A smashed storefront at 2 a.m. is one of the worst calls a Dallas business owner can get. Glass is on the sidewalk, the door may not lock, and the store is supposed to open in a few hours. What you do in the first hour decides how fast you reopen and how smoothly the insurance claim goes.
This guide walks through that first hour in order, then explains what happens when the permanent glass goes in. It applies to retail stores, restaurants, salons, offices and any business with a glass front, from Deep Ellum to North Dallas.
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Do not go inside until you know no one is still there. If you arrive and the break-in looks recent, wait outside and call 911. Once police clear the space, watch for loose shards still hanging in the frame. Tempered glass breaks into small cubes, but laminated and annealed glass can leave large, sharp pieces that fall without warning.
- Keep employees and customers away from the opening
- Wear gloves and closed-toe shoes if you must step near the glass
- Do not try to pull hanging pieces out of the frame by hand
2. File a Police Report
Your insurance carrier will almost always ask for a police report number. In Dallas, you can report a burglary that is no longer in progress through the Dallas Police Department non-emergency line or online reporting system. Write down the report number and the officer’s name.
3. Photograph Everything Before Cleanup
Before anyone sweeps, take wide and close photos of the broken glass, the frame, the door hardware, the lock and anything taken or damaged inside. Include a photo that shows the whole storefront from the street. These photos support both the claim and the glass order, because they show the size and type of the opening.
4. Secure the Opening
A broken storefront has to be closed the same day. There are two common options:
- Board-up: plywood fastened over the opening. It is fast and strong, but it blocks light and signage.
- Temporary glazing: clear polycarbonate or a temporary lite set in the frame. It keeps the store looking open while the permanent glass is made.
If the door or lock was damaged, the door needs to close and lock before you leave for the night. A commercial glass company can usually adjust or temporarily secure the door at the same visit.
5. Call Your Insurance Carrier
Report the claim as soon as the opening is secure. Ask whether your policy covers glass separately, what your deductible is, and whether the carrier wants to send an adjuster before permanent repairs. Keep receipts for the board-up or temporary glazing, since these are usually part of the claim.
What Happens Next: Permanent Glass
Most storefront glass is cut and tempered to order, so permanent replacement is a separate visit. Here is the usual sequence:
- Measure: the opening is measured precisely, and the glass type is confirmed.
- Specify: tempered safety glass is required in doors and in glass near the floor. Insulated low-E units are common for sun-facing storefronts.
- Order: the glass is fabricated to size. Standard tempered lites are faster than custom insulated or laminated units.
- Install: the temporary cover comes off, the new glass is set and sealed, and the door is adjusted so it closes and latches correctly.
Should You Upgrade While You Replace?
A break-in is a good moment to ask whether the same glass makes sense again. Many Dallas businesses that see repeat break-ins move to laminated glass, which holds together when struck and slows an intruder down. Others add a security film or upgrade the door hardware. If the storefront frame is old, corroded or out of square, it may be time to look at a new storefront system instead of glass alone.
Our guide to repair, replacement and installation explains how to make that call.
A Quick First-Hour Checklist
- Wait for police if the break-in looks recent
- Get a police report number
- Photograph the glass, frame, door and damage before cleanup
- Board up or install temporary glazing the same day
- Make sure the door closes and locks
- Report the claim and keep every receipt
Get Help in Dallas
If your storefront was broken into, call 866-665-3975. We make the opening safe and secure first, then measure and order the permanent glass. Learn more about our commercial glass services in Dallas and storefront glass replacement.