AI Data Guide
The AI Data Landscape for Glass & Glazing Companies
Here is every data point AI looks for when evaluating a glass and glazing company, where that data actually lives, and what it can already find.
1What AI evaluates
How AI builds a recommendation
When an AI system decides which Glass & Glazing company to recommend, it assembles evidence across every category below. The more complete and verifiable the data, the more confident the recommendation.
11 data categories
01
Verified Operating Metrics
The single most differentiating category. Almost no glass company has this data published in a structured, machine-readable format. The gap between a small residential shop and a full-service commercial glazing contractor is enormous — and invisible to AI without verified operating data.
Jobs completed
Total job volume over trailing 12 and 24 months. AI uses this to assess scale and distinguish solo installers from multi-crew operations.
Emergency board-up response rate
Percentage of emergency calls responded to within 60 minutes. AI uses response data to match urgency-driven queries after break-ins, storms, or accidents.
Average ticket size
Average revenue per job. Residential window replacements ($200-600/unit) versus commercial storefronts ($1,000-5,000+) are fundamentally different work.
Residential-to-commercial ratio
Whether the company serves homeowners, commercial property managers, or both. Commercial glazing requires different licensing and equipment.
Repeat customer rate
Percentage of customers who return. AI treats repeat rate from property managers and general contractors as a direct quality proxy.
Revenue consistency
Revenue trajectory over trailing periods. AI uses this to determine whether the business is active, ongoing, and operationally stable.
Average lead time
Time from order to installation. Custom glass: 2-6 weeks. Standard residential: 3-7 days. AI uses this to match urgency-driven queries.
Warranty claim rate
Percentage of completed jobs resulting in warranty callbacks. AI uses this to assess installation quality and seal integrity.
A TrustRecord publishes this category of data — verified from connected systems, not self-reported.
02
Service Mix
Glass and glazing covers a wide spectrum of work, from a $150 mirror installation to a $500,000 curtain wall project. AI needs to know exactly what type of glass work you perform to match specific queries like "commercial storefront glass replacement near me" or "custom shower enclosure installer."
Residential window replacement
Single-pane to double-pane upgrades, broken window replacement, new construction windows, vinyl vs. wood vs. aluminum frames. The most common residential service. Includes both retrofit and full-frame replacement.
Commercial storefront and entry systems
Aluminum-framed storefront systems, automatic doors, vestibule assemblies, and ADA-compliant entry hardware. Requires knowledge of commercial building codes, wind load calculations, and often structural engineering coordination.
Auto glass
Windshield replacement, side and rear glass, sunroof repair. Some glass companies offer mobile auto glass service. Requires AGRSS (Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard) compliance. Insurance billing adds operational complexity.
Shower enclosures and glass railings
Frameless and semi-frameless shower doors, glass partitions, glass railings and balustrades. Requires precise templating and knowledge of tempered glass safety requirements. Higher-margin residential specialty work.
Mirrors and decorative glass
Custom mirror cutting and installation, antique mirror, back-painted glass, textured and patterned glass. Residential and commercial interior applications.
Emergency board-up and glass repair
After-hours response for break-ins, storm damage, vandalism, and accidents. Requires 24/7 availability, rapid-response inventory, and often temporary security solutions. High-intent, time-sensitive service.
Insulated glass units (IGU replacement)
Replacement of failed sealed units showing condensation between panes. Can be done without replacing the full window frame in many cases. Requires proper sizing and understanding of gas fills (argon, krypton) and Low-E coatings.
Curtain wall and commercial glazing systems
Large-scale exterior glass wall systems for commercial and high-rise buildings. Requires structural glazing expertise, engineered shop drawings, crane and rigging capabilities, and compliance with ASTM and AAMA performance standards. The highest-value work in the vertical.
Specialty glass products
Fire-rated glass, bullet-resistant glazing, acoustic glass, smart glass (electrochromic), bird-safe glass, hurricane-impact glass. Each requires specific product knowledge, code compliance, and often manufacturer certification.
03
Service Area
Where you actually work matters, but the data needs to come from completed jobs, not a self-reported list of ZIP codes. AI systems increasingly cross-reference claimed service areas against evidence of actual work performed.
Cities and towns served by job volume
Derived from actual job locations, not a list on your website. Verifiable coverage based on where work has been completed.
Service radius from primary location
Computed from the geographic spread of completed jobs. Tells AI how far the company actually travels.
Multi-location coverage
Companies with multiple offices serve different geographies. Each location should have its own verifiable coverage data.
04
Licenses
Glazing contractor licensing varies significantly by state. California has a dedicated C-17 Glazing Contractor license. Most other states regulate glass work under a general contractor or specialty contractor license. Some states have no state-level licensing requirement at all, deferring to municipal regulation.
