Fori, I don't know if they are out of style or not. Probably, because I'm usually behind the curve on trends. We've had a glass block shower in our last two homes. I really like them. Our current one a nice size (4X6), and curves a bit around the corner. We had a regular stone mason put it in and I don't remember him saying anything about the difficulty. I purchased the glass block at a place that sells stone, brick, etc. In our new house currently under construction, we are just putting a small "shower room" that is all tile. I'll miss the light that the glass block allows in and still provides a bit of privacy.

Thanks Joyce--that looks so nice!

"Are they totally out of style?"

Yes - way out of style. Of course, it is your house, so you certainly don't have to follow the trends. If you are planning on selling though, definitely don't put in glass block. It is quite dated and seen as a negative by most potential buyers.

Interesting perspective, Bill!

I'm concerned it's not dated enough. :) It will be installed in a very dated house.

I guess my biggest concern about it being completely out of style is that I won't be able to find anyone to build it properly.

Hmmmm...pondering Bill V's answer. what about an exterior bathroom wall that's glass block? I'm contemplating a small guest bathroom at the back end of the second story of my very urban row house. Many of the nearby houses have used glass block on the back and sides to let in light while preserving privacy. In fact, I have been mulling using large "windows" of glass block on the three exterior walls of the proposed bathroom, which would put it on at least one and maybe two of the shower walls.

Still dated and to be avoided in that context?

fori they still sell glass blocks and the fixings. So... I'll assume there are still people installing them!! Since they sell these blocks at DIY hardware stores, I'll conclude that this is a DIY level project. I'll bet Corning Glass has all the reading you'll need on their web site.

I think I need really big Legos.

"what about an exterior bathroom wall that's glass block? "

Still dated. If your going for an ultra-urban design, there are tons of glass products available that don't scream 1980's.

"fori they still sell glass blocks and the fixings. So... I'll assume there are still people installing them!! Since they sell these blocks at DIY hardware stores, I'll conclude that this is a DIY level project. "

They sell all sorts of stuff at at box stores that is beyond the skill level of the average homeowner. Unless you have some sort of masonry experience, I wouldn't start on a free standing glass block wall. These blocks are heavy and you don't want 8 feet of them to go tumbling over on someone.

Any experienced mason should have no problem installing them though.

Melissa, how does it look next door? :) It could be a really good option (I don't know how good these things are for insulation and stuff though).

Funny, I think of glass block as belonging more to an earlier period than the 1980s. They were pretty common in the 30s and were petering off (in my area) by the 1950s. I thought maybe they were too early to go with my ranchy house, not too 80s. (My house--not on the cusp of fashion when built--has some glass block already, so I don't mind adding more.)

This is not my house and this is probably not a bathroom, but wouldn't it be a nice one?

My husband, does glass block, some people still want it. Here is one he, did.{{gwi:1421711}}

Fori: Oddly, I do have windows on one side of my row house! These were built in 1907. The front 25 feet or so is the full width of the lot and directly abuts houses on both sides. But at the back of the living room, the house narrows by 3 feet on one side, providing a sort of 6 foot wide alley way between my house and the neighbor to one side. This allows windows on the side of the house in the dining room and kitchen on the first floor and bedrooms and baths upstairs. But, they certainly don't have a view and don't get a lot of sunlight...particularly since most of them are stained or textured glass. Nice, but not a lot of light!

I just reread my original message and realized I said three exterior walls., Which in fact there would be, because building codes for an extension require it to be narrower than the original part of the house, so there would also be a very narrow (2 to 3 foot total)alley between my house and the house on the OTHER side of mine at the extension part. Of course that may be so tight that it wouldn't let in any light, making a window worthless.

Fori, I just wanted to respond to a comment made that this would negatively impact a future sale. Our previous home (with a glass block shower) sold a few years ago for full price in 7 days. Our current home, which also has glass block shower, sold for full price, too. But took alot longer. We only had one showing, and they bought it. One of the things they loved was the master bath. Go figure. I suppose it could be a regional thing. One house was in Colorado, the other in Wisconsin.

