So, you’ve never ordered a glass block shower wall before. This would certainly be true for most people!
Glass block shower walls are unique and can be extraordinary. However, if I’m ‘keepin’ it real dog’ (as Randy Jackson used to say on American Idol) that’s also what makes designing and building a glass block shower difficult.
You may not know what you’re doing since it’s your first time planning this project.
Your contractor may not know what they’re doing since it’s likely they haven’t installed one before.
And building material distributors and/or home center employees will likely be clueless because it’s not something they sell regularly (or at all).
So, whether you’re looking for a ‘common glass block wall’ (which uses one standard wave pattern block stacked upon another) or an extraordinary glass block shower wall with a mix of patterns, colors, sizes, and shapes – you may be wondering how you can achieve a cool look, have it installed with minimal muss and fuss, and ALSO keep costs down?
If this sounds like the impossible dream, I’m here to tell you it’s not. But first you need to read the 11 key elements for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design. Let’s dig in.
Element #1 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Find a FREE glass block shower wall designer.
I’ll admit it’s hard to find people who know glass block sizes, options, patterns and what you can do with them. And it’s even harder to find someone who knows how to make sure these glass block options will work with the size of your shower and the methods to get it built and installed properly.
It’s for this reason you need a Glass Block Shower Wall Designer to guide you. And here’s a Ripley’s Believe it Or Not revelation for you – if you click below you can find this help (and here’s the ‘double-bonus’) …..for F-R-E-E! A smart designer will not only save you time and money – but can put together ALL the elements of a smartly designed (and cost-effective) glass block shower. They include the shower pan, the glass block walls, shower accessories, and shower surround walls.
Element #2 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Have fun with a mix of glass block sizes.
One reason some people find glass block showers boring is they assume you can only get them with one 8” x 8” glass block stacked on top another. And nothing could be further from the truth.
Put fun in your shower wall (which is unlike anything you can do with clear flat shower glass) by combing 6” x 8” blocks with 8” x 8” blocks. Or how about setting 4” x 8” glass blocks horizontally or vertically to give them a unique grid look like you’ll see in popular subway tile designs today.
Glass blocks come in various sizes including 4” x 8”, 6” x 6”, 6” x 8”, 8” x 8”, 7 ½” x 7 ½”, 3 ¾” x 7 ½” and even shaped blocks to make curved or 90 degree walls.
Why stand for ordinary, when extraordinary is possible?
Element #3 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Have fun with colored glass blocks.
How often have you seen a shower wall with color? If you can’t remember seeing one at all, you’re in the majority.
While this design does take proper planning and execution, you know it’ll be far more impactful than the ‘standard’ clear glass sliding shower door every builder is slapping in.
Element #4 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Create a mosaic design with multiple glass block patterns.
If you’ve been mesmerized by stained glass windows and how they reflect light and patterns but know (obviously) you ARE NOT going to use stained glass as a shower wall – but love this look, I’ll let you in on a little known secret.
You can create a sturdy and extraordinary (stained-glass-like) wall by combining multiple glass block design patterns in the same wall. And a qualified glass block shower designer can not only help with designs – but pricing for a pre-made wall which can serve double-duty as a functional shower wall and as a ‘work of art’ in your bathroom.
Element #5 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – A design with an intelligent shower shape.
What’s an intelligent shower shape you may be asking?
Well – an intelligent shower shape is one which keeps the water INSIDE the shower (even in a walk in shower) – but also is simple to enter or exit (no matter how wide or small the shower opening needs to be). And for more insights on this topic read element #8 below.
And if you’re wondering what type of glass block shower shapes are possible you can either go ‘Plain Jane’ (and my apologies right now to all the ‘Jane’s’ out there) or get as fancy as a serpentine wall. See some examples below.
A serpentine glass block wall. This makes sense if you’ve got a deep space – and want something truly unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Element #6 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – The glass block wall is designed to work with your shower pan (and will minimize the cost of hooking up the drain).
I’ve seen this ‘3-step nightmare’ below way too many times.
Step 1- Someone has a shower base installed.
Step 2 – Then they order a glass block wallassuming (and you know what assuming does) it’ll work with the shower base.
Step 3 – And finally, they find out the glass block wall DOES NOT fit on the shower base!
If this happens to you it’s a very bad day.
Whether you have a straight, curved, 90 degree corner glass block shower, or even a serpentine wall, the curb (or threshold) of the shower pan must be designed to fit the size and shape of the glass block wall. And the reason this is critical is because glass blocks cannot be cut.
This is where the following quote from motivational writer Stephen Covey about ‘needing to begin with the end in mind’ really makes sense. Think through (especially with a curved, 90 angled, or serpentine wall) the size and shape of the glass block wall BEFORE buying (or building) the shower pan.
When you work with a glass block shower designer they can provide a CAD drawing of the base and block wall to save you from the 3 Step Nightmare discussed above!
