Precast wall panels offer many benefits:

• Uniformity of joints
• Modular dry fix panels
• Ease and speed of installation
• Standard size panels
• The advantages of quality control

Wall panels cannot be used for horizontal applications like roof lights. Glass Block Technology do have a range of precast floor pavers/roof lights, see floor panels.

Glass Block Technology Precast concrete WALL panels are produced using a pure white Mortar AND DESIGNED FOR EXTERNAL USE.

Standard or connecting panels can be produced and 80mm thick block panels can be clamped in place by using the GBT aluminium U channel clamp & weatherproof gasket system. Connecting joints are spaced by using Rods and Mortar spacers, stainless steel crosses are bedded within Colmef Vetromix mortar.

Precast concrete joints are generally 10mm with 35mm borders. Joints can be decreased to as little as 6mm or increased to 15-20mm whilst still maintaining aesthetical appeal. Borders can be altered also, this flexibility combined with mixing different block sizes means virtually any panel size can be achieved to suit new build or refurbishment projects. Precast concrete panels can also be secured in place using L sections, often the choice for fire rated or 100mm thick block panels.

The U Channel (as in Precast Easifix) is powdercoated aluminium and is delivered cut to size to suit the panel. The channel is supplied including necessary expansion fibre - bitumen to base and foam to head and jambs. Precast concrete panels used in external applications should be fitted with the cover plate bolted from inside the building. The weatherseal gasket slots over the first L section and the cover plate. This, when clamped together, creates a watertight seal, similarly to gaskets used in double glazed units.

The U channel clamp should be made watertight by a silicon bead between the U channel and perimeter opening. Working from inside the building is advised as this will ensure the retaining cover plate screws are located within the building.

Notes relating to all types of precast wall panels

Even though the glass block panels are precast concrete, the golden rules of glass block installation still apply. For example:

• Glass Blocks are not load bearing, a lintel should be incorporated
• Expansion fibre should be incorporated. See precast wall panel Datasheets below
• Glass block panels need to be weather proofed

Take the sections of the base channel and screw fix to form frame. Screw fix to opening at 600mm centres using packers to avoid distortion.	Mitre cut the weatherseal gasket and fix to channel.	Fix black expansion joint on base. Place panel within the channel frame. (Fix white expansion material around the perimeter if not pre-fixed.)	Temporarily support the panels in place using retaining cover plate pieces supplied.
To connect panels together, between each interconnecting panel, use 10mm spacers, place a bed of matching mortar on top of the panel and insert the stainless steel cross bars.	Place next panel on top, strike back joint and clean off. Allow mortar to set before twisting end of spacer peg and grouting connecting joint.	Remove remaining clamps from one side at a time. Insert weatherseal gasket over retaining cover plate then fix in place. (The maximum torque setting on a standard cordless drill should be 2).	Silicone seal between external face of aluminium U channel and perimeter opening. Decorate internal.

Datasheets available - click to download

	Click to download the Precast Brochure Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader
	Download tips: You can view a full list of downloads in the Glass Block Technology Downloads Section.