An expert glazier’s guide to avoiding costly mistakes
A custom glass project is often one of the final steps in a construction or renovation. It’s also one of the most visible. A glass shower, a glass partition, a staircase railing, or a guardrail quickly becomes a central design element. So, last but certainly not least!
At Vitrerie BV, we complete hundreds of residential and commercial projects every year across the Greater Montreal area. With experience, we see certain mistakes come up constantly.
In this article, our experts present the 6 most frequent mistakes… and most importantly, how to avoid them.
In Summary
If you’re planning a custom glass project, here are the biggest mistakes to avoid:
- Relying solely on magazine or Pinterest photos.
- Neglecting glass maintenance post-installation.
- Wanting to go too fast during the work.
- Choosing only the lowest quote.
- Hiring a contractor without checking their reputation and certifications.
- Not validating all the details before glass fabrication.
These few checks can save you thousands of dollars in fixes and ensure a durable project for many years.
Why Are These Mistakes So Common?
Unlike other finishing materials, glass is custom-made.
Once a piece is produced and tempered, it is virtually impossible to modify it. Every measurement, every door opening, every hardware colour, and every detail must therefore be validated prior to manufacturing.
It is also a field where technical details are often invisible to the customer. An installation may look perfect on delivery day… but reveal problems months or years later if certain steps were neglected.
That’s exactly where the experience of an expert glazier makes all the difference.
If you want to better understand the role of a professional in this field, check out our article on What is the Glazier’s Trade.
Mistake #1: Believing That Magazine Photos Always Represent Reality
Pinterest, Instagram, and home decor magazines like LaPiece or Canape are full of magnificent ideas. And we spend hours scrolling, flipping through, and cutting them out for our vision boards (for the creative ones among us).
The problem?
Some of these projects are stunning… but much less practical in real life.
Let’s look at a very common example.
Many customers want a completely sleek walk-in shower with a fixed panel held only by small glass clips, with no floor track. Visually, the result is superb.
Technically, however, this design requires drilling directly into the floor to secure the attachments. In the long run, this can compromise the waterproofing if the installation or maintenance of the silicone joints isn’t executed perfectly.
In other words, a picture-perfect Instagram shower isn’t necessarily the best solution for your bathroom.
A good expert glazier will always take the time to explain the pros and cons of each design before manufacturing your glass.
Our advice
Inspiration is a great starting point for a project.
But before replicating a photo found online, always ask your glazier:
- Is this design suitable for my bathroom?
- Is it durable?
- What are the compromises?
- Is there a better-performing alternative?
You’ll often end up with a much better solution than the one in the magazine.
Mistake #2: Forgetting That Glass Requires Maintenance
Many homeowners think that once the shower is installed, the job is done. And when we say many, it’s very true.
In reality, a glass installation requires a minimum of maintenance to preserve its appearance and watertightness.
The most common mistake? Never explaining to the customer how to maintain their installation.
Silicone joints, for example, are essential to a shower’s waterproofing. Over the years, they age naturally. If cleaning is inadequate or if no preventive maintenance is done, the silicone can eventually peel off. Water then slowly begins to seep in. Homeowners often don’t notice anything at first…
Then a few months later, the following appear:
- leaks
- mold
- floor damage
- repairs that are far more costly than simple maintenance
That’s why a good contractor never hands over a project without explaining best maintenance practices.
Mistake #3: Wanting to Rush the Process
Our expert likes to call this…
“The microwave era.”
Today, everyone wants their project finished as quickly as possible.
But in construction, going too fast often costs more.
A glass installation is generally one of the very last steps on a job site.
Before the expert glazier arrives, several tradespeople must have finished their work:
- the carpenter
- the tiler
- the flooring installer
- the painter
- sometimes even the plumber
When all these steps are not completely finished, it becomes impossible to take precise final measurements.
And tempered glass is manufactured exactly to those measurements.
If a wall moves by a few millimetres after the measurements are taken…
It is often too late.
The glass may sometimes have to be completely remade.
