Al Carrell: A large wall-size window helped bring the outdoors into Leslie Siedel's garden style bathroom. She liked the look, but a gate was necessary for privacy. She decided a change to glass block windows might be an improvement. The process is fairly simple and you're going to be surprised at how fast it goes. In fact, Leslie's largest window can be removed and replaced with a glass block in just over an hour.

The first thing, of course, is to remove the existing window and this is done rather quickly with a utility knife and a pry bar. Once the window is out, it's fairly effortless to insert the preassembled grid into the hole. Of course, in this case, the tree in the opening added a little challenge. Once it's level we simply screw the frame in place. Now, they might look heavy, but the individual glass blocks are actually fairly lightweight. It takes about 15 minutes to wrap each and every block with a peel-and-stick insulating foam.

Man: The foam tape allows it to breathe and also provides a seal during the wintertime and the summer.

AC: Inserting the glass blocks has got to be the easiest step in the whole process. We just pop each block into place and it takes no time at all. Once all the blocks are in, a few taps with a rubber mallet insures each one is secure. The only thing left to do is apply weatherproof silicon caulk. The caulk will form a seal against air and moisture. Of course, it'll also lock each block in tightly. The glass blocks come in an assortment of colors and patterns, as do the preassembled grids. And if a block should ever become broken or chipped, it will only take about five minutes to cut it out and replace it. As you can see, this is a pretty easy do-it-yourself project. You just need some simple tools and the grid system and the glass blocks and you're in business. As a matter of fact, this big window right here only cost about $400 to replace. Now you can order your grid system from Acme Brick. They're the people that make that system.

I'm Super Handyman Al Carrell - About the House.