Lighten and Brighten Your Home With Glass Bricks
Brick by brick, glass blocks bring natural light, texture and warmth into your home
Rebecca Gross
18 July 2014
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Glass block bricks can transform the feel and style of an environment and serve a dual purpose of being both decorative and functional. With often quite stunning light effects, they allow natural light and visual texture to filter into your home. While transparent glass bricks allow views of the surrounding landscape, semi-transparent glass bricks help to maintain an element of privacy. Furthermore, they reduce noise, insulate against heat and cold, and help to save energy. What’s not to love?
Glass bricks are versatile and a great alternative to glass or other materials. Let’s shed some light on how they could illuminate your home.
Glass bricks are versatile and a great alternative to glass or other materials. Let’s shed some light on how they could illuminate your home.
The beginning of glass bricks in domestic architecture
Glass block bricks first appeared in home architecture in the 1920s, and most famously in the modernist masterpiece La Maison de Verre (shown above) in Paris. The facade of “The House of Glass” is transparent and light, comprising translucent glass brick walls set within a steel structure. External floodlights illuminate the building at night.
Glass block bricks first appeared in home architecture in the 1920s, and most famously in the modernist masterpiece La Maison de Verre (shown above) in Paris. The facade of “The House of Glass” is transparent and light, comprising translucent glass brick walls set within a steel structure. External floodlights illuminate the building at night.
Exterior walls
This ethereal house is a recent take on La Maison de Verre. It uses eco-friendly glass bricks (manufactured with recycled glass aggregate) as insulating infill panels between a skeleton-frame structure. Texture, light, solidity and translucency are all at play here, and strategically positioned light sources illuminate the varying qualities of the bricks.
This ethereal house is a recent take on La Maison de Verre. It uses eco-friendly glass bricks (manufactured with recycled glass aggregate) as insulating infill panels between a skeleton-frame structure. Texture, light, solidity and translucency are all at play here, and strategically positioned light sources illuminate the varying qualities of the bricks.
Entrance zones
Transparent glass bricks accent the entrance of this contemporary house. A latticework composition echoes the geometry and rectilinearity of the house, and opens one side of the home to natural light while still maintaining an element of privacy.
Transparent glass bricks accent the entrance of this contemporary house. A latticework composition echoes the geometry and rectilinearity of the house, and opens one side of the home to natural light while still maintaining an element of privacy.
Corner treatment
Embedded deep within the wall, glass block bricks lighten up dark corners and recesses of a home. This textured wall is punctuated with glass bricks that set this niche aglow with natural illumination.
Embedded deep within the wall, glass block bricks lighten up dark corners and recesses of a home. This textured wall is punctuated with glass bricks that set this niche aglow with natural illumination.
Skylight
The glass ceiling is within reach! A glass brick skylight permits natural light to flood the spaces of your home. These bricks are transparent, but textured or opaque bricks could make patterns with the light.
The glass ceiling is within reach! A glass brick skylight permits natural light to flood the spaces of your home. These bricks are transparent, but textured or opaque bricks could make patterns with the light.
Kitchen splashback
An opaque glass brick kitchen window also doubles as a splashback, here. And as the kitchen backs right up to the property line, it allows natural light to enter the kitchen while maintaining privacy for both the occupants and their neighbours.
Find out more ways to let light into your kitchen
An opaque glass brick kitchen window also doubles as a splashback, here. And as the kitchen backs right up to the property line, it allows natural light to enter the kitchen while maintaining privacy for both the occupants and their neighbours.
Find out more ways to let light into your kitchen
Bathroom window
Get creative with the shape of your window and the size, shape and pattern of the glass bricks used. A combination of textured and opaque, rectangle and square glass bricks create an interesting feature on this bathroom wall. Natural light illuminates the room, while no privacy is forgone.
Get creative with the shape of your window and the size, shape and pattern of the glass bricks used. A combination of textured and opaque, rectangle and square glass bricks create an interesting feature on this bathroom wall. Natural light illuminates the room, while no privacy is forgone.
Shower walls and doors
Lighten and brighten bathroom spaces with glass bricks. A wonderfully functional and decorative feature for shower walls and doors, they are easy to clean, afford privacy and don’t diminish the size of your bathroom. Plus, you can create curving walls or other interesting block patterns to suit the size and style of your bathroom.
Lighten and brighten bathroom spaces with glass bricks. A wonderfully functional and decorative feature for shower walls and doors, they are easy to clean, afford privacy and don’t diminish the size of your bathroom. Plus, you can create curving walls or other interesting block patterns to suit the size and style of your bathroom.
Bathroom walls
The wall behind the bathroom mirrors can be a fun place to experiment with design, lighting and texture. This blue-lit opaque glass brick wall is a smart and modern addition to an otherwise windowless-bathroom.
The wall behind the bathroom mirrors can be a fun place to experiment with design, lighting and texture. This blue-lit opaque glass brick wall is a smart and modern addition to an otherwise windowless-bathroom.
Alternatives to glass bricks
Not sure if you’re ready to commit to glass bricks? Experiment with metal tiles, instead! They reflect light and add texture, plus they’re temporary, moveable and come in a range of shapes and sizes.
TELL US
How have you used glass bricks in your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
MORE
Houzz Tour: Bondi Terrace Reno Captures Light
Uh-Oh, You Bought a Cave: 7 Ways to Lighten Up a Dark Home
The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
Not sure if you’re ready to commit to glass bricks? Experiment with metal tiles, instead! They reflect light and add texture, plus they’re temporary, moveable and come in a range of shapes and sizes.
TELL US
How have you used glass bricks in your home? Let us know in the comments section below.
MORE
Houzz Tour: Bondi Terrace Reno Captures Light
Uh-Oh, You Bought a Cave: 7 Ways to Lighten Up a Dark Home
The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
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I think the glass brick skylight could be the saving in areas where giant hail comes in summer storms. I have read that glass bricks, set in aluminium frames with cement render, complies with BAL Flame zone rating requirements.
We've finally completed our home so I have attached a few pics of our glass bricks.
First pic is our toilet.
Secomd pic is main bathroom
Third pic is en suite
WHERE DID YOU BUY THE BRICKS FROM