Glass blocks in the interior - functionally, aesthetically, modernly

Many of us at the word “glass blocks” recall Soviet buildings with bluish-green glass squares made of glass, which served as windows or partitions in various public buildings - from dining rooms to bathhouses. In those days, it never occurred to anyone to use this building material as a decoration. The use of glass blocks was due to the strength, affordability and obvious functionality of the products. Today, this building and finishing material has undergone external changes and is used not only for its main purpose, but also for decorating the interior and facades of buildings. Over the past ten years, the use of glass blocks in the design of residential premises is gaining popularity - modern designers offer options for constructing practical and aesthetic designs, the use of glass blocks locally, as a functional decor.

Glass blocks are an excellent soundproofing material that is resistant to moisture and has good heat-saving properties. That is why it was so often used in utilitarian premises for the adoption of water procedures. And today, glass blocks can most often be found in design projects of bathrooms, where partitions are created from translucent cubes, window openings are laid out and racks are installed.

The design of the glass block is simple - it is a hollow “brick” inside, the walls of which have a thickness of 6-8 mm. The discharged air inside the unit provides the product with high sound insulation properties and low thermal conductivity, which helps to save the heat of the premises. As a result, industrial glass blocks are used both for the construction of non-bearing walls inside the building, and for cladding the external surfaces of buildings.

As a rule, glass blocks are produced in a square shape, but there are also products in the form of "bricks", end (corner) blocks, and even round shapes. As for the coloring, the advantage here is with transparent, colorless glass blocks, but lately, tinted products with various decor inside (pebbles, shells and even herbariums) are gaining popularity, LED products look especially luxurious and modern. Glass blocks can be of different sizes, but still the most popular option is the standard form: 19x19x8 cm and 24x24x8 cm.

One of the most popular options for using glass blocks in the interior is the creation of partitions in the bathroom. And for such popularity there are several reasons:

• glass blocks allow up to 85% of sunlight, but at the same time create an obstacle for which you can retire;
• excellent moisture resistant properties;
• structural strength;
• the relative cheapness of the material;
• simplicity in leaving;
• excellent soundproofing properties drown out the sound of pouring water;
• glass block partitions are able to retain heat, creating a comfortable atmosphere for the adoption of water procedures.

In order to create a safe and easy-to-use partition from glass blocks, products with a rounded shape are used in the last row of the structure. As a result, your opening, passage or niche in the partition will be ergonomic, safe and outwardly attractive.

The creation of semicircular partitions from glass blocks that separate the shower space from the common room is most widely used in modern design projects. You get a bathroom space isolated from high humidity, but at the same time keep the presence of sunlight in the shower area.

The combination of transparent and tinted glass during the construction of partitions in bathrooms allows you to create not only a functional protection of the room from moisture, but also to decorate the interior, to bring an element of originality.

To bring originality to the construction of the partition from glass blocks will help products of different sizes and colors. Here is an original combination of transparent rectangular glass elements with square emerald blocks with a corrugated surface.

The main thing in creating glass block partitions from colored glass is not to overdo it with brightness and maintain harmony in the application of color solutions.

Partial laying out of one of the walls of the bathroom with the help of glass blocks will help preserve the privacy of the room, but at the same time create the possibility of using light coming from the adjacent space. As a result, during the day you can not use artificial lighting when visiting the bathroom.

Most often, glass blocks are used for the construction of window openings in utilitarian premises - bathrooms and bathrooms. This choice is quite logical because as a result you have a window that lets in almost as much light as ordinary double-glazed windows, but at the same time creates a private atmosphere, freeing you from the need to use curtains or blinds. Most often, windows from glass blocks can be found in private urban-type houses or suburban households.

The use of glass blocks for window design allows you to create both panoramic monolithic window openings and entire compositions from small sections with a translucent composition.

The use of glass blocks of different sizes and shapes allows you to build not just window openings, but real decorative interior elements that can raise the level of design uniqueness to an unprecedented height.

Creating a window from glass blocks in the bathroom allows you to use the resulting surface as a base. For example, when placing one or two sinks near such a window, you can hang mirrors and even small shelves directly on the glass structure.

Panoramic windows of glass block bathrooms can be used for fastening various auxiliary elements. In the shower space it can be handrails or small shelves, mirrors.

But not only in the bathrooms you can find windows from glass blocks. Originality and practicality brings this inexpensive material to the living room space. In this case, glass products are used not only for their functional qualities, but also as a decorative element.

When converting former industrial premises into residential spaces, one can often find the use of glass blocks, as a tribute to those times when these glass products were used solely because of functional qualities. Here is a design project of a spacious kitchen with high ceilings and windows laid out of glass blocks.

Another example of arranging a window from glass blocks in a modern kitchen-dining room

Even in the interior of the hallway, the use of a window from glass blocks looks organically. Modern and unique.

Windows and partitions from glass blocks can hardly surprise anyone. But the use of this durable, but at the same time translucent building material as the basis for flooring can bring originality to any interior design. Before you is just such a way to design an office with a seating area. The glass roof complete with a glass block floor made the room completely airy, light, and light.

A semicircular bar counter made of translucent glass blocks? Easy! The design will look especially impressive if you add lighting to the structure - color or monochrome.

Small insets of glass blocks in the walls - a unique opportunity to add originality to the interior of the room.The room is filled with light, glare plays on surfaces, but at the same time, the walls do not lose their strength and wear-resistant qualities.

Creating an interior partition from transparent glass blocks in the space of the stairs will help to create a light, almost weightless image of this structure. The sturdy construction will provide your staircase with penetration of sunlight from adjacent spaces.

Unusual use of glass blocks can be found even in a bedroom. Windows made of this material can protect your space from prying eyes, but at the same time fill the room with subdued sunlight.