Trying to speed up the work can also push some contractors to:
- use available materials rather than the best ones
- cut corners on important steps
- deliver a less meticulous finish
- work under pressure, which increases the risk of error
In the end, a few days saved can easily turn into several weeks of corrections.
Our advice
Let each trade finish its work before taking final measurements.
A well-planned project will almost always be faster… than a project that has to be redone.
Mistake #4: Choosing Only the Lowest Quote
Everyone wants to stick to their budget. That’s normal.
But when it comes to custom glazing, the cheapest quote is rarely the best deal.
We see it regularly in the industry. Two quotes might look comparable… until you look at the details.
A contractor might lower their price by using:
- lower-quality hardware
- materials not designed to withstand outdoor conditions
- less time for installation
- less durable products
- or simply a much less detailed quote
The problem is that these savings only become apparent several months after installation.
Not All Materials Are Created Equal
Take an exterior glass railing, for example.
The hardware is constantly exposed:
- to rain
- to snow
- to salt
- to freeze-thaw cycles
If a contractor uses zinc screws or indoor-rated hardware instead of stainless steel, corrosion can appear very quickly.
At first, it’s just a little rust. A few years later, several components may need to be replaced.
What seemed like savings initially ends up being a much larger expense.
A Good Quote Explains What Is Included
It’s simple, a good quote must be transparent.
The customer needs to understand:
- the type of glass proposed
- the hardware used
- the lead times
- the exclusions
- the warranties
- the various available options
A detailed quote greatly reduces unpleasant surprises.
As our team often says: The devil is in the details.
Before comparing prices, always compare what is actually included.
Mistake #5: Not Checking the Contractor’s Reputation
Word of mouth remains one of the best ways to find a good glazier.
But today, there are several other ways to validate a company’s professionalism.
Unfortunately, many customers make their decision based solely on price.
This is often a mistake.
A Few Simple Checks to Make
Before signing a contract, take a few minutes to check:
- Does the company have a valid RBQ license?
- Are they fully insured?
- Can they provide proof of liability insurance?
- Do the employees work according to industry standards?
- Does the company comply with CCQ requirements when applicable?
- Are their Google reviews numerous and recent?
- Are their showcased projects varied?
- How many years has the company been in business?
For commercial projects, some companies even request a Revenu Québec certificate to confirm that the contractor meets their tax obligations.
This practice isn’t widely known by the general public, but it clearly shows the level of seriousness that some project owners are looking for.
Photos Often Speak Louder Than Words
A company can display one gorgeous photo on its website.
But is that their only project?
A solid portfolio should feature a wide variety of work:
- glass showers
- glass partitions
- guardrails
- railings
- mirrors
- wine cellars
- residential projects
- commercial projects
The more projects a company shows, the easier it is to evaluate their experience.
You’ll discover the criteria that set a true specialist apart from a simple installer.
Mistake #6: Not Validating All Details Before Fabrication
his is probably the most underestimated mistake…
…and yet one of the most expensive.
Tempered glass is custom-made. Once produced, it is virtually impossible to alter. That’s why final validation is an essential step. At Vitrerie BV, once the official measurements are taken, we systematically send a confirmation document to the customer prior to fabrication.
Why? Because it is much easier to correct a detail on a plan than to completely remake a pane of glass.
Elements to Confirm
Every project should be validated point by point.
For example:
- the type of glass
- the colour of the glass
- the level of transparency
- the edge finish
- the hardware colour
- the handle style
- the final design
- the door's opening direction
- the hinge placement
- the final dimensions
That may sound like a lot of details…
But each of them influences the final result.
A door that opens the wrong way or matte black hardware ordered when the whole bathroom is in chrome quickly turn into expensive mistakes.
A Step That Prevents A Lot of Headaches
This validation protects both the client and the contractor.
Everything is crystal clear before fabrication.
Everyone is working with the same information.
And most importantly…
The project matches expectations perfectly.
