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Glaziers cut, shape, install, repair and decorate glass
and glass fixtures in homes and other buildings. They measure and assess the
area requiring the glass, cut or trim the glass and fix it into place.
 Glaziers
measure, cut, finish, fit and install flat glass and mirrors.
Glaziers may also treat glass by smoothing its edges and
applying treatments, films or decorative solutions. They may work on houses
and other small buildings and fit glass panels themselves, or they may fit
heavy glass windows to skyscrapers or other large buildings, as part of a
team.
Glass and glazing tradespersons cut, shape and install
glass used in windows, doors and mirrors. They may
also prepare and install glass used for structural purposes in residential,
commercial and high-rise buildings.
The work falls into three areas: cutting the glass, bevelling or smoothing
edges, and fitting or glazing glass into prepared openings.
Glaziers also repair and maintain broken windows and glass
fittings. Glaziers install windows, skylights, and other
glass products in houses, storefronts and commercial buildings.
ANZSCO ID: 3331
Alternative names:
Glass Installer, Glass and Glazing Tradesperson
Specialisations:
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Flat Glass
Tradesperson - measures, cuts, finishes, fits and installs
glass in windows, doors, walls, mirrors, display cabinets and other
furniture.
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Furniture/Millworking Tradesperson - installs glass during
assembly in prefabricated wood and metal products such as doors, window
sashes, partitions and cabinets.
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Glass Beveller -
applies decorative or protective-edge treatment to glass. They bevel
(smooth) edges of mirrors or other flat glass items using grinding
wheels or abrasive belts. Other treatment may include drilling holes,
end-notching, cut outs and finger slots.
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Glass Cutter -
cuts glass sheets by hand or machine to obtain sections of pre-described
dimensions, either square or shaped, and removes blemishes.
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Glass Embosser -
engraves designs in glass by grinding, sandblasting or using acid. After
the design has been made, the operator removes the residue, protective
tapes and coatings, and cleans the glass.
-
Glass Silverer -
selects the polish and scrubs glass for mirror making. A silvering
solution is then sprayed over the surface and allowed to drain off. The
mirrors are then washed, dried and coated to protect the silvering from
moisture.
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Glazier/Structural Glass Tradesperson - installs glass into
prepared openings such as windows, doors, skylights and display units,
or fits glass to prepared surfaces such as interior walls. This can be
done in a factory environment if fitting glass into prefabricated
products, or on site in the case of new construction or repair.
-
Leadlight Worker
- designs and constructs stained-glass windows, doors, partitions and
decorative works of art in a variety of buildings. The glass is fitted
together with strips of lead, using putty to hold the glass.
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Glass Etcher and Engraver
- Etch or cut artistic designs in glass articles, using acid solutions,
sandblasting equipment, and design patterns. Glass engravers engrave
lettering and ornamental designs onto glass articles, using engravers
hand tools. They sketch and lay out the lettering and designs on the
article, cut the design in the article and finish it.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A glazier needs:
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practical and manual skills
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the ability to undertake detailed and intricate work
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physical fitness and stamina
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good coordination and balance
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the ability to make calculations and take
measurements.
Duties and Tasks
As a glazier, you would:
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select the correct glass for the job, for example
safety glass to go in a shop front or security glass for a bank
-
measure the space to determine the size of the glass
required
-
remove old or broken panes, using tools like suction
pads (for larger pieces), chisels or pliers
-
remove beading or putty from frames
-
fit new glass and make the fitting watertight using
sealants, rubber strips, or flashing
-
install metal frames into which glass panels are
fitted, such as for shower screens and sliding doors
-
inscribe decorative edges on glass and mirrors
-
interpret drawings and plans or measure the space to
determine the amount of glass required
-
lay sheets of glass onto glass cutting tables and
score (mark) the surface of the glass using a variety of glasscutters
-
remove excess glass with
notched tools or glass pliers
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cut, drill and notch holes in glass with
diamond-tipped cutters and drills
-
remove broken glass and
mirrors and prepare surfaces for reglazing
-
smooth and polish edges on a grinding or bevelling
wheel
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fit the glass using putty, chemical compounds or
rubber strips into timber, steel and aluminium frames
-
assemble and secure parts of pre-made glass units,
such as shop fittings, display cases and shower enclosures
-
install metal window and door frames into which glass
panels are fitted, such as for shower screens and sliding doors
-
fabricate aluminium for domestic and commercial
applications, and fit and install on site
-
inscribe decorative edges on glass and mirrors
-
create drawings using computer-aided design systems
-
read diagrams, drawings or specifications to determine
job requirements
You would normally use made-to-measure glass panes that
have been cut to size in a workshop beforehand. You may need to make some
small adjustments to shape pieces on site using diamond- or wheel-cutting
tools.
