Dealing with a Glass Emergency is a high-stress situation that requires a fast and professional response to keep your property and family safe. We understand that a broken window or a shattered storefront door can happen at any time due to a break-in, a severe storm, or a simple accident. When the glass breaks, your building is immediately vulnerable to the weather, theft, and unauthorized entry. Our team observes that the first hour after a break is the most critical time for securing the area and preventing further loss. We want to provide you with a clear plan of action so you can manage the situation effectively until we can arrive to perform a permanent repair.
Immediate Steps to Take After Glass Breakage
Your very first priority should be the safety of everyone in the building by keeping people away from the sharp fragments on the ground. We suggest wearing thick gloves and heavy-soled shoes if you must go near the area, as glass shards can travel a surprising distance across the floor. If the damage was caused by a crime, you must call the police and take photos of the scene for your insurance claim before touching anything. Once it is safe to do so, we recommend covering the opening with a heavy tarp or cardboard to keep the wind and rain out temporarily. Our team moves quickly to respond to these calls because we know that an open window is an invitation for more trouble.
The Importance of Professional Board-Up Services
A professional board-up is more than just nailing a piece of wood over a hole; it involves reinforcing the opening without causing further damage to your frames. We use high-quality plywood and specialized bracing techniques to ensure the board is secure and cannot be easily kicked in or removed. This temporary measure provides you with peace of mind and allows you to continue your business operations or sleep safely in your home. Consequently, the board-up also helps to maintain the temperature of the building, preventing your pipes from freezing or your air conditioning from working too hard. Our team arrives with all the necessary materials to secure any size of opening, from a small basement window to a massive commercial storefront.
Transitioning from Temporary Security to Permanent Repair
While the boards provide security, we know that you want your glass replaced as quickly as possible to restore the look of your property. We perform precise measurements of the opening during the initial emergency visit so we can order the correct replacement glass immediately. Because some specialized glass types, like tempered or laminated units, take time to manufacture, having accurate measurements right away speeds up the entire process. Our team coordinates with your insurance company to provide the documentation and estimates they need to process your claim smoothly. We believe that a Glass Emergency should be handled with a focus on both immediate safety and long-term quality.
Preventing Future Glass Breakage Issues
Once the crisis has passed, we can help you explore options to make your property more resilient against future damage. We often recommend upgrading to laminated security glass, which stays together in the frame even after a heavy impact, making it much harder for someone to break in. Additionally, high-quality security films can be applied to existing glass to provide an extra layer of protection against flying debris during a storm. Taking these proactive steps can reduce your risk and might even lower your insurance premiums over time. We are proud to be the Best Glass Pro near you for both emergency service and preventative upgrades. If you need help right now, please Contact Us to speak with a technician.
FAQ
How long does an emergency response usually take?
We prioritize emergency calls and aim to have a technician on-site as quickly as possible to secure your property. Depending on your location in Calgary and the time of day, we can often arrive within a few hours to perform a board-up. Our goal is always to minimize your downtime and protect your assets from further damage.
Does my insurance cover the cost of emergency repairs?
In most cases, property insurance policies will cover the cost of emergency board-up services and the subsequent glass replacement if the damage was caused by a covered event like a storm or vandalism. We recommend checking your specific policy and keeping all of our receipts and documentation for your claim. We can provide detailed invoices that clearly explain the work performed for your adjuster.
Can you replace the glass on the same day?
If the broken window uses a standard size of single-pane glass, we can often perform a same-day replacement from our mobile units. However, modern insulated glass units (IGU) and tempered safety glass are custom-made to fit your specific frame and usually take a few business days to manufacture. In these cases, we will secure the area with a professional board-up first.