c/glaziers

I once brushed off safety meetings until a veteran glazier shared his close call.

A five-minute talk can stop a lifetime of regret, in my experience.

Hot take: Thin gloves or heavy ones for handling sheet glass

On a site, I watched one glazier work fast with thin gloves for better touch. Another crew only uses thick, padded ones to avoid any hand harm. I learned that a light hold can stop stress cracks in big panels. Which method do you guys think is right?

Noticed our local school adding safety film to every window last week.

They told me it was for extra protection against breakage and UV rays. It got me wondering if schools everywhere are doing this now. What's your take on safety film becoming more common in jobs?

Noticed a big problem with how we toss laminated glass

The plastic middle layer doesn't recycle well and ends up in landfills. Let's start stripping it to cut down on waste.

My back started yelling at me after a big storefront job

Spent all yesterday hauling those heavy glass panels into place and now I can barely stand up straight. Made an appointment with my chiropractor, but I know I need to work on my lifting form. What do you guys do to keep your back from giving out?

An old storefront window moaned when the wind blew. Took me a minute to realize it was just a loose seal needing some fresh putty.

Rant: Sealant guns are losing us detail on custom pieces

I see tons of crews using those pump guns for all their sealing now. In my view, that tools fine for long straight runs, but it kills the feel for detailed trim. On a recent stained glass repair, the gun laid down a blob that covered the lead lines. When I use a knife and my fingers, I can keep the seal thin and precise. Yeah, it means I go slower than the other guys. They laugh and say I'm stuck in the past. But my pieces don't get that messy overflow that you have to clean up later. For me, the hands-on way just leads to a cleaner install every time.

Just finished the glass wall for the new gym in my town.

Getting the tempered panels to line up perfectly was a real challenge.

PSA: My level was off. Glass now sits even.

No more skipping edge cleaning before sealing.

Honestly, it helps the sealant stick better.

Vent: Tempered glass just exploded in a quiet room

Finished setting up a storefront window. Walked away for five minutes. Heard a crash like a car backfired. The whole pane was in tiny cubes on the floor. No one was even in the building. What causes that?

Vent: My mark beats a laser guide every time

I mean, lasers are fine, but after twenty years, my mark is just as good. Maybe it's just me, but I feel more in tune with the glass this way.

DAE feel awesome after a customer's kid said your glass art was cool?

I was installing a decorative glass panel in a cafe, and this little girl pointed at it with a big smile. Her mom told me she wants to be a glazier now, which totally made my day. Do you ever get surprised by who notices your work?