Emergency board-up after a break-in or storm

What to do right now

1. Keep people and pets away from the area. Broken glass can cause serious cuts. If anyone is hurt, get first aid or call the local emergency number first.
2. Put on closed-toe shoes and thick gloves before going near the opening. Do not rush.
3. Do not grab large hanging or jagged pieces with bare hands. If glass is still loose in a door or window, leave it for a licensed glass pro unless it is creating an immediate danger.
4. Pick up loose pieces carefully and place them in a sturdy box or thick bag. Tiny shards can hide in rugs, tracks, and wet floors.
5. If it is safe to do so, cover the opening to keep out weather and people. A temporary board-up or heavy covering can help until the glass is replaced.
6. Take a few photos of the damage for your records, then get matched with a local licensed, insured glass pro.

This is general information only, not safety or legal advice. Local codes and the right temporary fix can vary by area and by the type of door or window.

What an emergency board-up does

A board-up is a temporary way to close an opening after a break-in, storm, or accident. The goal is simple: make the opening more secure, reduce weather exposure, and hold things safely until the correct glass can be measured and installed.

In many homes, the board-up and the final glass replacement are two separate steps. A pro may first secure the opening, then come back once the right glass is ready. That matters because doors, sliding patio doors, shower glass, and many low or large windows often require tempered or other safety glass by code.

If the frame is bent, rotted, badly cracked, or pulled loose from the wall, the job may be bigger than glass alone. In that case, a glass pro can tell you whether it looks like a glass-only repair or whether you may also need window, door, or framing work.

Is this a glass-only fix or a bigger job?

Sometimes the damage is only the glass. That is more common when the frame is still square, the tracks or hinges still work, and the sash or door itself is in decent shape. In those cases, the glass unit may be replaced without replacing the whole window or door.

A bigger job may be needed if the frame is twisted, the door will not latch, the insulated double-pane unit sits in a damaged sash, water has swollen wood parts, or the opening has structural damage. After a storm or forced entry, hardware can also be damaged even if the frame looks mostly fine.

Be careful with pressure to replace the whole window right away when only the glass may need replacing. That can happen, but it is fair to ask what is damaged, whether the frame is reusable, and to get the price in writing before work starts.

If you are not sure what kind of repair you need, our repair guides can help you understand the basics before you speak with a pro.

Emergency board-up and replacement cost

For a home emergency board-up, many households see rough starting ranges around $150 to $500 for a simple standard opening, and more for larger openings, doors, upper-floor access, after-hours calls, or multiple damaged areas. If the opening is very large, hard to reach, or needs extra materials and labor, the total can go higher.

For the final glass replacement, a common rough range is about $200 to $800+ for many basic residential glass jobs, while larger insulated glass units, tempered door glass, sliding patio door glass, specialty glass, or custom sizes can run higher. If the frame, sash, hardware, or door itself is damaged, that adds cost.

These ranges are not quotes. The real number depends on the glass type and thickness, whether it is single-pane or double-pane/IGU, whether it must be tempered or laminated, the size, edge work, the frame condition, urgency, and your area. You can see more general pricing on our costs page.

If a price feels vague, ask for a written breakdown first. Honest pros should be able to explain what is temporary board-up, what is final replacement, and what parts or labor are included.

Common causes after a break-in, storm, or accident

Break-ins often damage more than the glass. Locks, latches, sliding door rollers, screens, and frames may also be affected. A fast board-up can help you secure the opening while you figure out the next step.

Storm damage may involve wind-thrown debris, tree limbs, hail, or pressure changes around older glass. After heavy rain, look for water getting into the wall, sill, or floor near the opening.

Accidents inside the home are also common. A slammed door, a hard hit to a patio door, furniture moved into a window, or impact from toys or tools can shatter glass. If the opening is in a door, shower enclosure, or low window, safety glass may be required for the replacement.

If you need basic cleanup tips first, see how to make broken glass safe.

How to get a licensed local glass pro fast

Clearpane is a free matching service, not a glass company, licensed glazier, or contractor. We do not perform glass work. We help connect households with licensed, insured local glass pros near them.

To get matched, you only share contact and project details: your name, phone, optional email, project type, ZIP code, and preferred language. That is enough to help connect you for a home glass problem.

When you speak with a pro, ask a few simple questions before saying yes:
- Are you licensed and insured for this kind of residential glass work in my area?
- Is this just a temporary board-up, or are you also quoting the final glass replacement?
- Does the replacement need tempered or other safety glass by local code?
- Can you give the price in writing before work starts?

Watch out for red flags: vague pricing, scare tactics, cash-only demands, no proof of license or insurance, or pressure to replace the whole window when only the glass may need replacing. You stay in control: compare quotes, choose who to hire, confirm the price before work starts, and inspect the finished installation before paying the final amount.

If you are ready, you can get matched now.