Glass blocks in the interior of the apartment 75 photos application ideas

Glass blocks prepared from two glass plates by pressing. For the first time there was this extraordinary material in the United States. Glass blocks 30s had little resemblance to modern, as represented by a metal skeleton, voids which are filled with glass. It had a "secret" - a sealed cavity between the plates or "prism" helped to scatter light. In this way, glass blocks have been widely used in basements instead of windows. Afternoon through them into the room fell enough light to be able to save on electricity.

A little history

Technology manufacture of glass with a "prism" patented James Penkvik owner Luxfer Prism Company, which is the first and started producing this unique material. Glass blocks have become popular only towards the middle of the last century. In the US, they started a real boom, which has come to Europe. In England, at about the same time to obtain patented glass on a similar technology, but the furor the appearance of the original buildings - Maison de Verre in Paris. In a literal sense, it is a house of glass. For its construction were used only glass blocks, but inside there is almost no decor. This house became a living monument of bold constructivism. Towards the 70s began to appear the glass blocks in the interior of the Soviet government agencies. The material is so fond of domestic consumers, that became ubiquitous decorating schools, swimming pools, shops, hospitals and ordinary apartments.

Everyone remembers these fragments with rough edges processed green "bottle" of color who passed a lot of light, but was not allowed to see what is happening on the other side. After the collapse of the Union of the material for a long time forgotten. It really is associated with the Soviet standards and evokes nostalgia, but now glass blocks It opened with a completely different side, as a progressive and important aesthetically attractive option decoration. Let's talk in the article about what the room can be decorated with this material and how to do it correctly.

On the glass blocks - Classification

Glass blocks - a modern building material, which has a sealed cavity between two glass plates. On the strength of it is not inferior stone and is often used in those areas where it is impossible to set a window opening, but you need to open access to natural light. Glass blocks are not afraid of water and household chemicals, so they often decorate bathrooms. Also, the material has a high heat and sound (second characteristic is even higher than the bricks), which makes it even more popular. There are several classifications of glass blocks.

Depending on the shape of the fragments are divided into the following types:

• Corner.
• Brick.
• Square (the most common variant).
• Half.
• Hexagonal.

According to the type of stain material is divided into two types:

• In the first case, the pigment is added in the glass itself. Color is a bit faded, but very persistent.
• In the second embodiment, the inside surface of the glass is colored before the fragments are combined with each other.

Depending on the coloring material is still classified into several types:

• Colored. Fragments are colored using pigments.
• Matt. Transparency is below average, while the silhouettes on the other side of the glass block indistinguishable.
• Colorless. Their transparency may reach 80-90%. Fragments large amount of light is passed. This type is further divided into several subgroups: a herbarium, butterflies and starfish inside; smooth, with a relief surface (wave drop) and scattering.

Glass blocks for the intended purpose can be:

interior	Used exclusively for the decoration of houses inside the walls in the construction or installation of inserts.
decorative	Decorate furniture home installations of the original fragments. Usually they have different dimensions, a beautiful internal filling (dried flowers, the original formulation) or form a complex pattern which is collected by a mosaic.
industry	Their use is due to the extremely light transmission capacity. They are used in a variety of non-residential facilities.

Also, the material is classified according to the country of origin. Leaders in the manufacture of high-quality glass blocks have become Italy and Germany. Budget options produced in Poland and the Czech Republic. The last Russian plant manufactures glass blocks closed a few years ago, which caused dissonance between increasing demand and decreasing supply and forced to start procurement of material in other countries.

The advantages of interior decoration

Glass blocks have many advantages, among the advantages of the material point:

• Fire safety and frost.
• High light transmittance.
• Extremely robust.
• High insulating characteristics.
• Easy maintenance and no need for additional finishing.

Unfortunately, glass blocks have a number of less significant drawbacks. In such a "wall" can not drive a nail or a drill hole. Do not get sawed pieces during installation and in cases where the window is made only of glass blocks, it is impossible to ventilate the room without using the door. It can not withstand high pressure material.

Stekloblochnye walls can participate in zoning rooms, deprived of light. Also, this material is popular for decoration of home greenhouses and conservatories, as it provides a favorable environment for growing plants.

stylistic compatibility

For compatibility with different styles, the glass blocks classified as versatile materials can be with minor reservations. Too tightly lodged in the soul of a domestic human association with the official "bottle" walls. Blocks organically flow into the following areas:

• Minimalism, constructivism and its later version - high-tech.
• Art Deco. Its luxurious interior fit only plain glass blocks with no pictures or in a prism of colors fragments butterflies.
• Loft and Art Nouveau. For the first approach the wall of glass blocks of a rectangular shape, which will replace traditional brickwork. In modernity might look nice pieces with surfaces of a "wave" or "drop", emphasizing especially the concept of direction.
• Group of classic style with the prefix "neo" (Baroque, Classicism, Rococo). These interiors are largely subject to the traditional rules, but at the same time allow the use of modern materials, which include glass blocks.
• Easterly direction. If the fragments will have bright colors (especially blue or purple), the method of laying mosaic organically flow into the intricate interiors of the East.

