Commercial Glass Emergency Board-Up Kits: What to Keep on Hand
Too Long; Didn't Read
- Keep a board-up kit on-site if you manage a storefront or commercial property. A break-in at 2 AM means hours of exposure before a glazier arrives.
- Kit contents: Two sheets 1/2" plywood (pre-cut to door/window sizes), 2" wood screws, cordless drill, measuring tape, work gloves, safety glasses, contractor garbage bags.
- Cost to assemble: $50-$150 for the supplies. Stores compactly in a utility closet or storage room.
- How to board up: Screw plywood to the exterior frame from inside through the window opening. Four screws minimum per edge.
- Call us for permanent repair. Board-up is temporary — emergency glass replacement gets your storefront secure with real glass.
Answer First: Assemble a board-up kit for $50-$150 — two pre-cut plywood sheets, 2" wood screws, a cordless drill, gloves, and garbage bags. Store it in your building's utility closet. When a break-in happens at 2 AM, you can secure the opening within 30 minutes instead of waiting hours for a glazier. Then call us for emergency glass replacement.
Why You Need a Kit
Commercial break-ins in Toronto follow a pattern: they happen after hours, usually between midnight and 5 AM. The glass shatters, the alarm triggers, and either the police or the monitoring company calls you.
You arrive to find an open storefront. Wind, rain, snow, and anyone walking by has free access to your inventory. Your insurance requires you to take "reasonable measures to prevent further loss." Standing there with your arms crossed isn't a reasonable measure.
A board-up kit turns a 30-minute scramble for supplies into a 15-minute installation. You secure the opening, document the damage for insurance, and call a glazier for permanent repair in the morning.
What Goes in the Kit
| Item | Quantity | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" plywood sheets (pre-cut to your largest opening) | 2 | Covers the broken opening | $15-$30 each |
| 2" wood screws (#8 or #10, coarse thread) | Box of 50 | Secures plywood to frame | $5-$10 |
| Cordless drill (with charged battery) | 1 | Drives screws | $30-$80 (if you don't have one) |
| Phillips bit set | 1 | For the drill | $5 |
| Measuring tape | 1 | Verify plywood fits | $5 |
| Heavy work gloves (leather) | 1 pair | Glass handling | $10-$15 |
| Safety glasses | 1 pair | Eye protection from glass shards | $5 |
| Contractor garbage bags | 5 | Glass debris collection | $3-$5 |
| Packing tape (clear, wide) | 1 roll | Tape cracked glass before removal | $3-$5 |
| Flashlight | 1 | Power may be off; you need to see | $5-$10 |
Total kit cost: $50-$150. Stores in a single cardboard box or plastic tote.
Pre-Cutting the Plywood
Measure your storefront's largest glass opening — both width and height. Cut the plywood sheets to fit, with 2-3 inches of extra on each side to overlap the frame.
For standard commercial doors:
- Single door lite: 24" × 72" (most common)
- Full glass storefront panel: 36-48" × 72-84"
- Sidelight panel: 12-18" × 72"
If your storefront has multiple sizes, cut the plywood for the largest opening. You can always use it on a smaller opening by letting it overlap more.
Label each plywood sheet with the opening it fits: "FRONT DOOR," "LEFT SIDELIGHT," etc.
How to Board Up
Step 1: Safety First
Put on gloves and safety glasses. Check for live electrical wires if the break damaged the door frame near the power entry point.
Step 2: Document
Before touching anything, photograph and video the damage from multiple angles. Insurance adjusters and police reports rely on this documentation. Get wide shots (whole storefront) and close-ups (break pattern, frame damage, glass distribution).
Step 3: Clear Dangerous Glass
Use the packing tape to stabilize any large shards still hanging in the frame — tape across them, then carefully push them out. Collect glass debris in the contractor bags.
Don't remove glass from the frame edges — the glazier will clean the frame properly when they install new glass.
Step 4: Mount the Plywood
From inside the building:
- Hold the plywood sheet against the opening from the interior side.
- Push it through the opening until it rests flat against the exterior frame.
- Drive 2" screws through the plywood into the frame at each corner and every 12 inches along the edges. Minimum 4 screws per side.
- For aluminum storefront frames, you may need self-tapping metal screws instead of wood screws.
From outside (if access is available):
- Hold plywood flat against the exterior frame.
- Screw into the frame or surrounding wall material.
- This is more secure but requires you to work from the street side.
Step 5: Lock Up and Leave
Secure any other openings. Set the alarm if it's still functional. Leave a note for employees about the situation. Call the glazier.
After the Board-Up
- File the insurance claim the same day. Provide photos, police report number, and a description of emergency measures taken.
- Call us for permanent repair. We offer emergency board-up and glass replacement across the GTA. For standard storefront glass (tempered, 6mm), we stock common sizes and can often install within 24-48 hours. Custom sizes take 1-2 weeks.
- Consider a security upgrade. After a break-in, upgrade from tempered to laminated glass or add security film to prevent repeat incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can a glazier respond to a break-in in Toronto?
1-4 hours during business hours, 2-6 hours after-hours and weekends. The board-up kit covers the gap.
Should I clean up broken glass before the glazier arrives?
Only enough for safety. Don't remove glass from the frame — the glazier needs to assess it. Photograph everything for insurance first.
Does insurance cover board-up costs?
Yes. Most commercial policies cover emergency measures to prevent further loss. Keep all receipts.
Can I use cardboard instead of plywood?
For a commercial storefront, no — it provides zero security. Plywood screwed to the frame is the minimum.
How long can a board-up stay?
Weeks if needed, but it shouldn't. Board-ups attract further vandalism. Most municipalities require permanent repair within 30 days.
Had a break-in or storm damage? We respond across the GTA with same-day board-up and fast glass replacement. Call us immediately — we'll get your storefront secured.