We went to the parade of homes in our area last year, and saw a couple homes with glass block showers. One was especially beautiful with two walls of glass block, and two walls of dark slate. Stunning!

Thanks y'all. Shar, good to know there are professionals working with them still. That looks nice (although a tiny picture!)

As far as resale goes, I'm not concerned. It'll look better than what *I* bought it with! I missed the part of the 80s where these were in fashion--I just have warn fuzzy memories of Grandma's house with the cool window you couldn't really see out of. Anyway, this is a master bathroom so I'm sure it's already hopelessly outdated by virtue of its size. (Fitting IN a glass block shower might be problematic.)

{{gwi:1421712}}

I can agree with the opinions of billl ; it can be said that most TILE jobs are also beyond the skill level of most DIY. Corning Glass has a lot of good information in the tear sheets in stores, and on their web site (search "corning glass block installation").

I think there are indeed people who would like to have a glass block wall but don't dare express it. Maybe they would rather say it was there when they bought the house, instead of admitting they had it built for them.

fori, I think that glass block will go perfectly with the vintage of your home.

I have never lived anywhere with glass block, but I love the look and it would be a selling point for me if I were buying a house! I particularly like it when it's curved. To me, it looks retro rather than 80s (maybe it was overused in the 80s where Bill lives, but not in my area).

By retro I mean I associate it with a period that occurred before I was born. For some reason, that seems to be the determining factor of whether or not someone finds something appealing.

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to look into it.

Here are a few more pictures of glass block, I, sent that other picture, from my Droid cell phone. Did not know how the picture got so small. My husband, said just like anything else you, have to know what your doing. Just get someone who takes pride in his work/?action=view&current=Picture315-1-1.jpg" target="_blank">

My husband & I love the look of the glass showers, especially the curved or staggered look. We don't have it, really wouldn't fit in our house but I don't think it is a personal preference of what your style is. Joyce your shower is beautiful & I love the house posted here also. Here is another pic of one I like. Terri

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1421707}}

I have always like glass block, but I don't think it goes with my home. I love the one with the colored blocks.

Glass block is still being done.

If you go with mortar-set, then go slowly. As you add weight above it can deform courses below. Unlike brick, glass doesn't absorb moisture from the mortar, so it can be a slower process in terms of running course after course with no worries over slumping, especially for the first few courses.

With silicon-set you can usually power your way right up the wall course after course. Silicon is more DIY-friendly.

With mortar-set, make sure stainless steel strapping is used. Galvanized/steel strapping can rust over time and the rust stains can get into the mortar, the stains can show through the glass block.

For a structural wall like a free-standing shower wall, I recommend mortar-set over silicon.

Mortar will give you the more traditional look with the mortar joints. Begin able to vary the mortar joint thickness allows you to custom size the height of the wall if needed. Silicon gives you a little more of a slicker look; more glass and a less grid-y look due to there being no mortar joints breaking up the wall of glass.

Glass block is heavy, so there are weight considerations. If it's a free-standing wall then you'll get the most stability by using full-thickness block. If the wall is captured then you can sometimes go with the thinner block.

Thanks everyone! This just might work!

Fori,

I don't think glass block showers are outdated at all! I think they're timeless when you combine them with tiles. In fact, I just received my prefabricated glass block shower with a ready for tile Wedi shower system from Masonry & Glass Systems, Inc. It would be very easy to install. Go to the links below for more info. They also have very helpful videos to show you how things are done or what they will look like. http://www.masonryglass.com/index.html
http://mgs.glassblk.com/Main.asp. I say go for the glass block shower with the ready for tile Wedi system. You can design it however you want to fit in with your bathroom. Don't forget to check out the Wedi shower niches as well. Good luck!

Eliza