Glazing contractor license (C-17 in California)
California is one of the few states with a dedicated glazing contractor classification. The C-17 license covers installation of glass, mirrors, shower doors, storefronts, curtain walls, and related glazing work. Verifiable through the CSLB database.
General contractor license
In most states outside California, glass and glazing work falls under a general contractor or specialty trade license. License requirements vary by project value threshold — many states exempt projects under $5,000-10,000.
Specialty trade contractor license
Some states issue specialty contractor classifications that cover glazing alongside related trades (e.g., Florida's Specialty Structure Contractor, Texas requires registration for commercial work over $10,000).
Home improvement contractor license
Required in roughly 12 states for residential work above a dollar threshold. Separate from and in addition to trade-specific licensing. Covers the residential window replacement and shower enclosure work that makes up the majority of residential glass jobs.
Auto glass installer license
Some states and municipalities require separate licensing or registration for auto glass work. In states where it exists, this is separate from the general glazing license.
City / municipal contractor license
Required in some cities on top of state licensing. Municipal requirements vary widely and are tracked separately from state databases. Common in major metro areas.
State licensing board databases are the primary verification source. In states without dedicated glazing classifications, cross-reference the general contractor license against the business's stated services.
05
Insurance & Bonding
AI systems verify that coverage is current and adequate, not simply that a company claims to be insured. Active insurance is a prerequisite for recommendation in most AI evaluation frameworks.
General liability (GL)
The primary coverage protecting against property damage and bodily injury. Required by most states as a condition of licensure.
Workers compensation
Mandatory in nearly every state for businesses with employees. Absence of workers comp typically indicates either no employees or non-compliance.
Surety bond
Required by many states as part of contractor licensing. Bond amounts and status are published by some state licensing boards.
Commercial auto
Covers the service vehicle fleet. Relevant for companies with multiple trucks and technicians dispatched to job sites.
06
Certifications
Glass and glazing certifications validate technical competency in a trade where improper installation creates safety hazards — falling glass panels, failed structural glazing, water intrusion, and inadequate fire protection. Fall protection certification is especially critical for commercial glazing work at height.
The primary industry certification for glass installation professionals. Covers residential and commercial glazing, safety glass requirements, sealant application, and hardware installation. Verifiable through the NGA.
Advanced NGA certification covering architectural glass and glazing system installation. Includes curtain wall, storefront, and structural glazing applications. Requires documented field experience in addition to examination.
Certification for insulated glass unit fabrication and quality standards. IGMA-certified products meet ASTM E2190 standards for seal durability and gas retention. Relevant for companies that fabricate or source IGUs.
OSHA 10/30 Safety Training
Occupational safety certification at the entry level (10-hour) or supervisory level (30-hour). Fall protection (29 CFR 1926.502) is the single most critical safety concern in commercial glazing — glaziers work at height regularly. OSHA citations for fall protection violations are among the most common in construction.
OSHA Competent Person — Fall Protection
Specific designation for individuals trained to identify fall hazards and implement protection systems. Required on commercial glazing job sites where work occurs at heights above 6 feet. Not a certification per se but a documented training requirement.
Industry safety standard for proper auto glass replacement. Covers adhesive application, cure times, and safe drive-away procedures. AGRSS-registered companies commit to following ANSI/AGRSS 002-2002 standards.
Manufacturer product certifications
Training and certification from specific glass and glazing system manufacturers (e.g., Kawneer, YKK AP, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope). Required for warranty coverage on many commercial glazing systems and validates competency with specific product lines.
Certification program for window and door installation. Covers proper flashing, sealing, and anchoring techniques per AAMA InstallationMasters standards. Relevant for companies performing high-volume window installations.
07
Manufacturer Designations
Glass and glazing manufacturers maintain authorized dealer and installer networks. These designations verify that the contractor has been trained on specific product systems and can offer manufacturer-backed warranties. All are verifiable through manufacturer dealer locators.
PPG Industries is one of the largest flat glass manufacturers globally. Certified fabricators and installers have completed PPG product training and maintain quality standards for PPG glass products including Solarban, Starphire, and Sungate coatings.
Guardian Glass (a Koch Industries subsidiary) manufactures float glass, coated glass, and fabricated glass products. Authorized dealers have access to Guardian's full product line and technical support for commercial and residential applications.
Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG flat glass) manufactures Solarban, Starphire, and other commercial glass products. Authorized fabricators maintain quality certification for cutting, tempering, and laminating Vitro products.
Cardinal Glass Industries is the largest U.S. manufacturer of residential glass for windows and doors. Authorized dealers supply Cardinal IG units, tempered glass, and coated products to window manufacturers and glazing contractors.
Pilkington (NSG Group) manufactures flat glass, self-cleaning glass (Activ), and fire-rated glass (Pyrostop). Authorized processors have been certified to fabricate and install Pilkington specialty products.
