Glass Block Wall Prices - 6 Step to Get the Biggest Bang For Your Buck
Everyone wants the biggest bang for their hard earned money - especially in these tougher economic times.
How can you stretch your budget and get the most value in a glass block wall project? This article presents 6 concrete steps you can use to get your block wall completed at an affordable price.
Step 1 - Don't hire "Cousin Vinnie" - Everyone has a "Cousin Vinnie," a self proclaimed construction expert who can do it all.
For a low, low price he'll get 'er done just for you.
Don't get sucked into the lure of a low initial pricing for a block wall specialty project.
Check credentials (Angie's List, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Better Business Bureau, Consumers Choice Award Winners, and past customers) and ask, "Does my potential contractor have experience specifically with glass block walls?" The design, fabrication, and installation is more complex, detailed, and structurally significant than a glass window project or other glass wall systems.
Step 2 - Curves are cool, but straight is slicker for your budget - Curved block wall sections are graceful and interesting to look at.
Their drawback - they require a higher skill level and cost about 20 to 40% more per square foot than a straight wall.
If you want a stylish look at a cost-effective price design straight walls and consider adding either 45 degree angles or corner blocks for interest (many of these walls can be manufactured in a factory and shipped to you).
Step 3 - Add colors, tints, and designs to your glass block walls up front - If you want a one of a kind look add colored, tinted, or artistically decorated blocks to the wall installation project.
Taking block out later to add styled blocks will cost significantly more than installing them in the original installation.
Since these blocks come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and even tints they can be used whether you want a vibrant colored look, or a more muted hint of color.
Step 4 - Consider both foreign and domestically manufactured block for your project -Although block that is manufactured overseas (especially block from China or Indonesia) tend to be less costly than U.
S.
made blocks don't necessarily jump to get the foreign made blocks.
Check the following before making your selection: o Is my pattern selection available in American sizes? Does this manufacturer make end block finishing units, corners, angles, colors and tints for my design? o Glass clarity and consistency.
All blocks are not made alike.
Is the manufacturer and installer/ distributor you're considering known for their quality and service? Reputable contractors install only reputable products.
Get a good value right from the beginning.
Step 5 - Prefabricate it and then you will save - Block wall panels can be factory assembled and shipped directly to your project site - saving time, money, aggravation, and increasing product quality.
These sections can be made in 3" and 4" thicknesses and can include a variety of shaped, colored, and tinted glass blocks.
Step 6 - Don't leave home without them..
...
the block accessories that is - As is true with most building projects what you don't see (the structure inside, beneath, and at the top of an installation) is crucial to the long run visible quality of the work.
Glass block mortar, spacers, wire reinforcing, anchors and in some cases intermediate wall stiffeners will make or break the wall's quality over time.
Refer back to step 1 (Don't hire Cousin Vinnie) and find a block specialty designer, contractor, fabricator, and installer to ensure the correct wall accessories are being used.
Now that you're equipped with these 6 price and cost saving wall ideas you should be ready to start your project.
How can you stretch your budget and get the most value in a glass block wall project? This article presents 6 concrete steps you can use to get your block wall completed at an affordable price.
Step 1 - Don't hire "Cousin Vinnie" - Everyone has a "Cousin Vinnie," a self proclaimed construction expert who can do it all.
For a low, low price he'll get 'er done just for you.
Don't get sucked into the lure of a low initial pricing for a block wall specialty project.
Check credentials (Angie's List, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Better Business Bureau, Consumers Choice Award Winners, and past customers) and ask, "Does my potential contractor have experience specifically with glass block walls?" The design, fabrication, and installation is more complex, detailed, and structurally significant than a glass window project or other glass wall systems.
Step 2 - Curves are cool, but straight is slicker for your budget - Curved block wall sections are graceful and interesting to look at.
Their drawback - they require a higher skill level and cost about 20 to 40% more per square foot than a straight wall.
If you want a stylish look at a cost-effective price design straight walls and consider adding either 45 degree angles or corner blocks for interest (many of these walls can be manufactured in a factory and shipped to you).
Step 3 - Add colors, tints, and designs to your glass block walls up front - If you want a one of a kind look add colored, tinted, or artistically decorated blocks to the wall installation project.
Taking block out later to add styled blocks will cost significantly more than installing them in the original installation.
Since these blocks come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and even tints they can be used whether you want a vibrant colored look, or a more muted hint of color.
Step 4 - Consider both foreign and domestically manufactured block for your project -Although block that is manufactured overseas (especially block from China or Indonesia) tend to be less costly than U.
S.
made blocks don't necessarily jump to get the foreign made blocks.
Check the following before making your selection: o Is my pattern selection available in American sizes? Does this manufacturer make end block finishing units, corners, angles, colors and tints for my design? o Glass clarity and consistency.
All blocks are not made alike.
Is the manufacturer and installer/ distributor you're considering known for their quality and service? Reputable contractors install only reputable products.
Get a good value right from the beginning.
Step 5 - Prefabricate it and then you will save - Block wall panels can be factory assembled and shipped directly to your project site - saving time, money, aggravation, and increasing product quality.
These sections can be made in 3" and 4" thicknesses and can include a variety of shaped, colored, and tinted glass blocks.
Step 6 - Don't leave home without them..
...
the block accessories that is - As is true with most building projects what you don't see (the structure inside, beneath, and at the top of an installation) is crucial to the long run visible quality of the work.
Glass block mortar, spacers, wire reinforcing, anchors and in some cases intermediate wall stiffeners will make or break the wall's quality over time.
Refer back to step 1 (Don't hire Cousin Vinnie) and find a block specialty designer, contractor, fabricator, and installer to ensure the correct wall accessories are being used.
Now that you're equipped with these 6 price and cost saving wall ideas you should be ready to start your project.
