The glazier's working day

No day as a glazier is quite the same. One day you measure up for a large glass facade the next you replace a broken pane for a private customer. What all have in common is that precision and safety are crucial — glass is neither stretchable nor excusable.

Almost all glass is cut or ordered to measure. If you measure wrong, the pane will not fit, and glass is expensive to remake. That's why you always measure carefully – and preferably several times – before you order or cut.

• 01Measure both width and height several places — frames are rarely completely square.
• 02Note which way the pane faces if it is asymmetrical.
• 03Deduct the necessary clearance so the window pane can be installed.
• 04Write clearly down and take a photo of the order if you like.

When the glass is in place, it must be installed so it sits fast, is watertight, and isn't trapped. Glass must not rest directly against hard material—so shims and sealant are used, which both hold and give some flexibility.

Much of the work is helping customers quickly when something is broken. A broken shop window must be closed the same day, and a leaky insulated glass unit must be replaced. Here it is important to be able to assess the situation, secure the site and find the right solution.

Regardless of the task, customer contact is part of the trade. You explain what it takes, what it costs, and when it will be done. A glazier customers trust will get the work again.