Commercial Glass Block Windows

Many metal-framed and wood-framed commercial, industrial, and church windows are poorly insulated. They offer little privacy and security. In short, they create a bad first impression for guests, customers or visitors alike. They eat up too much of your facilities budget year over year. Commercial glass block replacement windows solve these problems. They increase security, energy efficiency, and privacy (and can even make your church or factory more fire and wind resistant). Below learn how commercial, church and factory replacement glass block windows (and the exclusive Protect All Fabrication System) can improve your building today.

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Commercial Glass Block Windows

Benefits of Commercial Glass Block Windows for Churches, Factories, & Businesses

Reduced heating and cooling costs

Old metal and wood framed windows with single pane glass are poorly caulked, rusted and deteriorated. Commercial glass block replacement windows are mortared together or are assembled with Innovate’s ‘Protect-All’ assembly system. They’ll reduce your heating and cooling costs vs. your single pane windows.
Improved curb appeal and building facade

Investing in the curb appeal of your business or church with upgraded replacement windows makes it stand out (in a good way). This makes visitors and guests want to return. It’s hard to thrive when it seems your building is just trying to survive.
Low maintenance and lower life cycle costs

The mortared joints (or ‘Protect All fabrication process) creates a highly durable glass system. The thicker faced glass block replacement windows create a higher level of security. Your maintenance staff can easily perform any replacements without the expense (and wait) for a contractor. Also – if one block is broken you don’t have to replace an entire large piece of glass like storefront or steel-framed glass windows.
Increased light transmission

Glass block church and commercial replacement windows provide high security while transmitting generous amounts of natural light. This creates a more productive workplace (or more enthused guests) and allows you to cut costs by daylighting.
Wind resistance

Wind-resistant building materials (with thick materials like 3 1/8″ thick glass blocks) can save you money on replacement windows and frames, which can be damaged by high winds. Besides these savings, you’ll benefit by preventing the loss of profit and productivity that accompanies damage to your place of business or worship.
Environmentally sound green building material

Glass blocks are made from natural materials and have long lives.
Professional installation service

Innovate’s Cleveland Glass Block and Columbus Glass Block divisions have commercial, industrial, church and architectural window installation expertise. Even if you’re not in these markets, you can get value from our guidance (and prefabricated wholesale factory window supply) for your project.
Lifetime guarantee

How many building materials have you put into your faciltiy which have a lifetime guarantee? Well – you’ll be happy to know these factory, commercial and church glass block windows do.
Protect-All Glass Block Window prefabricated system

If you think your maintenance team can’t install glass block windows (which you assumed had to be done by a – very hard to find – mason), think again. Ask about Innovate’s Protect-All premade sections. These units are built with rigid vinyl spacers which run vertically and horizontally through the glass block windows. They are 22% more energy efficient than standard ‘mortared’ glass blocks. Your team can install these glass block windows by stacking the pre-made panels together like Lego blocks. You can save money and not deal with the hassle of attempting to find a qualified contractor to do the job.
Architecturally correct – with multiple patterns to dress up your building

Glass block replacement windows architecturally feel right in masonry or concrete commercial buildings and churches. They’re simple to install and you can even get colored glass or decorative glass blocks patterns to add pizzazz.

Commercial Glass Block Window Options

Finding glass block replacement windows for old commercial, industrial, factory buildings, and churches isn’t always simple. Let our experts guide you through all of the sizes, thicknesses, colors and other product options while choosing the right glass block window for your business.

Thin line series glass blocks

3 1/8″ thickness these blocks are lighter, less costly, easier to install, and available in multiple patterns. Most commercial glass block replacement windows are installed using these blocks since they offer more size, color and pattern options – and can be installed for less money. These 3 1/8″ thick blocks can be prefabricated using the Protect-All Window Assembly System to save on installation costs and to improve energy efficiency.

Premier series glass blocks

3 7/8″ thick these blocks offer a range of designs and are more 10% energy-efficient than the thin line series (which is 3/4″ thinner). These thicker blocks are also available in 60 or 90 minute fire-rated versions or in a solid glass brick where you have even a higher need for security or lot line restrictions.

Architectural etched glass block windows and colored units

These are available in the thin line series and can be ‘sprinkled into a window’ or used in all the blocks to add a pop of color and unique style.

