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Glass Block Showers & Walk in Designs

You probably want to spend more time enjoying your bathroom than cleaning it. If so, a glass block shower provides a cool, contemporary option for you. Our enclosures offer a seamless, one-stop solution for your bathroom remodeling project.

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Benefits

Benefits

Curved glass block shower walls in columbus ohio parade of homes
Walk-in shower with rounded wall featuring Icescapes pattern
Open walk in shower design using glass blocks in conjunction with dave fox remodeling
Project featuring the Decora pattern with finished ends (Image courtesy of Dave Fox Remodeling, Columbus, Ohio)
custom glass block shower enclosure by columbus glass block
Shower stall with Arque radius blocks- Decora pattern (Image courtesy of Nicholson Builders, Columbus, Ohio)

Style and looks. "Cool, clean, and contemporary."

Easy cleaning. Multiple patterns make it very hard to see spotting on the glass block's surface. The units can be cleaned with soap and water or window cleaners.

Walk in shower eliminates the need for a door — saving you from having to clean the mess around the door's frame.

Durability and eco-friendliness. Blocks are mortared or grouted together for excellent durability and last long for sustainability.

Increased privacy. Obscure patterns will allow light transmission and obscure views.

Design flexibility. Check out the many designs, decorative colors, and frosted glass blocks. Combining patterns can create an extraordinary shower.

Purchasing from a company you can trust. We are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and have won Consumers' Choice Awards for service.

Savings. We start with your ideas and turn them into completed projects, saving you money on materials and installation. Here are five ways we can reduce your costs.

  1. Hire a skilled "one-stop shop." Although some masons and tile setters dabble in glass block installations, a specialty contractor who can coordinate and execute your project from beginning to end is best. We perform the initial design and layout; supply and install an acrylic or expanded polystyrene shower pan; prefabricate and install wall sections; provide and install waterproof backer boards and urethane grout.
  2. Stack straight, angled or curved prefab wall sections. Premade straight and radius walls and then easier and less costly to build and install. We use our vinyl stack spacing system to reduce installation times.
  3. Use thinner series blocks. Use the 3 1/8" thickness blocks from Mulia Inc. to save money. These blocks come in finished ends, curves and 90 degree angles.
  4. Design a walk in shower without a door - eliminates the cost of the door & gets rids of the pain of cleaning the door frame.
  5. Purchase all the accessories you need from one place - get your shower base, recessed niches, corner seat, wall board, grout, and glass block bathroom window with your walls. You can now get your entire project designed, supplied, and installed so that everything works together seamlessly.

Improving function by adding shower accessories and waterproofing. Include a soap and shampoo niche, bench or corner seat, and towel bar or grab bar, or use urethane grout and waterproof wallboard for a waterproof installation.

Free design and technical installation assistance.

Free shipping. We offer free shipping nationwide for glass block shower kits and pre-fabricated wall sections, with no hidden fees or costs. We ship anywhere in the United States, from Washington to Texas to New York to Florida.

straight walls with glass blocks and color units as well
Glass block walk in shower with bronze colored glass block and tile base.
glass block enclosure done in conjunction with truberry inc in columbus ohio
Custom angled wall design with corner shower seat Truberry Homes Columbus Ohio
random colored glass blocks in a 72 x 51 acrylic shower base
Step down wall with Colored Glass Blocks
Product Lines & Designs

Product Lines & Designs

100% Waterproof Expanded Polystyrene Shower Base and Accessory System

This base is 100% waterproof, available in standard or custom sizes, made in one piece with no seams, and light and quick to install.

