How to Fix a Cracked or Broken Window Pane
DIY and Professional Solutions
Whether it is a stray baseball, severe weather, or an accidental bump, a cracked or broken window pane is a stressful problem for any homeowner. A shattered pane compromises your home’s security, exposes your interior to the elements, and drastically lowers your energy efficiency.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to address broken glass in your home, ranging from immediate temporary fixes to permanent, professional solutions. And this doesn’t just apply to windows—glass damage can happen to the glass in or beside an entry door, within cabinet doors, or in sliding patio doors.
Here is your comprehensive guide to handling a cracked or broken window pane safely and efficiently.
Step 1: Immediate Temporary DIY Fixes
(Please note: The following DIY temporary fixes are based on popular practices to secure your home before a permanent repair can be made. Anytime you are around broken glass you should exercise caution, and turn to professionals to handle anything significant or potentially dangerous).
When a window breaks, your immediate priority should be safety and securing the home. After carefully cleaning up any loose glass shards with heavy-duty gloves, you can consider a few temporary DIY fixes:
- For Small Cracks with no Broken Glass: Safely apply clear packing tape over the crack on both the inside and outside of the glass. This will help stabilize the pane and prevent the crack from spreading temporarily.
- For Small Holes: If a rock or golf ball created a hole, you can cut a piece of heavy-duty cardboard to size and tape it securely over the gap to keep wind and bugs out.
- For Shattered Panes: If the entire pane is shattered, you will need to carefully remove the remaining loose glass and board up the broken area with plywood to secure your home against intruders and weather.
Need Emergency Help? If boarding up a window yourself is too dangerous or difficult, True View Windows and Glass provides 24-hour emergency repair and board-up services for broken windows and doors. Call your nearest location for emergency board-up.
Step 2: Choosing a Permanent Solution
Once your home is temporarily secured, you have two primary paths for a permanent fix: a DIY approach or calling a professional.
The DIY Route: Taking Your Glass to a Shop
If you are handy and want to save some money, you can choose to fix the window yourself. For this DIY option, you will need to safely remove the window frame or sash from the wall and transport it to a local glass or window shop for replacement. Note, if the window has more than one pane of glass (an energy efficient dual- or triple-pane window, for example), skip right to the pros, who can order and install a replacement insulated glass unit (IGU).
Keep in mind that this option requires you to leave your window opening completely exposed (or temporarily boarded up) while the shop cuts and installs the new glass into your frame. This is not a quick-turnaround solution. Glass shops may have to order the specific glass thickness, and technicians may not be immediately available if they are already out on jobs for the day.
The Professional, Time-Saving Route: In-Home Glass Replacement
If removing a window frame yourself sounds risky or time-consuming, the easiest and most reliable solution is to hire a professional window company.
If your window frame is still intact and the hardware is working, you likely do not need to pay for a full window replacement. Instead, True View specializes in glass replacement (reglazing), which is a highly cost-effective and convenient alternative.
How True View’s Professional Process Works:
- In-Home Consultation & Accurate Measurement: A True View technician comes directly to your home to assess the damage and take exact measurements of the broken glass.
- Custom Ordering: True View orders or cuts the exact size and type of glass or glass unit needed for your specific window, door, or cabinet.
- Professional Installation: Once the glass is ready, the technician returns to safely remove the broken pane and install the new glass perfectly into your existing frame, restoring your view and energy efficiency. It’s the easiest way to have glass replaced!
Why Trust True View Windows and Glass?
True View doesn’t just handle standard windows. If you have broken glass in a cabinet door, an entry door, a custom mirror, or a sliding glass door, our motto is: “If it’s made of glass and in your home or building, we can handle it!”.
When you choose True View for your glass replacement, you benefit from:
- In-House Experts: True View relies on experienced, in-house employees rather than subcontractors, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship.
- Hassle-Free Process: From the initial measurements to the final installation, True View manages the entire process so you don’t have to lift a finger.
- Special Financing & Warranties: True View offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty and flexible financing options, including no payments for 12 months, making unexpected repairs much more affordable.
Don’t let a broken window cause you stress. For professional, reliable glass replacement in the Phoenix, Tucson, and Denver areas, contact True View Windows and Glass for a free estimate or to schedule an appointment today.
