How to Lay a Glass Block Window
- 1). Take out the existing basement window and remove the wooden frame. Measure the width and height of the window opening to determine the size of glass block window you need.
- 2). At the top of the window opening, attach a wood block to the bottom of the sill plate or a floor joint. This wood block should sit inside the window and will keep it from falling to the basement floor.
- 3). Set the glass block window into the window opening. Lift it up and insert two wooden wedges underneath.
- 4). Measure the distance from the top of the glass block to the sill plate. You are looking for a distance of 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. Tap on the wooden wedges to raise the glass block to the required height.
- 5). Place a level on the ends of the wooden wedges. Adjust the wedges until the glass block window is sitting level in the window opening.
- 6). Mix a bag of mortar with water in a bucket. The mortar should be the consistency of wet sand or peanut butter.
- 7). Add mortar with a trowel to the bottom of the glass block. Fill in the gap but avoid applying mortar around the wooden wedges. The mortar should be flush with the bottom of the panel on the inside; smooth it with the striking tool. If there is a curb on the outside for shedding water, the new mortar should be shaped the same way.
- 8). Wait for the mortar to harden and then begin adding mortar to the sides of the glass block. Smooth the mortar along the sides of the glass block, inside and out, with the striking tool.
- 9). Let the mortar set for at least two hours and then remove the wooden wedges. Fill in the gaps left by the wedges with mortar, using the trowel.
- 10
Apply a bead of caulk between the top of the glass block and the sill plate, inside and out, to complete the project.
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