Converting tub to shower - what to do about glass block wall?

Bathroom has a garden tub that I want to take out and replace with a shower. The problem is that there is a glass block window/halfwall at one end. With it of course is various pieces of trimwork that are fine in a tub environment but would be a disaster in a shower. I much prefer not having the window filled in and converted to a wall, as this would involve far too much work, what with the hardiplank exterior and the window being quite high off the ground. To make things more difficult, the builder thoughtfully positioned the window so that they could turn the interior sill into a conventiently placed shelf, which will be guaranteed to turn into a nice pool of water with a shower running. In addition, the window is not centered in relation to the shower and extends beyond what would become the shower wall.
My preliminary plan is to tie in to the glassblock by constructing a short floor to ceiling glass block wall at right angles to the existing window/wall. The problem is what to do about potential moisture problems because of all that trim work that has to come out. I'm thinking of replacing it with exterior grade manmade products (picture smooth finish Trex planking) but how can I make sure water runs off and absolutely cannot get behind it?

 

You didn't say whether you were going to tile the shower (preferred) or install a plastic shower unit. If you plan on tiling it, you could always frame up a wall from floor to ceiling, taking into consideration framing for the window. Cover the new wall, including the new window "ledge" with cbu and tile, tilted slightly, of course on the bottom for water run off. Not sure if this new wall would take up too much of the shower room area.

 

I think I see where you're going with that. I intend to put a seat at that end for the wife, so building out the wall a little could be worked into that. I had hoped to use panels of some sort because I don't have the patience for a proper tiling job and I really don't want to contract this out, but if that's what it takes...

 

No special degree needed for tiling . We can help you along, so if you decide to go with tile, let us know.