Glass blocks in the interior of the apartment

Glass blocks are made from two glass plates by pressing. For the first time this extraordinary material appeared in the USA. The glass blocks of the 30s were little similar to the modern ones, since they were a metal frame, the voids of which were filled with glass. It had its own “secret” - the hermetic cavity between the plates or the “prism” helped to disperse the light. Due to this, glass blocks were widely used in basements instead of windows. During the day, enough light came through the room to save on electricity.

A bit of history

The technology of making glass with a “prism” was patented by James Penquick, owner of Luxfer Prism Company, who was the first to start the production of this unique material. Glass blocks became popular only closer to the middle of the last century. In the US, they began a real boom, which has come to Europe. In England, at about the same time, patented glass production using a similar technology, but the sensation of the original structure - Maison de Verre in Paris - caused a sensation. It is literally a glass house. Only glass blocks were used for its construction, and there is almost no decor inside. This house has become a living monument of bold constructivism. Closer to the 70s, glass blocks began to appear in the interior of Soviet state institutions. The material is so fond of domestic consumers, which is everywhere began to decorate schools, swimming pools, shops, hospitals and simple apartments.

Everyone remembers these fragments with roughly processed edges of a green, “bottle” color that let in a lot of light but did not allow to see what was happening on the other side. After the collapse of the Union of the material for a long time forgotten. It is really associated with Soviet standards and evokes nostalgia, but now the glass blocks have opened from a completely different side, as a progressive and most importantly aesthetically attractive option of decoration. Let's talk in the article about which rooms can be decorated with this material and how to do it correctly.

    

About glass blocks - classification

Glass blocks are a modern building material that has an airtight cavity between two glass plates. In terms of strength, it is not inferior to stone and is often used in rooms where it is impossible to install a window opening, but it is necessary to open access for natural lighting. Glass blocks are not afraid of water or household chemicals, so they often decorate bathrooms. Also, the material has a high thermal and sound insulation (the second characteristic is even higher than that of a brick), which makes it even more popular. There are several classifications of glass blocks.

Depending on the shape of the fragments, they are divided into the following types:

  • Corner.
  • Brick.
  • Square (the most common option).
  • Half.
  • Hexagonal.

    

By type of staining material is divided into two types:

  • In the first case, the pigment is added to the glass itself. The color is a little faded, but very persistent.
  • In the second embodiment, the glass surface is painted from the inside before the fragments are connected to each other.

Depending on the color of the material is classified into several types:

  • Colored. The fragments are painted with pigments.
  • Matte. The transparency is below average, while the silhouettes on the other side of the glass block are indistinguishable.
  • Colorless. Their transparency can reach 80-90%. Fragments transmit a lot of light. This type is divided into several subgroups: with herbariums, butterflies and starfish inside; smooth, with a relief surface (wave, drop) and scattering.

    

For the intended purpose glass blocks can be:

InteriorThey are used exclusively for finishing houses inside when erecting partitions or installing inserts.
DecorativeDecorate the decoration of the house with original installations of fragments. Usually they have different sizes, beautiful inner filling (dried flowers, original compositions) or they form a complex pattern, which is collected by the mosaic method.
IndustrialTheir use is due solely to light transmittance. Used in various non-residential facilities.

Also, the material is classified according to the country of origin. The leaders in the production of high-quality glass blocks were Italy and Germany. Budget options are produced in Poland and the Czech Republic. The last Russian plant that manufactures glass blocks closed a few years ago, which caused a discord between increased demand and declining supply and forced to begin purchasing material in other countries.

    

The advantages of interior design

Glass blocks have a lot of advantages, among the advantages of the material noted:

  • Fire safety and frost resistance.
  • High light transmittance.
  • Overstrength
  • High soundproofing performance.
  • Simplicity in leaving and lack of need for additional finishing.

    

Unfortunately, glass blocks also have a number of minor deficiencies. In such a "wall" can not drive a nail or drill a hole. It will not be possible to cut the fragments during installation, and in cases when the window is made only of glass blocks, the room cannot be ventilated without using a door. Does not withstand high pressure material.

Glassblock walls can participate in the zoning of rooms devoid of light. Also, this material is popular for decorating home greenhouses and winter gardens, as it provides a favorable environment for growing plants.

    

Stylistic compatibility

As for compatibility with different styles, glass blocks can be attributed to universal materials with a few reservations. Too firmly sat down in the soul of the domestic man association with the government "bottle" walls. Blocks organically merge into the following areas:

  • Minimalism, constructivism and its later version are high-tech.
  • Art Deco. Only monochromatic glass blocks that do not have pictures or fragments of flowers or butterflies in a prism will approach its luxurious interiors.
  • Loft and modern. For the first, a wall of rectangular glass blocks, which will replace the traditional brickwork, will be suitable. In modern art, fragments with “wave” or “drop” surfaces look good, emphasizing the features of the direction concept.
  • The group of classical styles with the prefixes "neo-" (baroque, classicism, rococo). Such interiors are largely subject to traditional rules, but allow for the use of modern materials, which include glass blocks.
  • East directions. If the fragments have bright shades (mostly blue or purple), then the mosaic method of styling will organically blend into the intricate interiors of Eastern countries.

