How to use glass blocks in a modern interior?

Pros and cons

Before examining the advantages and disadvantages of glass blocks, let's understand the terminology. Glass block - a structure resembling a sandwich, with thick glass on the outside and an empty air cavity on the inside.

Dignity:

• Possess high rate of sound insulation... The air gap dampens 60-70% of external noise.
• Skip sunny shine. Inside, you can mount a backlight or use bricks instead of a window frame.
• Differ special durability. Partition made of glass blocks can be compared with brick - it will stand for more than a dozen years.
• Are not afraid of water... You can often see glass blocks in the interior of a bathroom, kitchen, shower room or even a pool.
• Easy to care for... It is enough to wipe off dust with a damp cloth.
• Excellent heat conduction... A relatively warm material, so a glass block in the interior of a living room is not uncommon.
• Do not pose a health hazard... Glass is more environmentally friendly than plastic and other alternatives.

Glass bricks have no drawbacks... Therefore, if you do not have a clear anchor with Soviet interiors in your imagination, or you are not afraid of such a prospect, be sure to use glass blocks in the interior!

The last nuance - cost. Average price per piece fluctuates within 200-300 rubles... On the one hand, the cost may seem unreasonably expensive. On the other hand, when building a wall with glass blocks, you only spend money on the material itself and glue - no surface preparation (plaster, putty, soil).

What are the types of glass blocks?

For the construction of walls from glass blocks or decor as standard use square or rectangular bricks... The dimensions of the squares have been preserved since the times of the USSR - 19 * 19 * 8 cm or 24 * 24 * 8 cm.The rectangles make up exactly half of the basic shape: 19 * 9.5 * 8 cm.

For ease of use and more decorative appearance produce special end blocks - angular, with rounded edges, cut to a quarter-circle. Due to these elements, the erected walls look complete.

In the photo amber glass blocks in the living room

30-50 years ago, colored glass blocks were greenish, because were made from ordinary unrefined glass - it was the most inexpensive. Less common were transparent, crystal clear. Modern manufacturers have expanded the line, adding a pleasant blue, rich green, neutral brown, as well as yellow, red, purple, pink and other colors.

The color palette is increased thanks to the addition of matte glass to the gloss: therefore, everyone can definitely find something to suit their style and taste

The photo shows the glass in loft-style interior

To regular colored or transparent add original inserts: glass capsules, inside of which are compositions of stones, plastic fish or insects, flowers, fruits.

Distinguish by texture smooth, textured.The second category includes wavy, lattice (inca), bubbly, imitating a waterfall, shagreen.

Applications

Glass blocks are used to solve various problems: from zoning before decorating the space.

Partitions

Erection of walls can be useful in studios - for example, to highlight a sleeping area in an open space or a clear division of space for cooking, relaxation. Partitions made of glass blocks in the interior of the bathroom are often distinguished showers.

The design of partitions made of glass blocks looks advantageous both by itself and in combination with other materials: they are sewn into drywall, creating a kind of glowing windows or rows.

When you need to build a large wall, glass is combined with bricks, concrete blocks, since by itself it looks too cold, it looks like ice.

Window

Glass bricks are used to decorate internal windows in residential premises or external - in private houses in bathroomsto hide from the prying eyes of neighbors.

For example, by installing glass blocks between the bathroom and the kitchen in place of the transom, you will simultaneously receive decor and additional lighting. And by cutting an opening in the blank wall between the living room and the bedroom without a window, you will make the recreation area more comfortable due to the ingress of natural light.

Furniture

The material is so versatile that furniture is often made from glass blocks in the interior of the kitchen! They act as a stand under the countertop or bar counter.

Add lighting to the glass, you get a modern original decoration of the kitchen space.

Pictured is a glass bar counter

Apron

Glass apron above the work surface - not only practical, but also aesthetically pleasing. The surface is easy to clean, is not afraid of water, grease, high temperatures, transmits light: in general, in all qualities it is suitable as a replacement for tiles or skinned.

Decorative inserts in the wall

The design of the walls with glass blocks is used when you want to apply this unusual material to a limited extent. Squares, like pixels, can be assembled into any shape: from abstract to completely recognizable.

Optional backlight is built inside, which serves as an evening dim light or night light.

How do they look in the interior of the rooms?

There are no places where glass blocks are not used: in the bathroom they are loved for their water resistance, in the kitchen for ease of care, in the living room for the conductivity of heat, light, and visual lightness.

Living room

Glass blocks are used for partitions between a hall with a bedroom, kitchen, office. Or as decorative inserts into the walls.

Kitchen

There are several styling applications:

• wall between the dining room, working area;
• underframe under the bar counter, dinner table;
• finishing of the vertical work surface (apron).

Thanks to the properties of easy cleaning and high light transmittance, glass perfectly replaces tiles in the kitchen, even surpasses them.

Pictured is a wall of glass bricks in the kitchen

Bedroom

Use glass blocks in the bedroom sparingly: in large quantities, they create a cold atmosphere, because glass looks like ice. However, if you take as a basis beige, cream, peach, yellow, orange blocks, the iceberg effect can be avoided.

Bathroom

In the bathrooms, you do not need to limit yourself in the use of glass: they limit the shower stall, separate the toilet from the bathroom, lay out an apron over the sink, lay an opening between the kitchen or toilet.

So that the abundance of glass blocks does not look boring, combine colors or add decorative inserts: best suited with beach motifs (inside fish, sand, corals, algae). The texture is smooth, or wave, lattice.

Remember: The smaller the convex parts, the more difficult it will be to clean the walls.

Pictured is a transparent wall for a shower room

Hallway

Glass blocks in the hallways serve as a separator of the entrance group from the living part of the room. The walls are made deaf, or with windows, where it is convenient to put vases, figurines, and other decorations.

By replacing the walls made of concrete or brick with glass ones (provided that you demolish non-supporting structures!), Ensure that you get light into the corridor during the day and save on electricity.

Balcony

They are used as in other rooms: they are divided into zones, furniture is decorated. It is better not to use for window replacement, because the transmission capacity of the beams is less than that of a double-glazed unit.

See photos of the use of glass blocks in the interior of an apartment in the gallery: we have collected the most original and stylish solutions!