Glass repair in Hillsboro covers a wide range of services: replacing failed IGUs (insulated glass units, the sealed glass assemblies inside your window frames) in fogged windows, repairing or replacing broken panes in doors and windows, fixing rock chips in windshields, and restoring damaged storefront glazing. The right fix depends on what type of glass is damaged and whether the surrounding frame or structure is still sound. Martin Glass handles all of these from its shop in Cornelius, serving Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove, and Washington County.
When glass breaks or fails in your home or business, the disruption is immediate. A fogged window makes every room feel dingy. A broken pane in a door or window raises real security concerns until it's replaced. A cracked windshield spreads if you wait. And damaged storefront glazing means your business is exposed until someone gets out to secure it. Knowing what kind of problem you have, and what the repair actually involves, puts you in control of the next call you make.
Step 1: Identify What Type of Glass Problem You Have
Not all glass problems are the same, and the repair approach is different for each one. Here is how to read what you are looking at.
Fogged or hazy windows. If your window looks cloudy or hazy on the inside and wiping the glass doesn't change anything, that's a failed seal. The IGU inside your window frame has lost its airtight integrity, and moisture has entered between the panes. The fix is typically an IGU replacement, not a full window replacement. We measure the existing opening, fabricate a new sealed unit in-house, and install it into your existing frame, without touching the frame at all.
Broken window or door glass. A crack or break in a single pane, door lite, or sidelight usually means the glass itself needs to come out and be replaced. Depending on the location and application, the replacement is typically tempered glass or standard annealed glass. Tempered glass is ordered to final dimensions, because tempered pieces cannot be cut after heat treatment. Annealed glass is cut to size right in the shop.
Frameless shower door glass. Chips, stress cracks, or shattered panels in frameless shower doors require tempered glass replacement. We measure the opening, order the glass to final size, and install it once fabrication is complete.
Screen damage. Torn screen mesh, bent frames, and broken hardware are all repairable. Most screen jobs are completed in a single visit.
Rock chips and windshield cracks. A rock chip in your windshield can often be repaired if it's caught before the crack spreads. If the damage has spread or crosses the driver's line of sight, a full windshield replacement is typically the better path. It's worth checking with your auto insurer, since many policies cover rock chip repair at no cost to you.
Storefront glazing damage. A broken or compromised storefront is a security issue before it's anything else. The right first step is a board-up to secure the opening. Permanent glass replacement follows once we've measured and fabricated the new panel.
Step 2: Decide Whether to Repair or Replace
This is where a lot of glass shops push homeowners and business owners toward full replacement when it isn't necessary. We don't do that.
For IGU failures, the question is whether the frame is still structurally sound. If your aluminum or vinyl frame is in good condition, replacing just the sealed unit is almost always the right move. You get a clear window again without touching the frame, and you spend a fraction of what a full window replacement would cost.
For sliding glass doors, the same logic applies. If the wheels, track, and frame are intact and only the glass panel is broken, we replace the glass panel. If the hardware is worn and the glass is also damaged, we look at the whole door and give you an honest read on whether repair or full replacement makes more financial sense.
For auto glass, the repair-vs.-replace decision depends on the size, location, and depth of the damage. We'll walk you through which option applies before any work starts.
In every case, the goal is to do what the job actually requires, not what generates the largest ticket. If a repair will fix it, we'll tell you that.
Step 3: What Happens When You Call Martin Glass
The process is straightforward. We come to your home or business in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, or elsewhere in Washington County, assess the damage, and measure the opening. We don't estimate from a photo or give a price before we've seen the actual condition of the frame and glass.
Once we've measured, we generally fabricate standard IGUs and cut annealed glass in-house, which means turnaround is faster than routing through a supplier. Tempered glass is ordered to final size, so those jobs carry a lead time we'll communicate before anything is ordered.
You'll know the cost before we order materials. You'll know the timeline before the job starts. When the crew finishes, the site is clean.
We work across the full range of glass types and applications: residential windows and doors, frameless shower doors, mirrors, custom glass tabletops and shelves, storefront glazing, hydraulic door systems, Riot Glass installation, emergency board-up, windshield repair and replacement, and rock chip repair. Residential, commercial, and auto glass, all from one shop.
What Happens If You Wait
A failed seal doesn't fix itself. A fogged IGU will stay fogged, and Oregon's wet, temperature-variable climate can accelerate seal degradation once it starts. A rock chip spreads under temperature swings and road vibration. A broken pane in a door or window is a security gap until it's replaced.
Getting the right diagnosis early keeps a manageable repair from becoming a full replacement job. It also keeps your home or business secure in the meantime. The longer you wait on glass damage in Washington County's climate, the more likely a repair-eligible problem turns into a replacement.
Ready to Get Your Glass Fixed?
If you're dealing with fogged windows, broken glass, a cracked windshield, or damaged storefront glazing in Hillsboro or anywhere in Washington County, Martin Glass is the shop to call for an honest assessment, in-house fabrication, and craftsmanship you can see in the finished work. Reach out to Martin Glass to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does glass repair in Hillsboro typically cost?
The cost depends on the type of repair. IGU replacements for fogged windows, rock chip repair for auto glass, and screen re-screening are generally on the lower end of the price range. Frameless shower door panel replacements, full windshield replacements, and storefront glazing repairs carry higher costs due to glass type, fabrication, and installation complexity. We provide a clear price before any work starts, so you know exactly what you're committing to.
Q: Can I just replace the glass in my window without replacing the whole window?
In most cases, yes. If your window frame is structurally sound and only the IGU (insulated glass unit) has failed, we can remove the old sealed unit, measure the opening, fabricate a new IGU in-house, and install it without touching the frame. This is typically a significantly less expensive fix than a full window replacement, and it's the right call when the frame itself is still in good condition.
Q: How do I know if my window needs an IGU replacement or a full window replacement?
Start with the frame. If the frame is level, square, and free of rot or damage, the problem is almost certainly just the sealed unit inside. A fogged or hazy appearance that doesn't change when you clean the glass is a reliable sign of a failed seal on the IGU. We assess this during our on-site visit and tell you what we find before recommending anything.
Q: Does Martin Glass repair storefront glass for businesses in Hillsboro?
Yes. We handle storefront glazing repair and installation for commercial properties across Hillsboro, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, and Washington County. For urgent situations involving broken storefront glass, we offer board-up service to secure the opening, followed by permanent glass replacement once the new panel has been measured and fabricated.
Q: How long does a typical glass repair take?
It depends on the type of glass and whether fabrication is required. Screen repairs and rock chip repairs are typically completed in a single visit. IGU replacements and standard annealed glass cuts are often fabricated in-house, which shortens turnaround time compared to ordering from a supplier. Tempered glass panels, including frameless shower door replacements, are ordered to final size and have a fabrication lead time we'll communicate before work begins.