Emergency Board Ups & Glass Installs

It depends on the type of glass involved.

Single pane glass | We’ll cut and install a replacement on the same day.

Sealed unit with one broken pane | Since sealed units need to be ordered, we’ll make the area safe by removing the broken glass and taping the sharp edges, or covering the opening with Coroplast to hold it intact until the replacement unit arrives.

Sealed unit with multiple broken panes | We’ll board up the opening using OSB to secure the area until the replacement is ready.

It depends on whether the window or door is considered part of your unit or part of the building’s common property, and this varies between condo corporations.

As a general rule:

• If the damage affects the exterior or a structural part of the building, the condo corporation is typically responsible.
• If it’s within your unit, it’s usually your responsibility as the owner.
• That said, every condo corporation operates under its own bylaws, and the line between owner and corporation responsibility isn’t always the same. For a clear answer, your best starting point is your property manager or your condo’s bylaws.

The most common causes of glass breakage are impact, heat stress, and building settling. Glass breaks differently depending on what type of glass and the cause of the breakage. If you’re curious about what caused your glass to break, feel free to email us a picture!

Glass breaks from heat stress when different parts of the pane heat up or cool down at different rates, creating internal tension that the glass can’t absorb.

Thermal expansion | Glass expands when heated and contracts when cooled. When one area of a pane heats up faster than another — near a sunny spot or a metal frame, for example — the uneven expansion creates stress within the glass.

Uneven temperature distribution | Dark-tinted glass absorbs more heat, which increases the temperature difference across the pane. Areas near edges, holes, or scratches also heat differently than the rest of the glass, adding to the unevenness.

Stress concentration | Existing flaws like chips, scratches, or improper installation points act as weak spots where stress concentrates. Even tempered glass can fail if the stress at these points exceeds what it can handle.

Rapid temperature changes | A sudden shift, like a hot sunbeam hitting a cold window, causes stress to spike quickly, which can sometimes result in spontaneous breakage with no visible cause.

Heat stress | Fractures typically start at the edge of the glass and run inward, which can help distinguish them from impact breaks.