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Advantage/Mulia Glass Blocks
Advantage/Mulia Glass Blocks
Advantage/Mulia Glass Blocks
Introduction
Glass blocks are a timeless building material, yet over the past 50
years they’ve gone in and out of fashion depending on the trends
of architectural design. Since the 1980s there has been a steady
increase in the use of glass block in commercial and residential
construction.
Invented in Europe in the early 1900s as thin blocks of glass sup-
ported by a grid, glass blocks fell out of favour for a while before
resurfacing in the 1950s as a decorative building material. But it
was a short-lived love affair as 1960s architecture began to stress
the minimalist look. Then two trends combined to bring glass
block back into demand. During the 1970s there was a move
away from the sparse look in architecture, and in the early 1980s
a trend for the feel of the 1950s began.
Glass blocks are not only decorative - they also have several
functional advantages that make them attractive. Lots of natural
light will filter through a glass block window, while at the same
time, the patterns on the glass blocks create varying degrees of
privacy. They have the insulating value of a 12” thick concrete
wall or an insulation R value of 2.0 (similar to a thermal pane
double-glazed window). Due to the large enclosed air space,
condensation problems normally experienced on conventional
windows are not seen on glass blocks (if installed correctly).
Glass blocks provide acoustical benefits by reducing outside
noise. They also provide a degree of security unavailable from an
ordinary flat-glass window, while eliminating the need for expen-
sive window coverings, which only reduce light transmission.
Page 1
Until recently, glass blocks remained in the realm of architecture.
In the past, an architecturally designed home with a glass block
panel was a magnificent sight. But as installation techniques
become easier, more homeowners are looking to glass blocks for
their own home improvement projects.
Homeowners are discovering the benefits of glass block panels
for windows, walls, dividers and even furniture. In Europe, as
much as 40% of all glass blocks sold are used by the do-it-your-
selfer.
Page 2
This example shows 2 panels, each 36” X 36” — one using a
combination of sizes and the other using all the same size of
block. These two panels are identical in size yet one contains 36
blocks while the other contains 25 blocks (in a symmetrical com-
bination). Cost per individual block is identical in this case yield-
ing an approximate 30% saving on material and labour with the
25-block option.
Page 3
The maximum exterior panel area is 144 sq.ft. with the width no
longer that 25 ft. and a maximum height of 20 ft. Interior panels
can be a maximum of 250 sq.ft. These calculations are based on
the used of 3-7/8 thick blocks. If you use 3-1/8 thick blocks, the
maximum exterior area you can cover with a single panel is 85
sq.ft. The maximum interior area is 150 sq.ft., again with a height
of no more than 20 ft. If your opening is larger than these sizes,
a series of panels is necessary with each panel supported by a
structural frame and expansion joints.
interior
Channel-type restraint 250 150
Panel anchors 250 150
Page 5
With the use of spacers, you can keep the mortar joints even and
prevent bulges in the rows of blocks. So the only remaining trick
to the masonry work is preparing and handling the mortar.
Mortar is the adhesive that will hold your glass blocks together
and give your project its strength. The quality and durability of
your glass block panel will depend on the quality of the mortar
you prepare. A mortar that is too runny or too dry won’t work.
You should mix to a consistency of peanut butter in order to
achieve a durable bond with optimal holding power. One bag of
our pre-mixed glass block mortar (20 kg) will lay approximately
25-3” blocks or 20-4” blocks. Our pre-mix mortar incorporates
latex acrylic polymers to increase water resistance.
Page 6
These versatile plastic spacers are a key “enabling technology”
which ensures that consistent mortar lines are within the reach
of anyone who wants to produce a glass block project.
A glass block panel cannot support any structural weight other
than its own. That means you can not tear down a load-bearing
wall inside your house and replace it with a glass block wall —
unless you provide an integrated supporting structure.
This also means that no lintels or structural pieces of any kind
that support weight can rest on top of the glass block panel.
Lintels must be supported by other structural members. An
expansion joint is placed between the glass block and lintel, act-
ing as a cushion in the case of any lintel deflection.
As mentioned earlier, panels must be independent of the main
structure. This means the panel cannot be mortared directly to
the building for fear of cracking during the differential expansion
and contraction of the surrounding materials. The panel is there-
fore surrounded by an expansion joint at both jambs and at the
head position.
There are three methods of providing panel support: chase con-
struction, channel construction and panel anchors. In chase con-
struction, the edges of the glass block panel are built so that
they fit into a wide groove or channel formed directly into con-
crete jambs.
The second method of securing a glass block panel is channel
construction. In this system, the glass block panel sits in a metal
channel that is fastened to the jambs and head of the opening.
With the panel anchoring method, two-foot-long, hot-dipped, gal-
vanized steel panel anchors are secured into the mortar joint
above the first course and then at 16”-24” intervals thereafter,
with the last anchor placed directly below the top block. A 16”
length of anchor is buried in the mortar, the other 8” is bent and
fastened directly to the jambs and/or head (depending on appli-
cation). This method allows for full view of the glass blocks
around the edges of the panel since the block edges are not
buried in a channel support.
