How to Build a Glass Block Shower

Tap to Read ➤ Rimlee Bhuyan

One of the most beautiful and stylish shower that you can choose for your bathroom is a glass block shower. It is surprisingly easy to install a glass block shower yourself.

An important component in a bathroom is the shower. Bathroom shower with a walk in design is very much in vogue and there are many options that you can choose from.

One of the most contemporary designs in showers is the glass block shower. It is suitable for both, a small and large bathroom and it gives the bathroom a neat and airy ambiance.

A glass block shower also offers you privacy without compromising on aesthetics. Another advantage is that glass blocks are easy to clean and they are durable as well. It is possible to build a glass block shower yourself and there are many manufacturers that supply DIY glass block shower kits.

From sharp angled designs to contemporary curved designs, glass block showers are incredibly versatile and can be molded to any shower enclosure design you have in mind.

Building a Glass Block Shower Enclosure

To build a glass block shower enclosure, there are two ways in which you can approach it. You can either purchase individual components for building the shower or you can buy a DIY glass block shower kit.

Things Required

Glass blocks Thin set mortar Pre made acrylic base Sponge Fine grit sandpaper Vinyl stack spacers Medium-sized spade

Procedure

Before installing a glass block shower, you need to first finalize a design for the glass block shower enclosure. You can choose from a corner shower enclosure with full walls or half walls or a shower enclosure with curved walls.

Finalizing the design before buying all the equipment and materials needed for this project is recommended, since the number of glass blocks to be used depends on it. One of the most important component of this project is the shower base. If you are a novice, then choose a acrylic shower base since it is easy to install and is also fairly durable.

If you are quite adept at home improvement projects, you can opt for custom mud set bases or waterproof extruded polystyrene foam bases. These type of bases are a bit on the higher side and are also time-consuming to install but they are highly durable and has superior quality.

To make installation easier, you can even choose pre-made wall sections made out of glass blocks instead of individual glass blocks.

The first step in building a glass block shower is to install the pre made acrylic base. In the area where you want to install the acrylic base, cover the sub floor with 2 inch thick mortar and then set the acrylic base over it. Once you have secured the acrylic base over the sub floor, it is time to install the glass blocks.

To do this, first prepare the surface of the base over which the glass blocks are to be installed by sanding it with a fine grit sandpaper. This will give the surface a rough texture which will help the adhesive to stick to it. Next install the vinyl stack spacers on the perimeter of the acrylic base according to the manufacturer's instruction.

Apply thin set mortar on a single glass block and place it over the roughened acrylic base. Keep installing the glass blocks in this way until you finish a row. Make sure that the vinyl spacers fit snugly between two or three glass blocks.

Once you are done installing one row of glass blocks, proceed to install another row over the first one. Continue in this way until the shower enclosure is complete. Periodically, remove any excess mortar by wiping it off with a damp sponge.

Although this project is not tough, still it can be time-consuming and it does require skill. For best results, periodically step back and look at your shower enclosure to make sure that the glass blocks are installed evenly. A glass block shower is modern and stylish and you can also use colored glass blocks for a unique shower design.