NAICS 238150 Quarterly Industry Report
Glass and Glazing Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238150Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Glass and Glazing Contractors (NAICS 238150) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], National Glass Association[6], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, glazing trade analysts, and specialty construction investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the glass and glazing contractors industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Glass and Glazing Contractors (NAICS 238150) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in installing glass panes in prepared openings (glazing work) and other glass work for buildings per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include window and door glass installation, storefront and curtain wall glazing, skylight installation, glass partition assembly, mirror mounting, and specialty architectural glass work for commercial and residential buildings.
Over 1,300 firms employ roughly 60,600 workers per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data. Commercial curtain wall and storefront glazing generates the highest per-project revenue, while residential window replacement represents a high-volume service segment. Contract glazing firms install the glass and aluminum framing systems specified by architects for office buildings, hospitals, schools, and retail facilities. Residential glazing contractors replace windows, install shower enclosures, and mount mirrors for homeowners and remodeling contractors. The National Glass Association[6] represents over 1,800 companies including contract glaziers, glass fabricators, and material suppliers.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. Building energy codes including ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) establish thermal performance requirements for windows and curtain walls that drive glazing material specifications. OSHA[8] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to glazing work, with fall protection during high-rise curtain wall installation and glass handling hazards representing key safety concerns. AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) publishes performance standards for windows, curtain walls, and storefronts that govern product selection and installation methods. Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) provides technical resources and certification programs for the glazing trade.
What's Included in This Industry
- Commercial curtain wall and storefront glazing
- Window and door glass installation and replacement
- Skylight installation and weatherproofing
- Glass partition and interior glass wall assembly
- Architectural glass panel installation
- Mirror mounting and installation
- Insulated glass unit replacement
- Structural glazing and point-fixed glass systems
- Glass handrail and balustrade installation
- Shower enclosure and specialty glass work
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 2381 |
| NAICS Industry | Glass and Glazing Contractors | 23815 |
| National Industry | Glass and Glazing Contractors | 238150 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 238190 | Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors install curtain wall frames, metal panels, and waterproofing systems that work alongside glazing installations, with exterior envelope contractors and glaziers coordinating closely on commercial building skin projects where glass and metal systems must integrate weather-tight |
| 238120 | Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors | Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors erect the structural frames that support curtain wall and storefront glazing systems, with steel mullion anchor points and precast panel interfaces requiring precise coordination between structural and glazing trades during building envelope installation |
| 238160 | Roofing Contractors | Roofing Contractors install roof systems that meet skylight installations at critical waterproofing transitions, with roof membrane and flashing details at skylight curbs requiring coordination between roofing and glazing contractors to prevent water intrusion at these penetration points |
| 238170 | Siding Contractors | Siding Contractors install exterior cladding materials adjacent to window and storefront glazing, with siding-to-window flashing details and trim interfaces requiring coordination between siding and glazing trades to maintain weather-tight building envelope continuity |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction manages projects where glazing contractors work as specialty subcontractors, with commercial building general contractors scheduling curtain wall and storefront glazing installation within the overall building envelope construction sequence |
| 238140 | Masonry Contractors | Masonry Contractors build the brick and block walls that frame window openings where glazing contractors install glass, with masonry opening dimensions, lintel placement, and sill details directly affecting window sizing and glazing installation methods |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 14.8% | 1,030 |
| 2 | Florida | 10.6% | 733 |
| 3 | Texas | 9.1% | 630 |
| 4 | New York | 6.9% | 479 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 3.6% | 248 |
| 6 | Illinois | 3.3% | 232 |
| 7 | Georgia | 3.1% | 217 |
| 8 | Colorado | 2.7% | 187 |
| 9 | Washington | 2.6% | 183 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 2.6% | 180 |
% Of Establishments
0%
15%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[2]
SBA Lending Summary
154
Total SBA Loans
$103.2M
Total Loan Volume
$670K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.21%
Average Interest Rate
1,739
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Glass and Glazing Contractors (NAICS 238150) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support equipment purchases, vehicle fleets, and working capital for qualifying glazing construction firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truist Bank | 3 | $6.3M | $2.1M |
| 2 | Pinnacle Bank | 3 | $5.8M | $1.9M |
| 3 | Beacon Bank and Trust | 3 | $5.7M | $1.9M |
| 4 | Live Oak Banking Company | 4 | $5.6M | $1.4M |
| 5 | Byline Bank | 3 | $5.1M | $1.7M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for glazing contractors?
NAICS 238150 covers glass and glazing contractors performing window installation, curtain wall glazing, skylight installation, and specialty glass work per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
What is the SBA size standard for glazing contractors?
The SBA size standard[7] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is the glazing contracting industry?
Over 1,300 firms employ roughly 60,600 workers per Census Bureau[5] economic survey data, with commercial curtain wall projects generating the highest per-project revenue and residential window replacement providing high-volume service work.
What energy codes affect glazing work?
ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) establish thermal performance requirements for windows and curtain walls per building energy code adoption, with U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, and visible light transmittance specifications driving glass and frame material selections.
What industry association represents glazing contractors?
National Glass Association[6] represents over 1,800 companies including contract glaziers, glass fabricators, and material suppliers, providing technical resources, safety programs, and industry advocacy for the commercial and residential glazing industry.
What are the main safety hazards in glazing work?
OSHA[8] fall protection requirements apply to high-rise curtain wall installation, with glass handling cuts, heavy panel lifting injuries, and elevated work platform hazards representing the primary safety risks addressed through glazing-specific safety training and equipment requirements.
What is curtain wall glazing?
Curtain wall systems are non-structural exterior glass and metal wall assemblies that hang from the building structure and resist wind loads and weather penetration per architectural specifications, with unitized and stick-built curtain wall types representing the two primary installation methods for commercial building facades.
What standards govern window performance?
AAMA publishes performance standards for windows, curtain walls, and storefronts including air infiltration, water penetration, and structural load testing per industry specifications, with FGIA (Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance) providing additional certification and technical resource programs for the glazing trade.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]National Glass Association glass.org
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]OSHA osha.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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