Glass Blocks - Yay or Nay?

[QuantumWeatherButterfly]

What do we think about them? I used to really love them, but I'm worried they might be a bit naff now. I need to decide, as we're thinking of putting some into a wall to let more light into a really dark internal stairwell/hallway. Probably in long lines, like the attached photo, though without the colour. Thoughts?

Well, I think it's safe to say that they're polarising!

Food for thought - thanks, all. Still not sure what we'll do, but lots of time to decide.

Carrie sadly no, a light tunnel won't work, the roof is 2 floors down and round a corner from the stairwell.

It's a shame, they're so useful but look awful Slot window it is.

I love them! Also like the coloured ones. The fact that they look like Fox's glacier mints is a plus, IMO.

I really like them, with the colour as well :-)

They remind me of Fox’s Glacier Mints (in a good way) too. We had them in the bungalow I lived in as a teenager (1980s) they’d been there since the bungalow was built in around 1966. I liked them! Still do.

I wouldn’t buy a house that has glass bricks. Very dated and a bit naff.

I think in a modernish house fine, Victorian terrace not so much!
Also they remind me of neighbours in the early 00 several of the Ramsey street houses featured them!

No! Terribly dated and they look bloody awful.

Nay. Really old fashioned

I despise them. I find something about them - I think that you can't see through them - really creepy

We have them between the porch and the hallway. In a 60s house which we modernised but kept some design details true to the original (parquet floor, original staircase). It works in that setting, but I appreciate they don't work everywhere. We've had many compliments about them.

Nay.

There was a time I liked them but they’re dated now I’m afraid.

We know someone who has them in a super modern, angular, architect designed house. They look great and not old fashioned at all.

I like the ones in your picture too. They offer a degree of privacy: you get the light, but you can only make out shapes through them rather than being completely on show like you would be with a single glass panel. Frosted glass would be super naff.

But would also echo pp's comment that they would look awful in something like a Victorian terrace!

How about a window over the door? My aunt had one ago to let light into a hallway with no windows and it worked wonders. The only issue was that it doesn't really work in bedrooms as the light from the hallway can be annoying.

Really naff, sorry!

How about a fully glazed door into the hallway and as others have said, a long internal window?

I'm seem to have missed lots of replies! Thanks for everyone's thoughts - strong feelings both ways.

The house is a new build, quite angular/boxy and we've styled everything to be very modern so far.

The fact that blocks are opaque are a bonus, because the room will occasionally accommodate overnight guests and we need to give privacy. The (double) doors themselves would have been fully glazed but frosted for this reason.

Note I saw 'would have been' - there's been much discussion on this over the past few days and we've decided clear glass in the doors to keep sight lines into the garden, ceiling recessed roller blind for when privacy is required, and - drum roll please! - no glass blocks. If glazed double doors don't let in enough light, nothing will! Just when I was coming round to the idea too