FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
2026 Midyear Meeting Registration is OPEN ↗

The Style and Durability of Glass Block

Words: Dan Kamys
/Public/News/20080530085900-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="Glass block is being used residentially and commercially in schools, hospitals, office buildings and institutional buildings.">
Glass block is being used residentially and commercially in schools, hospitals, office buildings and institutional buildings.
Glass unit masonry, more commonly called "glass block," is being used extensively in homes for windows, showers, partition walls and recreation bars, says Bob DeGusipe, marketing manager for Pittsburgh Corning Corp. in Pittsburgh. The material is also being used commercially in schools, hospitals, office buildings and institutional buildings.

"In commercial applications, the product is ideal where durability with light transmission, privacy and security control are key. Glass block is, essentially, a brick that lets in light." DeGusipe says. "The product can be used with almost any style of architecture. Therefore, it has universal appeal."

DeGusipe is seeing a push toward developing glass block systems that can meet the increasing emphasis on safety and security in buildings, such as hurricane, blast and ballistics protection, while new patterns and colors offer broader aesthetic appeal.

"Finishing blocks to create step-down walls and blocks to turn 45- and 90-degree and tight radius turns offer even more design flexibility," DeGusipe says. "Pittsburgh Corning introduced the new mortar-less ProVantage Installation System in recent years to simplify the installation process."

Clearly Green
Glass block is also helping in green building design.

"Since glass block provides excellent light transmission, the product is very suitable for the green movement and helping architects meet LEED accreditation," DeGusipe says.

Glass block is inherently stronger than conventional glass because of the thickness of the faces and the mortar that binds the blocks together, he says. Since the block doesn't have load-bearing capabilities like other masonry block, structural support is needed above block openings.

Masonry contractors don't need specialty tools for installation, says Nicholas Loomis, Pittsburgh Corning senior engineer. Traditional masonry tools and Type S or Type N mortar, mixed stiff, will get the job done.

"The mortar has got to be on the stiffer side, like peanut butter," Loomis says. "You should be able to make a ball all of it. The blocks are not going to absorb the moisture concrete blocks do."
 0
Chairman’s Message: When Things Don’t Go as Planned
June 2026

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
Fechino Files: Trust Your Subs, Just Document!
June 2026

When I was working for a large masonry contractor, we typically performed masonry work with our own employees. When we would construct large Segmental Retaining Walls, often we would require a subcontractor who had larger equipment for different portions

Steve Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Borobudur
June 2026

For masonry contractors and suppliers, few structures offer as much practical insight as Borobudur. Built in the 9th century in Central Java, this massive stone monument remains as one of the most advanced examples of large-scale masonry construction ever

Cassandra Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More
Wrapping Up Our Year And A Look Ahead
June 2026

It is amazing another year has gone by and what a year it has been. We have seen a lot of progress on so many fronts. All of this happens specifically due to the support of our members. Your support this past year is positioning our industry to make huge

Jeff B
President's Message
Read More