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Mike Foti asked:




Why should you even care about a basement window - it’s just the small little nasty bug filled window in the lower level of your home that hardly ever gets opened? With energy prices rising at an unprecedented pace, security concerns increasing, and water levels rising in some areas of the country causing flooding, you might be ignoring these lower level windows at your own expense. This article will explore the benefits, latest trends and product options with lower level windows with a focus on basement glass block windows.

Glass Block Window Benefits for your lower level space

Here are the 5 top benefits you’ll realize by replacing your existing basement windows:

1. Reduce High Energy Costs - Most lower level windows have old rusted metal frames or rotten wood frames with a single pane window glass inside. They are usually the most inefficient windows in the home. Block glass windows are 10 times more energy efficient than single pane glass.

2. Increased Security/Ease of Gaining Entry into the Home - Existing window are flimsy, usually held in with caulk and are an easy target for break ins. New glass brick windows are mortated into the foundation making them difficult and time consuming to attempt to break through.

3. Increased privacy - It’s easy to see into the lower level through the clear glass in the existing windows. With block you can pick a high privacy pattern like Icescapes or Delphi from Pittsburgh Corning or Ice or Pristal from Mulia to let the light in, yet keep others from looking in.

4. Cut Maintenance takes time, money and energy - Single pane metal and wood windows need to be repainted and caulked to keep the elements out and to prevent rust and erosion. With glass block basement windows there is no maintenance needed since the windows are mortared into the foundation.

5. Windows will become easy to operate - Lower level windows are often rusted shut, or cannot easily be opened making a basement smell musty and allowing mold spores to grow. New block windows can be combined with fresh air vents or power exhaust fans to make your basement healthier for your family and friends.

Lower Level Window and Wall Hot Trends and Product Options

Although basement windows have been in existence for ages, like most products the options have expanded in proportion to the needs of the families they serve. Here are some of the hottest trends in lower level living spaces and product options available to you:

- Trend 1- Remodeling the Lower Level to Add Cost Effective Space with Egress Windows It is more cost effective to build down (remodeling the basement) than to build out (adding a room addition) or to build up (adding another floor). If you’re looking to add a bedroom in the basement consider digging out around your foundation and putting an egress window in for more air flow and the ability to get out of the space in the case of an emergency. Consider an operable acrylic block egress window to accomplish this objective.

- Trend 2 - Turning your lower level space into a “Man Den” with custom decorated and colored glass block windows and walls - If you’re looking for a place to hang out with friends, watch some great sporting events on a big screen TV the lower level is becoming the place to do it. If you’re a college or pro sports fan you can have the glass block windows or walls custom decorated with your team’s colors, or designs. This will give you the privacy you want with the one of kind style at the same time!

- Trend 3 - Finding and creating the right space for your hobbies with security, privacy and proper air ventilation - If you’d like to use your basement for crafts, sewing, wood working, machining you may be bringing in expensive equipment into your basement and have the need for more air flow. With basement glass block windows you can now incorporate high privacy patterns and exhaust fans within the glass window for the additional air flow - turning your basement into your hobby headquarters.

Your basement no longer needs to be the dungeon of your home. With glass block basement windows and wall products you can get the functional benefits you need with the cool style you desire!

Mike Foti asked:




Understanding how to develop the right size shower base and shower walls with glass blocks does not need to be some mysterious process. If you’ll follow the steps in this article you’ll have an easy to clean, structurally sound, and unique shower you can enjoy in your home or commercial property for years to come.

Step 1) What type of glass block shower do you want?

There are basically two types of showers you can use - a shower without a door, and a shower with a door. Here’s an overview of where to use both:

A) Showers without a door (walk in and roll in showers) - Door-less showers have become hot in bathroom design over the last 5 years. The two most popular types of these showers are walk in and roll in showers. The biggest advantage of walk in showers is you can eliminate the cost of the shower door and having to bend over to clean around the door’s framing system. The roll in shower also does not have a door, but also eliminates the curb around the base that someone has to step over to get into the shower. This makes the shower much more accessible to those with special needs. The roll in shower base is gradually sloped in towards the drain. The biggest disadvantages of the doorless showers is their bases (or platforms) need to be sized larger.