If you pick the right shape, color and type of surface, the glass block can be integrated in virtually any style.

Glass blocks and interior

Glass blocks are used for decoration of any premises, thanks to their flexibility and insensitivity to the special atmosphere. The characteristics are similar in many ways to the tile, but ceramic tile is traditionally tied to the kitchen and the bathroom, but in the living room, bedroom or hallway original design will help to create it glass blocks.

Kitchen

The kitchens of the glass blocks spread aprons or even replace their tiles on the walls. In small and poorly lit areas material can partially fill the window opening, leaving a small space under the glass is usually open for ventilation. Originally will look mosaic combining several bright colors. In large kitchens of glass blocks spread full partition, which divides the room for cooking and dining area.

Living room

In the living room glass brick is most often performed decorative partitions. With their help, the room is divided into several zones for relaxing and recreation. Topical variant when aligned bedrooms, dining or working room to room. If it's a private house, it will look great "picture windows" from the ceiling to the floor to accent a wall made entirely of glass blocks. The austere interior is recommended to experiment with color combinations, and try combinations of textures of different fragments of the same shade. Look spectacular wall of glass blocks with lights. If you decorate the room transparent fragments with a relief surface, they can be painted in any color with chiseled lamps, and light on the unusual sparkle of broken edges, creating a bizarre patterns.

Bedroom

The bedroom glass blocks used to produce soft, relaxing light. For them it is possible to place special lights or draw from this material barrier with neighboring living room, where they will "sit" on the household evenings. Due to the high insulation noisy companies absolutely do not interfere with sleep. Decorate with glass accent wall bedside. Thus it is desirable to use colored tones in quiet modules.

Originally single application looks transparent fragments as inserts on the partitions.

Bathrooms

In the bathroom, use glass blocks never stops, because they seem to have been created for a "wet" room. With this material the shower beautiful walled off from the rest of the room. As a room with a deficit of natural light, bathroom spectacularly decorated with glass instead of windows. The material transmits more light and thus reliably conceals what happens inside from prying eyes from outside.

The windows in the rooms for various purposes

Glass blocks are considered to be the original replacement of traditional windows. Unfortunately, this material is fundamental, so in most cases have to ventilate the area by other means. Much less glass blocks are placed inside a special frame of the frame, which is fixed with the help of loops. The design must be durable and reliable, so its installation can be time consuming. This window will be opened if necessary.

To eliminate the use of curtains, you should choose pieces with embossed surface, which will distort the reflection and mask the interior for those who are outside. The optimal combination of one considered normal with stekloblochnymi windows in a room. In the bathroom, such openings are simply irreplaceable.

Original solutions in modern interior

Material versatile. It is necessary to look to the creative point of view, that is seen as a set of "building blocks", which in the manner of "Tetris" can be laid in various ways. From the glass blocks operate not only partitions or inserts. This unique material will create a chic bar counter in the kitchen or living room. It may be colored or mimic "a block of ice", if the element of colorless fragments provide proper illumination. glass blocks are also used for the decoration of stairs instead of the traditional balusters with the railing.

Of a material perform not only the walls, but the floor, and sometimes part of the ceiling. In the second case, the field will be natural light, but the first is better to attend a special assembly of the lighting system. Translucent flooring added a run in the room with low ceilings. From the glass blocks manufactured with original content tables, where the material is performed "legs", and the top fixed tabletop. Fragments can be laid as a brick and create a gorgeous outdoor rack with a stylish glass shelves between the carriers "columns".

Features installation of glass blocks

For mounting stekloblochnoy walls require a minimum set of tools and resources. Laying methods, there are three fragments:

• Frame. In this case, each module is placed inside a special "skeleton", which is pre-set to the desired location. Fixing is carried out with rubber inserts.
• On the solution. largely resembles the process of laying bricks, glass blocks but just need a little "customized" with a rubber mallet, and every three rows give at least daily to ensure that they were "seized".
• Glue. To mount the wall in such a way will need reinforcement mesh of galvanized steel or "stainless steel". The adhesive is usually sold complete with glass blocks. Dilute it in accordance with the instruction, which is also attached.

Clay is best to choose white seams of it will look more aesthetically pleasing. Remove the protective film from the fragments need only after complete installation. Thus the surface of the glass block will be protected from scratches and damage. To increase the plasticity adhesive add ordinary PVA is not recommended.

Glass is used in interior design always. It gives the room a patina of airiness and lightness. Although it is just a couple of decades ago, the use of glass blocks in the design sought to be avoided because of too persistent association with a typical "State-owned" the interior of the Soviet era, now there is the triumphant return of the material. Huge selection of the color palette and filling (up to tiny, boat and miniature fruit compositions) discloses a high creativity material. Therefore, the glass blocks are increasingly featured in the venerable designer of the project and used in the stylish interiors of the luxurious suites.