Benefits No One Tells You About The Trendy Glass Block Windows

Have you ever wondered if glass block windows are going out of style? After all, they've been around for ages and are sometimes associated with more dated designs. However, these windows actually offer many benefits to a home, and can be very aesthetically pleasing when used properly. Whether they are set up in a bathroom to create a little more privacy or used in an entryway to allow natural light in without open views to your home, these blocks can add both style and functionality to any space. There are even more benefits to using these in your home besides the added privacy and more natural light. Swapping out standard windows or using glass bricks as a wall can help keep your home cooler, safer, and less noisy. 

While glass blocks or bricks have been around since the late 1800s, they still offer a modern alternative to windows and partitions. The design of these hollow bricks can certainly be used for any theme, including art deco or mid-century modern, but it really comes down to how you want to use them. For example, they can become window replacements, but they can also be used as splashbacks, breakfast bar countertops, indoor/outdoor dividers, and shower walls. With so many reasons to actually keep those outdated glass blocks in your home, or add them in if you don't already have some, you may have found your new all-in-one solution for everything from privacy to lower utilities and stylish finishes.

Whether you've been researching the ultimate guide to renovating your windows or just need a change from your traditional glass, one of the biggest benefits of using glass blocks in your dwelling is the insulation. These bricks are extremely thick, so they help keep your home temperature where you want it to be. They are similar to double-pane windows, keeping outdoor temperatures from affecting your indoor thermostat. If you use low-emissivity glass, it can really regulate the summer heat, stopping the sun from breaching the glass and making your interior too hot. Again, these blocks also hold heat, so your space can be comfortable and warm in winter. 

Whether you're swapping out your windows for these or using them as a wall replacement, they are ideal for any temperature and therefore could help with energy savings. Combined with a polystyrene frame, the glass bricks act as a barrier between your home and the elements, which is a massive perk for anyone who lives in extreme climates or just likes to save a little on utility bills. 

They might be made of glass, but these blocks help provide privacy, too. Whether you're using them as a bathroom window, partition, or you add them to an entryway, the thick material keeps people from seeing through. There are varying levels of thickness and opacity, so depending on what you plan to use them for, you have to find the correct density. 

If you want extremely thick blocks, shop for maximum obscurity options that still let natural light flow into your rooms while blocking actual visibility. These don't allow people to see what or who lies behind them, which is why they are popular for bathrooms. There are different patterns across different companies, so you may have multiple options. Medium obscurity gives you more access to natural light while still blurring the contents of a room. They might not be as private as the maximum obscurity blocks, but they still provide enough to keep prying eyes out. Low obscurity bricks do allow more visibility through them, but still help with insulation.

Privacy might be important, but so is security. When it comes to fitting windows and entryway areas with glass, you want to know your choice will protect you as well. While standard glass panes can be fairly easy to break, glass blocks are so thick that it would be tricky to smash them. Some of these are made to protect against bullets, which is why banks and other important business buildings use them. 

While that won't be the main reason you choose them for your home, there is peace of mind knowing these bricks are thick and provide security against break-ins and even random acts of vandalism. As an entryway addition, this knowledge can make you feel safe within your home. It's necessary to research different brands and glass block companies to find out what materials and processes they use, so you can invest in the highest quality for your home's security.

Many of the perks of using glass bricks revolve around safety and efficiency. However, those aren't the only reasons to consider this upgrade. The other factor is lighting: Because these disperse light in a different way than standard glass panes, you get a more dimensional and artistic lighting scheme when natural light shines through. This is also the case with lights from lamps, as the blocks soften any illumination. 

Since these glass blocks mostly obscure vision but let in light, you can leave your windows open to let as much natural light in as possible. There are tons of benefits of natural light inside your home, whether psychological, aesthetic, or financial. Having access to more outdoor light reduces the need to keep lights on inside, which will help reduce utility bills. If you have a room with little access to natural light, it may be more beneficial to opt for the clearer or less opaque blocks to allow as much light as possible through.

Because of the density and make of these bricks, they can also be used to create a non-loadbearing wall. This can be used to break up an open concept space or create a barrier or screen in a studio apartment for a little more privacy. You can build these to be as wide or as tall as you want, and even turn them into a window you can hang artificial light behind if your space doesn't have a real window or access to outdoor light. This also makes it so that these walls can be removed should you need to go down that route in the future.

Glass blocks are helpful at keeping out noise, too. Just like they insulate heat and thermal temperatures, these thick materials create a seal or barrier against outside sounds that could otherwise filter in. Not only that, but they can help contain echoing in a large space that may have acoustic issues. This can be helpful in homes with high ceilings, too. For bathrooms, these can help contain the noise of showers and water and add another level of privacy. If you live in a busy metropolitan area, these bricks will help minimize the noise pollution in the rooms where you have them. Whether used as a wall, partition, or window, the noise reduction is a big benefit of glass blocks.