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oups.com...
I am going to install a glass block window in my walkout concrete
foundation (In a bath I'm remodeling) I have asked several local
contractors for bids but it seems the job is too small for companies
in my area. I've had a couple of handyman types out last month but
none of these has even called back with estimates (We have called them
but never recieved return calls) So...

I am very handy myself and I was mostly wanting a pro to save me the
time and hassle. I'm doing a one block tall (8" by about 4' wide)
window just to allow light into the room over the shower. I don't
think I'll be running into load issues as I'll add a 2x psudo header
under the base of the first floor wall of my single story house.
Glass block will bridge between this and the concrete foundation.

Do I need more reinforcement? and any other advice on this would be
great. I've also thought of deepening the window to 2 blocks
(aprox16" still 4' wide) How badly would that effect the structure of
my upper story?) I need to start soonish. as I've wasted 2 months on
trying to get this done for me.

Call your local inspector's office- they may want a steel lintel 'L' above
the glass block, under faux header or sill plate, unless the block will be
surrounded by a steel frame. The usual cautions about putting wood in
contact with concrete, and using jackposts and a temporary beam under the
joists while you punch through the wall, apply. If you have never laid glass
block, recommend you look at the plastic cheaters to get pretty joints- you
lay it all up dry, the plastic doohickeys maintain the proper gap so it
looks pretty, and then you tuckpoint it or grout it with mortar. Some people
even skip the mortar, and just use a good grade of silicone caulk, but you
will have mortar mixed anyway to clean up the hole you cut with proper trim
blocks.

aem sends....