The sound is hard to forget. A rock, a ball, a break-in, a storm. Now there's a hole where your window used to be, glass on the floor, and cold air coming in. If it's a ground-floor window, you start thinking about who could get in tonight.
You don't need a new window to fix this. You need the broken glass out, the opening secured, and new glass back in the frame you already have. Here's what to do in the first hour, how fast the glass can be replaced, and how to get a price without waiting for an estimate appointment.
Who can fix a broken window urgently near me?
A mobile glass repair team is usually the fastest route, because the work happens at your home or business. You don't take the window anywhere, and nobody has to measure for a whole new unit. Send photos, get a price, and book the earliest open slot.
Here's how an urgent job works with us:
- Send two photos. One of the full window from inside, and one close-up of the break. Use https://2hourglass.com/start-service or text them to (267) 458-7879.
- Get your price. Photo review is free. If the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours.
- Book the visit. Same-day or same-week appointments when available. We'll tell you the real timing up front.
- We come to you. Our mobile glass truck pulls up to your home or business and the glass is replaced on site.
- We clean up. Removing the broken glass, disposal, and clean-up are included.
When you call or text, you reach a real person on our local PA and NJ team, not a call center.
What should I do right after a window breaks?
Keep people and pets away from the glass first, then take your photos before you cover anything. Good photos let us price the job and bring the right glass. After that, cover the opening from inside if weather or security is a worry.
A simple checklist:
- Clear the room. Move kids and pets out and close the door if you can.
- If it was a break-in, call the police first. Don't touch anything until they say it's fine.
- Protect your hands and feet. Wear shoes and heavy gloves before you pick up glass from the floor.
- Leave the loose pieces in the frame. Pulling shards out by hand is how people get cut. We remove them.
- Take two photos. The whole window from inside, plus a close-up of the damage.
- Cover the opening if needed. Plastic sheeting or cardboard taped over the frame from inside keeps rain out until we arrive.
- Ask about board-up. If the opening can't stay open, board-up is available on request.
You don't need to know what kind of glass you have. The photos usually tell us, and if they don't, we'll ask.
How do I get a broken window opening secured fast?
The fastest way to secure the opening is to get the new glass in. When the glass can be replaced on the first visit, that's the fix. When the glass has to be ordered, ask us about board-up so the opening is covered while you wait.
Which one you get depends on the glass, so it helps to know the two paths:
- Path one: glass replaced on the first visit. Regular-size clear single or double-pane glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. The window is closed up and done.
- Path two: measure now, install later. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass has to be ordered. We measure first and come back to install, usually 2 to 3 weeks later. In the meantime, board-up is available on request so the opening isn't left exposed.
We'll tell you which path you're on as soon as we see your photos, so you can plan the night.
How fast can emergency window glass repair be done?
For regular-size clear glass, usually in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours once the technician is on site. How soon we can get there depends on the day's schedule. Same-day or same-week appointments when available, and special glass takes longer because it has to be ordered.
- Regular-size clear single-pane
- What usually happens: Replaced on the first visit
- Typical timing: Usually one visit, most of the time within 2 hours
- Regular-size clear double-pane
- What usually happens: Replaced on the first visit
- Typical timing: Usually one visit, most of the time within 2 hours
- Tempered glass (even when clear)
- What usually happens: Measured, ordered, then installed
- Typical timing: Usually 2 to 3 weeks after ordering
- Textured, colored, or Low-E/argon glass
- What usually happens: Measured, ordered, then installed
- Typical timing: Usually 2 to 3 weeks after ordering
- Glass that has to be ordered, opening can't wait
- What usually happens: Board-up on request while the glass is made
- Typical timing: Board-up timing confirmed when you book
A few terms you might hear:
- Tempered glass is safety glass that breaks into small pieces instead of sharp shards. It's common in doors and some windows. It always has to be ordered, even when it's clear.
- Low-E glass has a thin, invisible coating that reflects heat.
- Argon is a gas sealed between the panes of some double-pane units.
We can't promise an exact arrival time or a same-day repair for every call. What we can promise is a straight answer about timing once we see your photos. Same day costs the same as any other day; it's a matter of availability. If we're already fully booked and it's a serious same-day need, there may be an extra charge to make room in the schedule, depending on the situation.
