Do you need to replace your broken glass? Before we can provide you with a quote over the phone, we have a few questions to ask to help us determine the type of glass you’ll need and the complexity of the job.
Here’s what we typically ask, along with the reasons each question matters.
Is your window timber or aluminium?
Timber windows come in a variety of types and can often take longer to reglaze due to the careful process of removing and reinstalling the glass.
Aluminium windows are generally more straightforward, but age, wear, and rusting (especially around the fixtures and screws) can make them more complicated. Knowing the frame type helps us plan the job and give you an accurate price estimate.
Is it the fixed panel or the sliding panel of your window?
We ask this more for scheduling purposes. A fixed panel window usually takes longer to reglaze compared to a sliding panel.
Why? Fixed panels are sealed in differently, while sliding panels can be removed and replaced more quickly. The more we know before arriving, the more efficiently we can complete your repair.
| Feature | Clear Glass | Obscure Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Transparent with full visibility through the glass | Frosted, patterned, or textured to blur visibility |
| Privacy Level | Low. You can see straight through | High. Designed to provide privacy while still allowing light in |
| Common Locations | Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and front windows | Bathrooms, laundries, doors, sidelights, and entry panels |
| Light Transmission | Maximum natural light | Slightly reduced light, depending on texture or frosting |
| Aesthetic Options | Clean and clear look | Available in many patterns and finishes (frosted, ribbed, cathedral, etc.) |
| Safety Requirements | Usually standard float or laminated glass | Often made with safety glass (laminated or toughened) in doors or wet areas |
| Cost | Typically lower cost | Slightly higher cost due to patterning or treatment |
| Purpose | Visibility and brightness | Privacy and light diffusion |
Is the glass clear?
It might sound like a strange question since many people assume glass is always clear. In most living areas, such as bedrooms, kitchens, and front windows, that’s true.
However, bathrooms often use obscure or frosted glass for privacy. The same applies to doors or sidelights (panels next to doors), which usually feature obscure safety glass. Knowing this in advance ensures we bring the right glass type with us.
Does the bottom of the window lie above or below your knee height?
This question is about safety. If the bottom of your window is less than 500mm (50cm) from the floor, either inside or outside, it must be replaced with safety glass in accordance with Australian Standards.
Safety glass includes laminated glass, toughened glass, or 5mm glass (depending on the window size). Laminated and 5mm glass are kept in stock, so we can usually fix these on the day. Toughened glass, however, must be custom-ordered and takes around 10 business days to arrive.
If you require toughened glass, we’ll board up the window until your order is ready. Toughened glass is specially heat-treated and can’t be cut or resized afterwards. It would simply shatter.
Is the window in a wet area (bathroom or laundry)?
Windows in bathrooms and laundries are considered wet areas, which means they need to meet higher safety standards. Due to the increased risk of slips and falls, these areas must use laminated or toughened safety glass.
If your window needs toughened glass, it will have the same turnaround time mentioned above. We’ll board it up until the new glass is ready for installation.
| Glass Type / Scenario | Indicative Price Range (AUD) | Notes / Variables |
|---|---|---|
| Basic float glass (simple pane) | ~ $40 to $100 per m² | Cheapest option, little or no treatment, standard frame, easy access. |
| Standard safety / toughened glass | ~ $200 to $300 per m² | For more resilient glass (toughened), still fairly standard job assuming frame is good. |
| Laminated / treated glass (higher spec) | ~ $300 to $400+ per m² | Extra safety or acoustic features, more premium material. |
| Whole window replacement (rather than just glass) | ~ $800 to $1,500+ per window | When the frame or other components also need replacing, complexity increases. |
What is the approximate size of the window or glass?
Since our pricing is based on the square metre rate of the glass, we’ll ask for approximate measurements. If you have a tape measure handy, measure the width and height of the glass from frame to frame, that’s close enough for an estimate.
All phone pricing is an estimate and may be adjusted once our team formally measure the window. Most customers who measure themselves are quite accurate, but occasionally sizes are over- or under-estimated.
If your window has extra features, such as colonial bars, it may require additional labour for removal and reinstallation. Sending us a quick photo helps ensure we provide the most accurate quote possible.
Pricing Disclaimer:
All prices listed above are intended as a general guide only and represent average market rates across Australia. Actual costs can vary depending on several factors, including the type of glass, size of the window, location, ease of access, and labour requirements.
For an accurate quote tailored to your property, we recommend speaking with our team directly or booking a measure and quote appointment.
Can’t answer those questions? Need a Measure and Quote?
If this all feels overwhelming, don’t worry. We can send one of our team members to measure it for you and provide a formal quote.
This option takes a bit more time since you’ll need to be home to let us in and show us the window. However, if you can answer these questions over the phone, we can often give you a price and schedule your repair immediately.
Need a fast window glass replacement?
Whether your window is cracked, broken, or fogged, we can help. Call our friendly team for a quick phone quote or book a professional on-site measure and quote anywhere in Wollongong and beyond.
