Glass block windows add light to a space and if done well, can improve the overall feel of a room. It is an affordable option, costing less than double or triple pane windows, while not requiring the framing.
Eliminating the Framing, Improving the Light
Your basement glass block windows can bring in more light than normal windows.
By eliminating the wood frame around the window the homeowner is able to pick up a minimum of 3/4″ on each side. That’s 1-1/2″ total. By eliminating the sashes, which average about 2-1/2 inches on each side, you’re picking up another 5 inches. By eliminating the need for mullions, you’re picking up another inch, assuming 2 mullions. So do the math — 1-1/2″ + 5″ + 1″ = 7-1/2 more inches of glass space that can be dedicated to light.
Bending light fills all spaces
Secure on the outside, efficient for the inside.
People forget that the way that most glass block is made, it will reflect light into parts of your basement that don’t normally get light. The reaction people get when they get their new glass block windows is is shock. We can forewarn them all we want but nothing fully beats them seeing in person what I talked about when I stopped by the home.
Choose mortar or choose to have to replace them
Glass block is now, and always has been a masonry product. In recent years some contractors are using silicone caulk or hot glue to hold their windows together. Yes, that method is both faster and cheaper than our windows since each window we make takes a day to assemble versus a window that can be thrown together in 5 minutes.