Glass Block Windows

[William.Deans]

Greetings,

I am very interested to hear why each method is the best method. Please share.

I have some glass block and mortar. It has NEVER been a problem so, for me, I would be happy to go with it again. I also know I could repair it myself if I wanted which is a plus as I do much of my own work. Also, mortar is cheaper than silicon from a materials perspective which might come into play if you kept pressing the contractors for a lower price.

Hope this helps, William

[William.Deans]

Greetings,

Thank you. I feel like I learned something. I don't think I'll ever be tempted to try silicon now.

"Today the silicone systems are stronger and last longer [than silicone systems of the past]" says nothing to me that makes me think it is better than mortar. I know no one is ever going to bring "a computer controlled three-axis robot" to my house to fix a broken block. Based on those descriptions I am most impressed with mortar which "provides the strongest, most durable assembly with the longest life."

Thanks, William

[G Henslee]

If you had a dollar for every c*ck you sucked you'd be rich.

[William.Deans]

Oh, don't mind Mr. Henslee, he's just jealous.

[ConcreteFinishing&StuccoGuy]

Silicone has only one advantage, its flexable and not skill intensive. Unless kept really clean, the bond will fail using silicone. Mortar and ribs are skill intense and very permanent. Have laid thousands and never seen one fail yet. If i had a dollar for every drop of mortar sweat i wiped from a glass block while laying them in bone dry white cement mortar mix.

-- Troweller^nospam^@canada.com

[G Henslee]

I f***ed your wife and two daughers last night.

[Steve]

I am installing some glass block windows in my basement and garage. Looks like there are a few different options -

1) glass block and mortar 2) glass block and silicon 3) glass block with silicon assembled under high heat and pressure

I had the work quoted by several places that use these different methods. Every quote is $100/windows plus $25 for a vent. Each supplier of course says their method is superior in strength, durability, realiably, etc to the other. So if price is the same, which really is the best method? Are there pros/cons between each method?

[Tick-Tock]

"Steve" wrote

I've seen some silicon jobs after they've been in place for some time. The windows with exposure to the sun, the silicon was peeling. Maybe UV problems? I dunno.

[Steve]

Here are a couple, remember these aren't things that I am saying but rather that of those the provided bids -

"Mortar provides the strongest, most durable assembly with the longest life. The silicone system windows aren't going to last as long and definately won't provide the strength"

"Silicone is the way to go today. Mortar is the old way and it was fine, but today the silicone systems are stronger and last longer. They look better too."

See

for this clip - "In terms of quality and consistency, other companies simply cannot compete. We assemble the glass blocks with a 100% silicone reactive hot-melt [formulated specifically to bond glass], extruded by a highly sophisticated German engineered bulk melter under high temperature and pressure, by a computer controlled three-axis robot. The result is a far stronger, lighter weight, cleaner glass block panel, without the dirt absorbing mortar joints inherent in the "old" glass block panels. The finished glass block panel is installed by honest, courteous, fully insured professionals. "

I have about 7 bids from various placed because I got confused after the first handful of each touting why the certain method is superior. I care more about a quality installation than what method is used - out of my bids, I think there are several quality companies and I know others that have used them. My problem is - since pricing is the same - is there really a superior one or all the same?

[wjohnston]

put in a real openable window with a screen and enjoy using your basement.