How Much Does It Cost to Install Glass Blocks in 2022?

Glass Block Prices by Material

Glass blocks can come in clear, colored, and even acrylic blocks in different styles. Colored glass block windows typically cost more than acrylic and clear glass block windows. Glass and acrylic block windows compare similarly in price, but glass block windows typically cost more to install. 

Glass Block

Glass block window prices are between $6 and $49 per block, with an average cost of $10 per block. Glass blocks usually come in packs of four, five, six, eight, or 10 and range in price from $50 to $180. End pieces typically cost the most. 

Colored Glass Block

Colored glass blocks start at around $20 per block and can reach upwards of $35 per block, depending on the individual color. You can find a six-pack of colored glass blocks for as low as $70 and up to $90 for a five-pack. Corner pieces often get sold individually and can range between $45 and $70 per block.

Acrylic Block

Acrylic block windows can cost between $200 and $1,000, with an average cost of $500. You can find prefabricated acrylic block windows in a variety of shapes. Acrylic block windows look like glass block windows but are made of injection-molded and heat-welded acrylic resin. Acrylic blocks weigh less than glass blocks and can be used as operational windows.

Glass Block or Tile Installation Cost by Location

How much do glass block windows cost? Where you decide to install a glass block will impact the cost because of the amount of glass block and material you’ll need to complete the project. A glass block typically gets installed as windows, walls, bar fronts, and pool and spa dividers. A small glass block window can cost less than installing a glass block wall in a shower or as a room partition. 

Windows

Glass block window installation costs typically range from $600 to $1,500 and average about $800. Prices will increase with the size of the window and the type of material used. Some homeowners will want an operational glass block window or glass block window with venting, which will add to the cost. New window installation costs typically range between $3,000 and $10,000.

Walls

Glass block wall costs between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the size and style of the glass block. Adding any colored glass block or styled glass will increase the cost, plus any type of design like a curve. Something simple like a hallway or accent wall can cost around $1,250.

Bar Fronts

Glass block bar fronts can cost around $1,000 for a basic design. A bigger or more elaborately designed glass block bar front can easily cost between $2,000 and $3,000. It must support the weight of the bar countertop, which requires additional diligence during installation. Homeowners also like to accentuate their bar fronts with lights or colored glass blocks, both of which will raise costs. 

Pool and Spa Dividers

A glass block pool and spa divider can cost around $1,000, installed. A glass block is one way to divide a spa from a pool while maintaining a clear look between the two areas. You can often use glass blocks to create a waterfall effect in a pool or separate an elevated spa and a pool. 

Glass Block Installation Cost by Style

Glass blocks come in several styles based on their look. The styles often add privacy so the glass isn’t completely transparent, but you can style a glass block to create texture and visual appeal. The price for styled glass blocks tends to increase with more elaborate designs.

Clear 

Basic clear glass blocks typically cost around $10 per block, though they can range as high as $12 per block. A clear glass block has no added design but remains the most commonly used type. They come in packs of 8-inch by 8-inch individual blocks, and packs can have as many as 10.

Wavy

Wavy glass blocks cost around $11 per block and provide privacy without having a cloudy look like a frosted pattern. Wavy glass works well in bathrooms or basements, as well as spaces where you want to allow natural light to enter while maintaining privacy.

Alpha

Alpha glass blocks cost between $8 and $16 per block, with an average price of $10. Alpha glass blocks have a circle design within the block, a more modern look, and remain mostly transparent, though the curve of the circle can distort images. Some homeowners like alpha glass blocks because they can bring a look of sophistication to a space.

Ice

Ice-style glass blocks cost between $8 and $10 per block, with an average cost of $9. They offer texture and privacy, making them popular for shower walls. Ice-style glass blocks also allow natural light to pass through while limiting visibility.

Diamond

Diamond glass blocks cost around $8 and $10 per block, with an average cost of $9. They offer texture and a unique look and can refract light differently for additional appeal. Diamond-styled glass blocks drastically limit visibility from the outside and can cast interesting shadows. 