B) Showers with a door (neo angle or corner showers) - Most showers have doors to prevent water from splashing out. A popular type of shower enclosure is a neo angle variety that is placed in the corner of a bathroom to conserve space. The advantage of a shower enclosure system with a door is that it can fit into tighter spaces (these showers can be as small as 32″ or 36″).

Step 2) What type of glass block shower base do you want? How do you size this base and design it out at your project site?

There are two generic types of shower bases available for block - (1) the preformed base and (2) the custom concrete base.

• The preformed base is created and sized before it is brought to the job site and can be made out of acrylic, cultured marble, or other solid surface materials. It is generally thought to cost less than a custom base, which is often true, but not always. The biggest advantage of these types of systems is they are built as one solid unit to minimize the concern about water leakage through the base. The biggest disadvantage is their size cannot be adjusted at the job site. Pittsburgh Corning makes an acrylic right or left hand entry walk in glass block shower base measuring 72″ x 51″, a Neo Angle shower measuring 51″ x 51″, a Square corner shower measuring 48″ x 48″ and even an acrylic shower base 60″ x 32″ that can be used to convert a small existing tub space into a new contemporary shower!

• The custom concrete or mud set pan base is sized at the new home, remodeling, or commercial building site. Since glass block cannot be cut like tile, you’ll need to use layout cards that correspond to the size of the block units to make sure the custom base you’ll make will match up with the specific block sizes for your design. Most of the layout cards are approximately 4″ wide (3 7/8″ is the exact size) to accommodate for the most common thickness of block used for showers. The other base thickness is 3 1/8″ wide, although design options with this thickness series are more limited.

Step 3) Choosing the right sizes, shapes, and colors to make your glass block shower cool and unique.

• There are a wide selection of block sizes, patterns, shapes, colors and even artistically designed murals available for your shower. Here’s a brief overview of your options:

o Sizes and thicknesses of glass blocks for showers - Glass masonry units are made is both metric and American sizes. Most of the blocks available in the United States are American sized. The American sized blocks are available in 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 8″, and 12″ x 12″. Specialty shapes can help you turn corners, make 45 degree neo angle showers, create rounded or radius walls if you’re looking to make a walk in or roll in shower, or finish off the end of the shower wall with a smooth bullnose look. The blocks have nominal sizes meaning the actual size of the block units is ¼” smaller allowing for a mortar joint to adhere the block to one another (an 8″ x 8″ block actually measures 7 ¾” x 7 ¾”). The blocks for showers are 3″ and 4″ thick. Thinner block (3 1/8″) are more cost effective, but shower design options are much more limited in this thickness of block.

o Patterns, designs and colored glass blocks - Blocks come in a multitude of patterns providing different levels of privacy, style, and design options. The block are now available in standard and custom colors, tints, and artistically decorated murals to match any interior design style. Check out a comprehensive block web site to see the possibilities.

Step 4) How tall should you make your glass block shower? What do you need to do to make it structurally sound? Most block showers are built on a curb (with the exception of the roll in shower) which is 4″ to 5″ in height. Since many shower heads are placed 84″ above the finished floor consider building your glass block wall 80″ tall (this will make the size of your glass block wall + the size of your base equal to the height of your shower head). To make the glass shower walls structurally sound they should be tied into side walls with anchors every third coursing of block (usually this is every 24″).

Step 5) Don’t worry about any of the first 4 steps and call a glass block shower supplier and installation professional - If you really don’t want to figure out what size, shape, and shower base is best call a block specialty company who offers design, supply and installation services. This type of company will usually come to your home or business (without a charge), measure your shower space, figure out the possible types of bases and showers for you, and install it with a guarantee.

Mike Foti asked:




When sizing a glass block window panel you need to throw out the old saying “measure twice and cut once.” With an interior or exterior block window project you need to measure twice and don’t cut at all (this is because you can’t slice through a block and have it retain it’s structural integrity and energy efficiency properties). Although determining the size of the block glass window does require skill and knowledge, it does not take a neurosurgeon to figure this stuff out. In this article you’ll learn the 4 step process to get the correct window size, system, pattern, color and options for your needs and tastes.

Step 1) Where do you want to use the block window? What material is (or will be surrounding) surrounding the window opening?

