Glass repair in Hillsboro covers a wide range of problems, from a fogged window with a failed seal to a shattered storefront, a cracked windshield, or a frameless shower door that needs new hardware. In most cases, a licensed glazier can fix the specific piece of glass without replacing the entire window, door, or assembly. At Martin Glass, we've been handling glass repair across Hillsboro, Cornelius, Beaverton, Forest Grove, and Washington County since 1997, and the process always starts the same way: with an honest diagnosis of what actually needs to be fixed.
Start With the Right Diagnosis
Before anyone picks up a phone or pulls out a checkbook, you need to know what you're actually dealing with. Glass problems fall into a few distinct categories, and each one has a different repair path.
Fogged or hazy windows. If your windows look cloudy on the inside, that's a failed seal on your IGU (insulated glass unit, the sealed glass assembly inside your window frame). The glass itself is usually fine. What failed is the seal that keeps argon gas or dry air between the panes. The fix is a new sealed unit measured and fabricated to fit your existing frame. You typically don't need to replace the whole window.
Cracked or broken glass panes. A clean break or a crack that runs through a pane means the glass itself needs to go. We measure the opening, fabricate the replacement, and install it. If the broken pane is tempered glass, it can't be cut after manufacturing, so we order it made to your exact dimensions.
Broken storefront glazing. A smashed storefront requires two steps. First, we board up the opening to secure your property. Then we measure and fabricate the permanent replacement glass. You won't be unsecured overnight while the new glass is in production.
Auto glass. A rock chip on your windshield is a different problem than a crack that has spread across the glass. Rock chip repair, using resin injection, can save the windshield if the damage is within the repair threshold. A spread or deep crack usually means full windshield replacement.
Frameless shower doors. A frameless shower door that's leaking, has a broken hinge, or needs new hardware is a specialty repair. The glass on these doors can weigh over 100 pounds, and the hardware needs to match the door's weight and thickness. This is not a repair to approach without the right tools and crew size.
Repair vs. Replace: How We Decide
The most common question we hear in Hillsboro is whether a window needs a full replacement or just a new IGU. Here's how we think through it.
If the frame is structurally sound, square, and without rot or damage, we can almost always save it. We remove the failed sealed unit, measure the opening, and drop in a new IGU. The frame stays. The cost is significantly lower than a full window replacement, and you get the same result: a clear, properly sealed window.
If the frame itself is damaged, warped, or no longer square, replacing only the glass won't give you a lasting fix. In that case, we'll tell you. We're not going to sell you a new IGU that won't perform because the frame around it is compromised.
For storefront glazing, we assess whether the existing framing system can accept a replacement lite or whether the surround needs to be rebuilt. We'll walk you through the options before any work starts.
What to Look for in a Hillsboro Glazier
Not every glass company that serves Hillsboro measures and fabricates glass in-house. Some operate as dispatch services: they take your call, route a crew from a central pool, and mark up the glass they order from a supplier. That model can work, but it can also add days to your timeline and distance between you and the person accountable for the work.
A few things worth asking before you hire anyone for glass repair in Hillsboro: Do they fabricate in-house or outsource the glass? Are the people quoting the job the same ones installing it? Will you get an itemized price before work begins? Can they handle the repair in one visit, or will you need multiple appointments?
We'll give you a straight answer to all of those questions before we start.
How We Handle Glass Repair at Martin Glass
Here's what the process looks like from your first call to the finished job.
Step 1: You call Teri. Teri answers the phone at our shop at 1900 Baseline Rd in Cornelius. She'll ask what you're dealing with, get you scheduled for a site visit or direct you to bring the piece in if it's portable, and give you a realistic timeline.
Step 2: We assess and diagnose on-site. Aldo, Jason, Enrique, or another member of the crew comes out and looks at the actual problem. We check the frame condition, measure the opening, and identify the glass type. If it's tempered, we note the markings. If it's an IGU with a failed seal, we confirm the seal failure and document the unit dimensions.
Step 3: We give you a price. Before anything is ordered or fabricated, you get a clear number. No surprises on the invoice.
Step 4: We fabricate or order the glass. Annealed glass we cut in-house. Tempered glass we order to your exact dimensions, because tempered glass can't be cut after it's been heat-treated. IGUs are fabricated as sealed units. For storm windows, we install QuantaPanel systems, with low-E glass options available.
Step 5: We install and clean up. The crew squares the frame, sets the glass, and finishes the install. We protect the work area and leave the site clean. That's the standard on every job, whether it's a single pane in a Hillsboro home or a full storefront in Beaverton.
If your glass problem can't wait, call us now at 503-357-2565.
When Waiting Makes It Worse
A crack in a window doesn't stay the same size. Thermal expansion from Oregon's cool mornings and warmer afternoons can drive a crack across an entire pane in a few weeks. A failed seal on an IGU lets moisture into the unit, which means the fogging gets worse and the window's insulating performance drops. A rock chip in a windshield that sits through a few wet Washington County winters can travel and require a full replacement instead of a simple resin repair.
Small problems can become larger ones when they're left alone. Acting quickly often costs less than waiting, and it keeps your options open.
When you do call, you reach the shop directly. You talk to someone who knows the work, gets you scheduled fast, and gives you a clear timeline. The crew that shows up is the crew that quoted your job. After 27 years of glass repair in Hillsboro and across Washington County, that's still how we operate.
Call Martin Glass at 503-357-2565, or stop by 1900 Baseline Rd in Cornelius. Teri will get you taken care of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What types of glass repair does Martin Glass handle in Hillsboro?
We handle residential window repair, IGU (insulated glass unit) replacement, frameless shower door repair, storefront glazing, sliding glass door repair, screen door repair, windshield repair, rock chip repair, and emergency board-up, among other services. If it involves glass in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, or anywhere else in Washington County, call us and we'll tell you whether we can handle it.
Q: How do I know if I need to replace just the IGU or the whole window?
If your window frame is structurally sound and undamaged, you almost always only need a new IGU. We assess the frame condition on-site before recommending anything. A fogged window with a failed seal usually means the sealed glass unit needs to be replaced, not the frame around it. We'll give you a straight answer after we look at it.
Q: How long does glass repair take in Hillsboro?
The timeline depends on the type of repair and the glass involved. Annealed glass we cut in-house, which can speed things up. Tempered glass is ordered to size, which adds lead time. IGUs are fabricated as sealed units. We give you a specific timeline before we start work, not a blanket promise. Call Teri at 503-357-2565 and she'll give you a realistic estimate based on your specific job.
Q: Does Martin Glass offer emergency glass repair in Hillsboro?
Yes. If you have a broken storefront, a shattered window, or any glass situation that leaves your home or business unsecured, call us. We offer emergency board-up service across Washington County and the Portland metro. We'll secure the opening and walk you through the permanent repair options and timeline.
Q: How much does glass repair cost in Hillsboro?
The cost depends on the type of glass, the size of the opening, whether the glass needs to be tempered, and the complexity of the install. We give you a clear price before any work begins. Storm window installation, for reference, typically runs around $700 per opening installed, with low-E glass options available at additional cost. For other repairs, call us at 503-357-2565 for a straightforward quote.