Solid glass bricks and fire rated glass blocks

Solid glass bricks are graffiti-resistant and difficult to break. These glass bricks come in 8″ x 8″ x 3″ and 3″ x 8″ x 3″ sizes. 60 and 90 minute fire glass block windows are available for close lot line conditions and improved safety.

Air ventilation

Commercial grade glass block window air vents combine the best of both worlds: a security window with air flow. They can be placed anywhere inside the window assembly.

Accessories

Specially designed mill finished aluminum channel, caulk, expansion foam, anchors and premade glass block panels are available to complete a successful large window installation (learn more in the installation section of this page).

Clear Glass Block Window Patterns

These clear glass block patterns offer the most amount of light to pass through with some privacy depending on the pattern selected.

Wave Pattern

Highest amount of light with moderate privacy.
Iceberg Pattern

Highest amount of light with maximum privacy.
Clear Pattern

Maximum visibility and light.

Frosted Glass Block Window Patterns

Frosted glass block patterns pass through less light while providing more privacy depending on the pattern selected.

Wave Pattern

Moderate amount of light with maximum privacy.
Iceberg Pattern

Moderate amount of light with maximum privacy.
Clear Pattern

Moderate light with good privacy.

Commercial Glass Block Window Installation

How are commercial glass block windows installed? How can Innovate Building Solutions help us with this project?

Innovate Building Solutions (through our Cleveland Glass Block and Columbus Glass Block divisions) provides design, fabrication and glass block window installation services in the Cleveland and Columbus Ohio markets.

Nationally we design and prefabricated Protect-All Glass Block Window Panels which can be shipped to building owners or contractors. In all cases we recommend the following 3 steps for a glass block commercial window replacement project:

Step 1

Measure the window openings (note – in most cases the old metal or wood window frame will be removed so you’ll want the complete opening from block to block). An Innovate Commercial Window Rep will help you determine the size of the prefabricated window panels for each opening.

Step 2

Install structural aluminum channels (for larger openings) at the top (head) and jambs (sides). These channels are used on larger replacement openings to allow room for expansion and contraction. For openings smaller than 20 square feet this step is seldom needed.

Masonry opening before channel is installed
Screwing aluminum channels into a masonry opening

Step 3

Prefabricated glass block replacement window panels (which are either mortared together or assembled with the Protect All Vinyl Stacking system) are set inside the openings. The panels are then caulked into channels or mortar to surrounding materials (depending on size of opening and if your building is a masonry structure).

Prefabricated glass block window sections inside of channel
Setting multiple panels into place

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Glass Block Windows

Where can we use Glass Block Replacement Windows?

On the inside of your facility you can use glass block window to move light through interior spaces, yet maintain privacy. On the exterior common applications are windows in your offices or factory, stairwells, transoms, corridors, and sidelights.

Outside – Commercial sidelights for security in Columbus Ohio

Outside – Industrial stairwell for improved light Cleveland Ohio

Inside – hallway application Cleveland Ohio

Inside – Interior openings in a library Columbus Ohio

How large can you Make The Prefabricated Sections? Are Glass Block Replacement Windows Structurally load bearing?

Glass block replacement windows can be any size, however, larger openings require structural angles and channels to allow for proper expansion and contraction. These windows are not load bearing so you will need a weight supporting lintel above the window.

Inside view – windows in a floral shop

Industrial factory windows using channels

Jeffrey Mining Company project

Can Glass Block Replacement Windows be sized to any opening? Can I put a special pattern like a cross into the Sections for My Church Windows?

Glass block replacement windows can be made in 2″ size increments to work in any sized openings. These blocks themselves come in 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 8″ and 8″ x 8″ sizes in the think line series. In the 4″ premier series the blocks sizes are 4″ x 8″, 6″ x 6″ , 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 8″ and 12″ x 12″. It’s even possible to vary patterns inside a glass block window for a unique design or to put a cross in a church window.

Church windows with a cross pattern using Iceberg pattern

School building using 4 x 8 and 8 x 8 sizes commercial storefront entrance

Commercial entryway

Can we get colored Glass Blocks for church windows and storefronts?

Yes. Colored glass blocks (which only come in the thinner – 3 1/8″ thick series) are stronger than stained glass or storefront windows. They have the benefits of a wide array of colors and are low maintenance costs and durable.Colored glass blocks can also be built into window assemblies with non-colored glass units.