What if my window breaks after business hours?
Our hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM ET. We don't take calls or do work on Sundays. Outside regular hours on other days, emergency help is situational. We always try our best, especially if we have someone in your area, but we can't promise it. Make the room safe, cover the opening from inside, and send photos of the window along with your ZIP code at https://2hourglass.com/start-service. Once we see the window and know where it is, we can tell you what's possible. You can check your ZIP first with the checker in the FAQ below.
Taking the photos right away also helps you later, since they show the damage exactly as it happened.
Do I need to replace the whole window after it breaks?
Usually not. If the frame and sash are solid, we replace just the broken glass and keep your window. That means no new frame, no trim work, and no painter. A full replacement only makes sense when the frame itself is too damaged to hold new glass.
Some windows do need replacing, and we'll tell you if yours is one of them. If the frame is rotted, split, or bent badly enough that the glass won't sit right, new glass isn't the right fix. We don't sell or install full windows, so we have no reason to push you toward one. If you want the longer version of how to tell, read Can you replace just the glass in a window?.
How much does emergency window glass repair cost?
Every job is priced individually, based on the size and type of glass and where it is. The fastest way to know your number is to send photos. Photo review is free, and our goal is a fair price for the right repair.
Removal of the broken glass, disposal, and clean-up are included in the job. One note: wood windows with a special paint finish may need a little touch-up after the new glass goes in. For a closer look at what moves the price, see How much does it cost to replace a window pane?.
Is the new glass covered by a warranty?
Yes, if it's double-pane glass we install. Our Lifetime Seal Warranty covers seal failure and fog or moisture between the panes, and covered labor and materials cost you nothing. The warranty stays no matter who owns the property, as long as the glass is still in the same window, the sash is still in the same frame, and nothing has been altered. It doesn't cover impact or misuse damage, so a second baseball isn't included. Details are at https://2hourglass.com/warranty.
What customers say
"My Godfather said they came installed in 2hrs cleaned up the plywood that was in the window that was broken and took it out."
Napoleon M., Google review
We have 2,000+ reviews across Google, Yelp, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and Housecall Pro, including a 5.0 average from 1,358 Google reviews. You can read more at https://2hourglass.com/reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How much does emergency window glass repair cost?
Each job is priced individually, based on the size and type of glass. We don't publish price ranges, because a range would mislead: the price depends on your exact glass and window. In our experience, a glass repair usually costs about a third of a medium-quality full window replacement, and about a fifth of a high-end one. Send two photos and we can usually send your exact price within minutes during business hours.
Do you handle emergencies after hours or on Sundays?
Not on Sundays. After-hours emergencies are case by case: send photos and your ZIP code, and once we see the window we'll tell you what's possible.
Can you come today?
Same-day or same-week appointments when available, and same day costs the same as any other day. If we're already fully booked and it's a serious same-day need, there may be an extra charge to make room in the schedule. Send photos and your ZIP code first so we can check the schedule and confirm the glass we need to bring.
How long does the repair take once you arrive?
Regular-size clear single or double-pane glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass is measured first and installed when it arrives, usually 2 to 3 weeks later.
Can you board up the window?
Yes, board-up is available on request. It's most useful when the glass has to be ordered and the opening can't stay open in the meantime.
Do I need a new window, or can you replace just the glass?
If the frame is in good shape, we usually replace just the glass and keep your window. If the frame is badly damaged, a new window may be the right call, and we'll say so.
What photos should I send?
Send one photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the break. That's usually all we need to give you a price.
Do you fix broken glass in doors and storefronts too?
Yes. We replace glass in sliding and patio doors, entry doors, and storefront and commercial doors. Door rollers and locks aren't our main work, but we can take a look at it for you, or refer you to a reliable partner we trust.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 New Jersey counties: Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, and Essex. Not sure about your address? Check your ZIP below, or send a few photos and we'll confirm we can get to you.
Where we work
2HourGlass is a local PA and NJ team focused on window glass and hardware repair, with repair before replacement. We handle broken windows for homes and businesses across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 counties in New Jersey. When you call or text, you reach a real person, not a call center.
