When you call a glass company, you’re not just buying a piece of glass — you’re buying the expertise, precision, and care that goes into measuring, fabricating, and installing it correctly. After 17+ years and thousands of installations across Los Angeles, I can tell you this with certainty: the difference between a glass installation that lasts 20 years and one that fails in 2 comes down to process.
At LA Glass Company, our process isn’t something we figured out on the fly. It’s the accumulation of three generations of glass glazing knowledge — from my grandfather’s era of hand-cut glass to today’s precision CNC fabrication. Here’s exactly what happens when you hire us for any glass installation in Los Angeles.
Why Process Matters in Glass Installation
Glass is unforgiving. Measure wrong by an eighth of an inch, and the glass won’t fit. Specify the wrong thickness, and it might crack under its own weight. Skip a step in sealing, and you’ll have condensation between the panes within a year. There are no shortcuts in glass work — the process IS the product.
As an Air Force veteran, I built LA Glass Company around systematic, methodical processes. Every job, whether it’s a $300 window repair or a $30,000 commercial storefront, follows the same disciplined approach. That’s how we’ve earned the trust of homeowners across Los Angeles and businesses from Beverly Hills to Long Beach.
Step 1: Inquiry and Initial Consultation
It starts when you call 323-366-4202 or submit a quote request through our website. Our team asks a few key questions:
What type of glass project? (window, shower door, storefront, mirror, table top)
Is this repair/replacement or new installation?
What’s the approximate size?
Is this an emergency?
For most projects, we can give you a preliminary range estimate over the phone. For anything involving custom fabrication — like custom shower doors or commercial storefronts — we schedule a free on-site assessment.
Step 2: On-Site Measurement and Assessment
This is the most critical step in the entire process, and it’s where experience matters most. Our technician visits your home or business to:
Take precision measurements — using laser measuring tools for accuracy to 1/16 inch. We measure at multiple points because walls and frames are rarely perfectly square.
Assess frame condition — for replacements, we check the existing frame for rot, warping, rust, or structural issues that need addressing before new glass goes in.
Evaluate code requirements — we identify whether tempered glass, laminated glass, or specific coatings are required by California building codes.
Check for obstacles — in shower enclosures, we account for plumbing fixtures, uneven walls, and curb heights. For storefronts, we check threshold conditions and overhead clearance.
Document with photos — we photograph the site for our fabrication team and for your project file.
For window glass replacement, we also measure the existing insulated glass unit’s thickness — critical for ordering a replacement IGU that fits the frame channel perfectly.
Step 3: Glass Specification and Quote
Back at our office, we specify the exact glass for your project:
Glass type: annealed, tempered, laminated, or insulated
Thickness: 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ — specified based on size, location, and code requirements
Coating: Low-E, reflective, or tinted as appropriate for energy efficiency and aesthetics
Edge treatment: flat polish, pencil polish, beveled, or seamed edges
Hardware: for shower doors and storefronts, we specify hinges, handles, clamps, and seals
We send you a detailed written quote with the glass specifications, project timeline, and total cost. No surprises, no hidden fees. You approve the quote before we order materials.
Step 4: Glass Fabrication
Once you approve the quote, fabrication begins. For standard glass (single pane, basic tempered), this takes 1-3 business days. For custom IGUs with Low-E coating, 3-7 business days. For complex commercial storefront systems with multiple lites, 5-10 business days.
Our fabrication partners cut the glass to exact dimensions, apply any coatings or tints, temper or laminate as specified, and edge-polish to the requested finish. For IGUs, they assemble the unit with the correct spacer bar, desiccant-filled, and sealed with dual-seal technology for maximum longevity.
Every piece of glass is inspected for defects before it leaves the fabrication facility. Scratches, chips, coating defects, or dimensional errors mean the piece is rejected and re-fabricated. We don’t install imperfect glass — period.
Step 5: Installation Day — What to Expect
Installation day is where our methodical approach really shows. Here’s what happens:
Site Preparation
Our crew arrives with all materials, tools, and safety equipment. We lay down drop cloths and protective coverings in the work area and establish a clear path from the entry to the installation site. For commercial jobs, we coordinate with your business to minimize disruption — often working after hours for storefront glass installations at operating businesses.
Removal of Old Glass
For replacements, we carefully remove the old glass. This involves:
- Removing glazing stops or trim
- Cutting through old sealant or glazing compound
- Extracting the old glass unit (we use suction cups for large pieces)
- Cleaning the frame channel of old adhesive, debris, and sealant
- Inspecting the frame for hidden damage
All broken glass and debris is contained and removed from your property. We don’t leave a mess.
Dry-Fitting the New Glass
Before any permanent installation, we dry-fit the new glass to confirm the fit. The glass should seat properly in the frame channel with appropriate clearance for thermal expansion. If anything is off — even slightly — we address it before proceeding.
Setting the Glass
The new glass is set with fresh setting blocks at the bottom (these support the glass weight and allow drainage) and appropriate glazing compound or gaskets around the perimeter. For IGUs, we ensure the weep holes in the frame are clear for proper drainage. For shower doors, hinges are mounted and the door is hung with careful attention to alignment and swing clearance.
Sealing and Finishing
All joints are sealed with high-quality silicone or glazing sealant appropriate for the application. For exterior windows, we use UV-resistant, weatherproof sealants. For shower enclosures, we use mold-resistant silicone rated for continuous moisture exposure. The glass is cleaned on both sides, and any protective film is removed.
Step 6: Quality Inspection
Before we consider the job done, every installation goes through our 20-point quality inspection checklist:
- Glass seated correctly with proper clearance
- Setting blocks in position and not blocking weep holes
- Seals continuous with no gaps or voids
- Glass clean on both sides, no smudges or residue
- Hardware operates smoothly (hinges, handles, locks)
- Door alignment correct — consistent gap, no binding
- Sealant tooled smooth with clean lines
- Safety glass markings visible in corner
- Work area clean — all debris removed
- Customer walkthrough completed
Step 7: Customer Walkthrough
The final step is walking you through the finished installation. We show you what we did, point out the safety glass markings, demonstrate any moving parts, and answer every question. We explain basic care and maintenance — what cleaning products to use (and which to avoid), how the seals work, what to watch for over time.
We don’t leave until you’re satisfied. That’s the servant’s attitude we’ve built this company on.
What Makes Our Process Different
I’ve worked in glass my entire life. I’ve seen the shortcuts other companies take: skipping the dry fit, reusing old setting blocks, using the cheapest sealant, rushing through cleanup. Those shortcuts save them 30 minutes on installation day and cost you years of problems down the road.
At LA Glass Company, we don’t take shortcuts. Three generations of glass glazing have taught us that the right way is the only way. Add to that the discipline and precision I learned in the Air Force, and you get an installation process built on systematic excellence.
Ready to Experience the LA Glass Difference?
Whether you need a single window glass replacement, a complete commercial storefront, or a custom shower enclosure, we bring the same methodical process to every job.
Call us at 323-366-4202 or visit thelaglass.com to schedule your free on-site assessment.
REQUEST QUOTE NOW!
*Gustavo Ramos is a 3rd generation glass glazier, US Air Force veteran, and owner of LA Glass Company. Since 2008, he and his team have installed thousands of glass projects across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Fernando Valley with a servant’s attitude and military precision.*
