sponge to clean up and of course a tape
measure to get the proper measurement
will also recommend safety glasses and
gloves be warned the installation begins
with measuring the width of the
foundation opening always looking for
the narrowest point if the sides are
uneven you should measure the openings
as if the window and its frame were
already removed and the height is taken
from under the lintel to the top of the
foundation still be sure to measure each
of the windows you plan to replace even
though they may look identical you'll
find they're very durable when properly
stored and handled just remember to pick
them up from the opposite corners and
always store and transport them standing
or lying flat now you're ready to remove
the old window first take out the sash
which is the removable part of the
window and usually slips out pretty
easily next bend out the frame metal
frames like these are anchored to the
sides
so bend the top down and the bottom up
to free the frame use wooden blocks to
avoid damage to the building while
prying by the way wood frames are
removed the same way except in the case
of wood you want to solve through the
top and the bottom before using the
wrecking bar to break them free now
we'll just knock off this mortar filler
and then the opening is ready for our
glass block window now it's time to mix
the mortar you can use a white premix
glass block mortar which is a
high-strength masonry
we recommend for its water resistance
strength and compatibility with glass
block or if you prefer a gray color you
can use a type s mortar mix you can mix
the mortar by hand with a trowel or with
a paddle mixer the consistency should
resemble cookie dough
we also suggest you protect the
surrounding masonry with some wide
masking tape so the mortar doesn't stain
any of the brick once the mortar is
mixed you're ready to set the window
first we'll trial down about half an
inch of mortar across the sill smooth it
out and then place a few wedges or shims
on the sill these shims will help you
level the window and hold it into place
while the mortar sets set the glass
block window on top of the wedges and
tilt it into place and it's a good idea
to have somebody on the inside to steady
the window while you're securing it so
it doesn't fall through check it for
level if necessary shift the window to
Center it using the pry bar and adjust
the wedge now check it for plumb tilt
the top in or out as needed then snug
the wedges once your window is level and
plumb place additional shims at the top
directly above the shims at the sill to
secure the window now we can finish
mortaring the glass block window into
place run your trowel through the mortar
a few times to make it viable load of
fuel trowel fools into the grout bag
fold the top over a couple of times
slip the tip into the space between the
window and the foundation and squeeze
just like icing a cake
you may also forego the grout bag and
simply mortar the window into place
using your trowel you may find a tuck
pointer to be helpful in pushing the
mortar into the joints as well continue
to force that mortar all around the
entire perimeter of the window you want
to do this on both the interior and
exterior of your window use the trowel
to smooth the mortar make sure there are
no voids now let the mortar set for
about a half an hour there's a common
question by the way that says why can't
someone just come along and kick out
this window well as we mentioned earlier
mortar is a high-strength masonry cement
that when it's set will hold that
windows securely into your foundation
and you're not likely to come along and
kick one of those
preassembled glass block windows can
also be used in window openings up to 25
square foot in size now had this been a
much larger opening we would have had to
install the window in two or more
sections let's take a look at how you've
seen two glass block window sections
together to fill a larger opening first
you will need to make sure you have a
seam kit which consists of a special
flat vinyl spacer strip made for the
glass block and a tube of glass block
silicon why use glass box silicon well
glass box silicon has a specific
formulation that allows it to bond to
both glass and the type of vinyl used to
make most glass block accessories before
setting your first glass block window
section into place measure and cut your
vinyl spacer to the appropriate length
if needed after setting and securing the
bottom panel into the window opening run
two beads of glass box silicon the full
length of the window each speed of
silicon should be applied behind the
glass blocks raised edges the beads of
silicone should be a quarter inch thick
next place the spacer strip over the two
beads of silicone on the top of the
first window panel make sure the spacer
strip is centered now run two more beads
of glass box silicone along the side of
the spacer strip keep the silicon about
a quarter inch away from the edge of the
spacer strip now you're ready to set the
second window panel on top of the spacer
strip finish securing the second glass
block window panel into place run a bead
of glass block silicon between the two
sections you have just joined together
to completely seal the joint go back and
squeeze in a small dab of silicon where
the corners of the block meet this will
help prevent any moisture from entering
the window system now let's go back and
take a look at how our glass block
window installation is coming along well
the mortars been setting up for about a
half an hour and it's time to pull out
those wedges and fill in the holes use
the trial to force mortar into the holes
and make sure they're packed full and
then just smooth out all around the
window to create a professional looking
finish dampen an old paint brush or
inexpensive chip brush and run it over
the mortar joints with a clean rag or
sponge remove all of the excess mortar
before it starts to set
be careful not to disturb your mortar
joints while they continue to set up
when the window surface drives there may
be a white film that will come off with
a damp sponge or paper towel hey that
looks pretty good and only took a couple
of hours they're really pretty
straightforward to install and it only
takes a few tools you measure the rough
opening remove the existing frame
prepare the opening mix the mortar set
the window mortar it into place finish
it off and clean it up what could be
easier