Specializations You Want To Know About Glaziers

We all know that a glazier is a person who works with all things related to glass, be it installation, repair, or replacement. But do we know what it takes to become a glazier? Do we know what is beyond installing and repairing in the glass industry? Let’s explore the same in this blog.

If you want to become a glazier, you need to complete an apprenticeship with a reputed glass and glazing firm. Once you obtain the experience you need to enroll in a master glazier, program, and become certified. Only after this you can apply for a construction induction card. This is a must-have document to start working on any construction site.

Different specializations of a Glazier:

• Glass Beveling: Glass beveling is a specialized art of a glazier, sometimes known as the key part of a master glazier. Bevel is an angular surface cut and is usually done along the periphery. Glazier achieves this by using grinding and polishing the surface. Due to a level difference, you will get diffraction. This highlights the glass as a whole unit. You will find beveled glass in top rows in museums and churches having glass window structures.

• Glass Embossing: Glass embossing takes the capability of craftsman to another level. This technique is also known as glass etching and was developed in the 18^th century. Glazier mostly uses abrasive substances like acid to emboss the art form on the surface of the glass. Sandblasting is another technique used in embossing to create a frosted look. Besides, coloured glass patterns are also created using this technique.

• Glass Silvering: As a proficient glazier, you also need to develop the skill of glass silvering. It is the process where you apply a reflective substance like silver ammonia to a layer of glass so that it attains mirror capability. There are many types of silvering available based on their usage. Mirror making uses glass on a convener belt where silver is deposited on the glass layer. If you are a glazier working in the medical or optical industry, you will be working in a very controlled environment using vacuum techniques to define and design reflectivity.

• Security Glazing: This is a technique to safeguard glass to make it stronger so that it doesn’t break easily. Even if it’s broken, it will create a spider web structure and will be able to hold itself in the window frame. A thin film of plastic is added between two glass surfaces, which ensure that glass surfaces stuck together and didn’t break open.

• Safety Glazing: This technique is similar to security glazing but differs in terms of the protection it offers.  Glaziers, during the process of manufacturing, introduces laminated films which can uphold thick glasses together while having clear visibility but can uphold themselves to strong winds and rains.

• Glass Calming:  Glass calming is a technology where glazier combines glass, metal, and sometimes wood to carve out uniquely beautiful yet very practically safe options for your door and windows. This is usually a three-layered structure where the metal design of brass or wrought iron is sandwiched between two pieces of safety glasses.

• Glass Engraving: This is by far most artistic glazier capability. This is done mainly using hand tools and is considered more of a decorative art than commercial. You will find images, logos being engraved using diamond burrs.

Conclusion: You must have now realized looking at the list above that there are so many different specialities of glaziers. If you also want to become a glazier, then mastering these skills will prove beneficial. Many companies and construction industries are hiring such proficient glaziers.