Edinburgh & the Lothians · Scotland
Emergency Glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians
We cover emergency glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians for homes, flats and businesses, removing dangerous glass and securing the opening until the permanent glass is ready.
- Guide from £165
- 14 towns covered
- Postcode areas EH
Make safe broken glass in Edinburgh & the Lothians: what to know
The first job on an emergency visit is making the opening safe. Loose and hanging shards are removed from the frame, broken glass is cleared from floors and pavements, and anything that could fall is taken down before the opening is boarded or temporarily glazed.
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.
Temporary glazing uses polycarbonate or a basic glass pane instead of a board, letting daylight in while permanent glass is made. It suits shopfronts that need to keep trading, living rooms and windows where boarding would leave a room in darkness for days.
Towns we cover for emergency glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
What applies in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.
Security standards for doors and windows apply to new homes in Scotland; for replacements, PAS 24 products are a sensible choice.
Edinburgh & the Lothians has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. 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.
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.
Guide prices
| 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 |
Choosing your emergency glazing
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.
Permanent toughened glass
Toughened replacement glass for doors, low-level panes and other critical locations, made to measure after the opening is secured.
Internal boarding
Boards fixed from inside the room for upper floors or awkward access, avoiding ladders and working at height in the dark.
Emergency Glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians: 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 my insurance pay for emergency boarding and new glass?
Many home and business policies cover accidental or malicious damage to glass, including boarding and replacement, but the terms vary. Some insurers require you to use their approved contractors or to call them first, and an excess may apply. Check your policy or call your insurer. We provide photos and a written note to support a claim.
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.
Should I board up or have temporary glazing?
Boarding is simple to fit, secure and suits any opening, but it blocks daylight and the view. Temporary polycarbonate glazing lets light in and lets a shop keep displaying, but it is less suitable for some large or awkward openings. The glazier advises on which suits your property and how long the permanent glass will take.
Which parts of Edinburgh & the Lothians do you cover for emergency glazing?
We cover the whole of Edinburgh & the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg, and postcode areas EH. Building rules for emergency glazing here follow the regulations for Scotland. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will talk through the job, explain any charge before booking and give you a written quote.
Other glazing services in Edinburgh & the Lothians
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All glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians · Emergency Glazing & Boarding Up across the UK
Get a written quote in Edinburgh & the Lothians
Clear guide prices, any charge explained before booking, and one point of contact for every glazing job.