling, wall.

How to build a partition "wet":

1. Mix a small amount of adhesive, enough to mount three rows of glass blocks.
2. Apply glue to all sides of the products. Between them, after installation, insert masonry crosses.
3. After completing each row, lay reinforcing bars with a diameter of 4-6 mm on top. In the first row, install them also in the seams between the blocks so that they protrude above the masonry. So they will enter the seams and subsequent rows.
4. Wait a day for the adhesive to fully harden.
5. Repeat cycles until the entire height of the partition is erected.

After the construction of the false wall, the seams are rubbed, and the protective film is removed from the glass blocks. To close the connection of the partition element with the floor, a plastic plinth is used.

The traditional method of laying glass blocks

In this case, a "dry" method of fastening glass blocks is used. They are fixed on special modular systems. This method allows you to quickly build completely smooth walls without using a plumb line and level.

The material of the frames is varied. These are plastic, wood, polyurethane, aluminum of various shades and textures.

Modular systems do not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the partition, on the contrary, they bring an additional artistic effect to the design of the living room or bedroom.

Frame cells are made according to the size of glass blocks. During the work, constant checking of the horizontal and vertical levels is not required, and the laying process progresses much faster.

The frame base is fixed to the wall, floor and ceiling with dowel-nails or self-tapping screws. The blocks are fixed in the cells by using special rubber gaskets - seals or silicone sealants. The latter are used more often: the structure comes out stronger, since the blocks are glued into the frame. But when using rubber seals, the damaged element is easier to replace.

Installation is quite fast and accessible to even an inexperienced builder. The advantages of this method are that the partition element can be moved if necessary.

Do-it-yourself glass block laying

If you decide to install a rectilinear bulk partition made of glass blocks in the living room, hallway or bathroom, it is better to choose the “dry” method.

When designing a partition of complex configuration, the cement method is chosen. Reinforcement bars will need to be bent to the desired shape.

For "wet" technology you will need:

• level;
• marker for marking;
• roulette;
• spacer crosses;
• wire cutters;
• drill:
• putty knife;
• tile drill.

You will also need a cement-sand mixture or glue, a container and a whisk for mixing, wire or fiberglass reinforcement.

A set of tools and materials is different for creating a partition using a “dry” technology with your own hands, for example, here you need a puncher, a grinder with a stone disc, seals or silicone sealant. If the module is wooden, you will additionally need a hacksaw with fine teeth and a screwdriver.

Before erecting a bulkhead, determine its dimensions. They must correspond to the dimensions of the selected glass blocks - these elements cannot be filed. If there are discrepancies, it is better to buy half-blocks of a suitable color.

In order not to be mistaken with the sizes and the pattern, lay out the blocks in the right order on the floor and draw a diagram showing all the sizes. Then make markings on the bearing surfaces with a check for the verticality of the lines. After that, you can begin the construction of the partition in the chosen way.

Glass blocks in the interior of the apartment

The possibilities of using glass blocks for partitions in the interior are extensive. With their help, they make out interior false walls of various shapes, enclose baths and showers, create windows, columns and arches, and make out flights of stairs.

Glass blocks will enliven and improve the interior design, decorated in a laconic style:

• minimalistic;
• high tech;
• constructivist;
• pop Art;
• urban;
• eclectic;
• environmentally friendly;
• modern and postmodern;
• art deco.

But it is quite difficult to fit them into the classical style, baroque or renaissance, although it is possible as rare decorative elements.

Glass blocks successfully zone the space: they can be used to separate the kitchen and recreation area in a studio apartment or to distinguish between the living room and the hallway. Illuminated options look interesting, for example, a bar counter luminous from the inside or a decorative window made of colored glass blocks in the partition separating the sleeping area. And the most daring experimenters insert decorative elements into the floor coverings.

Advantages and disadvantages of glass blocks

Transparent blocks allow enough light to pass through so that you do not need to use the main lighting and save on electricity. But even colored products, due to translucency, do not create the feeling of a closed space.

Other advantages of the material are:

• Fire resistance. The blocks keep the heat for at least an hour.
• Good sound insulation and heat retention due to internal cavities. Due to this, the blocks are used to decorate the facades of buildings.
• Odor absorption resistance.
• Ecological friendliness and safety for health.
• Moisture resistance combined with the impossibility of the formation of mold and fungus.
• Undemanding care. Such partitions can be cleaned with common household glass surface cleaners.
• Variety of decorative possibilities.

However, glass block partitions also have certain disadvantages. You cannot hang a shelf or a cabinet on them, since it is forbidden to make holes in the blocks. It is also impossible to hide communication highways behind them or inside them. If the window in the room is decorated with glass blocks, it will be necessary to install a ventilation system - after all, it will not be possible to make a window. Also, the disadvantages of glass blocks include the high cost of quality products.

Glass block bulkheads require accuracy in measurements and accuracy in laying. But beauty and functionality more than pay off the effort to create them.