mineral / Glass / Glass Assembly

Glass Block, various thicknesses (80mm, 100mm)

Hollow or solid glass masonry units providing light transmission, thermal insulation, and privacy. Available in 80mm and 100mm thicknesses with various patterns and finishes for architectural applications.

Atlas code
MIN-GLA-ASY-004
mineralglassmasonryfire-ratedacousticprivacylight-diffusing
Glass Block, various thicknesses (80mm, 100mm)
At-a-glance signals

Hollow or solid glass masonry units providing light transmission, thermal insulation, and privacy. Available in 80mm and 100mm thicknesses with various patterns and finishes for architectural applications.

Overview
Executive summary

Glass blocks are architectural masonry units manufactured from pressed soda-lime glass, featuring hollow or solid construction. Standard dimensions are 190mm x 190mm with thicknesses of 80mm or 100mm. These units provide natural light diffusion whilst maintaining privacy, offering excellent fire resistance, acoustic insulation, and security. Commonly used in commercial, residential, and industrial applications throughout Australia.

Best when…
  • Excellent light transmission whilst maintaining privacy
  • High compressive strength (40-60 MPa installed)
  • Fire ratings available up to FRL -/120/120
  • Good thermal insulation (U-value 2.5-3.0 W/m²K)
  • Sound reduction (STC 35-40)
  • Zero VOC emissions - chemically inert
  • Maintenance-free surface
  • Resistant to UV, moisture, and chemicals
  • 100% recyclable material
  • 50+ year service life
  • BAL-FZ compliant options available
  • Vandal and impact resistant
Top advantages
  1. 01 Excellent light transmission whilst maintaining privacy
  2. 02 High compressive strength (40-60 MPa installed)
  3. 03 Fire ratings available up to FRL -/120/120
  4. 04 Good thermal insulation (U-value 2.5-3.0 W/m²K)
  5. 05 Sound reduction (STC 35-40)
Top limitations
  1. 01 Cannot be cut on site - requires precise planning
  2. 02 Non-load bearing above openings
  3. 03 Higher installation cost than standard glazing
  4. 04 Limited to modular dimensions
  5. 05 Requires expansion joints in large panels
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
2500 kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.5
Porosity
0 %
Water absorption
0 %
Hardness
6.5 Mohs
UV resistance
5 rating
Chemical resistance
5 rating
pH tolerance
1 – 14 pH
Surface roughness
0.5 μm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
7 MPa
Compressive strength
1000 MPa
Flexural strength
40 MPa
Shear strength
20 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.22
Impact resistance
3 rating
Creep resistance
5 rating
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
1240 kgCO₂e/tonne
Carbon footprint
85 kgCO₂e/m²
Embodied energy
15 MJ/kg
Water footprint
15 L/kg
Recycled content
20 – 30 %
Renewable content
0 %
Circular score
8 /10
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
Combustibility class
Non-combustible
Fire resistance level
60 minutes
Ignition temp
null °C
Flame spread index
0 FSI
Smoke dev. index
0 SDI
Heat release rate
0 kW/m²
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
8 – 25 AUD/block
Material cost (per unit)
200 AUD/m²
Lead time
1 – 4 weeks
Lifecycle cost
400 AUD/m²
Annual maintenance
5 AUD/m²
Market availability
4 rating
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
50 years
Maintenance interval
12 months
Warranty period
10 years
Layer D

Where it's used

Privacy screens and partitions
Bathroom and shower walls
External façade features
Natural light diffusion panels
Fire-rated separations
Pool fencing and barriers
Commercial shopfronts
Stairwell enclosures
Basement windows
Decorative architectural features
Security glazing applications
Industrial clerestory windows
MIN-GLA-ASY-004 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.