Page 7
Below: Chase and Channel Construction
Page 8
It may appear contradictory when to say that a panel must be
independent from the main structure, and then explain how to
secure a panel. However, in each of these anchoring cases, the
panel is separated from the main structure by means of an
expansion strip that is usually a compressed polyfoam material.
The panel anchor must not come into contact with the glass
block (because of the different expansion rates), so make sure the
anchor is buried in the middle of the mortar bed.
To install four-foot hot-dipped galvanized steel ladder reinforcing,
place the lower half of the mortar bed, press the reinforcing into
place, then cover the reinforcing with the top half of the mortar
bed and trowel smooth. Keep the metal ladder in the middle of
the mortar bed to avoid contact with the glass blocks. Overlap
the steel ladder reinforcing by a minimun of 6” to maintain con-
tinuous reinforcing without bridging the expansion material.
Page 9
Three Spacers in One
Each glass block installation will generally require the use of all
the three possible spacer variations: “Regular”, “T” and “L” spac-
ers. To create “T” and “L” spacers, simply cut off the indicated
parts of a “regular” spacer.
Page 10
Spacer Application Guide:
Bears weight so Tabs hold face of
mortar does not How the Glass Block Spacer Works blocks aligned
float. and flush
Installation Note:
Don’t place mortar between glass blocks and expansion strips.
Page 12
Continue the Installation
• Clear mortar from the legs of the spacers to ensure an accu-
rate mortar joint.
• Install block as
described for begin-
ning course.
• At courses requiring
panel anchors, embed
anchor into centre of
mortar bed.
• Panels over 25 square
feet require panel re-
inforcing to be used,
with panel anchors.
Embed re-inforcing
strips in mortar as
each course is finished. Overlap re-inforcing strips by 6” when
joining pieces.
• At head (top course), place spacers before inserting block. No
mortar is used between the header and the block. Use expan-
sion material between block and head.
Page 13
Expansion Joints
A straight exterior panel that is larger than 144 sq.ft. (13.4
sq.metres) must be built from a series of smaller panels. These
smaller panels are fastened together by a series of supports and
expansion joints.
Although there are various ways of creating expansion joints,
each joint contains compressed polyfoam to absorb movement in
the panels. To join the two panels, visible or hidden attachments
may be used. As shown in Diagram A, a stiffener is used that is
visible on one side. The stiffener provides the necessary rigidity
to support the large panels being joined. The expansion material
is located between the stiffener and the block wall to provide a
cushion for movement.
For a continuous wall of glass blocks without any visible sup-
ports on either side, the steel plate shown in Diagram B is the
answer. The steel plate acts as a double jamb and serves to
separate the panels into two individual framed panels.
Lintel or Header
Expansion Strip
Fire-Rated
Caulking
Panel Anchor
Expansion
Strip
Panel Re-inforcing
Panel Anchors
Two Bolts
Glass Block
or Screws
per Anchor
Mortar
B
B: C D
Mortar Joint Nominal Block Size
E
rc
Thickness & Actual Inside Radius
˚a
90
A (in inches)
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12
Pr
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N
H
A
4
3 7/8” 5/8” 1/8” 1/4” 24 1/2” 37 1/4” 49 7/8” 75 1/4” 10 9.0˚ ABK RO5
5/8” 1/4” 1/4” 30 1/4” 45 1/2” 60 3/4” 91 1/4” 12 7.5˚ ABK-RO6
3/8” 1/8” 1/4” 49 3/8” 74 3/4” 100 1/4” 151 1/8” 20 4.5˚ ABK-RO7
3/8” 1/4” 1/4” 101 5/8” 152 1/2” 203 3/8” 305 1/4” 40 2.25˚ ABK-RO8
Diagram B
Page 19
Diagram C shows a stepped cor-
ner. The first diagram showed a
post covered with a steel or alu-
minum angle. In the stepped-
corner method, the post is elim-
inated and the angle is reversed.
With the angle secured to floor
and ceiling, channels are
attached to each side of the
angle and the channel method
of securing glass block panels is
followed.
Diagram C
The most pleasing 90 degree
Diagram D
Page 20
Specialty Blocks
End blocks in both 8 X 8 X 3 1/8” and 8 X 8 X 3 7/8” are now
available with rounded finished ends. This allows construction of
walls with exposed vertical or horizontal edges, with a totally fin-
ished appearance (wave pattern only).
As mentioned above, there is also a 90 degree corner block in
wave pattern, intended to help create a seamless corner. It will
accomodate either the thick or thin block series.
Available Patterns:
Wave
Page 22
Ocean View
Quadra
Diamond
Page 23
Bromo
Ice
Page 24
View (Clear)
Pristal
Matrix
Page 25
Product Order Index
UPC Ctn UPC Each SKU# Style Size Ctn Qty Skid Qty
Page 26
Accessories:
Number Weight
Item Description Drawing of Units per per car- SKU #
_____? ton (lb.)
Expansion Strips
Expansion Strips White Closed-cell Polyfoam
2 1/4”W X 24”L X 3/8” Thick
UPC Code # 16 50 3 ABK-EX2
107 02550 10103 5
Page 27
Glass Block Installation Gallery:
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