Advantages

  • 100% waterproof polystyrene base eliminates the potential for water leaks and growth of mold and mildew.
  • Reduced installation timeof less than 30 minutes leads to reduce labor costs.
    1. Trowel out common modified-latex thinset.
    2. Run a bead of silicone around the drain body.
    3. Install the pre-designed and pre-slopped pan.
  • Choice of drain location saves you from having to rework your plumbing to accommodate a pre-determined drain location. We put the drain where it works best for you.
  • Custom base for non-standard sizes and walk-in and roll-in showers allows you to design to suit your needs. Custom bases can be manufactured to fit any shower size or shape (with straight, rounded, or angled walls), either with a curb or without, for barrier-free entry.
  • Seamless design enhances waterproofing and incorporates accessories and features. We install wallboard inside the base to eliminate leakage, at a lower cost than a custom designed solid surface base.
  • Accessory System A recessed soap dish, shampoo caddy, and shower and bench seats are available for a complete system.

Disadvantages

  • Initial purchase costs are slightly higher than a mud-set pan.
ready for tile shower base with a pvc drain kit and chrome strainer cover straight and curved glass block walls fitted to a ready for tile shower base wedi waterproof wall board being installed ready for tile shower corner bench seat and niche

Glass Block Shower Kits with Pre-Formed Acrylic Bases

Our pre-formed acrylic bases work well for bath-to-shower conversions and are available in three sizes. Two fit in the space of a typical bathtub, while the largest size is more expansive. Our kits offer the versatility of either right-hand or left-hand entry, are available in white or biscuit, and feature either the Icescapes or Decora pattern.

60 x 32 pittsburgh corning decora glass blocks and acrylic shower base
Size of base – 60" x 32"
60 x 34 acrylic shower base with a curved glass block wall for a bath to shower conversion project
Size of base – 60" x 34"
72 x 51 acrylic white shower base with 2 glass block premade walls in columbus ohio
Size of base – 72" x 51"

Advantages

  • One-piece acrylic base minimizes concerns about water leakage.
  • Acrylic won’t crack, chip, peel, or fade.
  • The installation of a kit necessitates less project coordination than assembling separate components. (Note: Bases can be custom-made of other solid-surface materials, like Corian.)

Disadvantages

  • Our pre-formed acrylic bases only come in three sizes (72” x 51”, 60” x 34”, and 60” x 32”), none of which might fit your particular project.
  • It can be difficult to get some bases into remodeled homes.
  • More expensive than mud-set pans.

Custom Mud-Set Pans

Advantages

  • Tile setters are familiar with the process involved with mud-set pans.
  • You can use tile or marble to finish your space.
  • The custom process allows you to create exactly the size you need.
  • The mud-set pan has a cheaper initial purchase price.

Disadvantages

  • Purchasing and installing the components of a bathroom individually requires coordination among various contractors and product suppliers.
  • Time consuming and can result in higher labor costs.
  • This installation process requires a higher level of skill
  • If improperly installed, a mud-set pan has a high risk of leaking.
cross section view of a mud set base
Cross section view of custom mud set pan base.

New Item!
(Now Available)

Thinner Glass Block Series for Shower Walls

Consider using 3 1/8" thickness blocks from Mulia to reduce costs and to add some design options not available in the 4" thick units. Some of the advantages of these blocks include:

thinner shaped glass blocks to save money on a wall project
Radial curved block 3 1/8" block compared to thicker block
90 degree angles glass blocks in 3" and 4" thicknesses
Veer corner block 3 1/8" size - compared to 4" Hedron block
  • More cost effective than 4" thick blocks
  • Lighter weight – easier to maneuver and install.
  • Increased design options – available in traditional "Wave" pattern and new "Clear" see-through pattern to create an improved look at your inside walls.
  • Provide more room inside the shower – an especially important factor for tub to shower conversion projects.
  • Vinyl stack prefabricated wall systems available to reduce installation time and improve finished quality.
  • Blocks are available in Wave and Clear patterns in finished ends, rounded blocks for curves (called "Radial" blocks for 22 1/2 degree angles), and 90 degree angle blocks (called "Veer" blocks).
3" thick curved glass block from mulia
Thinner clear (see-through) radial block
wave pattern 3 1/8" thick glass block for shower or partition walls
Thinner wave (obscure) radial block
corner glass blocks for walls
Thinner wave veer block
Installation