Frosted 

Frosted glass blocks cost approximately $11 to $16 per block, with an average cost of $14. They provide the most privacy and can also limit direct sunlight in areas you want to protect items from fading in direct sunlight. 

Leathered

Leathered glass blocks cost around $10 to $20 per block, with an average cost of $15. They look similar to ice glass blocks but have more distinct lines. Leathered glass blocks have a softer finish than frosted glass and allow more light to pass through. However, leathered glass blocks can be difficult to find.

Glass Block Installation Cost by Size

Common glass block sizes include 29 by 29 inches, 23 1/4 by 46 1/2 inches, 31 1/2 by 15 1/2 inches, and 15 3/4 by 15 3/4 inches. Costs for glass and acrylic blocks vary based on their size and installation. Some common glass block sizes can start as low as $190 installed and rise as high as $780 for an acrylic block window.

Glass Block Installation Cost

Labor to install a glass block is around $45 per hour, and labor costs will vary based on the size of the project and its complexity. Larger projects can take a day or two and cost up to $1,500. If you want a prefabricated glass block installed, labor can cost around $200.

Glass Block Installation Cost Factors

Glass block installation costs vary due to several factors. Some common factors include the material used to install and set the glass block, the ease of installation, whether you’re installing new glass blocks or replacing old ones, and if you need ventilation. The size of the project will also impact your project's final cost. 

Installation Method

You can either install a glass block as a prefabricated block or install each one individually. In either case, you’ll need to use mortar to secure the wall, window, or blocks in place. You’ll also need spacers and reinforcing rods as you construct the wall. For some projects, you can use silicone instead of mortar, but mortar typically provides better protection in areas like showers because it does a better job of preventing moisture from penetrating. 

Ease of Installation

If you're installing a glass block window and can't use the existing frame because it's in poor condition or you want to expand the opening, you'll incur additional costs. Your glass block installation project can cost more if it's part of a bathroom remodel where you'll also remodel the shower. If you add a curve to a glass block wall, your costs will also increase.

New or Replacement

Window replacement costs range from $300 to $2,100 per window. Adding a new glass block window to a new opening will cost between $150 and $800. Adding a new window with concrete is more expensive than adding a window where you have to cut through wood framing for a rough opening. 

Installing a new glass block will cost more than a replacement project, depending on the scope of the replacement project. If you can use the existing window frame, it'll cost less than having to build or buy a new window frame. Window frame replacement costs range from $180 to $600.

Ventilation

If you need or want to add ventilation to a glass block window, it can cost around $50. You can purchase a hopper vent separately or a glass block window with a hopper vent. Hopper vents are often installed in basements and bathrooms to allow fresh air to circulate or vent a room.

Size of Project

The size of your glass block window project will impact the project's total cost. The larger the project, the more material you'll need. Materials aren't just the glass blocks but also the sealant, spacers, and mortar. An interior glass block wall will cost differently than a glass block window because one project might require a different material. 

Benefits of Glass Block Windows

Glass block windows have advantages in spaces like basements and bathrooms, allowing natural light in while preserving privacy. Glass block windows have an R-value of 1.96, which is higher than a single-pane window, which has an R-value of 1. The R-value measures the resistance of an insulating material to conductive heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more insulating the material. 

Keep in mind that double-pane windows cost between $150 and $6,500 per unit and outperform glass block windows. But glass block windows can provide excellent protection against any water infiltration, partly because they're almost waterproof when installed with mortar.

DIY vs. Hiring a Glass Block Installer

It's best to hire a glass block installer near you rather than try to complete the project on your own. Building a glass block or shower wall takes time, skill, and patience. It's especially important to hire a pro to install a glass block window because a poorly installed window can lead to moisture problems, which can turn into catastrophes if they're not caught early. Moisture can lead to mold. 

Cost to Install Glass Blocks Yourself

Depending on the project, installing glass blocks can cost around $200 to $1,000. The costs will range whether you're installing a glass block dividing wall, shower wall, or window or installing an acrylic block window. You'll need to purchase mortar, which can cost $10 to $40 for an 80-pound bag; a perimeter channel, which costs around $60; spacers, which cost around $20 a pack; and possibly silicone sealant.