• Will your glass block window be used in a lower level basement, a 1st floor garage or commercial building, or a 2nd floor bathroom window that is 20 foot to the sill? If you’re putting the window on the lower level you can generally make the window panel larger since you won’t have to be lifting it in the air (most basement windows tend to use anywhere from 8 to 15 blocks in a pre-assembled section - weighing from 50 lbs. to 90 lbs per section). Most second floor bathroom windows tend to use 12 to 24 blocks so you might want to select a thinner block thickness (either 2″ or 3 1/8″) so the panel is lighter and easier to install.

• The surrounding materials the window panel will be set in (also called the head - or top, jambs - or side, or sill - or bottom) are also important. If you’re doing a basement foundation window that will be set inside a masonry wall made of concrete block, sandstone, or poured concrete you may want to size your block window using a mortar joint (to match up with your surrounding masonry materials) vs. a silicone jointing process for the window. For a bathroom window inside of a wood framed opening the silicone vinyl framed glass block window system might be preferred because this window is lighter (usually built with 2″ thick blocks) and easier to set, making an upper level installation safer.

Step 2) Measuring an existing opening or determining the size you’d like to create a new opening

• To replace an existing window you start by measuring the opening first. When measuring an existing masonry opening for block basement windows or upper floor windows you usually want to measure assuming the frame will be removed (this happens about 90% of the time), from side to side, and from the top of the sill to the top of the header plate. The block window will need to be sized smaller than this opening remembering that you can’t cut the glass, or as my Dad used to say fit 10 lbs of you know what into a 5 lb. bag. For upper floor frame openings you usually will measure the area inside of the frame after the window sashes would be removed to size your window.

• Creating a new opening for a block window If you’re creating a new opening for a block window you want to begin with the end in mind. Choose your specific block window system, pattern, design, and/or colors and find out from your glass block window manufacturer what size the window panel will be after it’s manufactured. Then you’ll create your opening usually about ½” larger than the size of the panel (for example if the glass panel size is 40″ x 40″ you’ll want to create your rough opening to be 40 ½” x 40 ½”).

Step 3) Choose a glass block window system and select your pattern, design, air vent, colors, and block sizes.

• Block window panels can be made either with or without a frame. For existing basement windows in masonry openings a frameless block window is more cost effective, can be mortared in place, and is usually the way to go. The frameless window panels can be joined together either with mortar or silicone. The advantage of the mortared windows is they are harder to break in through and match most foundations. The advantage of the siliconed windows are they are smaller in size when pre-assembled together (which works well for tighter fitting openings), lighter, and have an all glass look.

• For upper level frame openings a vinyl framed block window can be an excellent choice since these windows are available in different frame colors and can be installed just like a standard replacement window. For openings you are creating, or can modify the size of, this is the way to go.

• There are a wide selection of block sizes, patterns, design possibilities, air ventilation products, and colors for your windows. A brief overview is presented below:

o Sizes and thicknesses of glass blocks - Glass masonry units are made is both metric and American sizes. Most of the blocks available in the United States are American sized. The American sized blocks are available in 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 8″, 12″ x 12″ and specialty shapes to turn corners or radiuses if you’re looking to create a bay or bow block window. The blocks have nominal sizes meaning the actual size of the block units is ¼” smaller allowing for a mortar joint (a 6″ x 6″ block actually measuring 5 ¾” x 5 3′4″). There are 3 available thicknesses - 2″, 3 1/8″, and 4″ thick. Thinner blocks are lighter and generally easier for someone less experienced to work with.

o Patterns, designs and colored glass blocks - Blocks come in a multitude of patterns providing different levels of privacy, style, security, and energy efficiency. The block are now available in standard and custom colors and artistically decorated murals to match any interior design style. Check out a comprehensive block web site to see the possibilities.

o Air ventilation and acrylic block windows - Glass block windows are available with vinyl air vents, dryer vents, or power exhaust fans. There are also acrylic block casement and awning windows that give you the look and feel of real block with the ability to open completely as well.

Step 4) Don’t worry about any of the first 3 steps and call a glass block window manufacturer and installation professional - If you really don’t want to figure out what size window you need call a block specialty company who offers design, fabrication and installation services. This type of company will usually come to your home or business (without a charge), measure your openings, figure out the right window size, and install it for you with a guarantee.

