What to do after a break-in at your business: a door and glass checklist

A break-in leaves you dealing with police, insurance and an entrance that may not lock. This checklist covers the steps in order, from making the site safe to choosing a permanent repair.

Temporary board-up covering shattered glass door

1. Make sure everyone is safe and call the police

If anyone could still be inside, stay out and call 911. Otherwise, report the break-in to your local police service. Avoid touching the damaged door, lock or glass until police tell you it is fine to clean up, because they may want to see it as it is.

2. Document the damage

Take wide photos of the entrance from inside and outside, then close-ups of the door, frame, lock, glass and any pry marks.
Note the date and time you discovered the damage and anything missing.
Contact your insurance provider early and ask what they need from you.
Keep copies of invoices for temporary securing and permanent repairs.

Shattered glass door before temporary securing — A shattered glass door photographed before it was secured.

3. Secure the opening right away

If glass is broken or the door can no longer lock, the opening needs to be secured before you leave the building. A temporary board-up covers broken glass and keeps the space closed until the permanent glass or hardware is ready. Keep staff and customers away from broken glass. Tempered glass breaks into small cubes; laminated glass usually cracks but stays in place.

Never chain or padlock an emergency exit to make up for a damaged lock. Exit doors must still open for people inside.

4. Check the door, frame and lock

Pry damage can bend aluminum door stiles and frames, so the door may not line up or latch even after new glass is installed.
Lock cylinders and narrow-stile deadlocks are often forced or twisted.
Look at hinges, pivots and the strike plate for damage.
Test that panic bars and other exit hardware still open the door freely.

5. Choose the permanent repair

Depending on the damage, the permanent fix may be replacement glass in the same type and thickness, a new lock or cylinder, straightened or replaced door and frame parts, or a full door replacement. Replacement glass is usually measured on site and made to size.

6. Lower the risk of a repeat

Rekey or replace locks if keys may be missing.
Ask about stronger cylinders, latch guards and better strikes.
Consider laminated glass or security film for glass close to the lock.
Review lighting, cameras and access control at the entrance.

Get help

See break-in and emergency repair, commercial glass replacement and commercial locksmith services. Call (289) 901-2624 or send photos with a quote request.

Questions and answers

Should I clean up broken glass before the police arrive?

Keep people away from the glass, but leave the scene as it is until police say it is fine to clean up, and take photos first for your insurance claim.

Do I need to rekey my locks after a break-in?

If keys are missing, the lock was forced, or you are unsure who has keys, rekeying or replacing the affected locks is a sensible step.

Can broken storefront glass be replaced right away?

The opening can be secured first with a temporary board-up. Permanent glass is usually measured and made to size, so timing depends on the glass type and size.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES

What our customers say

Reviews from our TBC Commercial Door & Glass Systems Google Business Profile.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Kedan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We needed a new hollow metal door and frame installed at our Toronto Business. Roma with TBC Commercial Door & Glass System checked the fit before finishing. The new entrance feels extremely solid and looks much more professional.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Yousuf Al Zahrawi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The commercial entrance at our Mississauga business had started dragging against the frame and was becoming difficult for customers to use. David from TBC Commercial Door & Glass System adjusted the door and corrected the alignment. It opens much more easily now and the entrance feels properly set up again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Khalil Vincent 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A damaged glass section at our Mississauga business needed to be boarded up after an incident. David with TBC Commercial Door & Glass System handled the broken glass board up and secured the opening properly. Everything was cleaned up and the area was left safe.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Justin Henri 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Emergency repair done. And, done properly
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chhay Chhannon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The frameless glass door at our Toronto office had a bottom lock that was no longer working properly. Roma from TBC Commercial Door & Glass System replaced the bottom lock and checked the door before finishing. The lock now works properly and the entrance feels secure again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jeremiah Darko 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After a break in at our Mississauga business, the commercial door needed to be secured properly. Roma with TBC Commercial Door & Glass System handled the emergency door repair and reinforced the affected area. Everything was dealt with promptly and the entrance was secure again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Bryan Kaye Senfuma 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The front entrance at our Toronto office needed a new buzzer system so visitors could be let in without someone constantly checking the door. David from TBC  Commercial Door & Glass Systems installed the system and tested it with us before leaving. It has made the entrance much more convenient.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Harshan Sivalingam 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A break in left the entrance at our Toronto business damaged and needing immediate attention. David from TBC Commercial Door & Glass System secured the damaged area and completed the necessary door repair. The entrance was back to a secure condition without a long interruption to business.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ojas Gokhale 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The automatic door at our Mississauga location had stopped opening consistently. David with TBC Commercial Door & Glass System installed a new automatic door operator and tested the entrance several times. It is operating much more reliably now.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jasiran Devaraja 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a break in at our Clarkson location that left the commercial entrance damaged. David from TBC Commercial Door & Glass System handled the break in repair and secured the affected area properly. He checked the door and hardware before finishing the job. It was a huge relief to have the entrance secured again.