Glass Block Shower Installation Details

layout cards make glass block designs easier to do
Layout cards for base and curb design
ready for tile bases can be made with the curved glass blocks in mind
Custom ready for tile shower base with rounded curb to fit prefab glass block wall panels - barrier free entry
waterproof wall board being installed on wood studs
Installing wallboard in preparation for tiling
premade shower kit using a curved glass block wall and a 60 x 34 acryic white shower base
Kit with prefabricated glass block shower walls for a tub-to-shower conversion
prefabricated glass block wall sections being installed and anchored to a wall
Angled walls with vinyl stack spacers
close up view of glass block anchoring system
Vinyl stack panels being anchored into wall
thinner series glass block shower wall being installed by a DIY
Setting a straight sections using thinner blocks
black grout being applied to a glass block counter wall
Grouting process (can use sanded or urethane grout - urethane yields better long term results)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What are the different advantages of a doorless shower and one with a door?
Showers with doors work better in smaller areas or where you want to create a closed space, such as in a steam room. Walk in showers offer ease of cleaning and facilitate walk-in or roll-in access.

clear glass wall being combined with a glass block system
Custom glass wall and block combination.
truberry model home with a decorative glass block wall with bronze colored blocks
Straight walls with bronze colored glass blocks
a one side frosted glass block wall in a project in cleveland ohio
Open design using frosted blocks

2.) What type of pan do I need?
The three most common types of panes are (A) one-piece expanded polystyrene  (B) pre-formed acrylic and solid surface and (C) custom mud-set pans.

3.) What sizes, shapes, and colors of glass blocks do you carry?
We carry various sizes, shapes, and patterns of glass block to fit your space and design requirements. Frosted and colored glass blocks can also add impact and flair to a wall.

shower walls can have multiple colored glass blocks
Variety of colors & shapes available
accents can be created wtih frosted glass block
Use frosted designs for more privacy & a softer look
art glass tile blocks
Accent tiles for a unique design

4.) How tall should I make my glass block shower?
Most walls are 80" high (and built on a 4" to 5" shower curb), making the finished height 84" (equal to where the shower head usually is).

5.) Should I have my walls built on site or arrive prefabricated?
Straight and rounded walls can often be pre-fabricated to save money, improve quality, and reduce installation time. Purchasing a base specifically designed for the premade walls will ensure a successful project.

6.) What materials should I use for the interior walls? Should the blocks be installed before my interior walls?
Cement board or extruded polystyrene waterproof backer board are used most frequently. For a more luxurious look, consider tile, marble, or other solid surface materials. To keep costs lower, consider acrylic wall surrounds. In most cases, glass blocks are installed after the other wall materials.

7.) How can I add a unique style to the glass block walls?
Use color, frost, or do one-of-a-kind laser etching for a unique design.

cinnamon colored glass blocks used in a shower wall insert for bathtastik DIY show
Cinnamon colored & frosted wall insert
seascapes light blue colored glass blocks used in a 72 x 51 shower wall system
Design using Seascapes pattern & glacier color
murals can be added to custom shower walls
Etched tree mural
Gallery
Video

Video: Glass Block Showers


How to Install a Curved Glass Block Shower Wall

Visit Our YouTube Channel »
  • How to install a curved wall on a waterproof ready for tile base using prefabricated sections.

How to Design a Glass Block Shower

  • Learn how to go from a rough design to a finished project wherer all the components work together.
  • Use premade sections to improve quality and save money.
  • Choose a wall backer, grout (urethane preferably), and accessories.

How to Install a Prefabricated Wall in a Bathroom Remodeling Project

  • Learn what tools you need for the project.
  • Calculate how large to make your sections.
  • See the advantages of urethane grout.
  • Use murals and glass tiles for style.
Last modified on Sunday, 25 November 2012 11:40

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