When glass breaks unexpectedly, the next few minutes matter. Emergency glass repair in Hillsboro, Beaverton, and across Washington County typically follows four steps: make the area safe, document the damage, secure the opening with a board-up, and then call a glazier to schedule permanent repair. Knowing that sequence before you need it can protect you, your property, and your insurance claim.

Step 1: Make the Area Safe Before You Touch Anything

Broken glass carries a risk that is easy to underestimate. Tempered glass (the kind used in sliding glass doors, shower enclosures, and many commercial applications) shatters into small, rounded fragments rather than long shards, but it still cuts, and it spreads farther than most people expect. Annealed glass, used in older windows and many interior panes, breaks into longer, sharper pieces that can shift and fall long after the initial impact.

Before you step closer to the damaged opening:

  • Put on closed-toe shoes. Bare feet and flip-flops are the wrong footwear around broken glass, even indoors.
  • Keep children and pets out of the room entirely until the glass is swept and the opening is covered.
  • Look up. Glass can lodge in a frame overhead and fall when you approach.
  • Do not pull large shards out of the frame by hand. Leave the removal to the crew when they arrive.

Once the area is safe to approach, a careful sweep and dispose of loose fragments is fine. Leave anything embedded in the frame or sash alone.

Step 2: Document the Damage Before You Board Up

If the break was caused by a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, or a vehicle impact, your insurance carrier will typically want documentation before the opening is covered. Take that documentation now, before a board-up changes the scene.

  • Photograph the full opening from a distance, then photograph the frame, the sill, and the surrounding area up close.
  • If there is evidence of forced entry (a pried frame, a tool mark, a thrown object still on-site), photograph that separately.
  • Note the approximate dimensions of the opening. You do not need to measure precisely right now, but a rough sense of width and height helps when you call for a quote.
  • File a police report before boarding up if the cause was criminal. Many carriers require it.

This documentation step adds ten minutes to a stressful situation. It can save a significant amount in claims processing.

Step 3: Secure the Opening

An unsecured opening is a weather problem, a security problem, and a liability problem. Until the permanent glass is measured and fabricated, the opening needs to be covered. Here is how a temporary board-up works:

A board-up uses plywood or heavy plastic sheeting secured to the frame to close the opening against weather, wind, and unwanted entry. It is not a permanent repair. It is a stop-gap that keeps your property secure while the glazier measures the opening and fabricates the new glass.

For residential openings, a board-up is generally straightforward. For storefront glazing, a larger commercial opening, often with a metal frame system, the board-up process involves anchoring to the frame correctly so the temporary cover does not damage the surrounding structure or create a new security gap.

If you can safely cover the opening yourself with materials on hand, do so. If the opening is large, above ground level, involves a commercial frame system, or you are not sure how to anchor without causing additional damage, call a glazier to handle the board-up directly.

Step 4: Call for Emergency Glass Repair

Once the area is safe and documented, call a glazier. Have the following ready when you call:

  • The location and type of glass (window, sliding door, storefront glazing, shower enclosure).
  • A description of how the break happened, if you know.
  • Your rough measurements, if you took them.
  • Your insurance carrier's name and claim number, if you have already filed.

When you call Martin Glass, we will take your information and get you connected to the right crew for your situation. We handle board-up, measurement, fabrication, and installation, all from the same shop in Cornelius, serving Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove, and Washington County.

What Happens After the Board-Up

Once the opening is secured, permanent repair typically follows this sequence:

Measure. We visit the site, assess the frame condition, and take precise measurements. For windows with an intact frame and sash, we can often fabricate a new IGU (insulated glass unit, the sealed glass assembly inside your window frame) without replacing the entire window. For doors, storefronts, and custom openings, we measure the full opening and note any frame repairs needed before glass goes in.

Fabricate. We fabricate most replacement glass in-house. Tempered glass is ordered to final size (it cannot be cut after heat treatment), so lead time on tempered pieces is longer than on standard annealed glass, which we cut in our shop. We will tell you which applies to your job and give you a clear timeline.

Install. Our crew protects the work area, installs the new glass, and leaves the site clean.

Residential and Commercial Situations Are Different

For a homeowner in Beaverton or Forest Grove dealing with a broken window after a storm, the process above is generally straightforward. The frame is usually intact, the opening is standard, and a replacement IGU or single pane can be measured and fabricated without disruption to the surrounding structure.

For a business owner dealing with smashed storefront glazing on Cornell Road or TV Highway, the stakes are higher and the timing is more urgent. A commercial opening that is unsecured overnight creates theft exposure, weather damage to inventory, and potential liability for anyone who enters through the gap. Board-up response for commercial openings should happen as quickly as possible, and the permanent repair should be scheduled the next business day.

We work with Washington County businesses on both board-up and permanent storefront glazing repair. If you manage a commercial property and need a glazier who knows how to work with metal frame systems and larger commercial openings, call us directly.

Call Martin Glass for Emergency Glass Repair

If your glass is already broken, contact Martin Glass now. We will get your information, assess the situation, and tell you exactly what happens next. We serve Hillsboro, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Aloha, and the wider Washington County area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What counts as a glass emergency?

Any broken glass that leaves an opening in your home or business unsecured counts as an emergency. This includes broken windows after a storm or break-in, shattered sliding glass door panels, cracked storefront glazing, and any opening that exposes the interior to weather or unwanted entry. If the glass is cracked but the pane is still intact and the seal is holding, that is typically a standard repair rather than an emergency.

Q: Should I try to board up the opening myself?

For smaller residential openings at ground level, a temporary cover using plywood or heavy plastic can buy time. For large openings, openings above the ground floor, or commercial frame systems, it is generally safer to let a glazier handle the board-up. Improper anchoring can damage the frame and complicate the permanent repair.

Q: Will my homeowner's insurance cover emergency glass repair?

Coverage depends on your policy, the cause of the break, and your deductible. Break-ins and storm damage are commonly covered under standard homeowner's policies, but the specifics vary. It is worth checking with your carrier before assuming coverage. Filing a police report when the cause is criminal typically helps the claims process.

Q: How long does permanent repair take after a board-up?

Lead time depends on the type of glass involved. Standard annealed glass can generally be cut in the shop and installed within a few days. Tempered glass is ordered to final size, which adds lead time. We will tell you which applies to your job and give you a realistic timeline when we take the measurements.