Whether it was a stray ball, a storm or a break-in, a broken window needs dealing with quickly. Here is what to do, in order.

1. Make it safe

  • Keep children and pets away from the area until all the glass is cleared.
  • Wear sturdy gloves and shoes if you need to go near it.
  • Do not pull out loose pieces that are still in the frame. Cracked glass can give way without warning.
  • Clear up the fallen glass carefully. Wrap it in thick paper or cardboard and label it as broken glass before putting it out for collection.

2. Secure the opening

If the pane is cracked but still in place, strips of strong tape across the glass can help hold it together until it is replaced.

If there is a hole, cover it to keep the weather out and the house secure. A sheet of board fixed over the opening is best. A heavy plastic sheet taped firmly in place will do for a short time.

If you cannot make the window secure yourself, call a glazier and explain the situation, as boarding up may be the first job.

3. If it was a break-in

Call the police and ask for a crime reference number. Your insurer will want it. Try not to touch anything more than you need to before they have seen it.

4. Take photos and contact your insurer

Photograph the damage from inside and outside before anything is cleared or repaired. Then check your home insurance. Many policies cover broken glass, sometimes only with accidental damage cover, and your insurer can tell you how they want the claim handled.

5. Get the glass replaced

Most broken double glazing can be replaced without changing the frame. The glazier measures the opening, has a new sealed unit made to fit and fits it into your existing window or door.

It is a good moment to think about the glass you want. Toughened or laminated safety glass is a sensible choice for doors and low windows, and laminated glass can also make a window harder to break through.

If one pane of a double glazed unit is cracked and the other is not, the whole unit still needs replacing, as the seal will no longer be reliable.

If you have a broken window, call us and tell us what has happened. You can also read about broken glass replacement, or send us your details for a free quote.