2025 - KLG Glass

We’ve all felt that deep sense of dread settle after spotting the dark thread of a crack in a pane of glass. Whether the crack is in a mirror, a kitchen backsplash or even a window, it’s impossible not to feel a spiral of doom from knowing this item is damaged and needs to be replaced.

But does it always need to be replaced?

Replacing glass items isn’t always cheap or convenient – it’s easy to see why the mere prospect of doing it is enough to ruin your day. But ignoring damaged glass can cause a whole host of other issues, some more costly. It can even pose a safety risk.

In this post, we’ll look at when you should replace damaged glass, and in what situations you can repair it instead. We’ll also look at glass maintenance tips to help you prolong the life of your glass and avoid unnecessary damage.

First, though, we’re going to look at the importance of dealing with damaged glass quickly.

Why do you need to replace damaged glass?

Regardless of where it is, if you spot glass damage, you need to address it as quickly as possible. Even small chips or cracks can make a significant impact on the strength and stability of a pane of glass, whether it’s in a window, a mirror or a glass splashback.

And once the stability of glass is compromised, that

glass becomes a safety risk. It is more likely to break and, depending on the type of glass used, this can be a significant health risk.

Certain types (like tempered glass) are designed to shatter into small pieces that are unlikely to cause harm, but standard non-treated glass can shatter into sharp shards that can cause deep cuts.

While this is the worst-case scenario, there are other risks to not repairing damaged glass. Damaged glass is weaker and easier to break, so if your window or external door ends up with cracks or chips then your house is left at increased risk

from intruders.

The final issue posed by damaged glass is towards your heating bills. If the integrity of your window or door is compromised by a crack, this can let cold air into your home and let hot air out. As well as creating an unpleasant draft, this will drag down the overall temperature of your home so you turn up the heating and increase your bills.

The quicker you repair your glass, the better your chance is of avoiding these issues. Delay dealing with it, and the problem is likely to get worse – possibly to the point that repairs are no longer an option.

When to repair damaged glass

When trying to decide whether to repair damaged glass, there are many things you need to consider, including what damage has occurred, where the glass is being used and what type it is.

The type of glass alone can sometimes determine whether a repair is worthwhile or even possible. It will impact the chance of the repair being successful, how long it will hold and whether it will be too visually obvious to be worth the effort.

Assess your damaged glass to see if it fits the following criteria. If it does, you’ll likely achieve a successful repair.

Glass with minor damage
The main consideration is the extent of the damage. A small chip or crack – smaller than an inch – can usually be repaired using resin. The resin won’t significantly compromise the strength or clarity of the glass and won’t ruin the look of the glass. In some cases, it could even be unnoticeable.
Single-pane non-treated glass
If the glass has not been treated to strengthen it, it’s a lot easier to repair, and you are much more likely to end up being able to lengthen the lifespan of your glass item. This holds true for both window repair, mirrors and general glass objects.
Decorative glass
It is also possible to repair decorative glass that has small imperfections. However, as it is so important to protect the aesthetic appeal of decorative glass so if it’s an intricate, old, or expensive item, you should seek professional advice before attempting to repair it.
Frosted glass
It is possible to repair frosted glass – as long as it meets the other conditions. However, you will need to take a couple of extra steps to make it match the look of the glass around it. If you don’t, your repair will be easy to spot.

When to replace damaged glass

If you’re still unsure whether your glass can be repaired, it can be helpful to know the situations that rule it impossible. If it meets the following conditions, avoid wasting time, money and effort on a repair and skip straight to replacing the pane.

The glass is severely damaged
Glass that has significant damage (like multiple cracks or chips) is usually beyond repair. Its stability is so compromised that even the impact of the fix could cause further damage. Your glass may even shatter completely as a result.
Even if you manage to complete the repair, it won’t restrengthen or restabilise the glass for long. Certainly not long enough to be worth the effort.
The glass has been tempered or toughened
The tempering process intentionally creates a carefully calibrated stress distribution inside the glass. This increases its durability and should mean that tempered glass won’t crack at all. But if one does appear, that tension is completely compromised and you won’t be able to fix it without compromising it further.
Also, tempered glass is used in situations where it needs to meet strict safety standards (such as glass balustrades or glass walls). Any cracks or chips, however small, will compromise that stability. This means that the glass will no longer meet those safety standards, leaving it unfit for purpose.
If the glass is old
As durable as it is, we’ve already established that glass can’t last forever. If it is already 15 or more years old, it is a bad idea to attempt to fix it. While an undamaged window should last 20-25 years, it will weaken over time. And, when it does, any work done to repair it risks doing more damage than good.
The exception to this is historic or antique glass, but that should only be repaired by trained experts.

