Glass Block exterior Windows

We are having the kitchen (and eventually) the Master bath (where I also dream of glass block on the same wall) reno'd. I would like to use a non-opening Glass Block window (approximately 3 blocks high by 8 blocks long - assuming about 8"blocks) within the back splash in one section of the kitchen, however it would be going into a north-west facing exterior wall.

Looking at the Pittsburgh Corning site for glass block windows - the R value of these is depressingly low (about 1.97). Given that the weather up here in Ontario can get cold, (and no I don't want to wait for global warming...) does anyone know of a glass block manufacturer that gives them (or a window) a Low E coating with Argon between the panels, thus making them have at least the R factor of other windows in the house.

TIA
Barb

 

I checked around and didn't find any manufacturers that make the kind you asked for. They all claim that their glass blocks are more efficient than windows because they don't open.

 

Thanks resercon for the reponse. There doesn't appear to be any relief from low R values, so following what both my husband and our contractor have said, I guess I'll have to give up on my grand design idea in favour of practicality and energy effieciency.......

 

The area for the glass blocks is about 12 sq. ft. When we talk about heat loss in structures, surface area plays a major role. When it comes to "R" values it works this way, a R-19 is 1/19th of a BTU loss, through per sq. inch, per hour. A R-1 would be 1 BTU and a R-2 would be 1/2 BTU and R-3 would be 1/3 BTU and so on. As you can see the higher the R value the greater the savings, however, the lowest R values have the greatest savings.

If we compare the heat loss with glass block wall to an insulated wall it is great until we consider the surface area (12sq.ft) which is not that great. Also if we consider the natural light the glass blocks will provide and the energy savings from not requiring lighting all the time in that area, it clearly out weighs the insignificant heat loss from the glass blocks. Therefore, I would recommend having the glass blocks installed.

I am an Energy Conservationist, if your husband or contractor needs proof of that, you can to go Residential Energy Conservation which is my website. At the bottom of the page on the left you'll see a small blue box that says "Energy Information Administration Links" click on it and it will bring you to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Energy Information Administration webpage for Energy Savers. You'll find that my site is the only independant listed.

 

To give you some basis for comparison, a 1.97 R value is very close to the same R value you would get from a vinyl picture window with clear insulating glass. The same window with high performance glass and argon would give you an R value of 3.22.
Windows just aren't very energy efficient when compared with other building materials.