Residential glass takes a hit in hurricane season. Commercial glass takes more. Storefronts are large and exposed, bearing the brunt of debris and wind pressure. Entry doors get slammed. Sealed window units fail. And when business glass goes down in a storm, you’re not just out a window — you’re out an open day.
If you own or manage a New Orleans business, your glass needs a pre-storm review every spring. Here’s the checklist we walk through for our commercial clients.
Storefront Glass: The First Thing That Goes
Storefront systems are usually large panes of glass with aluminum framing. They’re built to handle daily use, but they’re not designed for hurricane-force wind pressure. The most common failures we see after storms — across the CBD, Warehouse District, and Magazine Street corridor — are cracked or shattered glass from flying debris, frame distortion from pressure differentials, failed sealants that let wind-driven rain into the building, and sliding storefront doors knocked off their tracks.
Before storm season hits its peak, inspect every storefront panel. Look for cracks (even small ones), check for visible gaps in seal lines, and test that doors operate smoothly. Anything that’s borderline functional now will fail in a storm.
Entry Doors: Often Overlooked
Glass entry doors take heavy daily use already — hundreds of cycles a day in a busy retail or restaurant location. Add storm conditions, and any wear on the door, hinges, or closer becomes a real problem.
Things to check: door closes fully and seals tightly to the frame, no visible gaps between door and threshold, hinges are tight and not sagging, closer is hydraulic and slows the door (not slamming), push/pull hardware is secure.
We can replace just the glass on damaged commercial doors, swap the hardware, or replace the full entry system, depending on what’s needed.
Sealed Glass Units in Office Windows
If your business has office space upstairs or in a multi-story building, the windows are likely insulated glass units (IGUs) — two panes with sealed air or argon between them. These fail over time. The seal breaks down, moisture gets in, and the unit fogs.
Failed IGUs don’t survive storms well. The compromised seal lets wind-driven rain into your building. If you’ve got fogged windows now, replace the units before peak hurricane season.
Need a commercial glass assessment before storm season? Call (504) 368-8826 or email glass@starglass.com. We’ll come out and walk it with you.
Skylights and Decorative Glass
Skylights are a common failure point in commercial buildings. They’re exposed on all sides and often get less maintenance attention than wall glass. If you’ve got a skylight that hasn’t been serviced in a few years, check it now.
Decorative interior glass (partitions, conference rooms, etc.) generally isn’t a storm concern — but it can become one if the building envelope is breached. Worth noting as part of an overall inventory.
Documentation Before the Storm
If you don’t have current photos of your business’s glass in good condition, take some. Walk the property, photograph every window, door, and storefront panel. Date the photos. Store them somewhere off-site (cloud storage works).
If a storm damages your glass, this documentation accelerates the insurance claim significantly. Adjusters move faster with clear before-and-after evidence.
What Happens After a Storm
Post-storm, every commercial glass company in the metro is overwhelmed. Same-day repairs become 1-2 week waits. Boarding up storefronts buys time but loses business. The customers who came in for pre-storm assessments are usually first in line when emergency calls flood in.
Get on our list before you need to be on it.
Ready to Get Started?
Star Glass Inc. serves Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and the greater New Orleans metro. Reach us any way that works best for you:
Call or text: (504) 368-8826 Email: glass@starglass.com
Visit us: 1000 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053