Masonry Magazine January 1981 Page.25
Glass block are a type of masonry, such as brick, stone, and concrete block. Glass block are assembled on site, piece by piece, and can achieve a variety of shapes, sizes, and aesthetic effects for both exterior and interior walls, straight or curved.
Also like other types of masonry, glass block requires very little maintenance. There is nothing to deteriorate. On the exterior of a building, glass block are cleaned by hosing, and interior surfaces can be wiped clean with just a damp cloth.
Other benefits of glass block are security, thermal efficiency, and low sound transmission. The unique feature of glass block is its ability to admit light. Depending on the type of block chosen, an architect can direct, diffuse, reduce, or reflect natural or man-made light.
Glass block are available in a variety of sizes. Square block are 6", 8" or 12". Rectangles are four by 4" x 8" or 6" x 8". The standard unit is 3%" thick, although thinner blocks are available. Some glass block have fibrous inserts to control glare and solar heat gain. Solid glass block are virtually indestructible, providing maximum protection against break-ins and vandalism.
Glass block are made by fusing two halves of pressed glass together, creating a partial vacuum and the insulating value of a 12"-thick concrete wall. Because of this insulating value, air conditioning and heating requirements are reduced.
Although construction with glass block may cost more initially, in most cases the expense is offset by savings on interior wall finishings. A Pittsburgh-Corning spokesman said that reinforcing, anchors, labor and clean-up cost approximately $13 to $17 per sq. ft. But finishing elements such as interior painting, insulation and wallboard-which normally add approximately $2.50 per sq. ft.-are not necessary with a glass block wall because the interior surface is completed at the same time as the exterior.
Fuel savings for lighting are another positive economic aspect of glass block. Depending on the type of occupancy, the fuel related to lighting can be as high as 40% of the total fuel consumption of a commercial building.
Architect Stanley Felderman Ltd. utilized glass block for partitions and exterior walls of this fashionable boutique.
New Chicago Police Center on the city's southeast side required over 64,000 glass block for the exterior walls. Fred Beyer & Co. of Chicago was the mason contractor.
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