How to Use Glass Blocks to Bring Light into Your Foyer
Glass blocks look great in a foyer. A great weekend project consists of installing glass block windows around the door frame. Five to six blocks wide on each side, and two to three blocks wide on the top of the door frame should be enough to bring in additional light. If your foyer is anything like mine, and you want to bring more light into the home without losing your privacy, than this is the perfect option for you. The glass blocks are thick enough that you cannot see inside the home, but if someone is standing in front of your door, the homeowner is able to make out their silhouette. This can be done simply by creating a frame, and removing the existing medium from the door.
If there are existing windows, remove the windows as well as the frames. One of the great things about glass blocks is that they do not require frames. Next, remove the medium from the top of the door frame, enough for two to three rows of glass blocks. After the wood, and bricks or siding have been removed it is important that the area be re-framed for support, as the blocks are sturdy, but they are still glass.
Before applying the first layer of blocks to the ground, ensure that there is a 1×4 piece of wood so that the blocks are not directly on the ground. Since this is the bottom layer, rubber cement or waterproof caulking should be used on the wood that the glass block is going to be adhered to.
Use cedar shims to ensure that the blocks are a uniform space apart, often �½ inch is the desired length, and use rubber cement as the mortar in between the blocks. Rubber cement is going to take two to four hours to dry, and it is important to remove the shims two hours after the cement has been applied. Rubber cement is the medium of choice, as it is waterproof. Replace the mortar in the areas that all of the shims have been removed from.
Build the rubber blocks up, using a ladder as needed. If any of the cement is spilled on to the blocks than remove it with a warm cloth. On the side of the blocks, where they meet the house, finish the job with caulking, on the indoors, and outdoors. Use the caulking sparingly, as we do not want to take away from the effect. The frameless windows are now ready to light up your foyer with wonderful, natural light.
