March · Cambridgeshire
Emergency Glazing in March
When a break-in or storm leaves glass broken in March, our glaziers can clear the shards, board the opening and measure for new glass.
- PE15
- Guide from £165
About emergency glazier in March
Boarding is usually exterior-grade plywood or OSB cut to fit the opening and screwed into the frame or surrounding structure. For a secure fix, the board is fixed so it cannot simply be levered off from outside, and edges are kept tight to limit weather getting in.
Upper-floor broken windows are often boarded from inside, which avoids ladders at night and in poor weather. A board fitted inside still secures the opening and keeps out wind and rain, and permanent glass can then be fitted later in daylight with proper access.
The cost of emergency glazing depends on the time of call-out, the size of the opening, whether boarding or temporary glazing is used, how much glass has to be cleared, and access. The permanent glass is quoted separately once the glazier knows the exact specification required.
Shopfront glass is often large, laminated or toughened, and very heavy. Boarding a shopfront may need several boards, extra timber framing and more than one person. Permanent shopfront glass usually needs careful measuring, lifting equipment and a planned fitting visit with access arranged around trading hours.
Included as standard
- Clearing shards from floors, sills and pavements
- Removal of loose and hanging broken glass
- Written quote for the permanent glass specification
- Photos and a short written note for insurance
Local details for March
- Postcodes covered
- PE15 and the surrounding area, including Wisbech, Whittlesey and Ely
- Coast
- March is well inland, around 32 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In March the midwinter sun reaches about 14° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.4 hours of daylight, rising to about 61° and 16.6 hours in midsummer. Boarding blocks daylight, so in short winter days a boarded room can be very dark. Temporary clear glazing keeps light in, and on sunny elevations the permanent glass can include solar control or low-E coatings when it is ordered.
- Access and setting
- Rural properties may be further from a glazier, so the first visit concentrates on making the opening safe and weathertight. Barns, outbuildings and older timber frames sometimes need extra timber battens to give the board a solid fixing.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in March
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Board up one window | £165 – £245 |
| Board up a door or small shopfront | £225 – £345 |
| Temporary glass while new glass is made | £195 – £295 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
Options to choose between
Polycarbonate temporary glazing
Clear, impact-resistant sheet fitted in place of the broken glass, keeping daylight in and the opening secure while permanent glass is made.
Replacement sealed unit
A made-to-measure double or triple glazed unit to replace a broken one, with safety or low-E glass where needed.
Permanent toughened glass
Toughened replacement glass for doors, low-level panes and other critical locations, made to measure after the opening is secured.
Emergency Glazing in March: questions
Can I clear up broken glass myself before the glazier arrives?
You can sweep up loose glass on the floor if you wear sturdy gloves and footwear, and keep children and pets away. Leave pieces still in the frame and any large hanging shards for the glazier, as they can fall unexpectedly. If police need to attend, avoid clearing the scene until they say it is fine.
Will the permanent glass need to be safety glass?
It will if the broken pane is in a critical location. In England, Approved Document K covers glass in doors and within 300mm of a door edge, up to 1500mm above the floor, and other glass within 800mm of the floor. The glazier checks the location when measuring, so the permanent glass meets the right standard.
Can you replace the glass on the same visit as boarding up?
Usually not. Most replacement glass, particularly toughened, laminated and sealed units, is made to order and cannot be cut from stock at the time. The emergency visit makes the opening safe and secure, and the glazier measures for permanent glass. A second visit is booked to remove the board and fit the new glass once it is ready.
What should I do immediately after a window is smashed?
Keep people and pets away from the broken glass, and do not try to pull out large hanging shards by hand. If it was a break-in or vandalism, call the police and note the crime reference. Take photos from inside and outside. Then call us, and we will tell you honestly when a glazier can attend to make it safe.
Do you cover March for emergency glazing?
Yes. We can quote for emergency glazing across March and the surrounding Cambridgeshire area, including postcode districts PE15, and nearby Wisbech, Whittlesey and Ely. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will talk through the job, explain any charge before booking and give you a written quote.
Get a written quote in March
Clear guide prices, any charge explained before booking, and one point of contact for every glazing job.