IBP Glass Block Grid System 
The Innovative Building Products (IBP) Glass Block Grid System™ combines a strong, lightweight aluminum frame with glass block and weatherproof sealant, to provide cost-effective glass block installation without mortar. Applications of the IBP Grid System are limited only by the imagination. Over thirty thousand successful installations worldwide include doors, store fronts, curtain walls, mosaics, shower enclosures, retail displays, signage, furniture, and sun spaces.Installation IBP grid assemblies are available in many standard sizes, and can be custom-manufactured to meet your specifications. Installers simply nail or screw the grid assembly into place. Glass block are then wrapped with insulating foam tape, inserted into the grid, and sealed. A frame can be assembled and installed either by professionals or by do-it-yourselfers. Durability The IBP Glass Block System, unlike mortar installations, allows both for building movement and for expansion/contraction of glass block and surrounding materials. The result is a glass block installation that retains its beauty and integrity over time. Appearance Gray mortar joints tend to limit the aesthetic appeal of traditional glass block installations. IBP assemblies replace the mortar look with a variety of grid colors which harmonize well with any building design. A wide array of Trimline glass block patterns and colors add further design choices. Versatility With the IBP grid system, it's easy to achieve a new effect simply by replacing existing glass block with a new pattern or color. Again, this replacement process takes only minutes and requires no special tools or labor. Design Assistance IBP offers free professional design services for all customers. Details are available on all IBP products in AutoCAD® Release 12 format. To inquire about this service, or to ask for any additional information on the IBP Glass Block Grid System, please call Acme Brick Company at 1-800-932-2263. Security The IBP Glass Block Grid System offers the same advantage as security bars, making it one of the most secure components of any building structure. Even if block are broken and removed, the grid system performs like burglar bars and impedes entry. Sound Transmission Traditional windows and skylights transmit more than light. They also transmit or possibly amplify sounds from raindrops, hailstones, traffic, and aircraft. When the IBP Glass Block Grid System is utilized, sounds are subdued and muted by the mass of the block. Light passes freely, but sound doesn't. Cost Because skilled labor is generally not required, an IBP grid system can cost less to install than traditional mortared glass block or glass pavers. Insulation The acceptable U-value standard, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), for a double-pane window is .69. The IBP Glass Block Grid System has a U-value of .49, more than 25 percent better than the accepted standard. Additionally, this system has an air and water infiltration rate of 0.00. Repair To replace a damaged block, a maintenance person simply cuts away the sealant, removes the block from the grid, inserts the new block, and reseals. Skilled labor and special tools are not required, and the repair process takes only a few minutes. To replace a damaged block in a mortar installation, a skilled mason must carefully chip out the mortar and replace the block. When the new mortar dries, it may or may not match the existing mortar. |