What to do straight away
Keep children and pets away from the area and do not try to pull loose glass out of the frame by hand. Broken sealed units can shed pieces without warning. If glass has fallen, sweep it up wearing sturdy gloves and shoes, and cover the opening from the inside if you can do so safely.
If the damage followed a break-in, contact the police before anything is moved, and take photographs for your insurer. A crime reference number is often needed for a claim.
Making safe, then replacing the glass
Emergency glazing usually happens in two stages. The first makes the opening secure, either by temporary boarding or by removing dangerous glass. The second fits a permanent replacement once the new sealed unit has been made to the exact size of the frame.
Most modern windows and doors use sealed double glazed units, so the replacement is made to measure rather than cut on the spot. That is why the permanent repair follows a measurement, and why it is worth knowing the frame itself is sound. Our misted double glazing page explains how sealed unit replacement works.
Glass in doors and low panes
Glass in doors, side panels and low-level windows needs to be safety glass, so it breaks in a way that reduces the risk of injury. When a door panel or a pane near the floor is replaced, the new unit is specified accordingly rather than simply matching what was there.
If a door has been forced as well as the glass broken, the lock, hinges and frame may also need attention. See uPVC door repairs for locking and dropped-door faults.
Repair or replace the whole window
Replacing a broken unit is usually enough when the frame, hinges and locks are undamaged. If the frame has been bent, split or forced, or the window was already near the end of its life, it may make more sense to compare the cost of a new window.
We will say plainly which applies. Our window and door repairs page covers wider repair work, and our windows page covers full replacement where that is the better answer.
Arranging the work
Call 02920 860894 and describe the damage: which window or door, roughly how large the pane is and whether the frame looks damaged. A photograph helps. Fairway Window Systems Ltd provides a written quote for the permanent replacement, so you can see what is included before the work goes ahead.
For your insurer, keep the photographs, the quote and any crime reference together, as they are commonly asked for when a claim is made.
Frequently asked questions
Can broken double glazing be replaced without a new window?
Usually, yes. If the frame and hardware are undamaged, only the sealed glass unit needs replacing, made to measure for the existing frame.
Why can't the replacement glass be fitted straight away?
Sealed double glazed units are made to the exact size of the frame, so the opening is measured first and made safe in the meantime.
What should I do if the glass broke in a break-in?
Contact the police first, take photographs and keep everyone away from loose glass. Then call us to arrange the repair.
Does glass in a door need to be safety glass?
Glass in doors and low-level panes should be safety glass, so the replacement unit is specified for where it sits.