What to do when a window breaks
Clean-up, make-safe and measuring steps that get your glass replaced faster.
A shattered window is a security problem before it is a glass problem. These are the steps we give people over the phone while we are on our way.
1. Make the area safe
Move people and pets out of the room and put shoes on before you walk near the glass. If the break is at a door or a window someone could fall through, block the opening with furniture until it is boarded.
2. Deal with glass still in the frame
Cracked glass that has not fallen yet is the dangerous kind. Tape a large cross over the pane with packing or gaffer tape so the pieces hold together, and do not slam the door or window.
3. Clean up in the right order
- Pick up the big pieces with thick gloves and put them in a rigid box, not a bin bag.
- Press a slice of bread or sticky tape over the carpet to lift the splinters.
- Vacuum last, and check window tracks and skirting boards.
4. Photograph it for insurance
Take photos before you clean up, including a wide shot of the room and a close-up of the frame. Most insurers want both, and we can supply an itemised quote to go with them.
5. Board up if it will be open overnight
Cut a sheet of ply or thick cardboard slightly larger than the opening and screw or tape it over the frame from the inside. If you cannot, call us — make-safe is part of what we do.
6. Measure the opening
Measure the glass, not the frame: width and height in millimetres, then check the thickness of a piece of the broken pane. Send the numbers and a photo with your quote request and we can usually price it before we arrive.
Is it always a full replacement?
No. If the frame is sound we replace the glass only, which is far cheaper than a new window. More on that on our glass replacement page.