Glass blocks were a major trend in the 80's, used mainly in bathrooms or private rooms where you wanted the daytime natural light but at the same time wanted privacy.

Glass blocks range in size from 6"x6" to 10"x10" on average, and a bricklayer was usually the trade that installed it.

Today there are still glass blocks installed by bricklayers but this is mostly a trend of the past. Today they still look the same but they are now manufactured as glass block fakes (called simulated glass in the industry) manufactured inside a regular window frame. Some even open!

Many of the bathrooms or privacy rooms in today's homes take advantage of a warmer, more structurally sound solution for retaining the privacy element that comes from the glass block's restricted vision.

Glass manufacturers today offer a warm sealed unit (two panes of glass put together with a space between for added warmth and sealed so air does not get between them). There are many glass pattern options with different levels of privacy and design to achieve that no-one-can-see-me confidence.

Before choosing the glass you want, test a piece by putting your hand behind it and seeing what level of privacy or confidence that pattern gives you.

Today you will see a lot of decorative glass options for private glass solutions in front doors, sidelights for front doors as well as bathroom windows.