How To Install A Glass Block Window With Mortar

Looking for a How To on a Glass Cake Window Installation?

So yous need a drinking glass block window installed at your dwelling house? There are two ways you tin go nearly completing this project. Option one you can head to Google and search for things like "glass block installers near me". Find a reputable installation company and accept them install the glass cake window for you. Or option ii would be heading to Google and searching "how to install glass block". Which is probably how you concluded up on our page!

By post-obit the steps beneath yous can install you're own drinking glass block window!

The tools required for the mortar drinking glass block window installation organisation are a margin trowel, mortar pan, polyfoam brush, sponge, tin snips, screwdriver or power drill, fine tooth saw or miter saw, caulking gun, utility knife, metal file, record measure out, 3/viii″ to ane/ii″ striking tool and 2′ level.

1. Set up The Rough Opening for The Glass Cake Window Installation

A. Make certain the opening is the correct size. To make up one's mind the correct size of the crude opening, add together 1/4″ to the sum of the nominal block sizes for both the height and width.

Example: Panel (using 8″ x 8″ block) is iv cake broad (8 x 4 + one/4″ = 32-ane/iv″) and v block high (viii x 5 + 1/4″ = 40-1/4″). Crude opening needs to be 32-1/4″ wide and 40-1/four″ high.

B. Use a level to brand sure the opening is level and plumb.

C. Measure out the opening diagonally from corner to corner in both directions, and compare the glass block dimensions to check for squareness. These dimensions should be equal to within 1/viii″

ii. Install Perimeter Aqueduct

A. Cutting the aqueduct to fit the perimeter of the opening. The channel ends may be cut directly or mitered.

If cutting the ends directly:

Cut the top and bottom channels to the width of the opening.
Cutting the side channels to the height of the opening minus 1-1/2″ so they volition fit betwixt the top and bottom channels.

If mitering the ends, make all cuts at a 45° angle.

B. Cut the top channel in half lengthwise with a utility knife. Score the heart groove with the knife and break the channel in half. Apply glass block sealant to back of aqueduct before installing

C. Install the bottom channel:

The channel may be installed in the center of the opening, or flush with the interior or exterior side of the opening.
Attach the aqueduct to the opening past inserting #6 x 1″ apartment caput galvanized screws or equivalent through the predrilled holes in the channel. Insert 2 screws in each end of the channel.

D. Install the side channels in the aforementioned manner making sure they are plumb earlier attaching with screws

E. Install the half pinnacle channel:

Place the half channel in the top of the opening making sure information technology is aligned with the side channels.
Attach the channel to the opening by inserting #6 x 1″ flat head galvanized screws through the predrilled holes in the channel. Insert a screw at each end of the channel.
On exterior windows, the screwed in half aqueduct should e'er be the exterior side.

F. Paint all of the screw heads white to reduce their visibility.

3. Preparation of Universal Mortar Spacers

A. Get together the spacers for the series of cake you are installing. The spacers come in ii halves, snap the spacers together to fit the width of the block.

B. Modify the spacers using tin can snips based on their location:

Where four cake come together, spacers are used as assembled. These are called "REGULAR".
Where block run across the side perimeter channel, clip off both sets of smooth legs. Twist-off tabs remain in place. File off any burrs and so the spacer will lay flat. These are called "Apartment".
For the superlative row of block, prune off one upper toothed leg and cut the twist off tab in half. These are called "H".

This is a reference guide for where "REGULAR" and modified spacers are used.

four. Mortar Grooming

Mix mortar according to the instructions on the premix mortar handbag. When mixed to the proper consistency, mortar should stick to the edge of the glass block when turned on edge.

Be sure to read and understand all precautions outlined by the mortar manufacturer. Freshly mixed mortar may cause skin irritation.

*Want to learn more nigh mortar? Bank check out our web log, What is Mortar?, to learn about what mortar is and why we employ it!

v. Install The First Row

A. Place two glass blocks in the sill aqueduct, sliding 1 block into the right jamb and ane block into the left jamb. Make certain the blocks are seated in the channels.

B. Install the next glass block:

Apply three/8″ to 1/2″ of mortar to the edge of the next block.
Place the cake in the channel with the mortar facing a previously installed cake.
As you install the block, insert a "REGULAR" spacer with the cross arm down where the ii blocks meet.
Push button the block firmly in place, forming a 1/four″ mortar joint. Make sure the articulation is completely filled with mortar.

C. Install the remaining blocks in the offset row in the same fashion.

Utilize three/eight″ to 1/2″ of mortar to both edges of the last block installed in the row.
Be sure to insert "REGULAR" spacers with the cantankerous arm downwardly, where two blocks come across.
Button the blocks firmly in place, forming ane/4″ mortar joints. Make sure the joints are completely filled with mortar

D. Remove backlog mortar with a polyfoam castor, and fill any voids on both sides of the panel.

vi. Install The Remaining Rows

A. Use a iii/viii″ to 1/2″ mortar bed on top of the kickoff row.

B. Place a "FLAT" spacer on top of the outset and final block of the previous row where they meet the side channels.

C. Set the first cake and last block of the next row into the side channels on summit of the "FLAT" spacers.

D. Install the remaining blocks in the row in the same mode equally the first row.

Utilise 3/8″ to 1/2″ of mortar to the edge of each block that meets a previous block. Apply mortar to both edges of the last block installed in the row.
Exist certain to insert "REGULAR" spacers with the cross arm downward, where two blocks meet.
Push the blocks firmly in place, forming 1/4″ mortar joints. Brand sure the joints are completely filled with mortar.
Remove excess mortar with a polyfoam castor, and fill whatever voids on both sides of the console.
Check periodically to ensure that the blocks are straight, level and plumb. Adjust every bit needed.

E. Echo Steps 6A – 6D to install each row of block, except for the side by side to last row.

F. Install the adjacent to last row of block using "H" spacers in identify of "REGULAR" spacers. Insert "H" spacers and "Flat" spacers as shown.

Thousand. Lay a bed of mortar on peak of the next to last row, installing "Apartment" spacers at each corner.

H. Install the last row of cake starting with a cake in each top corner, so work toward the middle. Be certain to apply mortar to both sides of the last block.

I. Press any mortar that has been forced out back into the joints using a polyfoam brush.

J. Remove all mortar from the glass block faces.

vii. Finishing The Drinking glass Cake Window Installation

A. Twist off the spacer tabs on both sides of the panel.

B. With moderate force per unit area, run the striking tool over all the joints. Information technology is best to strike all the horizontal joints first, then the vertical joints and then the blueprint is compatible. Fill any voids with mortar.

C. Use a damp sponge to remove the excess mortar from the drinking glass block face up, rinsing the sponge ofttimes. Do not be concerned about the dry picture that remains on the blocks, it will be cleaned off afterwards.

D. Use a soft, dry out cloth to remove the excess film. A common household plastic scouring pad tin can too exist used.

E. Cutting the expansion strip to a i-1/2″ width and insert it betwixt the tiptop of the blocks and the frame.

F. Use sealant to the dorsum of the one-half-section of channel and install information technology between the expansion strip and frame. G. Employ glass block sealant effectually the perimeter to seal the glass cake and channel. Also seal the elevation channel to the frame at the head.

Now that you have installed your very own glass block window, it's time to enjoy all the joys glass cake can bring!

Source: https://glassblocksupply.com/glass-block-window-installation/

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