Glass Tavern Block question?

Question

Is that the name for them? The square glass blocks that some use in construction.
I would be interested in replacing part of a wall with them for a greenhouse effect in my unused bedroom. I know they are warm in the summer but how are they in the winter?
Is it possible to replace part of a load bearing wall with them?

I am guessing it has a higher R value than red brick?

Answer 1

It depends on how your wall is built, what sections you plan on taking out, and how you plan to rebuild parts of the wall.
But yes it can be done. I have glass block in my bathroom and it is a load bearing wall. If you had pictures of your wall stripped I could tell you how to do it. Think of it this way..it is not really different than putting in a window. It is just smaller pieces of glass as opposed to one big one.

Answer 2

No to the name and loads but yes on insulation.

They are typically called glass blocks. They are made from thick glass sealed into a block with a hollow at the center for insulating value. They have a variety of glass patterns to add privacy by distorting the see-through.

Just like any insulation they keep in the heat in winter and keep out the heat in summer. However they can not replace part of a load bearing wall. Treat them as windows with lintels above them to support the load above them. They are also good as a non breakable window since even a pickax would not make much of a dent in getting through them.