Kent · England
Emergency Glazing in Kent
Shop owners in Kent can call us to secure a broken shopfront with boarding or temporary glazing, then quote for permanent laminated or toughened glass.
- Guide from £165
- 23 towns covered
- Postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN
Boarding up broken window across Kent
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.
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.
Broken toughened glass shatters into small pieces that can spread widely and sit in carpets and gaps for some time. Laminated glass cracks but stays in the frame, and is cut out with care. The glazier deals with each differently when making the opening safe.
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.
Towns we cover for emergency glazing in Kent
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
What applies in Kent
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.
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.
Kent 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.
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.
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.
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.
Internal boarding
Boards fixed from inside the room for upper floors or awkward access, avoiding ladders and working at height in the dark.
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 Kent: questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which parts of Kent do you cover for emergency glazing?
We cover the whole of Kent, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Tunbridge Wells and Folkestone, and postcode areas BR, CT, DA, ME, TN. Building rules for emergency glazing here follow the regulations for England. 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 Kent
- Replacement Glass in Kent
- Misted Glass Repair in Kent
- Safety Glass in Kent
- Window Repairs in Kent
- Window Film in Kent
- uPVC Windows in Kent
- Aluminium Windows in Kent
- Sash Windows in Kent
- Composite Doors in Kent
- Bifold Doors in Kent
- Sliding Doors in Kent
- Secondary Glazing in Kent
- Roof Lanterns in Kent
- Glass Balustrades in Kent
- Frameless Glass in Kent
- Shower Screens in Kent
- Glass Splashbacks in Kent
- Bespoke Mirrors in Kent
- Glass Roofs in Kent
- Shopfront Glazing in Kent
- Curtain Walling in Kent
- Glass Partitions in Kent
- Property Glazing in Kent
All glazing in Kent · Emergency Glazing & Boarding Up across the UK
Get a written quote in Kent
Clear guide prices, any charge explained before booking, and one point of contact for every glazing job.