Quick answer: Most commercial glass damage requires replacement, not repair. Glass cannot be welded or patched. Chips, cracks, seal failures, and impact damage all require lite replacement. Surface scratches under 1/16 inch can sometimes be polished out; deeper scratches require replacement. Insurance typically covers vandalism, accidental breakage, and storm damage but not gradual seal failure.
Surface scratches under 1/16 inch deep: sometimes polished out with cerium oxide. Surface stains (mineral deposits, light hard water): cleaned with specialty chemicals. Hardware adjustment: closers, hinges, locks, sweeps. Sealant joint failure (wet glazing): can be re-caulked. Setting blocks: can be replaced if dropped or settled.
Any crack or chip in the glass itself. Insulated glass unit (IGU) seal failure — moisture or fog inside the cavity. Laminated glass delamination. Impact damage (even if the glass is still in place). Tempered glass that has shattered into pieces. Frit damage or coating delamination. Frame damage that has compromised glass anchorage.
Glass is a brittle ceramic material — you can't weld it, you can't patch it. Cracks propagate over time and can lead to full failure. Cracked tempered glass is unsafe (it can shatter without warning). IGU seal failure cannot be repaired in the field; the unit must be replaced.
Storefront vision lite (3-6 SF, clear tempered): $400-$900 installed. Storefront vision lite (impact-rated): $800-$1,800 installed. Curtain wall vision lite (medium size): $1,500-$4,000 installed. Curtain wall corner unit or oversized: $3,000-$12,000 installed. Glass railing panel: $600-$2,200 installed. Custom-frit or specialty glass: 2-4x standard cost.
Vandalism: usually covered, deductible applies. Accidental breakage by occupants/contractors: usually covered. Storm damage: covered under the wind/hurricane portion of commercial policy. Theft/break-in damage: covered under property policy. Gradual seal failure: typically NOT covered (considered wear and tear). Building movement damage: usually NOT covered.
Document the failure immediately with photos and a written incident note. Notify the original glazier first (warranty coordination). For non-warranty replacements, get a written quote from 2-3 qualified glaziers. Order replacement glass early — fabrication can take 2-4 weeks even for stock IG. Plan temporary boarding if the opening is exposed.
Most commercial glass damage requires replacement, not repair. Glass cannot be welded or patched. Surface scratches under 1/16 inch can sometimes be polished out, but cracks, chips, seal failures, and impact damage all require lite replacement.
Storefront vision lite (clear tempered): $400-$900 installed. Impact-rated storefront lite: $800-$1,800. Curtain wall vision lite: $1,500-$4,000. Oversized or custom-frit glass: 2-4x standard cost.
Insurance typically covers vandalism, accidental breakage, and storm damage. Gradual seal failure (foggy IG units) is usually NOT covered. Always check your specific commercial policy and deductible.
Stock-size storefront glass: 1-3 weeks from order to installation. Insulated glass units: 2-4 weeks. Custom or impact-rated glass: 4-10 weeks. Plan temporary boarding if the opening is exposed.
Yes if the original install is under warranty — the original glazier handles warranty coordination at no charge. For out-of-warranty work, choose any qualified glazier with documented experience in your project type.
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