How to Build a Home Bar With Glass Blocks

Framing the Bar

• 1

  Measure the space where you intend to install your home bar with a measuring tape to determine the length and depth of the bar. Refer to the height of the glass block sections you intend to use when determining the height of your bar.

• 2

  Cut four pieces of 1-by-4-inch hardwood to the desired length of your bar using a table saw. Using the depth of your bar, minus 2 inches, cut four pieces of 1-by-4-inch hardwood to frame the ends of the bar.

• 3

  Assemble two rectangular frames using two each of the longer and shorter pieces of hardwood you just cut. Position the boards upright on their longest narrow edges, sandwiching the shorter boards between the ends of the longer boards. Drive 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the longer boards into the shorter ones.

• 4

  Divide the length of the bar by 18. You will need to cut twice as many cross braces as the result from this calculation. Cut each cross brace out of 1-by-4-inch hardwood using the depth measurement of your bar, minus 2 inches.

• 5

  Slide the cross braces between the longer boards in the two rectangular frames at 18-inch intervals. Attach the cross braces by driving 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the rectangular frame into the cross braces.

• 6

  Cut four vertical supports for your bar out of 1-by-4-inch hardwood using the desired height measurement of your bar, minus 8 inches. You will use these boards to attach the two rectangular frames.

• 7

  Lay one of the rectangular frames flat on the ground and stand the vertical supports upright in each of the four corners, aligning the vertical supports with the shorter boards on the frame. Secure these supports in place by driving 2 1/2-inch wood screws at an angle through the supports into the rectangular frame.

• 8

  Lay the second rectangular frame on top of the vertical supports you just installed. Align the vertical supports under the upper frame and secure it in place by driving 2 1/2-inch wood screws through the vertical supports into the frame.

• 9

  Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the length and height dimensions of your home bar. Stand the plywood upright against the front of the hardwood frame you just finished and nail it to the frame using nails from a nail gun. The plywood will serve as the front of your bar and the flat surface where you will build your glass block wall.

• 10

  Paint or stain the hardwood frame and the plywood front of your home bar. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before moving on.

Building the Glass Block Wall

• 11

  Move your hardwood bar frame into the desired position. If one end of your bar is to be set against the wall, use a stud finder to locate the studs, then drive 3-inch wood screws through the adjacent side of the frame into the studs.

• 12

  Cut the channel from your glass block installation kit to the length of the bar. Lay the channel flat on the floor, butting it up against the plywood bar front. Secure the channel to the floor by driving masonry screws through the designated holes in the channel into the floor.

• 13

  Slide your section of glass block into the channel. The upper edge of the glass block section should be even with the upper edge of the bar frame.

• 14

  Cut a sheet of 1-inch hardwood to the desired dimensions of your bar top. Lay the bar top flat on top of the hardwood frame you just constructed and secure it in place by driving 2 1/2-inch wood screws down through the bar top into the frame below.

• 15

  Finish your home bar as you desire by cutting additional sheets of plywood to cover the remaining open sides of the bar frame. If you prefer, you may install shelves inside the bar frame. To add shelving, cut sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the length and depth measurements of your bar frame and slide them into place, securing them with wood screws.