Glass Block Basement Windows – Who Doesn’t Like Them?
Because of its incredible properties, glass is used for windows and walls. There are varieties of glass employed for domestic construction application. Glass is a strong material and allows you to decide the amount of incoming light that you would like. Transparent glass allows almost all the light to enter the premises, whereas frosted glass restricts the light and thus offers better privacy. Glass blocks make a popular and practical option for being used in basement windows. The features that make them such an ideal choice are: light, thermal, sound and ventilation.
Glass Blocks – Let there be light!
Depending upon the quality of glass used, glass bricks let in a lot of light. You have a choice there to decide the amount of light entering. Colored glass, for instance will make the incoming light colored whereas frosted blocks make it difficult to exactly figure out the objects near to the window, thus adding to the level of privacy.
This is especially significant for basement windows. You also get patterned glass bricks. These also change the way of light entering the premises. It will be worthwhile to look for the available varieties of glass bricks and decide the one that suits your requirements of light entering the premises.
Hot Or Cold!
The thermal characteristics of glass blocks are quite similar and comparable to those of double glazed windows, meaning they help maintaining the room temperature in all weathers. So, in winters the hot air inside is retained without letting in any cold outdoors air and in summers they can retain the inside cold air by not allowing the outside hot air to enter. That enables one to cut down on power bills.
Keep the Noise Down!
Glass bricks are helpful for cutting down noise entering your place. You won’t get unduly disturbed by the traffic passing by the street or even if youngsters in the neighborhood decide to party with drinks and music.
Ventilation
One of the most helpful features of glass bricks is the use of specialty blocks to facilitate ventilation. Specially designed air vents are used to ensure a constant flow of air but creepers are left out from entering inside. The opening of these vents can be adjusted to suit your requirements and works out to be quite economical if you have them installed at the time of installing windows rather than adding subsequently. Another useful special purpose block has a dryer vent with a hole wherein you can attach your dryer pipe –this may be a permanent feature or there is a cover provided for if the pipe is removed.