If you choose the right shape, color and type of surface, then the glass block can be integrated into almost any style.

    

Glass blocks and interior

Glass blocks are used to decorate any premises, due to their versatility and insensitivity to the features of the atmosphere. According to the characteristics, they are in many ways similar to tile, but ceramic tiles are traditionally tied to the kitchen and bathroom, but in the living room, bedroom or hallway the original design will help to create glass blocks.


    

Kitchen

In kitchens of glass blocks lay out aprons or even replace them with tile on the walls. In small and poorly lit rooms with material, you can partially fill the window opening, leaving a small place under the usual opening glass for ventilation. The mosaic combination of several bright colors will look original. In spacious kitchens from glass blocks lay out a full-fledged partition, which will divide the room into a culinary and dining area.


    

Living room

In the living room of glass blocks most often perform decorative partitions. With their help, the room is divided into several zones for a relaxing and active holiday. Relevant option when combining a bedroom, dining room or office with a hall. If we are talking about a private house, then “panoramic windows” from the ceiling to the floor on the accent wall, made entirely of glass blocks, will look great. In strict interiors, it is recommended not to experiment with color combinations, but to try combinations of textures of different fragments of the same shade. Walls made of glass blocks with lighting look impressive. If to finish the room with transparent fragments with a relief surface, they can be painted in any color with the help of turned lamps, and the light will play unusually on the broken edges, creating fancy patterns.


    

Bedroom

In the bedroom, glass blocks are used to produce a soft, relaxing light. Behind them, you can place special lamps or make a partition from this material from the next living room, where households will “sit” in the evenings. Due to the high sound insulation noisy companies absolutely do not interfere with falling asleep. Glass blocks decorate the accent wall at the head of the bed. In this case, it is desirable to use modules painted in calm colors.

Originally looks like the use of single transparent fragments as inserts on partitions.

    

Bathrooms

In the bathroom, they never stopped using glass blocks, because they seemed to have been created for such a “wet” room. With this material, the shower is beautifully fenced off from the rest of the room. As a room with a lack of natural lighting, the bathroom is effectively decorated with glass blocks instead of window openings. The material transmits more light and at the same time reliably masks what is happening inside from prying eyes from the street.


    

Windows in rooms for different purposes

Glass blocks are considered to be the original replacement for traditional windows. Unfortunately, this material is fundamental, so in most cases it will be necessary to ventilate the room in other ways. Much less often glass blocks are placed inside a special frame frame, which is fixed with the help of loops. The design must be strong and reliable, so its installation can take a long time. This window will open if necessary.

To eliminate the use of curtains, you should choose fragments with a relief surface that will distort the reflection and mask the interior for those outside. The best option is the combination of conventional windows with glass in the same room. In the bathroom, such openings are simply irreplaceable.

Original solutions in a modern interior

The material is universal. You need to look at it from a creative point of view, that is, to perceive it as a set of “bricks” that can be laid in different ways in the manner of “tetris”. Of glass blocks perform not only partitions or inserts. This unique material will create a chic bar in the kitchen or living room. It can be colored or imitate a “block of ice” if the element from colorless fragments is provided with the correct lighting. Also, glass blocks are used for decorating stairs instead of traditional balusters with railings.

Not only walls, but also the floor, and sometimes even part of the ceiling, are made of material. In the second case, the area will have natural light, but in the first it is better to attend to the installation of a special lighting system. Translucent flooring adds perspective to a room with low ceilings. Tables are made of glass blocks with original filling, where the “legs” are made of material, and the table top is fixed on top. Fragments can be laid like bricks, and create a magnificent open rack with stylish glass shelves between the bearing "columns".

Features of the installation of glass blocks

For the installation of glass wall requires a minimum set of tools and tools. There are three ways of laying fragments:

  • Frame. In this case, each module is placed inside a special "skeleton", which is pre-installed in the selected location. Fixation is carried out using rubber inserts.
  • On the solution. The process is in many ways reminiscent of laying bricks, but the glass blocks need only be slightly “adjusted” with a rubber hammer, and each three rows should be given at least a day so that they “grab”.
  • On glue. To mount the wall in this way, you will need a galvanized steel or “stainless steel” reinforcing mesh. The adhesive composition is usually sold complete with glass blocks. Bred it in accordance with the instructions, which are also attached.

Glue is better to choose white, the seams of it will look more aesthetically pleasing. Remove the protective film from the fragments is necessary only after complete installation. Thus, the surface of the glass block will be protected from accidental scratches and damage. To increase the plasticity in the adhesive composition add the usual PVA is not recommended.

Glass has always been used in interior design. It gives the room a touch of airiness and lightness. Although literally a couple of decades ago, the use of glass blocks in the design was tried to be avoided because of too persistent associations with the typical “official” interior of the Soviet era, now there is a triumphant return of this material. The huge choice of color palette and filling (up to tiny boats and miniature fruit compositions) reveals the high creative potential of the material. Therefore, glass blocks are increasingly featured in the projects of venerable designers and are used in stylish interiors of luxury apartments.

Watch the video: Glass Block Wall in the Contemporary Interior Design (March 2024).

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