A broken window can turn from an inconvenience into a security problem in minutes, particularly after a break-in, accident or attempted forced entry. If you are wondering what to do with a broken window, start by protecting people from the glass, then secure the opening properly. The repair can follow once the property is safe.
Whether it is a smashed ground-floor pane at home, damaged glazing in a shop front or a broken window at a rental property, the immediate priorities are the same: prevent injury, preserve security and keep weather out.
What to Do With a Broken Window First
Do not rush straight towards the opening. Loose shards may still be sitting in the frame, on the sill or hidden in curtains and flooring. Keep children, pets, customers and anyone not helping well clear of the area.
Put on sturdy shoes and gloves if you need to move nearby. Avoid handling large pieces of glass unless absolutely necessary. If glass has fallen inside, use a broom and dustpan to gather the larger pieces, then vacuum the surrounding area carefully. Check behind furniture, under blinds and in doorways where small fragments can be carried through the property.
If the damage follows a burglary, attempted break-in or vandalism, avoid touching the frame, any tools left behind, or disturbed belongings more than necessary. Take photographs from a safe distance and contact the police if a crime has been committed or you believe there is an immediate risk.
For commercial premises, move stock, equipment and paperwork away from the damaged area. A broken shop-front window can expose valuable items to view and may also leave staff or visitors at risk from glass. Close off that part of the premises until it has been made safe.
Make the Opening Secure Before You Leave It
A broken pane is not just a glazing issue. It can provide easy access to handles, locks, keys and the inside of your property. If the window is on the ground floor, near a side gate, or visible from the street, treat it as an urgent security concern.
First, check whether the window itself can still be closed and locked without forcing it. Do not keep operating a damaged UPVC window or a window with cracked glass in the frame. Extra movement can cause the remaining glass to fail, damage hinges or locking points, or make an existing fault worse.
If the window cannot be secured, emergency boarding-up is usually the practical short-term answer. A correctly fitted board covers the opening, reduces the risk of further breakage and stops opportunist access while replacement glass is arranged. It is particularly useful outside normal glazing hours, during bad weather or when an insurer requires the property to be secured promptly.
A sheet of plywood can work as a very temporary measure, but only if it is fixed safely and covers the opening fully. Do not rely on cardboard, thin plastic, tape across a large opening or a loose board propped against the frame. These options offer little protection against weather or intrusion and can create another hazard in high winds.
If you are in Gloucester or elsewhere in Gloucestershire and need the opening secured out of hours, a 24-hour boarding-up provider can make the property safe while you arrange permanent glazing repairs. Locksmiths Gloucester can also check the surrounding lock, handle and frame, as a smashed window is sometimes only part of the damage.
Do not forget nearby locks and keys
If a burglar could reach a window handle, internal door lock, key safe, vehicle keys or spare house keys through the broken opening, consider those items compromised. Move keys away from the area immediately.
For windows near external doors, assess whether the intruder could have reached and opened the door from inside. If there is any doubt, have the lock checked and replace the cylinder where necessary. This is especially relevant where keys were left in a door, on a hook or on a table close to the window.
Protect the Property From Weather
Rain entering through a broken window can cause damage well beyond the glass itself. Timber frames may swell, plasterboard can soften, flooring can lift and electrical items can be affected. Once the area is safe, place towels or a waterproof cover inside to catch water, but do not use this as a substitute for properly securing the opening.
Move curtains, blinds, rugs and soft furnishings away from the window. Switch off and unplug electrical equipment nearby if water has entered or could enter. If there is a socket directly below the opening and it is wet, do not touch it. Leave it alone and arrange qualified electrical help if required.
In winter, a damaged window can quickly make a room cold and damp. Boarding the opening promptly helps retain heat and prevents the property being left exposed overnight. For vacant homes, rental properties and commercial units, this is particularly important because no one may be there to notice worsening weather damage.
Record the Damage for Your Insurer or Landlord
Take clear photographs before clearing up, if it is safe to do so. Photograph the broken pane, the frame, both sides of the window where possible, and any damage to locks, handles, shutters, doors or nearby property. Keep a note of the date, time and suspected cause.
If the breakage resulted from a crime, retain any crime reference number. If you rent your home, report the damage to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible. Tenants should still take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, rather than waiting for a reply while the property remains open.
Landlords and property managers should record the condition of the window, the temporary security work completed and the permanent repair booked. This creates a useful record for insurers and helps show that the property was not knowingly left insecure.
Do not throw away broken parts such as handles, damaged locks or pieces of frame until you know whether your insurer wants to inspect them. Store them safely, away from children and pets, if they are relevant to the claim.
Decide Whether It Is an Emergency
Some broken windows can wait until the next working day. A small crack in an upper-floor pane, where the window remains shut, secure and sheltered from weather, may not need an immediate call-out. It still needs repair, but the risk is lower.
You should arrange urgent help when the opening can be accessed from outside, the window will not lock, glass is continuing to fall, bad weather is expected, or the property has been targeted in a break-in. The same applies if you need to leave the property, go to bed, or close a business and cannot be confident that it is secure.
For shops, offices and communal buildings, consider the duty to staff, tenants and visitors. A cracked or shattered pane near an entrance should not be left where someone could brush against it or where it creates an unprotected route into the building.
Arrange the Right Permanent Repair
Boarding-up is a security measure, not the finished repair. Once the immediate risk is under control, arrange for suitable replacement glazing and ask for the frame, hinges, handle and locking mechanism to be assessed at the same time.
This matters with UPVC windows. A break-in attempt may damage the glass but also bend the hinges, misalign the sash or affect the multipoint locking system. Replacing only the pane can leave you with a window that still will not close or lock correctly. A proper inspection identifies whether the fault is limited to the glass or whether hardware repairs are needed as well.
If the window has failed because of an accident rather than a crime, it is still worth checking why. A sticking opener, worn hinge, loose sash or failing handle can place pressure on the glass over time. Dealing with the underlying issue can prevent another breakage and avoid replacing parts that are still serviceable.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Do not tape cracked glass and assume it is safe. Tape can hold a few loose fragments temporarily, but it does not restore the strength of the pane. Do not force a damaged window shut, either. That can shatter remaining glass or damage the locking mechanism.
It is also unwise to leave keys, valuables or tools in sight through a boarded or damaged window. Temporary boarding is a strong first defence, but it should be paired with sensible precautions inside the property.
Most importantly, do not delay simply because the final glass replacement cannot happen immediately. Securing the opening now gives you time to arrange the right repair without leaving your home, tenant’s property or business exposed overnight.