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Take the guesswork out of choosing the best glass block size, shape or design pattern for your next project. Below you’ll learn tips to make the right selection the first time.
How to select the right patterns, designs and colors for privacy and daylighting
Glass block window and shower wall projects can be chosen for various levels of privacy, light and colored and etching design options. Click on the chart and use these design tips below to assist in your selections:
Frosted glass block & color blocks in a walk in shower project with Decora & Icescapes patterns in Columbus, Ohio.
Design Tip – Add frosted and colored glass blocks to make a one of a kind design.
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Shower wall inserts using wave and clear (see-through) glass block patterns.
Design Tip – Combine different patterns in windows or walls for a unique touch.
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Glass block windows for a church.
Design Tip – Choose more than one pattern to create designs within a window, shower or wall. Here the church windows use Iceberg pattern block as the cross with Wave pattern as the background.
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Sales counter with Decora pattern blocks and red papricka colored glass blocks.
Design Tip – Using 5 courses of 8" tall block sizes with angled and end blocks makes the perfect size sales counter or glass block bar.
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How to use glass block shapes for a curved, end, or corner shower wall bar or column
The development of shaped glass blocks has dramatically expanded the use of the product. Below you’ll find a brief description and pictures of each shape and then a design application tip on how to use the product.
EndBlock (Pittsburgh Corning – PC) & End Block (Mulia) – A finished bullnose block to create an all-glass look for a shower wall, partition, half wall or bar.
End block to finish the end of a wall.
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Before – Old cast iron tub and sliding door.
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In process – Pre-fab walls on tile ready base.
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After – Glass block walk in shower wall Decora pattern with 6 x 8 End Block & curved Arque block.
Design Tip – Use 6 x 8 End blocks in conjunction with curved blocks to convert a small tub space (that does not have a lot of depth) into a walk in shower. |
Arque (PC) & Variant (Mulia) Curved Glass Block – These 22 ½ degree curved blocks can turn a 12" radius with only 4 blocks. Use them to create a doorless walk in shower or a curved entry wall. Combine this block with a ready for tile shower base for a fully integrated shower system.
Encurve (PC) and Double End (Mulia) Step Down Glass Wall Block – Create innovative step downs walls for a shower or loft space.
Encurve for 8" step down walls.
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Light blue colored glass block shower stall with step down blocks. |
Loft wall |
Clear, colored and frosted glass block in a step down wall.
Design Tip – When using the double end glass blocks design only in 8" x 8" x 4" module sizes.
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Hedron (PC) and Angle Block (Mulia) Corner Glass Blocks – Use these blocks to turn 90 degree corners for a kitchen bar, sales counter, decorative column lamp post or a shower.
90° corner glass block
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Glass block shower enclosure Decora pattern with Hedron corner and end blocks. Image courtesy of M. E. Whittaker Builders Columbus Ohio.
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Lamp post using green colored glass block and Angle corners from Mulia
Design Tip – this block is 8" high and has 6" returns in both directions.
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Tridron (PC) 45 degree angle block – Use this block to build a wall, bar, column or a window with a 45 degree angle.
45° angle block.
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Glass block shower using Tridron angle block
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Angled glass block walk in shower. Picture courtesy of Truberry Homes Columbus, Ohio.
Design Tip – The small size of this block makes it an excellent choice for a doorless walk in tub to shower conversion project where the depth of space is limited. |
How to use glass block sizes for the best design in a shower, wall or window
In order to have a structurally sound and good looking project choosing the best sized glass block is critical. Below you’ll learn design & application tips to select the best unit for your project (click on the Glass Block Sizing Chart below to learn what block patterns are available in each size).
Design Tip Using 4" x 8" x 4" Blocks – Use this block for walls (showers, bars etc.) where a tight curvature is desired.
6" x 6" x 4" block.
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Argus pattern with purple colored blocks in a commercial window project.
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6" x 8" x 4" block.
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Shower wall using 6" x 8" x 4" block combined with Arque and End block finishing units.
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| Design Tip Using 6" x 6" x 4" Blocks – A nice block to combine with 12 x 12 blocks or tiles especially in window openings. This block is difficult to use for walls because there are no 6" high shapes. |
Design Tip Using 6" x 8" x 4" Blocks – Excellent used in conjunction with curved shower wall using Arque or Variant shaped units. |
8" x 8" x 4" block.
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Shower enclosure using 8" x 8" x 4" clear and colored glass block with a finished end block.
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12" x 12" x 4" block.
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12 x 12 glass blocks in a stairway window.
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| Design Tip Using 8" x 8" x 4" Blocks – This is the most cost effective and versatile size due to high manufacturing production runs and the availability of block shapes for 8" sizes. |
Design Tip Using 12" x 12" x 4" Blocks – The large size of these blocks creates the feeling of a larger mass for glass block window and wall in-fill projects. |
Family room window using 6 x 6 and 12 x 12 blocks |
Bathroom glass block window using 8x8 and 4x8 colored and frosted glass blocks – Decora pattern |
Design Tip: Mix Up the Sizes – Mixing sizes and colors can add a one of kind look to your design.
If you need any additional help choosing glass block sizes, corners, ends or curved blocks feel free to call at 614-252-5888 or email us for a free estimate.
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