Some months ago, in a fit of optimism, I found 140 used glass blocks on CraigsList, and carted them up to the lot to sit beside the RV for a spell.
I finally had the time/motivation/quiet to install 2/3rds of the front entrance door of the glass block last weekend.
After doing research on the net, and special ordering the 20 lbs of glass block mortar mix, I began the job. I’ve installed a fair bit of tile in various locations, but this was a different experience.
The guys prepared the opening by lining it with cement “green board”. The opening is 1/2″ bigger all around, and was measured to have 1/2″ mortar between each block. I put the mixer bit on Grandpa’s 1/2″ drill (with the endearing note not to lift the drill by the cord, as he has had to replace it twice already!) Carefully measuring and mixing the mortar mix and the charcoal colouring into the pail so that I could repeat the recipe, I added water mixed with acrylic (Weldbond!) to increase the waterproofing and strength. The mix needed to be not runny, and fall off the bricklayer’s trowel in a solid lump.
I put a slug of mortar onto the bottom of the opening, and I was committed. I “buttered” the block with another slug of mortar on both left and right side, then tried to insert it into the space. Off came most of the mortar! Off came my gloves! I was now making mud pies again, using my fingers to stuff the very dark mortar into the narrow channel to make a solid filler.
The spacers I had special-ordered did not fit my blocks, so I ended up using my eye to estimate the spacing (remember I’m a quilter – I’m pretty good at estimating seam widths). However, I don’t really have a feel for how the mortar behaved, so my spacing is suspect at best.
After each block, I nailed a brick tie into the side of the opening, and incorporated it into the mortar at the block’s top, to stabilize and strengthen the structure. A little level helped to keep my blocks level and plumb.
I ran out of mortar after 16 of the 20 blocks were done. So there will be more mortar mix ordered, and I’ll repeat the process. Perhaps the next time it won’t be quite so stressful, because I have experience now!
My hands were blackened with mortar. Much scrubbing and nail polish remover did not clean them very well, so I kept them hidden under the table at our anniversary dinner later that evening.
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I thought you were going to leave windows to look out on the sides, due to the super high window on the big door. Peephole?
I noticed that you have nice big wide photos up no, looking good.