Before Signing Your Contract: The Expert Glaziers’ Checklist
Before choosing your glazier, ask yourself these few questions.
- Is the quote detailed?
- Have I seen several projects similar to mine?
- Are there plenty of customer reviews?
- Does the company have the necessary licenses?
- Are they using materials suited to my project?
- Do they explain the pros and cons of each option to me?
- Will I receive a maintenance guide?
- Will a final validation be done before manufacturing?
If you answer “yes” to all these questions, you significantly reduce the risk of errors.
Why Trust an Expert Glazier?
Installing custom glass isn’t just about taking measurements and putting up a glass panel.
A true expert glazier guides you from the very first steps of the project to help you make the right choices.
This includes:
- understanding your needs
- proposing the right design for your space
- recommending materials suited to the environment
- anticipating technical constraints
- ensuring an installation that complies with standards
- offering post-installation follow-up
This expertise helps you avoid the majority of the mistakes outlined in this article.
If you’d like to see the work done by our specialists, we invite you to read our article What Is the Glazier’s Trade?, where we explain everything that goes into a high-quality installation.
Our Tips to Properly Prepare for Your Project
Even before requesting a quote, a few minutes of preparation can make all the difference.
We always recommend preparing:
- a few inspiration photos
- photos of your current space
- approximate dimensions
- your style preferences
- your timeline
The clearer your project is from the start, the more your glazier can propose a solution adapted to your reality… rather than just replicating an internet photo.
Hesitating between several types of glass? Check out our Guide to Glass Types by Project. You’ll find the different options available whether it’s for a shower, a railing, an office partition, or a guardrail.
Planning an office layout? Our article on Glass Partition Walls will also help you make the best choices for your needs.
Where Do We Complete Your Custom Glass Projects?
For several years, Vitrerie BV has been supporting homeowners, contractors, designers, and project managers. Our teams carry out projects particularly in:
Whether your project involves a glass shower, a staircase railing, a glass partition, a custom mirror, a commercial storefront, or a glass guardrail, our specialists come directly to your site to take final measurements and guide you throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheaper quote always a good deal?
Not necessarily. A very low quote can hide lower-quality materials, unsuitable hardware, or important elements that are left out. Always compare the contents of the quote, not just its price.
Why wait until the end of the work to take measurements?
Glass is custom-made. If the walls, floor, or tiling change after the measurements are taken, the glass may no longer fit perfectly.
Does glass require maintenance?
Yes. Regular maintenance of the glass and silicone joints helps preserve the appearance of your installation and prevents long-term problems, particularly water infiltration in a shower.
Is all hardware suitable for outdoor use?
No. An outdoor installation must use components designed to withstand the weather, such as stainless steel hardware. Inadequate materials risk corroding quickly.
What should I validate before the glass is manufactured?
Before production, be sure to confirm:
- the type of glass
- its colour
- the hardware
- the dimensions
- the opening direction
- the final design
- all the chosen options
A few minutes of validation can save weeks of delays.
In conclusion
The most beautiful glass projects aren’t necessarily the most expensive. They are the ones that are well planned.
Taking the time to choose the right contractor, asking the right questions, and validating every detail before manufacturing helps avoid the majority of problems we encounter on job sites.
Because a custom glass project deserves to be as durable as it is beautiful.
They Chose Vitrerie BV... and They Love It
"Very satisfied with the work and attention to detail during installation. The product meets our expectations exactly. I would definitely recommend this reliable contractor."
"We received outstanding service and are more than satisfied with the result."
"Impeccable work and high-end service provided by professionals who love what they do, and that makes all the difference!!!!"
Behind the Glass
We make all custom glazing projects truly exceptional thanks to fast quotations, perfect installations and follow-ups as transparent as our glass.
Our vision
We are constantly striving for excellence and customer satisfaction: always listening to your needs, we establish a true partnership to offer you a fully customized product and service.
Our ambition is to revolutionize the field and become one of the key players in custom glazing in the Greater Montreal area, offering advice and services even more tailored to your needs.