Also pay attention to the drain location built into the shower pan. If possible use the existing drain to save money and eliminate needing to cut the floor for a new drain hole. This can get very expensive – especially if surface below the finished floor is made of concrete.
Element #7 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Use your volume strategically and stylishly
Nobody wants a glass block shower wall which is too short and water escapes over the top.
And no one wants a glass block shower wall which is too tall and is out of proportion with other elements in the bathroom.
And finally, nobody wants a glass block shower wall where the top of the wall is unfinished.
It’s for this reason the height of an extraordinary glass block shower wall must be strategically and stylishly designed.
For example – the most popular height of a glass block wall is 80” tall so no water escapes across the top (assuming your shower head is set at a standard height).
And a smartly designed wall will also either use finished bullnosed end blocks or solid surface materials to complete its side and top edges.
And if you want to get ‘fancy-schmancy’ you can even do (when you design the wall in 8” increments) a ‘step down’ glass block wall like you’ll see below.
Element #8 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – An effective design provides just the right amount of space to enter
If the walk in glass block shower opening is too wide, it’ll let too much water out, and the shower will feel cold.
If the walk in glass block shower opening is too small, you’ll either need to go on a diet or enter sideways (like you do when you step over a tub).
And just like in Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, you want your shower opening to be ‘just right.’
And if you’re asking what ‘just right’ looks like – in general you want the opening to be 22-24” wide. And if you’re designing for wheelchair access, plan for the opening to be 32-36” wide.
Element #9 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – Make sure it’s simple to assemble and install the glass block wall –without desperately searching for a ‘needle-in-a-haystack’ mason who might be willing to do the job on!
I’ll tell you a cold hard truth. Mason contractors HATE, HATE, HATE laying glass blocks. And few masons want to work in bathrooms either. You may ask why?
Well, it’s because (unlike a concrete block or brick wall) glass blocks don’t absorb moisture when they’re being laid block by block and are harder to install than a clay brick or concrete block because they ‘swim around’ when they’re being installed. And given this fact, (and the reality that most masonry work is done outside) the chance of finding a mason ready, willing, and able to install a glass block shower wall will be low.
However, it’s good to know there’s a better, simpler, and lower cost way (but if you’re independently wealthy maybe you don’t care about this – ha! ha!) to install this project. And that’s to use prefabricated glass block wall sections. They’re built to order (and to fit a custom glass block shower pan if you’d like) and are installed using a ‘stack-anchor-grout’ system. They’re glass blocks version of Lego Blocks!
And it’s nice to know the grout joints with these wall are 50% smaller than the ‘old-school’ mason contractor block by block method. You’ll get a better finished project for less money – and that’s a concept ANYONE can get behind.
Element #10 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – The glass block wall must be properly anchored
A well designed glass block wall is one which (literally) stands the test of time. It’s built to last and stays in place for years to come, even if someone leans, or falls on the wall.
This means the glass block wall must be properly anchored. Make sure you’re using a system which is anchored and reinforced using parts which won’t bend or RUST! Check out the installation video below to learn more.
Element #11 for an extraordinary glass block shower wall design – The glass block wall is easy to maintain
Who likes maintaining their shower? ‘Err that’d be no one… except if you’re in the grout cleaning business and making money in the process!
And that’s why you’ll want to pay attention to ways to build a glass block shower and make it easier to maintain. Here’s 3 ideas to accomplish this goal:
Idea #1 – Use urethane grout in conjunction with a prefabricated glass block wall– If you use urethane grout in a prefab glass block wall it won’t need to be re-sealed, and the joints are only 1/8” wide (vs. mortared glass blocks installed by a mason which are ¼” to 3/8” wide).
Idea #2 –Use grout free shower wall panels – These 3/8” thick laminate wall panels are not only more time-effective to install than tile (without the dust!) but you’ll never have to worry about cleaning their grout joints.
Idea #3-Use preformed stainless steel niches vs. tile niches – Tile niches gets uglier and uglier as your shower ages. With preformed stainless steel niches, they install quicker, are simpler to clean, and stand the test of time.
So, are you now more confident you know the elements for a well-designed glass block shower wall? Do you need help designing, building, or installing your project?
While this article provides the key elements for a glass block shower (and hopefully you’ll find gave you a ‘road-map’ for a winning project), it’s not (unfortunately) written for your specific space (and/or crazy bathroom layout).
With this thought in mind, I’d love to offer personalized help.
And if you’re looking for an installed glass block shower wall call 614-252-5888 (in Columbus) or 216-531-6363 (in Cleveland). And if you’re not in those areas ask for a dealer in your local market by commenting below.
Thanks for reading. I, or a member of my team, are looking forward to helping you.
Mike
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If you want more advice (with less wacky humor because you’ll see the ‘buttoned-up’ business version of me) follow me on LinkedIn @MikeFoti.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