How to Decide: Repair or Replace?

So you’ve noticed a crack has appeared in a piece of glass in your home, and the doom has descended. How do you decide whether to attempt a repair or to just replace it?

Answer the following questions:

How extensive is the damage?
Is the glass in a high-impact location like a high-traffic door or an external window?
How old is the glass?
Is it treated or traditional glass?

If you’re still unsure, you can consult a professional for advice. This is a good option to explore for particularly large or delicate glass – anything that would be very expensive to repair. Otherwise, you may end up paying for advice, then paying for the repair anyway.

Should you repair your glass or replace it?

As you can see, there is no blanket answer to this question. When it comes to windows, there will be some undeniable signs that show they need replacing. But for other types of glass, you should consider the factors listed above before reaching for your wallet.

Of course, despite being a strong, safe and sustainable building material, glass won’t last forever. If you decide your damaged glass needs replacing, talk to our team to find out how we can help you find a replacement.

Hanging a mirror in your living space can have many benefits. You can use a mirror to maximise the space, make it feel bigger and brighter, and use it as a design feature.

But this is only if you get the right mirror. Get one that’s the wrong size, shape or design and it could catch attention for all the wrong reasons.

As there are a surprisingly large number of variables to consider when picking out a new mirror for your home, we’ve put together this buying guide to help you find the right one. We’ll cover shapes, sizes, materials so you can see what your options are. Then next month we’ll be back with a second post to help you choose which mirror is best for you.

Types of Mirror

When choosing a mirror, the first thing to decide is what type you want. The right mirror for you will depend on where you want to put it and what function to perform.

There are benefits, features and drawbacks to every type though, so let’s take a look so you can see what might suit you best.

Freestanding mirrors

A freestanding mirror has a stand built into its frame and sits on the floor without support. As they are standalone, this type of mirror is very flexible – it can be used anywhere and you can move it around as much as you want with minimal effort.

This type is also the easiest to set up, and will often come pre-built and ready to use. No need to worry about finding nails and levels to hang them – they stand on their own.

Their main drawback is that they can be clunky and will take up more space than something fitted to a wall. As well as the space needed for the mirror and the stand, most freestanding mirrors will also sit at an angle to give the best possible reflection – and this takes up even more space. If space is at a premium, this won’t be the right mirror for you.

Wall mirrors

A wall mirror needs to be fixed or mounted onto a wall to keep it upright.

This limits where they can be used as you need a wall surface that is large enough to fit the whole mirror. And if you want a big or heavy mirror, then you’re also going to need a strong wall.

The counterpoint to this, and their biggest benefit, is that they are space-saving. You don’t need any floor space to support the stand or account for an angle. They sit flat to the wall and are quite thin – they’re not going to cause any obstruction or encroach on your space.

Dressing table mirrors

Dressing table mirrors are smaller freestanding mirrors, usually designed for use on the top of a cabinet, desk or dressing table (explaining the name.)

Being smaller, they are obviously even easier to move than freestanding mirrors, though they don’t give as much of an expansive view.

Also known as vanity mirrors, these are a functional choice if you just need a reflective surface to look in occasionally, but they offer little benefit in terms of brightening up a room.

Illuminated mirrors

If you need to make sure you can always see the reflection clearly, an illuminated mirror is a great option. This type of mirror has in-built lighting to make sure the surface is always bright enough to see details in its reflection.

Most illuminated mirrors have a light source around their entire perimeter making them perfect for use in places where natural sunlight is scarce. You want light to cover their surface evenly, otherwise shadows will be cast and obscure the view.

You should also pay attention to whether the light is warm or cool depending on what you need to see with it.

This is again a type of mirror you choose for the particular function of using the reflection. They’re usually too small to increase the natural light or feel of a room, and the light they provide is not usually enough to create their own light source.

Mirrored furniture

If you’re short on space in a room, it’s often a great idea to look into getting a mirror that is mounted to the door of a cupboard, such as a mirrored bathroom cabinet or wardrobe door.

