A broken window has a way of stopping everything. Whether it’s a rock from a lawnmower, a hailstorm rolling through Loveland, or a tree branch landing in the wrong place, the moment after the glass breaks is when most homeowners freeze. What do you touch? What’s safe? Is the house actually exposed to the weather right now?
Here’s the practical, in-order playbook for the first hour after a window breaks, written for Loveland homeowners who want to keep their family safe and their home secure until a professional glass installer can take over.
Step 1: Protect Everyone in the House First
Before you pick up a single shard, slow down for sixty seconds. Glass injuries happen in the rush.
Get everyone out of the room, especially pets and small children. Bare feet and curious paws are the two most common causes of injury after a window breaks. Close the door if you can.
Put on thick work gloves, ideally leather or cut-resistant. Cheap latex or gardening gloves are not enough. Add safety glasses or any closed eyewear you have in the house. Slivers love to ricochet when you start sweeping.
If there’s any chance the break was caused by something other than weather (an attempted entry, for example), step back and call the non-emergency line for local law enforcement before disturbing anything. Photos taken before cleanup matter in both insurance and police reports.
Step 2: Clean Up the Glass the Right Way
Start with the biggest pieces. Pick them up by the flat sides and place them directly into a sturdy box or double-bagged trash bag. Avoid the typical plastic kitchen bag, which a single shard will tear through. Cardboard boxes lined with newspaper work well for heavy fragments.
Once the large pieces are gone, switch to a broom and dustpan for medium-sized shards. Sweep slowly and away from your body. Resist the urge to use your hands to brush stray pieces into the pan.
For the fine slivers that always remain, a shop vacuum is the right tool. Run it over carpet, between floorboards, and several feet beyond the immediate area. Glass travels much farther than people expect, particularly off hard floors. As a final pass, press a slice of bread or a piece of damp paper towel onto the floor to lift the tiniest fragments your eye can’t see. Both work better than you’d think.
Step 3: Stabilize a Crack Before It Spreads
If the glass is cracked but still intact, you have a little more time and a few more options. The goal is to keep the crack from growing while you wait for repair.
Wipe both sides of the glass gently with a dry cloth so tape will stick. Then apply clear packing tape, masking tape, or duct tape in a crisscross grid that extends a couple of inches past the crack on both ends. Tape the inside surface first, then the outside if the window is accessible. The grid holds the pieces in place and reduces the chance of a sudden failure.
Avoid pressing on the cracked area, opening or closing the window, or letting the sun beat directly on a taped crack for hours on end. Heat will keep expanding the glass and can push the crack farther even with tape in place. Drawing the curtains or blinds (a few inches off the glass, not pressed against it) helps.
Step 4: Seal a Shattered Opening Against Weather and Intruders
If the window is fully shattered, the priority shifts to closing the opening. An exposed window invites rain, wind, pests, and in the worst case, someone looking for an easy way in.
For a short-term seal that will hold for a day or two, heavy-duty plastic sheeting works well. Six-mil plastic from any hardware store, or even a doubled-up contractor trash bag, can be stretched across the opening and taped firmly to the frame with heavy-duty packing tape or a staple gun. Pull the plastic taut so the wind doesn’t billow it loose overnight.
For a longer hold (anything beyond a couple of days, or any time the weather forecast looks ugly), plywood is the better option. Measure the window frame, cut a piece of half-inch plywood to overlap the opening by an inch or two on every side, and secure it with screws into the frame. Pre-drill small starter holes to avoid splitting the wood, and keep the screws short enough that they don’t punch through the other side of the frame. Plywood also adds real security if you’ll be away from the home overnight.
In a winter break, insulation matters too. A layer of plastic on the inside of the frame in addition to the plywood outside helps keep cold air out of the room while you wait for replacement glass.
Step 5: Document the Damage and Make the Right Calls
Before you finish cleaning, take photos. Multiple angles, multiple distances. Include any interior damage caused by the break (water on the floor, items damaged by falling glass, anything outside that may have caused the impact). These photos protect you if you decide to file a homeowners insurance claim, and they help the glass company quote the job accurately when you call.
Speaking of insurance: sudden, accidental window damage from storms, vandalism, or impact is typically eligible for coverage under a standard homeowners policy, though a single broken window may fall below your deductible. Check before you assume either way. Hail damage from a Northern Colorado storm, for example, often qualifies, especially when other windows or the roof are affected.
Then call a professional. A reputable glass repair company can usually get a technician out the same day for emergency situations, board up the opening if you haven’t already, and tell you whether your specific window needs a glass-only replacement or a full unit swap. Avoid the temptation to leave a plywood patch in place for weeks. It’s a stopgap, not a fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to vacuum broken glass with a regular household vacuum?
A standard upright vacuum is not the right tool. Glass can damage the brush roll, tear the bag, and leave shards in the hose that wind up scattered the next time you use it. Use a shop vacuum if you have one, and as a last resort, sweep thoroughly and then use a strong piece of tape pressed to the floor to lift remaining fragments.
How long can a plywood or plastic-covered window stay in place safely?
A plastic seal is reasonable for a day or two. A properly screwed-in plywood panel can hold for a couple of weeks if the weather is mild, though we don’t recommend going much beyond that. Extended exposure invites moisture into the frame and surrounding wall, and the longer the window stays out of commission, the more likely you are to develop secondary problems like rot or interior damage.
Should I call my insurance company before the glass company?
If the damage is minor and you suspect it falls below your deductible, you can usually skip the claim and pay out of pocket. For storm damage, vandalism, or significant breaks that may involve frame damage or multiple windows, calling your insurance company first is worthwhile. Most glass repair companies, including ours, can also help you understand what’s likely to be covered before you decide.
Can I drive to the hardware store with a broken window in my car if I need supplies?
This blog focuses on home windows, but the same principle applies. If you have other transportation, use it. Driving with damaged glass is a safety risk and can worsen the break. If you have no alternative, drive slowly and avoid rough roads.
Why does fast professional repair matter so much in Loveland’s climate?
Northern Colorado weather is hard on exposed openings. Wind, sudden temperature swings, and hail in spring and summer can all extend damage quickly. A broken window left for a week in March or October often becomes a frame repair as well, because moisture has time to work its way into the wood or surrounding seal.
What information should I have ready when I call a glass repair company?
Have the approximate window size, the type of glass if you know it (single pane, double pane, tempered), how the window broke, and a few photos available to send. The more a company knows before they arrive, the more likely they are to come with the right materials on the first visit.
When You’re Ready, Call Handy Glass Inc.
A broken window is stressful, but it doesn’t need to stay an emergency for long. Handy Glass Inc. has been responding to urgent glass repair calls across Loveland and Northern Colorado for years. We arrive prepared, secure your home, and walk you through whether a glass-only replacement or a full unit replacement makes the most sense for your situation. We treat every home with the same care we’d want for our own.
Contact Handy Glass Inc. today for fast, professional emergency window glass repair in Loveland, CO.