Sometimes a pane needs replacing because a chair rolled through it. Other times a facilities manager is walking the building on quarterly inspection and finds three units at end of life. Either way, commercial glass replacement is a planned job that lives or dies on the site measure and the glass order. We’ve been quoting and installing planned commercial glass replacement across Penrith, Emu Plains and Glenmore Park for over 40 years, so we know what an owner’s corporation report looks like and how a strata insurer approves a scope.
What we replace
Most planned scopes come through as one of these:
- Failed IGU (double-glazed) units with visible fog or moisture between panes
- Toughened panels that have spontaneously fractured from nickel sulphide inclusions
- Scratched or graffiti-damaged glass on office reception fronts
- Balustrade panels that no longer meet AS 1288 zone requirements after a code review
- Aged single-glazed panels being upgraded to laminated for safety or acoustic reasons
Materials and standards
Every replacement panel is spec’d against AS 1288 (glass in buildings) and toughened or laminated to AS/NZS 2208. For interlayers we use SGP where structural load is critical, standard PVB for most safety zones. Coatings (Low-E, solar control) are matched to the existing unit so a single replacement pane doesn’t stick out against the surrounding facade. Where you’re replacing one pane in a run of ten, we colour-match by sample from the toughening supplier, not from a colour chart.
Insurance and strata work
A lot of our planned commercial glass replacement lands through insurers, strata managers and property managers. We provide itemised quotes with glass type, thickness, edge type, framing details and access requirements broken out so the claim assessor doesn’t come back with questions. If the scope needs sign-off from a certifier (balustrades, structural glass), we co-ordinate with the private certifier and provide the paperwork. Owners’ corporations searching commercial glass replacement near me should ask for the fabricator schedule with any quote, so you know exactly what’s going in.
Timeline on site
Standard commercial glass replacement runs 5 to 15 working days from measure to install, depending on glass type. Stock 6 mm and 10 mm toughened clear is usually in from the toughening plant within a week. Custom sizes over 3 metres, low-iron, coated or laminated IGUs, and anything over 12 mm can push out to 3 to 4 weeks. If we’re replacing multiple panels across a building we programme it in stages so occupied tenancies aren’t disrupted.
Access and safety
First floor and above needs a scissor lift, boom or scaffold. We carry our own hoist for panels up to 200 kg and hire in for larger. All installers hold White Card, working at heights, and EWP tickets where required. Site inductions are handled the day before the install so the crew rolls straight through on day one.
Cost drivers
Cost comes down to glass type, size, quantity and access. A single 6 mm toughened pane on a ground floor might land at $450 to $900 installed. A double-glazed unit with Low-E coating in a 4-storey office facade could sit anywhere from $1,800 to $6,000 per unit once you factor in the lift and the labour. Bulk replacements (5 or more panels in one visit) drop the per-unit cost because the plant and travel are shared.
Working with property teams
We work directly with facility managers, building managers and strata committees. Progress claims, photos, waste dockets and completion certificates are provided on request. For pre-approved works we keep a running maintenance schedule so quarterly inspections roll straight into a work order. This is different work to our after-hours emergency glass callouts, which cover break-ins and storm damage. Planned scopes get the measure, the drawing sign-off, then the install.
Ring the office to book a site measure or send through a photo and the pane dimensions for a preliminary quote. 02 4722 2787. We cover Penrith, the Kingswood hospital precinct and the rest of Western Sydney. For like-for-like window swaps, see our commercial window repair and replacement page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you replace balustrade glass?
Yes. We supply and install laminated safety glass to AS 1288 with certification for pool, stair and balcony balustrades where required.
Can you match an existing tint or coating?
Yes. We take a sample or a photo with a reference point and match through the toughening supplier. Low-E, solar control and reflective coatings are all available.
How long does a failed IGU take to replace?
Custom double-glazed units are usually 2 to 3 weeks from measure to install. Stock sizes can be quicker.
Do you provide reports for insurers?
Yes. We supply itemised scopes, cause-of-damage assessments and photos suitable for insurer approval.