I’m getting ready to finish my tiled shower which is 48″x 48″. The pan is installed and the main three walls are concrete backer board which I intend to cover with Kerdi. I would like to make the entry side doorless with a glass block wall sitting on the ledge extending from one side approximatly 2 or 3 blocks wide and abou 5 or 6 ft tall. I’m concerned about stability on the unattached side. Is this a bad idea or should I construct a support system all the way to the ceiling? I’ve done some floor tileing and it turned out pretty good but this glass block project looks pretty intimidating.
Tom
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Mines nice and stable!
Congratulations!
frenchy receives the Breaktime 'Toot Yer Own Horn' award.
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be 'Toot Toot'
I tried for brevity.
ha!
Sometimes feels good just to build something right.
I just followed the directions.
Mine has a doubled 2x2 aluminum post at the unsupported end, #4 rebar in the 2x2s and grouted solid. The reinforcing ladder steel for the block was drilled into the post before it was grouted. I have a door tho.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/shower.jpg
The camera is making this look out of plumb. It is straight
Edited 7/15/2009 12:36 pm ET by gfretwell
At only two or three blocks wide, you might get away with not tying the outboard end of the wall to the ceiling, but I wouldn't bet on it surviving a 250-pounding losing her balance and falling against it hard. Mortar is strong in compression; it ain't very strong in most other directions....
If you don't want to run the block right up into the ceiling so you can screw the reinforcing strips to the overhead framing, you should at least finish the end of the wall with a column that is nailed to both the floor and the ceiling. Screw the strips to that vertical piece, and you'll be okay.
Minimalist way to do that is to use a piece of finish-grade 5/4 x 4 (or x5; if you're using 4" block). Cedar would be a good choice because of how often it will get wet.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
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foolish men call Justice....