With this built-in option, your choice of mirror shapes and sizes is usually more limited than it is with types. For example, it’s harder to find round mirrors that fit on a piece of furniture like a cabinet, but oversized mirrors and floor-length mirrors can make a great addition to wardrobe doors.

The type of mirror you choose is almost always dependent on where you’re planning to put it. Once you know that, and you know what type of mirror you want, you can start to think about specific design elements that have a more aesthetic effect.

Mirror sizes

When it comes to mirrors, there are very few size limits on what you can buy. While certain types – like vanity mirrors – are limited in terms of size, wall mirrors are pretty much open to your needs.

You can even get a bespoke mirror to fit a particularly awkward or outsized wall space.

However, one thing that might be affected by the size of mirror that you choose is the frame material, as some materials are better suited to certain sizes.

Mirror Frame Materials

One of the biggest design choices you can make about a mirror is what frame material it has. This will define almost the whole look of the mirror, helping it sit neatly or create a stylish contrast with the general design of the room.

The most common mirror frame materials are:

Wood

Wood is probably the most flexible choice of frame material, which makes it pretty popular. The wood itself can be stained dark for a dramatic look or pale for a Scandinavian look. You can even paint it a block colour for a bold statement or complete colour cohesion.

You can give it a completely clean finish for a modern or minimalist style, while distressed finishes could give it a more shabby chic or coastal look.

It even has more practical flexibility. It’s strong enough to allow for a thin frame without compromising its life span, and it’s not so heavy that it rules out a thicker frame design either. It should have a long life, though may require a little upkeep. And with a solid wood frame, if you decide to change up the look of your room you can even refinish the mirror to fit the new style.

There are few interiors that you couldn’t match a wooden mirror to and is often the default choice. The only downside is a potentially higher cost, but it’s far from the most expensive option and you’ll often find mirrors with a wooden frame are reasonably priced.

Metal

Perfectly suited to ornate frames, metal is also sleek enough and strong enough to be used for thin, minimalist frames.

While you may think of a bright shiny brass, gold, or chrome colour for a metal frame these choices can look cheap – particularly on large mirrors. Instead, a more matte finish, such as brushed chrome or even a matte black paint can create a luxury feel.

Many of the benefits of metal frames are practical. Metal is strong, so it can be used to make very thin frames that can withstand the edge of the mirror without adding much weight—both visually or literally.

Metal is also easy to maintain, but if it does get damaged (dinted or scratched), you won’t be able to fix it.

Plastic

If you want a mirror that is cheap but cheerful, plastic is a great option. It is obviously very flexible, with some designs being more intricate than others, which gives great flexibility but you’re not going to get a luxury feel with a plastic frame.

Plastic frames can be an easy way to add a splash of colour to a functional item though. They’re also easy to clean and lightweight but they’re not particularly durable or robust and may crack or snap easily depending on how thick or well-made they are.

Mirror frame

If you want a mirror that’s sure to stand out, then one with a leaded glass frame is sure to do it. Ranging from a mosaic pattern of smaller mirror tiles to bigger chunks split by leading, one thing is sure about this type of frame—it’s going to draw attention.

This can affect how flexible it is in terms of a design choice. Depending on the shape and layout of the mirror tiles, you can find a mirror that ties into a more contemporary look or a more traditional one.

Another benefit of this type of frame is that it can be designed to mimic panes of glass and look like a window. This makes it a fantastic choice to use in rooms that are low on natural light or to break up large interior walls.

In terms of practical benefits, a frame made of yet more mirrors is very similar to a frameless mirror in terms of durability and lifespan. Depending on the size of the mirror tiles (or, more accurately, the pattern of the leading) it might be quite fiddly to clean, especially to keep streak-free.

Frameless mirrors

With a frameless mirror, the mirror surface remains smooth and undecorated right to the very edge. This can leave it with a plain, minimalist look that can tip over into cold or functional in certain settings. It does, however, give the most expansive reflection possible which makes it a great choice if you’re using a mirror to create a brighter space.

Find a mirror to suit your home

Mirrors can change the look of a room in a whole host of different ways, as long as you find the right one. Now you know the choices you need to make, the next step is simply to start finding the right mirror for your space.

And if you think you need something extra special, like a custom mirror to suit your exact needs, speak to our team to find out more about our options.

Year: 2025

When to repair or replace glass in your home?