Glass Block Shower Installation
A glass block shower is one of the most elegant shower systems on the market today. Glass block showers are not new. What that means for the do-it-yourself homeowner is that installation kits make it easy to install the design of your making. As with any shower system, sealing it against leaks is the primary concern. If you purchase a kit, be certain to read all the directions carefully before proceeding with the installation. Glass block walls make any room of the house sparkle and shine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Thick paper
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- 4-foot carpenter's level
- Glass block installation kit
- Razor knife
- Variable speed drill
- Philips head screw tip
- Silicone sealant
- Caulk gun
Instructions
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1
Cover the shower pan with thick paper to protect it. Mark the curb of the shower pan that gets the glass block 2 1/2-inches from the inside of the pan. Use this mark to draw a center line on the top of that curb.
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2
Place the carpenter's level vertically against the wall that the center line on the curb meets. Align one side of the level with the center line and draw a 76-inch plumb line up the wall.
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3
Draw two parallel lines on the curb that gets the glass block. Make them one inch on either side of the center line. These lines are for the sealant that secures the first row of glass blocks to the shower pan.
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4
Measure and cut a horizontal spacer to fit the width of the glass block wall with a razor knife. Insert a wall anchor into the end of the horizontal spacer and secure it to the shower curb using the v-notch in the anchor to center it on the line. Secure with the screw provided in the kit.
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5
Lay out the first row of blocks with vertical spacers between them on the horizontal spacer. Remember that an end block (tapered on the corners) goes on the end of each row. Be certain the glass blocks are firmly placed against the wall.
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6
Trace the pattern of the end block onto the horizontal spacer, remove the blocks and the horizontal spacer and then trim the spacer so it fits back from the edge of the end block. Apply a bead of sealant on the sealant lines drawn earlier and place the horizontal spacer on the sealant. Do not use screws.
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Apply a dab of sealant to the four corners of a vertical spacer and place it against the wall over the anchor. Apply sealant in the same manner on the exposed side of that vertical spacer. Run a small bead of sealant just inside the raised edges of the glass blocks for the first row.
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8
Press the first glass block into place against the vertical spacer on the wall. Put four dabs of sealant in the four corners of the glass block for the next vertical spacer. Place a vertical spacer on the sealant, put four dabs of sealant on the spacer and add another block. Repeat this action for the rest of the first row.
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Repeat this process until you reach the desired height of the glass block wall. Use the level to keep the rows straight and level. Allow the sealant to cure at least 24 hours before applying grout. Apply the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Trim the excess sealant away with a razor knife.
Do not apply sealant without proper ventilation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
