DIY: Walk in Showers

Lay two strips of colored masking tape down on the shower pan rim to designate the edges of the shower entrance. Because you are building a walk-in shower, you will not be installing a shower door. Instead you will simply leave an opening in the glass block wall through which to enter and exit the shower.

Prepare the surface of the shower pan by abrading it with fine-grain sandpaper. Sand the flat rim of the pan only until the surface is no longer glossy. This will allow the mortar to stick to the pan more easily. Do not sand the area between the strips of masking tape.

Mix a batch of glass block mortar according to the manufacturer's instructions in a large plastic bucket. Stir the mortar until it is smooth and even in consistency. White mortar is traditionally used in glass block showers, but you may select another color of mortar if you prefer.

Spread an even layer of mortar on top of the shower pan rim to a thickness of about 1/2 inch using a small trowel. Apply the mortar first in one corner where the shower pan meets the wall and spread it over an area equal to the length of five or six glass blocks.

Set your first glass block upright in the mortar on top of the shower pan ledge. Place this first block near the corner where you first spread the mortar, positioning it about 1/2 inch from the wall. Press the block gently into the mortar.

Install a second glass block next to the first. Leave 1/2 inch of space between the edges of the two blocks, and press the second block gently into the mortar. Lay a level across the tops of the two blocks to be sure they sit at the same height. Adjust the bricks as necessary by tapping them lightly with a rubber mallet.

Continue to install glass blocks in this manner until you finish the first row. Spread more mortar on top of the shower pan as needed, leaving the space designated as the shower entrance open. When you finish the first row, leave 1/2 inch of space between the final glass block and the wall.

Substitute glass blocks that have one finished edge for the regular glass blocks when you reach the space designated for the shower door. These blocks have a smooth side that is more presentable than the unfinished edge of regular glass blocks, especially for walk-in showers. As you continue to build up the shower walls, use only blocks with one finished edge in the column on either side of the shower entrance.

Fill a mortar bag with mortar. Squeeze the mortar into the 1/2-inch gaps between the glass blocks as well as the space between the end blocks and the wall. Do not overfill the gaps -- you can go back later to fill in any areas you missed.

Use your trowel to spread a 1/2-inch layer of mortar on top of the first row of glass blocks you just installed. Install the blocks for your second row following the same procedure you used for the first row. Continue applying layers of mortar and glass blocks until your shower is one row short of reaching the desired height.

Spread a final 1/2-inch layer of mortar on top of the last row of glass blocks you just installed. Set glass glass blocks that have one finished side into the mortar with the finished edges facing up. Complete this final row of blocks in the same way you completed the others.

Fill in any gaps between the blocks with the mortar from the mortar bag. When finished, wipe away any excess mortar with a damp sponge. Allow the mortar to set for 72 hours before using your new walk-in shower.