As well as fitting glass, you could also be involved in the manufacture of
glazed units, such as timber framed windows and doors.
Working conditions
Glaziers work in a variety of locations, from workshops
and factories to building and construction sites, and clients’ homes. They
generally work regular hours, however, overtime may be required.
Some glaziers may be required to be on call 24 hours a
day, in case of emergencies. Glaziers may work anywhere across the State,
installing anything from large glass panels in large scale office buildings
in inner-city locations, to windows in new homes, throughout the
metropolitan and regional areas.
Tools and technologies
Glaziers use a range of tools including glass cutting blades, gauges,
cutting oil, sealants and applicators, abrasives and lubricants, lifting and
mounting equipment and accessories such as tape, measuring equipment,
bevels, point drivers, pry bars, knives and scraping equipment.
They also use more generic hand tools such as hammers,
chisels, drills, screwdrivers and spirit levels. They may be required to
wear safety equipment such as gloves, goggles and work boots.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a glazier, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship A
glazier and glass processor apprenticeship takes 36 months to complete and
is available as a school-based apprenticeship.
Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training
and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC).
Apprenticeships
and traineeships
As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with
an employer. You spend most of your time working and learning practical
skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training
with a registered training provider of your choice. They will assess your
skills and when you are competent in all areas, you will be awarded a
nationally recognised qualification.
If you are still at school you can access an apprenticeship through your
school. You generally start your school based apprenticeship by attending
school three days a week, spending one day at a registered training
organisation and one day at work. Talk to your school's VET Co-ordinator to
start your training now through VET in Schools. If you get a full-time
apprenticeship you can apply to leave school before reaching the school
leaving age.
If you are no longer at school you can apply for an
apprenticeship or traineeship and get paid while you learn and work.
Did You Know... that Volcanoes Spew Glass?
Iceland, 21 May 2011, 5:30 p.m.: After seven years of lying
dormant, the Grimsvötn volcano erupted again, spewing ash more than
5 kilometers into the sky, and up to 19 kilometers high on the
following day, grounding air traffic within a radius of 200
kilometers. President Barack Obama cut short his state visit to
Ireland, and the FC Barcelona soccer players flew to the Champions’
League finals in London earlier than planned.
Scotland, 24 May 2011: Scientists at the independent James Hutton
Institute in Aberdeen used a ZEISS electron microscope to examine
ash particles from Grímsvötn, which had been scraped off of a car
windshield and ranged in size from 2 to 30 thousandths of a
millimeter. It turned out that the ash contained very fine particles
of volcanic glass. Is this glass comparable to manufactured glass?
In principle, yes.
Like most types of stone, volcanic ash and lava are composed mainly
of silicates. When the hot, liquid magma cools very fast or is
quenched with water, crystals are prevented from forming. When
Grimsvötn erupted, the glacier on the volcano provided the cooling,
during which a large part of the glacial ice evaporated, so that the
ash cloud consisted primarily of steam.
Synthetically manufactured glass primarily consists of
non-crystalline silicates as well. However, due to the different
composition and the manufacturing process, no quenching is
necessary. In extreme cases, the cooling process can take up to an
entire year. This is done with certain optical lenses for the
purpose of preventing stress effects and image distortion. The glass
spewed by volcanoes is thus generally unusable.
(Source:
Zeiss)
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