Mike Foti asked:




A prospective customer recently asked, “How can I get a cool looking glass block shower without breaking the bank?” Fortunately, doing a glass shower project doesn’t have to be a magical mystery tour that drains your wallet. It’s all about finding the right people to take you through the right processes and design, while not forgetting to give you style and value for your money. Here’s 6 1/2 cost saving ideas to get you going and keep your budget in tact.

The Right People

Cost Saving Idea 1 - Go Skilled - A project in Columbus Ohio looked terrible. The joints were uneven, metal reinforcing had rusted on the inside of the shower, and the wall was not level. The customer wanted the wall down NOW! When asked who installed the shower the homeowner said, “It was our tile guy - he said doing a block shower was no problem, but after 4 weeks of delays and poor quality you can see we found out otherwise!”

The reality is many tile contractors and even skilled masons install block showers on a limited basis. Since glass blocks take longer to lay than brick, block, or tile there can be a tendency to rush and sacrifice quality. If possible find out a skilled glass block specialty contractor. Ask about their experience with shower walls (some block companies focus on windows only and don’t have the higher skills for shower walls) and ask for references. If you can’t find a skilled block contractor go to Cost Saving Idea 5 and consider buying glass block panels you can stack up.

The Right Process

Cost Saving Idea 2 - Get Coordinated - There is a famous saying - measure twice, cut once. In a glass block shower project you can’t even cut once because the blocks cannot be cut like tile or flat glass. The key is to get coordinated first to save money, time and aggravation later. Get the right people to the site in the beginning (your tile or shower base contractor, the block contractor, and the person who will be using the new shower). At this meeting determine the size, shape, and height of the shower walls before the base is created (note: ask your block contractor if they have layout cards to assist in this design and construction planning process).

The Right Design and Wall Fabrication Approach

Keeping your prices and costs down is often a matter of pre-planning the design and fabricating the walls in the most cost effective manner. The design and fabrication approached below will help.

Cost Saving Idea 3 - Go Straight - A block wall can be built in either radius design or straight wall. Straight walls are easier and less costly to build because the skill level of the contractor does not need to be as high (radius walls are often set block by block with different inside mortar joints vs. outside joints - a very difficult installation for a novice block layer). Spacers and prefabricated wall sections can make the project easier as well.

Cost Saving Idea 4 - Get Skinny - Glass block shower walls are built in either 3 1/8″ or 3 7/8″ thicknesses. Most block walls are built with 3 7/8″ blocks due to the product range (the full range of shaped corners, ends, angles, radius and double ended blocks come in this thickness) and it is easier to install thicker blocks than thinner blocks. For some straight walls using the 3 1/8″ block can be a nice cost savings. One manufacturer (Mulia Inc.) even makes a 3 1/8″ finished end block to complete the end of your block wall. The thinner materials are priced less and can sometimes be exactly what’s needed if you want to put a block wall on an existing base that is not wide enough to for the thicker blocks.

Cost Saving Idea 5 - Stack it Up - Why do a project block by block when you can often save time, money, and improve quality with pre-fabricated glass block wall panels? An installation system called Vinyl Stack can be used to join the blocks to make stacking pre-made sections easier than a unit by unit installation. These wall sections are shipped nationwide - from as far away places as Oregon to Florida to Maine to Iowa. Panels are designed in sections that aren’t too large to be handled and are simply stacked, anchored, and finished grouted at the project site.

Cost Saving Idea 6 - Go Doorless - The glass block walk in shower without a door is becoming one of the hottest design trends for two reasons (1) it saves on maintenance and aggravation of cleaning around the door frames and (2) it cuts out the cost of the shower door. Hot style and lower prices, a good combination.

The Right Products for Your Style

Cost Saving Idea 6 1/2 - Use Colors and Shapes - Why is this called cost saving idea 6 1/2 vs. idea 7? This tip might not save you money but it will provide the style, interest, and cool factor homeowners usually want when they’re installing a block shower. Shaped blocks are used to turn corners, step down a wall in 8″ increments, create rounded corners, and finish the end of a wall. They add an upscale look and in many cases save money from having to use a dissimilar material (like tile or granite or wood) to finish off the end of a wall. Colored glass blocks can be made in either vibrant reds, oranges, purples, blues, yellows (or any custom color you can think of) or muted satin color finishes for a more understated hint of color. Custom artistically designed block murals are also available if you want a one of a kind look.

Now that you’re equipped with these 6 1/2 price and cost saving shower ideas you should be ready to start your project.