Restoration & claims · Winnipeg
Glass for restoration contractors and insurance claims
Winnipeg is a hail city. The 1996 storm is still the benchmark, and in August 2023 wind-driven hail broke windows across the northern neighbourhoods. After a loss, restorers and adjusters need a secure building, a documented scope and glass that matches what was there. We connect you with independent local pros who do insurance glass repair and board-up.
- Board-up and glass as one job
- Photos and sizes for the file
- Like-for-like unless the owner chooses
The loss
After hail, wind, fire or break-in
Hail and wind
Broken panes are obvious. Chipped edges that fog a season later, dented capping and torn screens are easy to miss.
Fire and smoke
Heat can crack glass and fail seals away from the fire. The pro says which units clean up and which need replacing.
Break-in
Usually one opening, often a door or basement window, plus damaged locks.
Make it safe
Board-up and temporary glazing
The order doesn't change. What can happen the same day depends on the pro and the hour; the made-to-measure glass waits.
Make it safe
Clear glass from walkways and stop water coming in.
Photograph before anything moves
Each side of the building, then close-ups of every damaged unit, frame and screen.
Cover and measure
Plywood or a temporary panel that comes off cleanly; see emergency board-up. Then each opening is measured and the glass ordered.
Hail scope
Hail scope checklist: glass, sealed units, screens, capping, sills
Prairie hail often rides a strong wind, so it hits one or two sides hard. Walk every side anyway.
Glass and sealed units
Cracks, plus edge chips that let a seal go later. Note double or triple pane.
Screens
Torn mesh and bent frames. See hail and storm damage.
Capping, sills and storms
Dented aluminum capping, split sills, and damaged storm windows or storm doors.
Scope
Like-for-like glass vs full replacement
The usual starting point is to put back what was there: the same glass and pane count in the existing frame. A broken sealed unit in a sound frame is replaced on its own; see broken window glass. A full window makes sense when the frame is damaged or the owner chooses to upgrade, which is a conversation for the owner and their insurer. If they move to ENERGY STAR triple pane, our rebate guide explains what qualifies.
Documentation
Documentation that supports a claim
Ask for dated photos before and after board-up, and each opening's size, glass type and location, with board-up, glass and screens on separate lines. We don't advise on coverage: whether house hail goes through MPI like a car, or the home policy, is for the owner's insurer.
Send a job
Sending a job
Use the quote form with the loss address, cause and date, photos and scope. We pass it to a local pro who does restoration glass. Timing depends on the pro, and after a big storm everyone is busy. We have no arrangements with insurers.
Questions
Questions from restorers and adjusters
Explore your options
Related storm and emergency work
Local pros take on restoration glass city-wide, including the northern areas the 2023 hail hit hardest: North Kildonan, Garden City and Transcona.
Send the loss address, photos and scope
Tell us what happened and what needs doing: board-up, glass, screens or all three. We'll pass it to a local pro who does restoration glass.