What is a glazier? Well it’s not someone who works in a bakery glazing donuts. Simply put, a glazier is someone who sets glass but Capital Glass defines a glazier as a skilled tradesman responsible for cutting, installing, assembling, fitting and removing glass, mirror or variations thereof, including other materials used with glass such as lightweight metal. Through the glazing of frames, panels, sashes and doors, glaziers can install, repair or replace window walls and storefronts, automatic and revolving doors and enclosures for showers and tubs. At any time, a glazier could be driving vehicles to installation sites, loading, unloading and arranging material onto and from vehicles, or fabricating and installing framework. From clearing work space of furniture and covering floors to operating cranes and hoists, glaziers record measurements, follow blueprints, set molds, create patterns, grind and polish glass, set glass into frames and consult with clients.
This occupation offers a variety of work environments from a controlled indoor setting to an ever-changing weather pattern outside. It also takes just as much effort to succeed when working individually or operating with a team when employed by a wide range of companies and homeowners. Hours may vary depending on projects and deadlines but schedules are generally set for normal, full-time working patterns.
Typical skills required of glaziers include physical strength, coordination, knowledge of installation procedures and the ability to take measurements. Additional valued skills are proficiency with tools of the trade, creativity and problem-solving or troubleshooting abilities. Glaziers must be able to handle and move equipment, operate vehicles and machinery and communicate well with others. With an understanding that a tradesman has to be given the chance to gain experience in order to have it, further skills include loyalty, willingness and interest to learn the trade, ability to adapt from fabrication to residential and commercial installation, dependability, professionalism, self-awareness and a degree of respect and discipline. There is great potential to be trained from the start and be retained as a loyal tradesman.
While we may not be glazing donuts, the camaraderie built by working alongside our dedicated team allows us to enjoy them all the more.
