Hail is a regular spring and summer event along Colorado’s Front Range. When a storm hits your commercial building, knowing what to check, what to document, and how to prioritize repairs protects your tenants, your budget, and your building envelope.
After a Hail Storm: What to Check First on Your Commercial Windows
A late-spring hailstorm in Denver can drive large hailstones across a building’s facade in minutes. Once the storm passes and conditions are safe, facility managers need to walk the exterior before cleanup crews move debris, sweep the parking lot, or board openings. Early access preserves the evidence you need for accurate documentation.
Red-flag issues to check immediately:
-
Shattered or broken glass in storefronts, curtain walls, or entry door systems
-
Visibly cracked lites on any elevation, especially upper stories and windward facades
-
Skylight glazing broken out or missing panels on roof monitors
-
Damaged glass canopies over entries or walkways
Visible cracks or chips on the outer lite of a window indicate hail impact damage and should be logged right away. Even if the building appears secure, hidden damage to insulated glass units, seals, and frames can create air leaks and water damage if missed during this first pass.
ONE Glass Service is a Denver-based commercial glazing contractor that provides emergency glass stabilization and longer-term repair planning when storm damage affects commercial windows, storefronts, curtain walls, and skylights.
How Hail Damages Commercial Glass and Window Systems
Colorado hail storms combine high-velocity hailstones with wind gusts that drive impacts from multiple angles. Hailstones bounce off roof overhangs, ledges, and adjacent surfaces, striking glass, aluminum framing, sealants, and building envelope transitions in ways a single-direction force would not.
On storefronts, curtain walls, and ribbon windows, direct hail impact produces chips on the exterior lite, starburst cracks radiating from the point of contact, broken corners at setting blocks, and fully shattered panes on upper stories where wind amplifies impact energy. Microfractures from smaller stones can weaken glass and spread over time, turning a small chip into a full crack under thermal cycling or normal wind load.
Frame damage on aluminum and steel systems includes dents on pressure plates and covers, bent mullions, and scratched or gouged anodized or painted finishes. A bent mullion can misalign the opening enough to stress glass that later cracks under loads it previously handled without issue.
Insulated glass units rely on layered edge seals and spacer systems. Hail blows that distort frames or compress gaskets can break primary seals. Once the desiccant inside the spacer bar saturates, fogging appears inside the unit.
Skylights, glass canopies, and roof monitors are special risk areas. Laminated safety glass holds together when broken, preventing injury from falling shards, but laminated panels can still suffer crazing and delamination that is not visible from ground level.
Visible Signs of Hail Damage to Commercial Windows
Obvious storm damage is only part of the picture, but facility managers should catalog every visible issue during a post-storm walkthrough. Here is what to look for in office, retail, healthcare, and education buildings:
Broken and cracked glass:
-
Spider-web crack patterns radiating from impact points
-
Edge cracks near frame corners and setting blocks
-
Small cracks or chips on the outer lite of IGUs
-
Any opening with glass missing
Frame and surface damage:
-
Circular dents or dings on aluminum caps, pressure plates, and frames
-
Bent glazing stops, distorted weep covers
-
Chipped paint or abrasions exposing raw metal, which invite corrosion
-
Bent mullion sections that affect appearance and structural alignment
Early water damage:
-
Fresh water stains on interior sills or drywall near window perimeters
-
Damp carpet below glazing lines
-
Drips at mullion joints during rain or immediately after the storm
Operational issues:
-
A door binding in its aluminum storefront frame
-
Operable windows that no longer latch or close fully
-
Drafts or wind-driven whistling where gaskets or seals have been compromised
Hidden Hail Damage: Problems You Will Not See from the Sidewalk
In many cases, the most costly hail damage issues in commercial glass are invisible from the sidewalk: failed IGU seals, distorted framing behind snap-on covers, and moisture paths inside wall assemblies.
IGU seal failure and fogging. Hail impacts and frame racking can disturb the edge seal and warm-edge spacers in insulated units. Fogging between glass panes signals seal failure, which usually calls for unit replacement because the insulating gas escapes and moisture enters the cavity. For a deeper look at how this develops, see our guide to fogged commercial windows.
Frame distortion behind covers. Many curtain wall systems use snap-on caps concealing reinforcing members. Behind these, mullions or transoms may be bent, anchors loosened, and shims shifted. These distortions change load paths and can crack glass weeks after the original storm under normal thermal expansion.
Concealed water intrusion. Hail-driven rain exploits micro-gaps at sealant joints, head flashings, and perimeter caulking. Initially the leaks are minor drips; over time they cause mold, rot, and interior finish damage. Our article on commercial window leaks covers how to identify and resolve these moisture paths.
Thermal and air performance. Hidden damage often shows up as recurring drafts, an overworked HVAC system, or tenant complaints about cold perimeter offices. Even a small failed seal reduces thermal resistance and energy efficiency.
