Break-In and Forced Entry
Securing the opening after a burglary, with dated photographs recorded before cleanup so the incident is documented for police and insurance.
Emergency Glass Repair · Denver, Colorado
Emergency Glass Repair and Board-Up in Denver
Broken glass is a security problem before it is a glazing problem. Abricos Glass secures the opening first — board-up or temporary panel — then measures, orders and installs the correct permanent glass once it has been fabricated.
We respond to break-ins, vandalism, storm and hail damage, vehicle impact and accidental breakage at commercial and residential properties across the Denver metro area.
- Rapid board-up and securing
- Temporary glass where stock allows
- Glass and debris cleanup
- Permanent replacement to match
- Photographs for insurance claims
- Commercial and residential property
- After-hours and weekend response
For an initial review, send photographs, approximate dimensions, the project address, and any drawings or specifications you already have.
Two Phases, Not One
Secure Tonight, Replace When the Glass Is Made
Every emergency glass call has the same structure. Phase one makes the building secure and safe: glass cleared, opening covered, premises lockable. Phase two restores the opening permanently once the replacement panel has been fabricated. Anyone promising both in the same visit is either working with a stock size or not telling you the whole story — most commercial and many residential units are made to order.
That structure is worth understanding before you call anyone, because it changes what you should ask for. In the first hour the questions that matter are: can the building be locked, is the sidewalk safe, and is there weather coming in. In the days that follow the questions are about matching the glass, the lead time, and whether an insurance claim is involved.
We photograph everything before we touch it. Dated images of the damage, the debris and the opening dimensions are what an adjuster wants, and taking them costs nothing at the time and saves an argument later. We also record the tempering stamp, coating and thickness of the broken unit wherever fragments allow, because that is how the permanent panel gets ordered correctly the first time.
Safety comes before speed on every one of these calls. Broken tempered glass fails into small fragments that travel further than people expect, and laminated glass can stay in the frame in a way that looks stable and is not. We clear and stabilise the opening before working in it.
Emergency Situations We Respond To
Vandalism and Smashed Glass
Removal of failed panels, debris clearance and board-up, followed by a conversation about whether laminated glazing is justified at that opening.
Storm and Hail Damage
Response after Front Range hail and wind events, including multiple openings on the same property and coordination with other trades.
Vehicle Impact
Storefront and garage-front openings struck by vehicles, where the framing and sometimes the structure need assessment before reglazing.
Accidental Breakage
Interior partitions, doors, shelving glass and mirrors broken during operations, moves or fit-out work.
Spontaneous Tempered Breakage
Tempered panels that fail without impact. The cause is usually an inclusion or an edge defect, and the panel is replaced rather than repaired.
Failed Doors and Locks
Entrances that can no longer be secured because the glass, fitting or lock has failed, leaving the premises open.
Temporary Board-Up
Plywood cut and fastened to secure the opening, installed to protect the frame where possible and removed cleanly at replacement.
Temporary Glazing
A clear stock panel fitted where the size allows, so a retail or restaurant space still looks open while the permanent unit is fabricated.
Debris Removal
Interior and exterior glass clearance, including sidewalks and parking areas, so the site is safe for staff and the public.
Insurance Documentation
Dated photographs, itemised scope and written pricing prepared in a format adjusters can process without a follow-up request.
Permanent Replacement
Field-measured, correctly specified glass installed once fabricated, matching the surrounding glazing as closely as current products allow.
Board-Up, Temporary Glass, or Straight to Replacement?
Which route makes sense depends on the glass that was in the opening and what the space needs to do tomorrow morning.
| Situation | Recommended first step | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Common clear tempered size, business closed tomorrow | Wait for direct replacement | If the panel is available quickly, a single visit is cheaper than boarding and returning. |
| Retail frontage, trading tomorrow | Temporary glass if a stock size fits | A boarded window reads as closed. Clear temporary glazing keeps the space presentable. |
| Coated, oversized or insulated unit | Board-up | The unit is made to order; the opening cannot stay open for the fabrication period. |
| Upper-floor opening | Board-up plus access planning | Lift or rope access has to be arranged; securing the opening cannot wait for that. |
| Damaged frame as well as glass | Board-up and frame assessment | New glass in a distorted pocket fails early. Frame work has to be scoped first. |
| Residential window, weather incoming | Board-up same day | Weather and heat loss make securing the opening the priority over appearance. |
The route is confirmed on site once the opening, the glass type and the access conditions are known.
What Affects Emergency Response and Cost
Time of Day
After-hours, overnight and weekend response carries a premium over scheduled daytime work. It is almost always cheaper than leaving a building open.
Opening Size and Height
Large or elevated openings need more crew and sometimes access equipment, both for the temporary phase and the permanent one.
Glass Type Being Replaced
Stock clear tempered may be days away. Coated, tinted, laminated, low-iron or insulated units are fabricated to order and set the permanent timeline.
