Repair guide
Cost of Replacing Window Glass: Panes, Units and Safety Glass
By the Newcastle Window and Door Repairs team
Last updated:
A cracked or smashed window pane is usually a glass job, not a window job. The frame, hinges and handle stay, and only the glass is replaced. That keeps the cost of replacing window glass far below the cost of a new window.
This guide looks at broken and cracked glass. If your glass is misted between the panes but not broken, our guide to the [cost to replace a double glazed unit](/guides/cost-to-replace-a-double-glazed-unit) covers that from the sealed unit angle.
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Single pane or sealed unit?
In a double glazed window, the two panes are bonded together as one sealed unit. If either pane breaks, the whole unit is replaced, because the seal cannot be remade on site. In older single glazed windows, only the single pane is replaced. Most modern uPVC windows in the North East are double glazed, so most jobs are a new unit.
Existing price ranges
These are the ranges already shown in our other cost guides. They are guidance, not a quotation.
- Small unit, for example a top opener: around £70 to £120 fitted
- Standard casement unit: around £100 to £180 fitted
- Large or bay window unit: around £150 to £350 fitted
- Toughened or laminated safety glass: adds roughly 20 to 60 per cent
What changes the price
Size is the biggest factor: more glass costs more, and very large units need two people to handle. The type of glass matters next. Safety glass is needed in low panes and near doors, and laminated glass is often chosen for security. Obscure and patterned glass for bathrooms adds a little, as do Georgian bars or leaded designs that need matching.
Access affects the cost too. Ground floor glass is the simplest. Upper floors and windows over conservatories need more time and equipment. Doing several panes on one visit usually brings the price per unit down.
Window glass replacement
- Clear float and low emissivity energy efficient glass
- Toughened safety glass for doors, side panels and low level glazing
- Laminated glass for added security and sound reduction
Emergency glass and boarding
If the window is broken and the property is insecure, it may need boarding before the new glass is made. That is a separate emergency job; see emergency repairs. Permanent glass replacement is then quoted after measuring.
Is cheap glass a false economy?
Glass must be the right thickness and type for its position, and the unit must suit the frame. A badly fitted unit can leak, rattle or mist early. Keeping the frame is the sensible way to keep the cost down, not cutting the specification of the glass.
Getting a window glass replacement quote
Measure the visible glass roughly, note which floor the window is on and take a photo of the whole window and a close photo of the damage. Tell us if the glass is patterned or obscure. We give a free in-person quote and confirm the price after measuring. To book, see window glass replacement or request a quote.
Guidance on cost
Typical price ranges
Guidance only. Size, specification, access and frame condition affect the price; a free inspection confirms it.
| Work and what affects its cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small unit, for example a top openerToughened or laminated glass adds to the price | around £70 to £120 fitted |
| Standard casement unitDepends on size and glass type | around £100 to £180 fitted |
| Large or bay window unitLarger units need two people to handle | around £150 to £350 fitted |
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Questions
Frequently asked
How much does window glass replacement cost?
Our existing ranges run from around £70 to £120 fitted for a small unit up to around £150 to £350 fitted for a large or bay unit. Safety glass adds roughly 20 to 60 per cent. We confirm the price after measuring.
Can just one pane of a double glazed window be replaced?
No. The two panes form one sealed unit, so the whole unit is replaced. The frame stays.
Is it cheaper to replace window glass than the whole window?
Almost always. Replacing the glass keeps the frame, hinges and handles, so the cost and disruption are much lower.
Ask about window glass replacement cost
Photo estimates sometimes possible.
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