A professional glazing inspection with lifts, interior access, and moisture detection tools is the only way to catch these problems. Ground-level visual checks alone are not sufficient.
How to Inspect Your Building’s Glass After a Hail Storm
Before calling a commercial glass contractor, facility managers can collect useful data by following a simple sequence.
Exterior inspection:
-
Walk the site in a consistent direction (clockwise works well), documenting each elevation separately
-
Prioritize upper stories and windward facades where hail impact is strongest
-
Photograph every broken, chipped, or cracked lite with close-up and wide-angle shots
-
Note dents on metal framing, scratched finishes, and any pattern of repeated damage
-
Use binoculars for upper floors if roof or lift access is not yet available
Interior inspection:
-
Check perimeter offices, stairwells, lobbies, and atriums for water stains, fogging, drafts, or loose interior glazing beads
-
Speak with tenants or staff: did they hear whistling? Do doors or operable windows stick? Did rain come in during the storm?
Skylights, clerestories, and canopies:
-
Access skylights from the roof when safe; inspect the glazing and framing flashings for crazing, deflection, or break points
-
Check beneath canopies for seal failures, fractures, or water on finishes below
Documentation for repair planning:
-
Photograph damage with a ruler or coin for scale
-
Label each photo by elevation (north, south, east, west) and floor number
-
Keep a log of each damaged opening with damage type, severity, and approximate dimensions
-
Share your documentation with your carrier or broker and ask about coverage before authorizing permanent repairs
Repair or Replace: Prioritizing Commercial Glass Hail Damage
Not every hail-damaged window or door needs full replacement, but some conditions require immediate action to protect occupants and prevent water damage.
When localized glass replacement works:
-
A single cracked lite in an otherwise sound storefront frame
-
Isolated broken IGUs without frame damage
-
Light surface pitting on exterior glass that can sometimes be treated with polishing compounds
-
Minor chips that have not yet spread; these often grow under thermal stress or the next storm, and once a chip becomes a crack, the lite needs replacement
When full replacement is needed:
-
Severe hail damage across a facade with widespread broken glass
-
Repeated IGU seal failures on the same elevation
-
Frame damage that causes misalignment or compromises structural integrity
-
Obsolete systems where specialty glass or parts are no longer available and maintenance cannot restore performance
Temporary measures:
-
Board-ups or temporary polycarbonate or acrylic panels over broken openings to secure the building
-
Emergency reglazing to stop water intrusion and eliminate safety hazards; if your building needs immediate help, emergency glass repair from ONE Glass Service can stabilize openings quickly
ONE Glass Service evaluates both storm damage and long-term performance goals (energy efficiency, code compliance, tenant comfort) to help property owners decide which openings need repair now and which can be scheduled. Pricing depends on glass type, frame system, and scope; for broader budgeting context, see our guide to storefront glass replacement cost.
Preventing Future Hail Damage and Extending Window System Life
No building in Colorado can avoid every hailstorm, but facility managers can reduce damage and repair costs through smarter choices and regular maintenance.
Regular maintenance programs:
-
Conduct facade inspections before hail season each spring; look for chips, cracks, deteriorating sealants, and loose gaskets
-
Prompt repair of minor damage keeps a small chip from becoming a shattered lite later
-
Clean glass and metal finishes so defects are visible
Glazing and system upgrades:
-
Use laminated glass in high-exposure zones (upper stories, windward facades); laminated glass absorbs hail impact and holds fragments together
-
Consider impact-resistant glazing on the most exposed elevations to reduce breakage risk during hailstorms
-
Strengthen framing with heavier aluminum profiles or steel reinforcement where mullions tend to deform
-
Roll-down shutters or protective screens can shield ground-level storefronts from hail
Sealant and metal restoration:
-
Re-seal glazing gaskets and perimeter caulking where weathering is evident; this limits water damage when hail opens new moisture paths
-
Refinish chipped anodized or painted metal finishes to prevent corrosion
Envelope coordination:
-
After major hail events, have roofing, curtain wall, window, and skylight systems evaluated together; damage to one component often indicates stress on another
-
A glazing contractor or building envelope consultant can determine damage severity and required repairs across the full envelope
Working with ONE Glass Service After a Hail Event
ONE Glass Service supports facility managers, property managers, and building owners from the initial hail damage inspection through final glazing repairs. The company serves commercial properties in Colorado and Wyoming, covering everything from a single broken pane to full facade restoration.
The typical engagement starts with a phone call or online contact, followed by a site visit to assess broken glass, frame damage, and hidden damage. ONE Glass Service prepares organized findings and phased repair recommendations that minimize disruption to occupied buildings, healthcare facilities, retail centers, and warehouses. The team coordinates with property owners, facility staff, and general contractors on access, safety plans, and scheduling.
Whether you need emergency stabilization, a thorough inspection of your building’s glazing systems, or a long-term upgrade strategy for high-risk facades and skylights, contact ONE Glass Service or call (303) 505-3194 to schedule a commercial glass hail damage assessment.