Frame Condition
Impact damage frequently distorts the frame as well as breaking the glass. That assessment happens during the board-up visit, not after the glass arrives.
Site Access
Downtown loading restrictions, narrow sidewalks, alarm systems and security escorts all affect how quickly a crew can start work.
Debris and Contamination
Glass in carpet, stock, food areas or machinery adds cleanup scope, and in food-service settings may involve additional protocols.
Insurance Involvement
Securing work usually proceeds immediately; permanent replacement may wait for adjuster approval. Good documentation shortens that wait.
Weather at the Time
Wind, snow and cold affect both the board-up method and any sealant work in the permanent phase. Sealants have minimum application temperatures.
Colorado Conditions That Shape Emergency Work
Front Range weather and geography change how emergency glazing is handled, both on the night and during the permanent repair.
Hail Season Volume
Spring and early summer hail can damage hundreds of openings across the metro in a single afternoon. When that happens, glass supply and crew availability tighten across the whole region at once, and honest scheduling matters more than optimistic promises.
Overnight Temperature Swings
A 40-degree drop between afternoon and midnight is normal here. An opening that feels tolerable at 6pm can be losing significant heat by 2am, which is why we treat unsecured openings as urgent even when the damage looks cosmetic.
Sealant Temperature Limits
Structural and weather sealants have minimum application temperatures. On cold mornings the permanent glazing step may need to wait for the day to warm, and rushing it produces a joint that fails within a season.
Wind Exposure
Front Range wind events load temporary board-ups hard. Fastening pattern and material thickness are chosen for the exposure, not just for the size of the opening.
Altitude and Insulated Units
Insulated units shipped across a large elevation change can be affected by pressure differences. Fabricators serving Colorado account for this, and it is one more reason a replacement unit is ordered rather than pulled off a truck.
Freeze-Thaw on Damaged Frames
Water entering a damaged frame and freezing overnight can widen the damage before the permanent repair happens. Temporary weatherproofing is part of the securing visit, not an afterthought.
What Goes Wrong on Emergency Jobs
These are the failure patterns we see repeatedly on emergency work, usually when the securing phase is rushed or skipped.
Sweeping Up Before Photographing
Once the debris is gone, the evidence is gone. Adjusters ask for images of the damage as found, and reconstructing that later is impossible. Photograph first, then clear.
Boarding Through the Frame
Fastening plywood straight through an aluminum storefront frame damages the pocket and the finish. Where the system allows, board-ups should be retained without drilling structural members.
Ordering Glass From a Guess
Sizing the replacement from the boarded opening rather than the glazing pocket produces a panel that will not glaze. Measurement happens after the opening is cleared, with the pocket exposed.
Ignoring the Frame
Impact damage bends framing. Setting a new panel into a racked pocket transfers stress into the glass, and the replacement often fails within months.
Assuming Same-Night Replacement
Most commercial units are made to order. Promising a business that its window will be permanent by morning sets up a broken commitment on day one.
Replacing Like for Like After Repeat Break-Ins
Fitting the same annealed or tempered panel into an opening that has been hit twice guarantees a third visit. Laminated glazing deserves at least a conversation.
Properties We Respond To
Commercial
Retail Storefronts
Ground-floor display and entrance glazing, the most frequent emergency call we take.
Restaurants and Bars
Frontages and patio enclosures, usually needing to be presentable again before the next service.
Office Buildings
Lobby glazing, interior partitions and upper-floor units needing access equipment.
Warehouses and Industrial
Office-front glazing, doors and vision panels within industrial buildings.
Medical and Professional Suites
Entrances and interior glass where the space must reopen for appointments the next day.
Schools and Community Buildings
Secured board-up and replacement coordinated with facilities staff and building schedules.
Residential and multifamily
Single-Family Homes
Broken windows, patio doors and interior glass, secured the same day where possible.
Apartment Units
Individual unit glazing coordinated between the resident and the property manager.
Condo Common Areas
Lobby, amenity and corridor glazing, scheduled with the HOA or management company.
Balcony Guards
Broken glass guard panels, secured and replaced with the system's specified makeup.
Shower and Interior Glass
Failed shower enclosures and interior panels, cleared and replaced with a measured unit.
Garage and Basement Glazing
Ground-level openings that are frequent entry points and often good candidates for laminated glass.
How an Emergency Call Runs
- 01
Call Us
Phone rather than email if the building is currently open to the street. Have the address, the approximate opening size and access details ready.
- 02
Triage
We establish whether the property is secure, whether anyone is at risk, and what is needed to make the opening safe tonight.
- 03
Document the Damage
Dated photographs of the opening, the debris and the surrounding area are taken before anything is moved, for police and insurance records.
- 04
Make Safe
Loose and hanging glass is removed, the area is cordoned as needed, and debris is cleared from walkways and the interior.
- 05
Secure the Opening
Board-up or temporary glazing is installed so the premises can be locked and protected from weather.
- 06
Measure and Identify
The daylight opening and glazing pocket are measured, and the original glass type, thickness, coating and tempering are identified where fragments allow.
