How to Make a Barrier for the Shower

Planning Considerations

• 1

  Determine whether your floor structure is adequate to support a glass block wall. A single 8- by 8- by 4-inch glass block can weigh 6 pounds, while 3-inch-thick blocks can weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. Mortar and/or framing adds additional weight. Choosing lighter-weight acrylic brick may be an option

• 2

  Assess the capacity of your bathroom to accommodate wet floor areas. Shower enclosures often generate water on the floor outside the shower pan. While it is easily mopped up, it may limit other use of the bathroom when someone is showering.

• 3

  Investigate kits for shower-walls. Unless you plan to lay glass block flat on a previously tiled floor, purchasing a kit can save time and effort in assembling materials. Kits are also helpful if you have not had much experience with glass block; manufacturers suggest that you will need the same skills for assembling a shower-wall kit as you do for laying brick or cement block.

Building an Enclosure

• 4

  Outline the shower pan with masking tape on the floor for an objective view of its fit before beginning to install. Pans come in a variety of material from acrylic to granite. Choose one with a flat-surfaced rim at least 4 inches wide, to accommodate bricks. Roughen the rim surface if needed to improve adhesion of mortar.

• 5

  Prepare any adjoining walls to which glass-block wall will be attached. Cement or tack foam expansion strips to the wall both to allow for the effects of hot water and to seal against leakage. Attach the first course of panel anchors or other anchors provided by your kit. Repeat this procedure every two or three courses, or rows, of glass block.

• 6

  Spread mortar and install any support rods included in your kit. The support rods provide frames into which you will insert groups of glass blocks. Spacers included with the rods will help keep blocks properly spaced from each other. Alternatively, set your first course of blocks in mortar, if working with loose glass blocks, or position your first prefab segment.

• 7

  Spread mortar between each block or segment of blocks as needed, taking care to seal them completely. Wipe off excess mortar with rags. Let mortar set for one hour, then wipe off any excess with wet rags. Repeat these steps until you have brought the walls to full height. Use a plumb line as you go to test that you are building walls straight.

• 8

  Let mortar set for 24 hours before using the shower. A full cure takes about seven days. Once mortar is fully cured, finish it with grout sealer.