yes

No, but it can be very contemporary. i like it, just make sure it is clear…some can have a yellowy cast.

I've been told it is dated....1980's

NO!

I love it and I have excellent taste!

I love glass block too.

My house is contemporary with rustic touches. We are looking to redo our master bath and thought clear glass block would keep contemporary look but I keep hearing mixes reviews. Some say its outdated and other say its not. What to do???

Well on this thread, with many Houzzers who are used to seeing all sorts of design frights, the majority are saying it is not outdated. (I'm with them).
The designers who used glass block here certainly make it look good.

Thank you all for your feedback. Glass block it is :)

I am ok with it in a bathroom... I think overuse of glass block is very early 90s, though - like putting it in the stairs, on the sides of the doors, everywhere in the house! But the first example using it for a shower area is ok.

It was invented in the 1920's and is included in the styles of the 20's, 50's 70's and 80's - I think it keeps coming back because it's cool and useful. If you like it I wouldn't hesitate.

glass block is cool. it's not dated.

I have to admit I'm more than a bit biased in this conversation (one of the divisions of my company provides nationwide wholesale and regional installations of glass blocks) - but there are many cool things you can do with glass blocks that I just don't see other materials capable of.

In the first application below you'll see using glass blocks that actually have glass tiles fused on them to create a light transmitting "window" for an area between kitchen cabinets and countertops (I don't know of another material that can do that).

In addition we now offer over 104 different colored and frosted blocks to add style to glass blocks that was not possible before (as well as etched glass blocks) (see an example below) - this project shows the use of different sized units some of which have been colored and frosted. The reality is this material does not have to be the "old style" block you might have known in the past.

If you want to check out something really cool there are also "glass block floors" to move light from one level of a home to another.

I'll include a few links below that will provide more examples of different glass block applications.


http://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/products/glass-block/colored-frosted-glass-blocks

http://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/photo-gallery/glass-block-products-gallery

http://innovatebuildingsolutions.com/products/glass-block/glass-block-floors-bridge-walkway

Love glass block and still have it in one of my bathrooms. Unfortunately, it is dated and very 1990s.

I know this is an old thread, but I just have to say that I think it is terribly dated and ugly. Unless your house was used for episodes of USA Network's Silk Stalkings, I say avoid.

AMN, agree glass block may be dated, but no one asked for your opinion whether you like it or not. There are some stunning photos above of different applications using glass block. It's all a matter of taste, which you obviously don't have.

Wow. Way to make it personal, zenhome. Cheers.

Glass block is only dated if you old.

Fortunately, I am young with exceptionally good taste.

I personally wouldn't install glass blocks today, but I did "like" Aja's comment because she does have good exceptionally good taste. I do not mind seeing installed glass blocks in some applications they can still looks "cool" in the right space. My neighbor gave me one glass block filled with white christmas lights and wrapped with large ribbon like a Christmas present. It's a cool nite light that looks like an ice cube present!

I love glass block..I think the way it is used makes the difference as to if it looks "dated" or not.

migran, could you post photos of the installed glass block?

It wouldn't work in my psuedo Tudor, but I also think it looks exceptionally contemporary, especially in some of the applications here.

I think the reason these threads get off track has to do more with how people give there opinion. If you simply say you personally don't like something, in a thread of full of people saying they have it and like it, you're fine. However when you come in and say you hate it, think it's awful in every application, SHOUT that it's bad taste, or....ummm, elude that your house will look like porno light is being filmed there, well, you hurt feelings. One can give there opinion of something without saying that anyone who does "X" has bad taste.

I love glass block in bathrooms and use it all the time !!! It is timeless in my opinion.

Stunning photos Riddle Construction!!!

Lol Aja, anyone over 27 is old to you!!!!!

To my design eye glass block is a dated solution to most design problems. That said, there are some photos above (most notably from ASV Interiors) that are stunning. If you haven't already jumped on the block, I would consider templated glass panels.

Thanks ! Tempered glass panels are all well and good, use them on our projects, however if you want to do a curved wall they are VERY expensive. I have yet to find a solution for a curved glass wall that is as reasonably priced as glass block.

zenhome,

Age is only a number, but youth is a state of mind!!

I agree 100% on your comment above Aja! Your previous comment however had nothing to do with youth being a state of mind. Perhaps you will be less ambiguous as you mature, or reach 25 years of age, lol!

Aja.... that's what all young people say........wait till you get there. Your mind may say it's just a number and it's all about the state of mind thing, but your body will be saying you want state.... I'll give you state.....:)

Silk Stalkings is so not porno light. It is a 90s cop show, FYI.

And some people's aesthetic might actually be Silk Stalkings. I am sure my husband would be pretty happy to live in a place that looked like Miami Vice was filmed there.

I never plan to look or act my age, and I may get some glass block installed.

I actually have to agree with Lux Construction that glass blocks at first "glance" immediately look dated to me. But, can still look good. Bottom line, if YOU love glass blocks, use them. It's your house.

Everything depends on the context. Glass blocks, subway tile, porno, stockings, whatever. BTW, I had a friend who was in Silk Stalkings - bit part, but still fun.

The way it is used in these rooms looks good to me & DANG sorry pics too small again!

Hope this one is larger- Love the way it's used in the livingroom pic

Great pics Jayme!

@zenhome...thanks but I have problems with pics being too small...:(

I like glass block, installed properly, clear and chosen because it complements the rest of the room. And I am OLLD.

May I never install a glass shower door again.

Glass blocks will always have a place in my design heart. But because of the cost and installation and mortar issues I would go with tempered low iron glass that can be customized with finishes for privacy..ie transparency or opaqueness without the mortar. Cheers

Well, count me chagrined. A misguided 90's TV allusion and pronoun case issues all in one post. #shamefaced...

My best friend's house is Glass Block Paradise. They are everywhere - front door, stairs, side of the house, bathrooms, as skylights. He also has a fair amount of chrome and black leather couches.

From now on, I'll describe his aesthetic as Silk Stalkings forever.

Building 2 homes now and 1 major remodel, all have glass block. One customer is 65 the others are early thirties.