Exeter · Devon
Emergency Glazing in Exeter
When a break-in or storm leaves glass broken in Exeter, our glaziers can clear the shards, board the opening and measure for new glass.
- EX1
- EX2
- EX3
- EX4
- Guide from £165
Make safe broken glass for homes and businesses in Exeter
Permanent glass is often made to order, especially toughened, laminated or sealed units, and cannot usually be cut from stock at the time. That is why emergency work is normally two visits: make safe now, then return to fit the permanent glass once it is ready.
When permanent glass replaces a broken pane in a door, beside a door or low down near the floor, it should be safety glass. In England, Approved Document K sets out these critical locations, so the replacement may need a higher specification than the original glass.
If the damage follows a break-in or vandalism, report it to the police and get a crime reference number before the scene is cleared if you can. Photograph the damage from inside and outside, as both the police and your insurer may ask for these details.
If glass breaks with no clear cause, such as an impact or a break-in, it may be a thermal crack from uneven heating, or a spontaneous breakage in toughened glass. The glazier notes the break pattern, which can help with insurance and with choosing the right replacement glass.
Included as standard
- Measurement for the permanent replacement glass
- Photos and a short written note for insurance
- Removal of loose and hanging broken glass
- Written quote for the permanent glass specification
Exeter at a glance
- Postcodes covered
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4 and the surrounding area, including Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot
- Coast
- Exeter is about 6 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. In coastal storms, wind-driven rain and gusts can force water and debris through broken glass quickly. Boards need firm fixings into sound timber or masonry, and exposed openings may need extra fixings so the board stays put until the permanent glass is fitted.
- Daylight and sun
- In Exeter the midwinter sun reaches about 16° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 63° and 16.3 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
- In busy streets, broken glass on pavements is a hazard to passers-by and needs clearing. Shopfronts may need boarding before trading, parking can be limited near the opening, and flats above shops often need boards fixed from inside.
- 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 Exeter
| 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.
Permanent laminated glass
Laminated replacement glass that stays in place if struck again, often chosen for shopfronts and ground-floor windows after a break-in.
Timber boarding
Exterior-grade plywood or OSB screwed securely into the frame, giving a solid, weather-resistant cover until the permanent glass is fitted.
Emergency Glazing in Exeter: questions
What causes glass to break without anything hitting it?
Glass can crack from thermal stress, when part of a pane heats up much more than the rest, often from sun, heaters or partial shading. Toughened glass can also break spontaneously in rare cases because of tiny inclusions in the glass. The glazier notes the crack pattern, which can help identify the likely cause.
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.
Do you board up commercial premises and shopfronts?
Yes. We arrange boarding and temporary glazing for shops, offices, restaurants and other commercial premises. Large shopfront panes may need several boards, timber framing and more than one glazier. Once secured, we can quote for permanent glass, including laminated glass, and plan the fitting visit around your opening hours where possible.
Is boarding up secure enough to leave the property overnight?
A properly fitted board is screwed into the frame or surrounding structure so it cannot easily be levered off, and it closes the opening against the weather. It is a temporary measure, not a permanent security upgrade. For shops or vulnerable properties, laminated permanent glass is worth considering once the replacement is ordered.
Do you cover Exeter for emergency glazing?
Yes. We can quote for emergency glazing across Exeter and the surrounding Devon area, including postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3 and EX4, and nearby Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. 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 Exeter
Clear guide prices, any charge explained before booking, and one point of contact for every glazing job.