Broken Window? Temporary D.I.Y. Fixes to Get You Through the Night

Step 1: Protect Yourself

Before touching anything:

• Heavy work gloves. Leather or thick rubber. Not latex, not cloth gardening gloves. Broken glass cuts through thin material without resistance.
• Closed-toe shoes. Glass shards bounce and scatter. If you're barefoot or in slippers, leave the room and put on shoes first.
• Eye protection if you're pushing glass out of the frame. Safety glasses or even sunglasses. One shard in the eye is a hospital trip.
• Keep kids and pets out of the room until all glass is cleaned up.

Step 2: Secure Loose Glass

If the window is cracked but still mostly in the frame:

1. Apply strips of packing tape across the cracked surface in a star pattern. This holds the pieces together and prevents them from falling inward.
2. If pieces are hanging, tape them first, then carefully push them outward (if ground floor) or pull them inward onto a towel (if upper floor).
3. Place all glass fragments in a cardboard box or double-layered paper bag — not a plastic bag where shards can poke through.

If the window is fully shattered and the opening is empty, skip to Step 3.

Step 3: Clean the Frame

Run a folded rag along the inside of the frame channel to wipe out remaining glass fragments. Small shards embed in the glazing putty or vinyl gasket — use needle-nose pliers to pull them out.

For vinyl frames: The rubber gasket that held the glass will have glass dust in it. Wipe it down thoroughly. This gasket will be reused if the frame is intact.

For wood frames: Old putty may crumble when you remove the glass. That's fine — the glazier will re-putty during the permanent repair.

Step 4: Cover the Opening

Option A: Plastic Sheeting (Best)

What you need:

• 6-mil clear or opaque plastic sheeting (hardware store, $10-$15 for a roll)
• Painter's tape
• Packing tape (clear shipping tape)
• Scissors

Process:

1. Cut the plastic 4-6 inches larger than the opening on all sides.
2. Apply painter's tape around the interior frame edge — this protects the paint and gives the packing tape a better surface to stick to.
3. Press the plastic flat against the frame and tape the edges with packing tape over the painter's tape. Start at the top, then sides, then bottom.
4. Pull the plastic taut as you tape — wrinkles catch wind and flap, breaking the seal.
5. Run a second layer of packing tape over the first for reinforcement.

This creates a decent air barrier. It won't insulate like glass (plastic has virtually no R-value), but it stops the wind and keeps rain out.

Option B: Cardboard (Quick Fix)

For small breaks (under 12" × 12"):

1. Cut cardboard from a shipping box. Double-layer it for rigidity.
2. Cut 2 inches larger than the break on all sides.
3. Tape flat against the interior side of the remaining glass or frame with packing tape.
4. If the break is in the center of the pane and glass is still in the frame around it, tape the cardboard directly over the hole from the inside.

Cardboard doesn't handle moisture. If it rains or snows, the cardboard softens and sags within hours. Cover it with plastic if you have any.

Option C: Plywood (Most Secure)

For ground-floor windows, especially after a break-in:

1. Cut plywood (1/2" or 3/4") 2-3 inches larger than the opening on all sides.
2. From the exterior, press the plywood flat against the frame.
3. Drill pilot holes and screw into the frame or surrounding trim with 2" wood screws (4-6 screws minimum).
4. Caulk the edges if you want a weatherproof seal.

This is what we do for emergency board-ups on commercial storefronts. It's secure, weatherproof, and keeps the elements out for weeks if needed. The downside: no light, and your neighbors will notice.

What Not to Do

Don't use duct tape directly on glass. The adhesive bakes on in sunlight and leaves residue that's nearly impossible to remove from the remaining glass and frame.

Don't stuff the opening with towels or blankets. They absorb moisture, freeze in winter, and become a mold factory. They also block any remaining light.

Don't ignore it. An uncovered broken window in a Toronto winter doesn't just waste heat — pipes near the opening can freeze. If the break is in a bathroom or kitchen with plumbing in the wall, get it covered immediately.

Don't try to cut replacement glass yourself. Cutting glass requires a proper glass cutter, a clean score, and a controlled snap. Tempered glass (required by code in many locations) cannot be cut at all — it shatters. Leave the permanent repair to a glazier.

When to Call for Emergency Service

Call us same-day if:

• The break is on a ground-floor window and your home is unsecured. We offer emergency board-up service within hours across the GTA.
• It's a large opening (over 24" × 24") that plastic can't seal effectively against wind.
• The temperature is dropping below -10°C. A plastic patch loses heat fast enough to spike your heating bill noticeably overnight.
• The break was caused by a break-in. Document the damage (photos of the broken glass, the frame, the surrounding area) for your insurance claim before cleanup.

For non-emergency breaks — a baseball through a window on a mild day, a cracked pane that's still sealed — you can wait a day or two. Just get the temporary cover in place and contact us for a measurement and quote.

The Permanent Fix

Once we arrive, the repair depends on what broke:

• Single pane in an old frame: We cut new glass to size, bed it in glazing putty, and secure with glazier's points. Done in 30-60 minutes.
• Sealed double-pane IGU: The entire insulated glass unit needs replacing. We measure, order the new IGU (1-2 weeks for standard sizes, 3-4 for custom), and install. Temporary board-up stays until the new unit arrives.
• Tempered or laminated glass: Must be factory-ordered to exact size. No field cutting. Lead time: 1-3 weeks depending on spec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use garbage bags to cover a broken window?

In an emergency, yes. Double up two bags and tape them flat against the frame. They'll block wind but they tear easily and offer zero insulation. Upgrade to 6-mil plastic sheeting as soon as possible.

Should I remove all the broken glass from the frame before covering it?

Yes. Tape over any cracked pieces still in the frame with packing tape first (this holds fragments together), then gently push them out from the inside. Wear heavy gloves. Leaving jagged glass in the frame risks injury and makes permanent repair harder.

How long can a temporary window patch last?

A well-taped plastic sheet lasts 1-3 weeks in mild weather. In a Toronto winter with wind and snow, expect 2-5 days before the tape loosens and drafts return. It's a stopgap, not a solution.

Will my home insurance cover a broken window?

Most home insurance policies cover sudden accidental breakage (storm damage, break-in, stray baseball). Normal wear and seal failure are typically excluded. File the claim before getting the repair done — the adjuster may want to inspect.

Can I board up a broken window with plywood from the outside?

Yes, and it's more secure than plastic. Cut plywood 2 inches larger than the opening on all sides and screw it into the exterior frame or surrounding siding. This is what we do for emergency board-ups on commercial properties.

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Got a broken window that needs more than tape and plastic? We respond fast across the GTA — same-day board-up for emergencies, next-day measurement for glass replacement. Call or text and we'll get you sorted.