I need feedback on an idea that’s been on the back burner for a while. I built a deck and wanted to let light into the room below, so I framed a good sized well (3 x 4) to let light in. Then I realized that I wanted to be able to walk over that area, which I couldn’t do if I put a railing around it. I’m wondering if I could use a heavy frosted (for privacy) glass or glass block to do this?? I’m going to ask my local glass company, but would love to hear from someone who has done it, and could say it works well. And it looks good. And it’s cheap. Or any of the above. Thanks
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Use a piece of 5/8 plexiglass instead and sand it dull.
Gabe
The challenge with glass block would be to make it waterproof, and keep it that way. All those seams between the blocks are just begging for trouble. The better approach is a single sheet of thick tempered glass. The glass sits horizontal, flush with the the deck. There's a scupper all the way around the edge of the glass that drains to daylight. The scupper extends under the glass an inch or two, and it doesn't hurt to form a drip edge with a bead of caulk. The seal between the glass and the curb that supports it is then well above water level. The seal between the glass and the curb is double-sided-sticky butyl glazing tape.
>> The challenge with glass block would be to make it waterproof ...
The wording in the original post is a little ambiguous. The way I read it, the light well is to admit light to a window in the wall the deck is attached to, thence into a room in the house. If that's the case, there's no need for the glass to be waterproof. If your reading is correct, that the room to be lighted is below the deck, then of course you're right.
To dickduck: We've discussed glass floors at least twice since last summer, and I remember seeing some good information. Try using the Advanced Search link, near the top of the left hand frame, and search for the phrase "glass floor".
Have an aluminum grate made the size you want. Just make sure that the main runners of the grate run with the source of light so it doesn't block out much light. I use them to cover egress window wells when they are close to a patio or high traffic area.
Verl(Rmodeler)
Oh, dude, that makes too much sense.
http://www.circleredmont.com/
http://www.ibpglassblock.com
For flooring you don't want to use glass block that's intended for walls. You want glass pavers, which are designed for foot traffic.
I've walked through an enclosed glass floor pedestrain walkway that crossed over a 6-lane road. Kind of wierd.
Never seen one first person in residential.
there was a "before and after" show on HGTV last week that showed a very interesting remodel, the couple converted their 30'sish bungalow's attic to a master suite with a glass floor and a bed that slid on rails out to a "sleeping porch". other than the the sliding bed gimmick I really liked the complete project. Very progressive design!
they never go into too much detail on this show but it appeared they used glass blocks held in a metal grid for the floor section
is this "room below" an enclosed space? or just a open porch under the deck
the system that I discussed in my last post does not look to be waterproof, only intended for an enclosed space