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Peeping through glass bricks

18 Sep 2008
Home décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen shows how glass bricks provide an attractive feature to any home, but retain visibility and natural light while providing privacy.

Glass bricks offer homeowners a chance to build in a completely new direction. Walls no longer have to be built with solid materials such as bricks or plasterboard, but can be erected as transparent divisions that allow any degree of visibility or privacy.

In the kitchen, the transparency and easy-to-clean qualities of glass blocks open up an entire world of original design options, leaving you to concentrate entirely while designing the kitchen, on the needs of the family. The translucent element is also increasingly used as an alternative to tiles or a light-inlet in the kitchen. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the glass block has proven a viable alternative thanks to its robustness and low maintenance overheads. Unlike all-glass doors and windows which show every drop of water, glass blocks are completely uncomplicated - they need minimum maintenance and completely resistant to moisture and aggressive detergents qualities that have made the glass block the material of choice in a high-usage areas, typically kitchens.

The product is so versatile, glass blocks can be used internally, for straight walls curved application for dividing partitions, allowing light in to corridors etc. More than being an effective decorative element, the glass block provides additional illumination to create a modern space with a cheerful interior.

Glass blocks have become the height of interior design chic and architectural trends. These high quality products will add a touch of class to any design or build you have in mind.

In bathrooms, conventional shower curtains are being increasingly replaced by light-conducting separators made of glass blocks. They harmonise smoothly into the overall conception of the bathroom and transport more light into the shower areas, giving rise to a cheerful and bright atmosphere. In addition, thoughtful use of translucent separators open up a new world of design possibilities in the bathroom. There is really no need to be tied down by the traditional positioning of the washbasin, WC and bathtub along the walls - the installation of these sanitary elements can be redefined.

Glass bricks are not only being used for their aesthetic good looks, the design of glass bricks diffuses light into the home in such a way that overheating caused by penetration by normal sunlight is reduced during the summer months, yet the thermal properties of glass bricks are comparable to double glazing during the winter months.

The wide range of Solaris glass blocks allow for unrestricted play with light, colour and form. Combined with creative design, they will create a truly personal living space.

Used in a frieze, the glass block establishes an attractive structural contrast to the solid wall. The alternation of wall and glass creates a contemporary touch and makes the space light and inviting. Combined with different materials, colours and artificial lighting, the glass block frieze becomes an eye-catcher - a composition in light. Furthermore, the glass block frieze provides additional light and creates an open and bright perceived space. In one special variant, the frieze can be used as an indirect source of natural light - light can come in but complete privacy is maintained.

Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.com . Click here for more home design ideas.

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