How to Build a Curved Glass Block Wall in a Bathroom
- 1). Place a large sheet of butcher or craft paper on the floor where you wish the wall to be installed and either trace the curve you wish the wall to take or cut the paper into the curve. The tighter the curve, the more blocks you will need to make the wall; the more gentle the curve, the fewer blocks.
Take this template with you to purchase the blocks. Work with the sales person to purchase the right number of blocks to follow the exact curve. - 2). Pour liquid self-leveling floor compound onto the bathroom floor where the blocks will be laid. The first row of blocks must be completely level, and the self leveling compound can level out an uneven floor, allowing you to build the wall from the subfloor up. Apply the compound beneath any bathroom flooring for a completely level floor. Two-by-4 boards can also be used to dam the compound in the section directly beneath the wall if the floor has already been laid. Let the compound dry overnight.
- 3). Apply a thin bead of silicone caulk onto the bottom and sides of each block in the first row. Press each block into place so the blocks interlock with one another. Watch to make sure no caulk seeps out between blocks. If this occurs, use less caulk.
- 4). Finish the first row of blocks and check to make sure they curve correctly, there is no excess caulk and the blocks space out evenly. Apply a very small amount of caulk to the top of each block. Two small beads of caulk the size of pennies on the top of each block will suffice. Run a thin, continuous bead of caulk onto the sides of the next row of block, and press the next row down on top of the first. Continue building the wall until you reach the desired height.
- 5). Let the silicone set up overnight and apply the mortar to the spaces between the blocks as if it were tile grout. Use a grout float to spread and press the mortar between each block on both sides of the wall. Hold the float at an angle to the glass blocks to direct the mortar and flatten the float with the mortar into the spaces between the blocks.
- 6). Wipe the surface of the glass blocks clean with a damp sponge. Take care only to wipe the surface of each block on both sides of the wall; do not wipe out mortar from between the blocks. Allow the mortar to dry overnight.
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