- 07
Written Scope and Order
You receive a written scope covering the temporary work performed and the permanent replacement, with the lead time stated. The unit is ordered on approval.
- 08
Permanent Installation
The temporary work is removed, the pocket cleaned, and the new panel glazed with the correct blocks, gaskets and sealant for the system.
- 09
Final Check
Operation and weathertightness are confirmed, the glass is cleaned, and documentation is provided for your insurance and maintenance records.
Emergency Glass Costs in Denver
Emergency work is priced in two parts: making the building safe, and restoring the opening. Insurance frequently covers both, but the securing work usually proceeds before approval.
| Cost driver | Typical range of impact | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| After-hours board-up | $400–$1,200 per opening | Opening size, time of night, height, materials and cleanup |
| Temporary glass panel | $300–$900 per opening | Whether a stock size fits and how it is retained |
| Debris removal and make-safe | $150–$600 | Volume of glass, interior contamination and access |
| Tempered replacement panel | $25–$60 per sq ft installed | Thickness, size, access and lift requirements |
| Insulated unit replacement | $45–$110 per sq ft installed | Coating, tint, thickness and unit size |
| Frame repair after impact | $500–$3,000 per member | System availability, finish match and extent of damage |
Ranges reflect Front Range / Denver metro conditions in 2026 and are budgeting guidance only, not a quote. Final pricing depends on field measurement, access, glass makeup, hardware, quantities, and schedule.
Where We Work
Abricos Glass serves the Denver metro area and communities along the Front Range. Travel distance, access, parking, and building requirements can affect scheduling and pricing on projects farther from the metro.
- Denver
- Littleton
- Aurora
- Lakewood
- Centennial
- Highlands Ranch
- Englewood
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Thornton
- Boulder
- Colorado Springs
- Fort Collins
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you board up a broken window?+
We prioritise unsecured buildings and respond as quickly as crew availability and travel allow. Call rather than email if the property is currently open to the street, and tell us the address and approximate opening size on the first call.
Do you offer 24-hour service?+
We schedule emergency board-ups outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends. Availability depends on crew capacity and location within the metro at that moment, so we confirm a realistic arrival window rather than promising one we cannot meet.
Can you replace the glass the same night?+
Occasionally, if the opening takes a common stock size we can source immediately. Coated, oversized, laminated and insulated units are fabricated to order, so the permanent panel typically comes later.
Will insurance cover emergency glass work?+
That is between you and your carrier. What we can do is provide dated photographs, an itemised scope and written pricing in the format adjusters expect. We do not advise on coverage or negotiate claims.
Should I clean up the glass myself?+
We would rather you did not. Broken tempered glass produces small fragments that travel a long way and are easy to miss, and laminated panels can remain in the frame while being unstable. Keep people clear and let the crew clear it.
My tempered glass broke with nothing hitting it. Why?+
Spontaneous breakage in tempered glass is usually traced to a microscopic inclusion or an edge defect that fails under thermal or mechanical stress. It cannot be repaired; the panel is replaced.
Can you make the opening look presentable rather than boarded?+
Where the size allows, a temporary clear panel keeps a retail or restaurant frontage looking open. When the opening is oversized or oddly shaped, plywood is usually the only practical option.
Should I upgrade to laminated glass after a break-in?+
If the same opening has been targeted more than once it is worth pricing. Laminated glass keeps fragments bonded and delays entry rather than preventing it, and the frame and its anchorage matter as much as the glass.
Do you handle multiple openings after a hail storm?+
Yes. Multi-opening events are scoped as a single project, prioritising openings that leave the building exposed and coordinating the rest with your insurer's timeline.
What if the frame is damaged too?+
We assess the frame during the securing visit. Installing new glass into a distorted pocket leads to early failure, so frame repair or member replacement is scoped before ordering the panel.
Do you respond to residential emergencies?+
Yes — homes, apartments and condo common areas as well as commercial property. Weather exposure and security are treated as the priority.
Which areas do you cover for emergency work?+
The Denver metro area and nearby Front Range communities. Response times are shortest closer to Littleton and central Denver; outlying locations depend on travel and crew availability.
Related Glazing Services
Storefront Glass Repair
Permanent replacement after the opening is secured.
Read more →Commercial Glass
Full-building commercial glazing services.
Read more →Glass Door Repair
When the door itself can no longer be secured.
Read more →Doors and Windows
Window replacement for homes and commercial buildings.
Read more →Licenses and Insurance
How we document our work for owners and adjusters.
Read more →Contact Abricos Glass
Phone, email and service area details.
Read more →Guides Worth Reading First
Background reading from our journal, written by the same people who measure and install the work. Useful before you request pricing.
Request an Estimate
Tell us about the project and we will follow up to confirm details, schedule a field measurement where needed, and prepare a written proposal.
- (720) 772-8327
- support@abricosglass.com
- Littleton, CO — serving the Front Range