Glass repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What glass repair is

Glass repair replaces or fixes broken and chipped glass in windows, tabletops, doors and shelves. The work involves removing broken pieces safely, measuring, cutting new glass, and setting it securely in its frame or glazing. People call after a break, when a crack is spreading, or when a chip catches on clothing or skin.

Signs you need it

  • A crack across a pane that keeps growing with temperature changes
  • A chip on a tabletop, shelf or door glass edge that catches fingers or clothing
  • Glass that is loose in its frame, rattles, or has lost its glazing bead or stop
  • A broken pane in a window or door that lets in wind, rain or insects
  • Glass shelves or table glass with cracks near the support points

What the pro does

  • Remove the broken pieces carefully, working from the edges inward, and bag the glass for disposal
  • Clean the frame or glazing channel and remove old glazing, putty or tape before the new glass goes in
  • Measure the opening and cut the replacement glass to size, with the edges ground smooth
  • Set the new glass in the frame with clips, rubber gaskets or glazing compound, leaving clearance for expansion
  • Check that the glass sits level and secure, then clean the finished surface and the area around it

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Glass type, such as clear, tempered, laminated, tinted or low-E, and the thickness
  • Size and shape of the piece, including curved, beveled or custom-cut glass
  • Frame condition and the glazing method, since a rotted or warped frame needs repair first
  • Access, including upper-story windows, skylights and doors that need a lift or temporary protection
  • Whether the glass must be ordered, which adds time, or can be cut from stock
  • Timing when the opening is open to weather and needs same-day covering
  • Removal and disposal of broken glass and cleanup of the work area

What a written quote should spell out

  • Glass type, thickness and finish for each piece, with the size listed by location
  • Glazing method for each piece, such as clips, gaskets or compound
  • Frame repair shown as a separate line, with photos of any damage found
  • Removal and disposal of broken glass, and the protection used during the work
  • Temporary covering when the opening must stay closed until the glass arrives
  • Warranty on the glass against breakage caused by defects in the work

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the glass tempered, laminated or standard, and will the replacement match it?
  • How do you remove the broken pieces without cutting yourself or damaging the frame?
  • Will you measure the opening on site, and what happens if the size is off?
  • How is the new glass held in the frame, and does it need a gasket or compound?
  • How long until the glass arrives, and can you cover the opening until then?
  • Is a safety film or laminated glass an option for this location?
  • What is the warranty on the glass and the glazing?

Red flags

  • A replacement cut from a different glass type than the one that broke, such as standard glass where the location needs tempered
  • Broken glass left in the frame or on the floor when the crew leaves
  • No temporary covering offered for an open window or door
  • Glazing set with no clearance, so the glass is forced into the frame
  • Pressure to replace a full door or window when only the pane is broken

What you can do yourself

You can safely pick up small fragments with a damp paper towel, and tape cardboard or plywood over an open window to keep out weather. You can also replace a small standard pane in a ground-floor window if the glazing is simple, wearing thick gloves and eye protection. Call a pro for tempered or laminated glass, upper-story windows, large panes, skylights, and any broken glass in a door.

Licenses and permits

Glass repair is commonly done by licensed glass companies or glaziers, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office if exterior glass work changes the building.

Glass repair questions

Can I use regular glass in a shower or a door?

Many doors and shower areas call for tempered or laminated glass because it breaks in a safer way. Ask the glass company which type the location needs before you order anything.

Why does my glass crack with temperature changes?

Glass expands and contracts with heat and cold. Cracks often start at a chip, at a stress point in the frame, or at a glazing edge that is too tight. A pro can check the frame and the clearance.

Can a chipped glass be fixed without replacing it?

Small chips in some glass can be filled or polished, but cracks and deep chips usually need replacement. A pro should check the depth and location before recommending a fix.

How do I clean up broken glass safely?

Wear gloves and closed shoes, pick up larger pieces by hand, and use a damp cloth or tape for small fragments. Vacuum the fine dust, and keep children and pets away until the area is clear.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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