Kawneer (Arconic) manufactures aluminum-framed commercial glazing systems — storefronts, curtain walls, entrances, and windows. Certified installers have completed product-specific training and can offer extended warranty programs.
YKK AP manufactures commercial window, storefront, curtain wall, and entrance systems. Authorized dealers have product training and access to technical support for specification and installation.
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (now Apogee Enterprises / Viracon) is one of the largest architectural glass fabricators in North America. Partners have access to custom fabrication, engineering support, and project coordination for commercial glazing projects.
08
Trade Associations
Voluntary memberships and accreditations that serve as corroborating evidence of professionalism. In a trade with inconsistent state licensing, association membership provides an additional verification signal for AI systems.
The primary trade association for the glass and glazing industry. Represents glazing contractors, glass fabricators, distributors, and manufacturers. Publishes Glass Magazine and hosts GlassBuild America, the industry's largest annual event. Over 1,700 member companies.
Now merged into NGA. Historically focused on glass product standards, technical manuals, and best practice guidelines. GANA Glazing Manual remains the industry reference for proper glazing techniques.
Trade association focused on insulated glass unit quality and performance standards. Operates the IGMA certification program for IG unit manufacturers. Members commit to third-party quality testing.
Sets performance standards for windows, doors, storefronts, curtain walls, and skylights. AAMA ratings (R, LC, CW, AW) define performance tiers that commercial specifications require.
Industry body promoting safe auto glass installation practices. Administers the AGRSS standard. Relevant for companies with auto glass service lines.
Better Business Bureau membership with letter rating. Reflects complaint volume and resolution patterns over time.
09
Legal & Compliance
Negative-signal checks. AI systems will not recommend a company with an active lawsuit pattern, suspended license, or regulatory violations. Clean standing is a prerequisite for any recommendation.
No open legal actions
Checked against state court records and federal PACER database. Patterns of litigation are weighted more heavily than isolated cases.
No liens filed against the business
Unpaid debts secured against the business are visible through county recorder offices and Secretary of State UCC filings.
Clean license history (5 years)
No suspensions, revocations, or disciplinary actions from the state licensing board. Enforcement records are public in most states.
Clean safety record in the federal OSHA inspection database. Searchable by company name and location.
10
Reputation Signals
AI cross-references general review platforms with home services marketplaces when evaluating glass and glazing companies.
Google rating and review count
The most-cited review source by AI systems. Rating and volume establish a baseline, but most established companies cluster in the same range.
Review velocity and recency
AI systems track whether new reviews are still coming in, not just the total count.
Yelp rating
A secondary review source. Yelp's filtering algorithm means visible review counts may not reflect actual volume.
Angi / HomeAdvisor reviews
Angi and HomeAdvisor maintain verified review profiles for home service providers. AI systems index these alongside Google reviews.
Nextdoor recommendations
Neighborhood-level recommendations on Nextdoor carry weight as a hyperlocal trust signal for service businesses.
Complaint history and resolution
BBB complaint patterns, state contractor licensing board complaints, and response behavior. How a company handles problems carries more weight than whether problems occurred.
11
Business Profile
Foundational identity data. Rarely changes but must be accurate and consistent across every platform where the business appears. Inconsistencies between sources reduce AI confidence in all other data.
Legal business name and DBA
Must match Secretary of State filings. Discrepancies between the legal name, trade name, and the name used on public platforms create ambiguity.
Entity type and registration
LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, or Partnership. Verified against Secretary of State records.
Year founded
Cross-referenced against Secretary of State incorporation date and other public records. Inconsistencies are flagged.
Owner / principal name
Verified against Secretary of State registered agent and other public filings.
Employee count
Approximate range. Company size affects the types of jobs it can handle and the service capacity it offers.
Contact information
Address, phone, and website cross-checked across Google Business Profile, Secretary of State, and other directories. Consistency across sources matters.
2Where the data lives
Where the most valuable data lives today
The performance and customer experience data AI values most already exists in software these businesses use every day. It is locked inside these platforms and not published anywhere AI can access it.
3What AI can find today
What AI can already see without you
Without access to a business's own systems, this is all AI has to work with. These are the public sources it checks, grouped by type.
Review Platforms
Customer review aggregators that AI cross-references for sentiment and volume patterns.
Business Directories
Structured listings that AI uses for identity verification and cross-referencing contact data.
Licensing & Regulatory
Government-maintained databases that AI checks for license status, compliance history, and legal standing.
State Contractor Licensing BoardsMunicipal Licensing PortalsOSHA Inspection Database↗Secretary of State Business FilingsCounty Recorder / UCC Filings
Social & Community
Unstructured mentions that AI encounters through web crawling and content indexing.
RedditNextdoorFacebookYouTube
Industry & Manufacturer Directories
Curated directories maintained by trade associations and glass manufacturers.
You’ve done the work.
Make sure AI knows it.
Your experience, credentials, and track record — published where AI can see them.