Today, a huge number of types of shower cabins are presented on the sanitary ware market. They are made of different materials, differ in size, color and texture characteristics. But for those who want to organize a truly original shower, it is worth using prefabricated technology. In particular, shower cabins made of glass blocks are in high demand, which are quite amenable to installation without the involvement of specialists.
What is good about glass block?
The shower stall concept itself is in demand due to practicality, technical optimization and design advantages. In other words, it is a compact and ergonomic design that does not spoil the overall design of the bathroom and fully fulfills its key tasks. Glass block at the same time slightly corrects the ideaan optimized shower, making the frame and decoration more solid, impressive and noble in terms of aesthetic value. In addition, this material is natural and environmentally friendly - a significant advantage over thin-walled plastic panels and PVC. As for the design value, above is a photo of a shower cabin made of glass blocks of various formats, which create an original and at the same time organic composition. By experimenting with colors, shapes and light transmission coefficient, only one glass block can create completely unique designer booths.
Cab space preparation
At this stage, installation work is not performed. The contractor is only required to adapt the target surface area in the bathroom to the work activities, having previously calculated its area. But that's not all. For the duration of the repair, it is advisable to remove all furniture, mobile structures from the room and, if possible, free it from plumbing fixtures. Decorative surfaces with which the glass block shower cabin will come into contact, during the work, it will also not be superfluous to protect it with a special film from mechanical damage. All utility drains are closed with rubber caps or wrapped with plumbing tape.
Organization of the drain and installation of the pallet
The first step is to install the drain and shower tray. Considering the parameters of the glass block and, in general, the configuration of the location of the structure, markup should be performedtechnological zone. Next, the old floor covering is dismantled and the exposed rough surface of the concrete screed is polished. If there are cracks and other defects, then it will have to be restored with priming solutions. Then the floor is waterproofed with bituminous mastic. After drying of the laid materials, formwork is organized around the perimeter of the booth and a pallet is arranged.
The bottom is recommended to be arranged using a foam polystyrene panel with a thickness of about 5 cm. Along with structural tasks, it will also perform the functions of sound and heat insulation. In order for the cabin made of glass blocks with a pallet based on expanded polystyrene to last longer by itself, it is advisable to re-treat the base with a waterproofing agent (made of bitumen) and a primer resistant to the aquatic environment. For the ladder, a cut is made through which the connection to the sewer pipe will be made. This stage ends with the laying of a sand-cement screed, in which a drain funnel is formed.
Installing tiles on a pallet
You can use small tiles or mosaics to decorate the pallet area. In both cases, the main selection criterion, in addition to stylistic nuances, should be moisture resistance. Preference should be given to products marked "I" or "AI". The moisture absorption of this material is not higher than 3%, which is sufficient for this design. Before laying, the working area is covered with a primer with an antiseptic effect. Tiles should be installed on special adhesives with increased adhesion and durability.in front of the aquatic environment. In order to maintain the intended design of the shower stall made of glass blocks and mosaics, it is also necessary to correctly perform the grouting. This operation is the filling of tile joints with special compounds. During further installation, they should be masked with a film so that the putty structure is not blurred and deformed from accidental ingress of water.
Installation of glass block
Initially, the contours are marked along which the masonry will be made. The working surfaces are again cleaned of dust and dirt, after which a wooden frame with guide elements is mounted. Plastic crosses in the process of work will help to maintain a single thickness of the seam between the elements. Bearing profiles for a glass block shower cabin are fixed with dowels. This completes the installation of the power bearing base for the walls and you can proceed to the direct laying of blocks.
For installation, either a cement-sand mortar with the addition of PVA building glue, or a specialized moisture-resistant mixture for glass structures is used. By the way, the color of the solution will also matter, this nuance should also be taken into account. Laying is done by hand - the photo of the glass block shower cabin, which is presented above, illustrates the installation process of the elements. It is necessary to properly maintain the geometry of the wall vertically and horizontally, apply a solution with a thickness of about 1 cm. For a tighter fixation, you can use a mallet. With gentle blows, the block is pressed against the mortar and corrected inits position relative to the guides. On average, it takes about a week for the structure to dry completely.
Glass block framing method
The fundamental difference between this glass block laying technology is the use of a model structure, into which each element is literally integrated separately. That is, the guide profiles pass not only along the edges, but also in a continuous manner along each row. It is especially advantageous to mount a modular shower cabin made of glass blocks in a wooden house, since the design allows you to organically integrate the load-bearing parts of the box into the walls. Moreover, the profile frame itself can be made of wood, which will ensure an even more harmonious merging of the cabin with the design of the house itself.
As for the differences in frame mounting technology, the presence of a module simplifies masonry. Additional operations include only extended mounting of module profiles to base surfaces. It should be done with dowels or anchor elements. After that, all joints of the supporting structure with the floor and walls are sealed and treated with silicone.
Reinforced glass block laying technology
Another variation of the shower structure installation technique, a feature of which will be the inclusion of reinforcing rods in the masonry. In this case, two wooden slats are used for the guides - they will outline the contours of the passage of the shower box partition. Further, the first row of glass blocks is formed according to the standard method. In the middle of the resulting seam between the laid andreinforcement is inserted in the second row. It is advisable to use fiberglass rods, as they, at a minimum thickness of 6 mm, provide the same force effect as metal rods at 10-12 mm.
Also, do not forget about inter-tile crosses, which will allow you to correctly lay the glass blocks of the shower cabin. With their own hands, in the course of work, the general geometry of the partitions is also checked using a level or a laser level. In the same way, the subsequent rows of walls are laid out. The ends of the reinforcing elements can be fixed in the wall of the house or connected to the guide profiles. If metal rods are used, it is important that they do not come into direct contact with the glass.
Door installation
The structure can be designed with or without a door, which looks more aesthetically pleasing. In the first case, the main task will be to fasten the load-bearing loops. For this, hardware suitable for the format is used like a dowel, and it is better to use the walls of the house as the basis for fastening. Only the modular design allows the installation of platbands to partitions. The opening of a shower cabin made of glass blocks with a door itself should be framed with profile frames - it is best to use wood for the box.
Conclusion
Installation of glass block construction is more difficult than typical plastic and metal boxes. Masonry will require a more serious organization of work using building mixtures, creatingcapital pallet, etc. And yet, in finished form, a shower cabin made of glass blocks is valued higher - as a more attractive, functional and reliable design. In order for its surfaces to always retain an aesthetic appearance, plumbers recommend periodically washing the partitions with warm water and soap or special cleaners for glass surfaces. Care restrictions apply to the use of any abrasives, as well as metal brushes that can scratch the surface of the glass block. But, since you still can’t insure against minor physical damage, sometimes it will not be superfluous to update the condition of the walls of the shower and polishing materials.
