Instructions for a Glass Block Wall
A glass block wall makes an excellent room divider. The wall provides privacy while allowing light to pass through. You can build your glass wall as high as the ceiling, as long as you don't try to make it a load-bearing wall, or you can build a shorter wall, if you prefer. Glass blocks can't be cut the way tiles can, so measure carefully and consult with a sales associate at your local home improvement store before you make your purchase to ensure that you get the right-size glass blocks for your wall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lumber
- Saw
- Power drill
- Screws
- White expansion foam
- Utility knife
- Hammer
- Nails
- Plastic block spacers
- White mortar
- Brick-laying trowel
- Level
- Sponge
- Metal reinforcing rods
- Wall ties
- White grout
- Grout shaper
Instructions
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1
Cut two pieces of lumber that measure as long as your wall. Cut another two pieces of lumber that are long as the wall's height. Depending on the width of your glass blocks, use 3-inch by 2-inch pieces of wood or 4-inch by 2-inch wood. Screw the lumber into a rectangular frame for the wall, and then screw the frame to the floor, the adjacent wall and the ceiling if the wall is that tall.
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2
Cut strips of white expansion foam to fit on either side of the frame. Nail the expansion foam to the inside of each vertical piece of the frame. This will allow the mortar to expand and contract without damaging the glass blocks.
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3
Place plastic spacers along the bottom of the frame at intervals equal to the size of your glass blocks. Spread mortar on the bottom piece of wood with a brick-laying trowel, keeping clear of the plastic spacers.
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4
Spread mortar on one side of a glass block and place it with the mortar touching the side of the frame attached to the wall. Press the glass block into the mortar on the bottom piece of the frame.
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5
Continue placing glass blocks in the same manner, spreading mortar on the side of the glass block that will face the previous block, until you have completed the first row. Wipe any excess mortar from the exposed sides of the glass blocks, using a wet sponge.
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6
Place plastic spacers on top of the glass blocks. Place a level on top of the glass blocks, and press the blocks into the mortar below until the first row is level.
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7
Screw two holes in either side of the frame to hold the ends of the metal reinforcing rods. Spread mortar on top of the first row of glass blocks, staying clear of the plastic spacers. Place the metal reinforcing rods on the mortar, fitting the ends into the holes in the frame. Press the rods into the mortar.
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8
Place the second row of glass blocks as you did the first. Wipe away the excess mortar when you are done.
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9
Slit the expansion foam on either side above the second row. Lift the foam out of the way, and screw a wall plate into the side frame. Repeat this for the other side of the frame. Repeat this step for every second row of glass blocks.
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10
Continue adding rows of glass blocks until you reach the top of the wall, or have laid six rows of glass blocks, whichever comes first. Check that the wall is plumb by placing a level on the side of the frame and adjusting as needed.
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11
Break off the face plates of the plastic spacers by twisting them. Let the mortar dry completely. Allowing the mortar to dry after six rows ensures that the bottom of the wall will be strong enough to support the weight of the entire wall.
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12
Add more rows of glass blocks as you did the others, if necessary. If your wall is no more than six rows high, skip this step.
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13
Trowel grout into the spaces between the glass blocks, on both sides of the wall. Wipe any excess grout from the exposed sides of the glass blocks before it hardens. Run a grout shaper along the grout lines to create a smooth appearance.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not stop after six rows and let the mortar dry before continuing, your glass block wall may collapse.
References
- Photo Credit Jack Hollingsworth/Photodisc/Getty Images
