Pierre-Hughes Faulkner
Managing Partner, Vitrerie BV
What Is the Glazier’s Trade?
Have you ever been at a family party and had a nephew, niece or friend ask you the age-old question, “What do you do for a living?
As a glazier, the simplest answer is often: “I install glass.”
But in reality, our profession is far more complex and fascinating than this phrase suggests. We’re much more than glass fitters. We’re passionate experts who master every aspect of the material: from its chemical composition to its technical and aesthetic applications.
In this article, we take you behind the scenes of the glazier’s trade – a trade as transparent as the products we install!
What Does a Glazier Do?
The glazier’s trade involves installing, repairing and replacing various glass products (windows, display cases, partitions, shower doors, pool enclosures, mirrors, etc.) in residential, commercial and industrial environments. The work includes handling materials such as glass, mirrors, aluminum and other metals used in modern structures.
A Precision Craft
Every project is unique. You must know how to analyze what’s needed and take measurements down to the millimetre (because a small measurement error can create disasters). Imagine, one millimetre too much for a recessed shower door… oops, you have to go back to the cutting board quickly and deal with the customer’s dissatisfaction. Each installation must also be adapted to the characteristics of the space and the customer’s expectations. Some places are more surprising than you might think! We see it all. As Alex, one of our expert glaziers, puts it:What Business Sectors Does a Glazier Work In?
Glaziers operate in several sectors. The most common include:
Construction: installation of glass railings, glass doors, skylights and glazing in new buildings.
Home renovation: adding glass partitions between two rooms, creating custom mirrors, glass shelves, glass showers, glass railings and much more.
Commercial : creation and installation of commercial showcases, glass doors and glass protections, creation of custom cellars and many more.
Glass, according to our famous Wikipedia, was created over 100,000 years ago. That’s to say that its use is ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Glass is a super-resource that is increasingly used in all sectors of activity.
What Are the Main Tasks of a Glazier?
As with any resume, there’s always the “other related tasks” section. That’s our case, yes, but if we want to keep it simple, here are the 4 main tasks we perform regularly.
- Measuring and cutting glass:
Accurately calculate and cut glass to project specifications. - Fitting and installation:
Install partitions, showcases and other glass elements with care, ensuring safety and watertightness. - Repair and replacement:
Repairing cracks, replacing broken glass or modernizing existing installations. - Insulation and safety:
Install insulating glass to improve energy performance and safety glass (laminated or tempered) to protect occupants.
With a little more context, a typical day might look like this (this is a fictional case):
First, we grab our coffee or double espresso, stretch out and head off to our first customer: Monsieur Julien Poulin. Once at Julien’s, he serves us a cup of coffee (because we’re nice people), and we then get serious again by taking out our super-precise measuring kit! It’s time to calculate the new shower door with meticulous precision! This is perhaps one of the most important steps in any glass project. We confirm to the customer that everything is ready for cutting and that we’ll do the installation in a few days.
Next, we’re back on the road to our second customers, Robert and Mélanie, where we’ll spend most of the day fitting and installing railings along the staircases. This task is carried out in conjunction with other expert glaziers, to ensure safe and correct handling and installation of the glass. At every stage of installation, we make sure that everything is done with care while keeping the premises clean for Robert and Mélanie. After just a few hours, they were delighted with the final result! (check out our Google comments ;)).
In the afternoon, appointment with Ghislaine to repair her glass partition. Believe it or not, her young child drove his electric car into the glass because he thought a chimera was going to catch him. Repair done! Everyone’s happy.
Then it’s back to the factory to validate the custom glass cuts for the next day’s customers. We do our follow-ups, prepare quotes for new projects and close our computers to move on to our second passion!
What Makes a Good Glazier?
To excel in this profession, several qualities are essential. He (she) must be handsome, good-natured and kind! Joking aside, a glazier must be skillful, precise and familiar with safety standards. In addition:
Be precise and meticulous: every cut must be perfect. One millimetre too many can be damaging! Going back to the cutting board means high costs, delays and dissatisfaction for everyone.
Be in good physical condition: working with heavy glass panels requires strength and endurance. It’s heavy, heavy!
Manual dexterity: handling glass requires care and agility. It’s slippery and fragile and, unfortunately, there are no hidden handles in the glass to help us transport it easily.
Be a natural team player: collaboration is essential on construction sites. We do work with many different trades and contractors. When working as a team, projects are always more beautiful!
Resourcefulness: Every project brings its challenges. We deal with puzzles on a regular basis.
How Do You Become a Glazier in Quebec?
In Quebec, there are two main routes to glazier training.First,
You can take a specialized training. The DVS (Diploma of Vocational Studies) in Glaziery Assembly and Mechanics (1350 hours) teaches the basics and advanced techniques of the trade.
Alternatively,
You can learn on the job. Some glaziers develop their skills directly in the workplace, supervised by seasoned experts.
Note that a high school diploma (DES) is required to access these training courses.
Once a glazier has chosen his or her apprenticeship path, he or she can work independently or within a construction or renovation company.
If you need any further information, our glazing experts would be delighted to hear from you.
Testimonials From Glass Enthusiasts
At Vitrerie BV, every team member takes pride in contributing to unique projects and in bringing a touch of light and openness to our customers’ spaces. Here’s what some of our experts have to say:
Call on Experts You Can Trust!
Whether you’re looking for interior glass partitions, a custom cellar or glass showers, Vitrerie BV is there for you. Contact us today to discuss your needs and get a transparent quote!
Behind the Glass
Our vision
We are constantly striving for excellence and customer satisfaction: always listening to your needs, we establish a true partnership to offer you a fully customized product and service.
Our ambition is to revolutionize the field and become one of the key players in custom glazing in the Greater Montreal area, offering advice and services even more tailored to your needs.