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Installation - Mortar
Introduction 1. General Information • The installation recommendations presented here are for interior or exterior residential panels larger that 25 ft² or panels enclosed on three sides • Panel Size Limitations • All glass block panels are non-load bearing, so adequate provisions must be made for support of construction around the panel. 2. Tools Required • Margin trowel, mortar pan, polyfoam brush, sponge, wire cutters, tin snips, screwdriver, caulking gun, utility knife, metal file, measuring tape, 3/8" to 1/2" striking tool and a minimum two foot level. 3. Materials Required Materials Required Include: • Glass Blocks • Kreuz Spacers which support, align and speed installation. • Expansion Strips allow for expansion at jambs and head and are available in 24" lengths. • Panel Reinforcing is installed in every other horizontal course and adds strength to panels larger than 25 sq. ft. Sold in 12" lenths (plastic) or 48" lengths (wire) • Panel Anchors are installed every other course along the jambs and the head and anchor the panel to the surrounding framework. They're sold in 24" lengths. • #12 zinc-plated, one inch, pan head screws (use four screws per 24" anchor). • Mortar: Glass Block white premixed mortar, or you can mix your own using white portland cement, powdered hydrated lime and white sand. • White silicone sealant for around the perimeter of the panel on both sides 4. Preparation • Prepare the rough opening where the panel will be located (Illus. AA). To determine the width of your rough opening, multiply the number of glass blocks horizontally, times the nominal width of the glass block, and to that sum, add 1/2". To determine the height of your rough opening, multiply the number of glass block vertically, times the nominal height of the glass block, and to that sum, also add 1/2".
• We recommend that you make a curb base as wide as the glass block being used (Illus. BB). This will help protect the bottom course of blocks from damage (vacuum cleaners, mops, ect.).
• Kreuz Spacers are sold in bags of 25. Roughly, you'll need 50% more spacers than the number of glass blocks being used. Where glass blocks meet each other, spacers are used as supplied (Illus. CC). Where glass block meets the curb and jamb, spacers are modified using tin snips. "L" spacers are used at the two bottom corners of the panel (Illus. CC). To creat this spacer, clip off the two upper toothed legs and two of the smooth legs and modify tabs as shown (Illus. CC). File off any burrs on the spacer so that it will sit flat. You will require only two of these "L" spacers for your project. "T" spacers go between all the perimeter blocks, at the curb and jambs except at the four corners of the panel. To create the "T" spacer, remove the upper toothed legs only and modify the tabs as shown (Illus. CC). Be sure to file off any cutting burrs. It's a good idea to prepare a supply of "T" spacers before you start, so that your panel construction can continue without interuption. At this point, you may want to construct your panel dry (without mortar) to ensure that your block fits the opening and you have an adequate supply of prepared spacers.
• Panel anchors will be installed at every other joint along both jambs and the head in order to tie the panel into the frame (anchors will be embedded into the mortar joint). Do not install panel anchors on the sill. Panel anchors are supplied in 24" lengths. They should be bent to produce both a short (approx. 6")and a long arm (Illus. DD). Screw the short arms of the anchors to the jambs and head (Illus. DD). Use two screws per anchor. If you are attaching to tile or masonry, plastic screw anchors should be used. Panel anchors are installed as required during construction. Do not install in advance of use.
• Use the appropriate width expansion strip, based on block width. The length should also cover the anchor short arm. Strips are installed between anchors for the full length of the jamb and head (Illus. DD). |
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