What to Do When a Window Breaks (Step-by-Step)

Updated July 6, 2026 · By paveking_admin · LightGate Glass Field Team

Quick answer: Clear people and pets from the area, put on shoes and gloves, photograph everything before touching it (insurance), remove loose shards only from the frame’s bottom, tape a temporary barrier, and call a 24/7 glass company for board-up — $150–$350, usually credited toward the permanent glass.

Step-by-Step

1. Safety first: keep kids and pets out; wear closed shoes — glass travels further than you think.
2. Photograph before cleanup: wide shots and close-ups of the damage and cause. Adjusters want the untouched scene.
3. Don’t pull glass from the top of the frame: pieces above head height drop without warning. Leave them for the crew.
4. Temporary barrier: heavy plastic sheeting or cardboard taped over the inside face. Never tape the cracked glass itself on large panes — removal makes it worse.
5. Call for board-up: a proper exterior board-up secures the opening against weather and entry.
6. File the claim (if it clears your deductible): break-ins, storms and vandalism are typically covered; wear-and-tear is not.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t glue or tape cracks as a ‘fix’ — it complicates replacement and can void coverage arguments.
• Don’t vacuum big shards — they destroy the machine. Sweep first, then vacuum fines.
• Don’t leave an opening boarded for weeks — moisture works into the wall cavity.

What Replacement Costs After

Single panes run $180–$320; insulated units $280–$550; storefront tempered lites $900–$2,800. Board-up fees are credited when we install the permanent glass.

Broken right now? Emergency glass repair — we answer in 3 rings.