Today, it is increasingly possible to meet glass blocks in the interior of rooms decorated in various stylistic directions. Due to the good performance and aesthetic qualities of this finishing material can be used to create partitions, windows, wall decoration and doorways, which will make the design elegant, original and effective.
What is a decorative glass block: material features
The glass block is represented by a hollow volumetric block created from fused glass plates about 10 mm thick. The product can have a square, triangular, round or rectangular shape. The first option is the most popular. Glass blocks are characterized by the dimensions of 190×190 and 240×240 mm, and a thickness of 80-100 mm. The weight of the product depends on the size and averages 3-4 kg.
Glass blocks – photos clearly display different options – they can be transparent or matte, with a smooth or embossed surface, glossy, matte or with a mirror shine, which affects the light-scattering effect. Manufacturers produce products in various colors, ranging from soothing neutral shades and ending with bright flashy colors.
Due to the special design, glass blocks are characterized by a number of distinctive advantages. Due to the air inner layer, the sound permeability of the material is reduced by 60-70%. The product is simultaneously characterized by a good light transmission capacity, and thanks to the dense glass, the outlines of the silhouettes behind the wall of glass blocks are blurred; this makes it impossible to peer behind what is hidden from prying eyes.
The material is characterized by high strength, crack resistance, smooth surface and environmental friendliness, as a result of which it can be used for the construction of partitions in children’s institutions. Products have high moisture resistance, good thermal insulation, resistance to condensation and the effects of temperature fluctuations, which makes it advisable to use glass blocks for partitions in the bathroom, saunas and swimming pools.
Glass blocks do not need special care. The surface is able to withstand an unlimited number of cleansing with any detergent.
However, this material is not without flaws. Among the main negative aspects, a significant weight of the product can be distinguished, which is why it is not recommended to erect walls of glass blocks with an area of more than 15 m ?. In addition, the installation of elements is very time consuming and requires certain skills and knowledge. Another disadvantage is the high cost of products. Buy a glass from a domestic manufacturer can be an average of 150-200 rubles. The product of European quality will cost 300-450 rubles. The cost of a decorative element varies in the range of 1200-1500 rubles. a piece.
When using glass blocks in the interior should be guided by the main rule: everything should be in moderation. This material is able to bring translucent beauty and ice chic into the atmosphere, filling the room with cold at the same time.
Glass blocks should not be used in the interior in the style of classicism, baroque, empire, renaissance or gothic. The material will be appropriate for more concise directions, such as electrics, minimalism, eco-style, pop art, hi-tech, modern, art deco, country and urbanism.
When using glass blocks, you should be guided by certain recommendations:
- cold glass should be proportionally combined with warm finishing materials, such as wallpaper, laminate, fabric, in the ratio of 1:10 for residential premises;
- in rooms where glass blocks are used, there must be decorative accessories made of wood, fabric or forging elements;
- colorless transparent products should be balanced with bright saturated tones;
- when using glass blocks as elements for zoning space, it should be remembered that the design created from this material has a decorative function, and is not a multifunctional element.
Today, glass blocks are often used to create interior design. With their help, you can realize the original and bold ideas, profitable to play with the light. In the interior of the apartment, glass blocks can be used to create alterations, furniture elements, decorative accessories, when decorating walls, windows and floors.
During the overhaul of an apartment it is often necessary to redevelop the premises, which allows you to plan your living space in a new way, choosing a more convenient option for placing rooms. In this case, glass partition walls are an interesting and original solution that at the same time does not make the space heavier.
It is possible to fill the room with light and air using glass blocks of the window opening. It will be possible to get the maximum effect by combining the design with lighting, which is clearly demonstrated by the photo of glass blocks in the interior of the living room and bedroom. The material is often used to create an internal window between the bathroom and the kitchen, so the first room receives some of the natural light.
Non-standard solution is the use of glass bricks as a floor covering. In this case, the surface of products must have a rough texture, which will exclude the possibility of slipping. With their help, you can also create podiums.
The use of these elements allows the production of furniture structures. For the kitchen, you can make a bar or an island, for a bathroom with glass blocks it is recommended to form a console under the sink.
Important! Despite the fact that glass furniture looks extraordinary and original, it can not be transferred to a new place, because the design is created permanently.
Glass blocks are recommended not only to be used for the construction of bearing partitions, but also to decoratively veneer the surface of the wall with them, thereby successfully beating the design of the apartment. In rooms that are deprived of natural light, such as dark halls, corridors and lobbies, a wall of glass blocks with light will not only be a functional element, but will also become an additional source of light. However, such a design technique will not deprive the room of the atmosphere of detachment and seclusion.
Modern glass blocks, due to the variety of shapes, colors and textures, can transform any room, making the design original and unique. With the skillful use of such a universal finishing material, having a developed imagination, you can make any boring and everyday space play with new colors.
