Why glass block basement windows?

A "Basement" is generally defined as the space completely or partially below the ground floor of a building.

Usually appliance like the water heater, furnace and even the laundry are kept in the basement. The main water feed and electrical usually come through the basement first too. Since this space is where these services can typically be found, it is quite common that basements become storage spaces for your Holiday decorations, seasonal equipment, and other things you may not need immediate access to on a regular basis.

Since these appliances and seasonal boxes don't always take up the lion's share of the basement, you may have a hobby shop or even additional entertaining area by way of a "man cave" or otherwise finished basement.

The standard, OEM basement window could be a lot of different things. Back in the day when foundation walls were built with creek rock and a sweeping the basement floor meant pushing dry earth around, basement windows were built with wood frames and sashes. Some times these windows were even constructed on site by the same guy putting the foundation together. Later when poured concrete and concrete block became the norm for foundation walls, the windows were improved, but only slightly. Around the '60s the foundation contractors started using steel and aluminum frames of varying design and quality and it's been that way since. Today's basement windows are complex and are in some cases comparable to the prime windows in the home for quality and performance.

So, why remove what's there and replace with new?

Excluding the basement windows you'll find in today's new homes, basement windows are very poor performers in a lot of ways. Each of these attributes can be improved by installing new glass block basement windows. Glass block may not be the highest performing most energy efficient window option you have; but when comparing cost vs benefit, there is none better.

Since basements by design are places for utilities and storage, the performance of the windows was rarely a consideration. Most of these older windows relied on a wood to wood or metal to metal seal. If you were to put a lit candle on the basement window sill and the wind was blowing outside, you could be left in the dark. Without a proper weather strip or seal, there was no guarantee that they were air tight. This means they would allow the cold air of the winter or the warm air of the summer fill the basement. Don't forget water too... Since basements are usually underground, windows in window wells don't usually do a very good job at keeping water out either.

How about the quality of the glass in those windows? Single pane, probably 3/32" thick, 1/8" if you're lucky and clear as a bell, at least when initially installed. Do you have curtains over your basement windows?

What about security? What's keeping your basement windows closed? What's keeping someone from the outside from opening them? Do you have valuables in your basements? Heirlooms, collectables or antiques stored down there with the other odds and ends? Expensive woodworking tools or maybe a collection of fine wines? For me, it doesn't need to be something of monetary value; it's mine and that's plenty of reason to protect it.



...and glass block can fix all of these things???

Can I do a one word answer? Of course I can, it's my blog...

YES!

Glass blocks are perfect for some things and this is one of them!

The standard glass block for windows is 3" thick. Each block is assembled from two half blocks that are fused together while the glass is still molten hot. What you have is an air tight hollow glass block. The R-Value of a standard 3" thick glass block is only 1.75 so it doesn't compare well to a prime replacement window but since a typical basement window is about 3' wide by 2' tall or smaller, the cost of a glass block window versus a vinyl replacement window is about half.

When installed properly, a glass block basement window is air-tight and can withstand standing water for a much longer period than a vinyl window can. Removing the hot and cold air infiltration means a more moderate temperature in the basement. Since your furnace and water heater are in the basement, these appliances would operate more efficiently because the effect of cold basement air the water line coming from your water heater and the duct coming from the furnace would be less.

Did I mention these blocks are 3" thick and mortared in the concrete foundation? What this means from a security standpoint is that they are virtually impenetrable. When a glass block window is mortared to the masonry foundation, you no longer have a window, you have a complete masonry foundation. Only the most desperate of criminals will try to come through a glass block window. If they manage to break a block, the noise it would take to do so would alert neighbors down the street!

How private are your existing windows? Do you have the curtains I mentioned earlier? Glass block comes in a variety of pattern and degrees of obscurity ranging from clear to totally obscure. No more window treatments in your basement means you'll enjoy more natural light without sacrificing privacy.

I can't speak for every city in every state but here in Cincinnati you can have a glass block window installed for around $100. That's a lot of peace of mind for a little bit of scratch....