I’m in the process of restoring an older Tudor and have a question regarding glass block. The 2nd story is basically a large master suite with the bedroom area to the right of the top of the stairs and the bathroom to the left of the stairway. I’ve used some glass block in the bathroom area and would like to tie the glass block into the bedroom area by installing a simple glass block banister to replace the old banister. The banister would be on 2 sides of the stairway with a 36†with 3’ section connecting to a wall and an 8 foot section connecting to the 3’ glass block section but not connecting to anything at the other end.
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My question is is there a way to connect the 8’ glass block section to the floor so it would be fairly stable? I’m afraid the if the end of the 8†section was bumped hard enough it could detach from the floor. Any suggestions? Insight? Or should I consider something else?
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Thanks
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IMSA
Replies
I would be more concerned with the individual glass blocks separating from each other than the whole run separating from the floor.
Standard layup of glass block will not be sufficient to withstand the lateral force test required of banisters.
Glass block would indeed look good but I think if you designed a honeycomb arrangement of wood or metal to securely attach to the floor where you could pidgeonhole each block you would have a safer installation.
So long as the block had a strong vertical post you could tie to at both ends of the run I beleive you could lay it with two pieces of #3 (3/8") rebar approximately 2" apart in the horizontal grout joints between the blocks embedded in the white mortar. So long as these pieces of re-bar were well fastened to the post at each end you could get the strength you need with the glass block look.
Thanks for your idea Shelternerd. I like the idea of 3/8 rebar attached to the floor joists. The banister is only 7’ long and supported at one end. I was trying to think of something to tie the floor joist to the mortar joints and if I were to use rebar in every joint (every 6”) I think that would give me plenty of support especially since I’ll be using the sheet metal reinforcement pieces in the horizontal joints and I’ll be toping the banister with a 1 x 8 hardwood ledge. Do you think I should pour a concrete base to set the blocks on or should I just motar them on the sub floor?
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Thanks
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IMSA
i'd just mortar them to the floor boards.
I’m in the process of restoring an older Tudor...
If you're truly trying to restore the Tudor, I'd strongly suggest that you consider something other than glass block; it's completely inappropriate to the time period.