Glass block is such a spectacularly useful building material, once in a while we like to expound on all its benefits. Not only is it highly performative, glass block adds a “WOW factor” to architectural or interior design that is completely unique, and totally awe inspiring.
Glass Block is Beautiful
Glass block’s beauty isn’t insular; it interacts with light and the surroundings to create a symphony of visual sensation. Glass block’s distinctive beauty is directly related to the fact that it is hollow. Because it is hollow, light is refracted as it makes its way through the different materials (glass, air, glass), creating subtle distortions that add interest to any glass block wall or window.
The wide range of colors, patterns and sizes only add to the impact, allowing a designer to play with light, color and texture all at once. For example, take a look at our Basic Line, which offers over 25 patterns, and imagine the possibilities!
Beauty meets function with glass block’s capability to provide varying degrees of privacy. Some glass block patterns allow for a high degree of visibility and light transmittance, while others provide a high degree of privacy.
Glass Block is Functional
Not only is glass block beautiful, it is a hard-working material that makes it a smart choice for just about any challenging situation you could think of. Note that there are many types of glass block. Some, while still functional, highlight their beauty, while others are manufactured to provide extraordinary performance.
Hurricane and tornado resistant
Do you live in Florida? Tornado alley? You might want to check out our hurricane or tornado resistant windows that utilize glass block or solid glass brick for exceptional protection.
Our Hurricane resistant windows meet or exceed the highest standards of the Miami-Dade County Product Control Section and the Texas Department of Insurance.
Our tornado resistant windows meet the highest standard of performance for FEMA 361 “Design and Construction Guidelines for Community Safe Rooms.”
Security
Is violence on the rise in your inner-city environment? Glass block is highly secure, with some types of solid glass brick able to resist impacts, and bullets — even penetration from high-impact ballistics, including 9mm and .357 magnum bullets.
Noise Resistant
Do you live in a noisy area? All glass block is noise resistant, but some are exceptionally so. Vistabrik is a 3 inch solid glass brick that creates an impenetrable barrier to noise from trains, sirens, machinery and so on. While a 3 7/8 inch Premiere Series glass block has a Sound Transmission Class (STC – meaning how much sound is blocked), around 35 to 41 dB, Vistabrik’s STC is an impressive 53 dB. The higher the rating, the more effective at blocking sound. For comparison, the STC of a double paned glass window is about 26 to 33 dB.
Fire Resistant
Glass block is inherently fire resistant, and we also carry types of glass block that have been modified to provide exceptional protection from fire. Glass block is available in 45, 60, and 90-minute fire ratings as rated and approved according to Underwriters Laboratory and/or NFPA standards.
Glass Block is Durable
Glass block lasts a very long time — at least 50 years, and it rarely needs maintenance. Glass block can take a lot of abuse without being damaged, even resisting the attention of graffiti artists. The surface is resilient to paints, markers, and stickers, but if something does happen to stick to it, it is easily cleaned.
Glass block works with nature. Made mostly from sand and limestone, glass block is inert, nontoxic and completely recyclable.
Glass block also has a timeless quality. While its popularity has waxed and waned over the years, architects, designers and homeowners keep coming back to it as they re-discover its versatility and potential.
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