How to Light a Glass Block Wall

Choose a fiber optic or LED cable product such as lighting that sparkles, glows or changes color. The cables need to fit easily between two glass blocks before using a sealant. Blocks shouldn't need to be forced together when a lighting cable is placed between them.

Create a lighting design for the glass block wall, using graph paper to draw out your wall and colored pencils to lay out the grid pattern. Fiber optic lighting needs to follow the seams of the glass block. The fiber optic cable sandwiches between the blocks to follow the pattern you have chosen. Reference the product and its assembly manual or manufacturer's information to create the design. Use a combination of single- and double-end lighting cables to complete the design.

Arrange for easy and safe access to a power source from the block wall to operate the lighting. Choose the outlet and the battery power source pack and test it in the area. The system needs adequate cord length before assembling the lighting and the wall.

Build the glass wall and place the fiber optic lighting between the blocks as you work. Use a clear sealant instead of mortar to adhere the glass block together. Lay a row of block and center the lighting cable across the top of the block row. Run a bead of sealant on either side of the cable 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the cable, then lay the next course of glass block across the top.

Place single-ended cables into an adjoining wall to avoid the light from becoming a bright spot in the design. Wrap double-ended cables up the side of the ending glass block and over the top of the next row of block. Glass block walls should ideally be anchored by a regular wall on at least one side.