Shower cubicle made of glass blocks: pros and cons, care and design examples

In a small bathroom, with a minimum amount of free space, there is every reason to install a shower cabin made of glass blocks. Such structures are distinguished by their ergonomics, aesthetics of appearance, and, moreover, they are extremely functional.

Installing a shower cabin instead of a bath is a common choice when the bathroom area is limited, when there is a need to accommodate up-to-date equipment, for example, a washing machine. Some are content with just installing a shower tray and a waterproof curtain, others prefer a monoblock system that is installed as a whole.

A feature of the glass block is its structure - the material consists of small glass cubes narrowed from the sides. Due to the fact that they are hollow and contain rarefied air, the structure has heat-insulating and sound-insulating characteristics.

Glass blocks come in various sizes and thicknesses. The elements that make them have a square, triangular and rectangular shape, special types of segments are intended for ends and corners, if an angular model of the cabin is mounted. In addition, the texture and color range of products can be different. The very variety of such options speaks in favor of a shower made of glass blocks.

But these designs have other advantages as well:

• glass-block walls provide complete waterproofness;
• the material is characterized by high strength and durability, guarantees the stability of the structure;
• the glass structure allows light to pass through and retains heat, making hygiene procedures more comfortable;
• features of the surface of glass blocks exclude the formation of mold and mildew on them;
• a large assortment of different-sized products makes it possible to build a variety of types of structures: straight, curved, semicircular;
• the glass cabin is easy to clean and wash; ordinary household products are suitable for this.

A number of disadvantages of glass structures are also present:

• before installation, you will need to build a frame made of stone, concrete or metal;
• the blocks are of considerable weight (each segment weighs from 2.5 to 4.5 kg), which can adversely affect the flooring and cause cracks in the lower rows of the walls;
• since the material cannot be trimmed, it is not possible to fit it to certain dimensions;
• when creating semicircular and curved structures, the curvatures must have a large radius, otherwise the appearance of the cabin will be spoiled by significant gaps;
• it is impossible to drill or punch the walls of a shower made of glass, therefore, you need to take care of the clamps for the shelves and holders in advance, and already during installation, lay the fasteners.

In compact bathrooms, it is extremely important to rationally use every square meter of free space.

In this case, you need to choose the optimal shape and size of the structure, and the corner model of the cabin will be the best option:

• it takes up a minimum of space due to its compactness;
• there is no need to install a frame made of metal or brick, since two walls of the room can fulfill the task of founding the walls of the structure;
• all that needs to be done is to install the glass-block partition as the third wall and mount the door;
• another option is a semicircular or curved wall made of half blocks with the same lower part with an opening (then the door is not needed or a special curtain can be used instead).

However, you can go the other way. With a rectangular, elongated room, you can place the shower room in the middle of the longest wall by installing glass racks for hygiene items on one side, and a washing machine or toilet on the other. In other words, the niches created by this shower placement should be organically filled.

Apart from the use in small bathrooms to save space, the use of glass blocks in the installation of a shower stall is justified if the overall style of the apartment is modern. Walls and partitions made of glass bricks are quite relevant if the owners of the apartment like such stylistic directions as hi-tech, eco, pop art, modern, urbanism or minimalism.

In this case, the design options for the shower room are varied in their design ideas.

• Currently, blocks can be used to create models with a square, rectangular shape with smooth rounded corners, a semicircular shape with the same rounded transparent door... With a large area, structures resembling a labyrinth and passing along the entire perimeter of the room, dividing it into functional sectors, will be appropriate.

• A common option is semicircular partitionszoning the common space and shower area. At the same time, natural light is preserved inside the cabin during the day, and the humidity in the bathroom is significantly isolated by partitions.

• When erecting glass-block walls, it is allowed to combine transparent and colored elements, the main thing is that they are comparable in their strength characteristics. However, clear glass is still the preferred and most requested glass.

• Popular are tinted designs of any shape with beautiful decor in the form of seashells, fish, flowers, leaves and stones inside cubes, products with LED backlighting look no less chic and unusual. In a modern bathroom interior, tinted and frosted glass is often combined, which improves the appearance of the cabin and the room as a whole.

It is quite simple to take care of the glass-block walls of the shower stall. This is due to the fact that the glass surfaces are not too susceptible to moisture penetration, rotting, mold and dirt, in addition, they do not absorb foreign odors.

Therefore, to cleanse or refresh the appearance of the walls and partitions of the structure any detergent used for bathtubs, sinks, tiled surfaces is acceptable. The exception is special cleaning powders containing hard components that determine their abrasive qualities. Such a composition can damage the glass surface, leaving ugly scratches on it.

Apart from some disadvantages, a glass-block shower cabin is an economically profitable and effective solution to the issue of creating a rational space for hygiene procedures. And the variety of shades, shapes and textures of this material allows you to create a unique and original interior design even in a small bathroom.

For information on how the glass blocks are laid, see the next video.