Retail break-ins in the GTA follow a pattern: the glass goes, not the lock. It is fast, it needs no skill, and on most storefronts the glazing is the weakest part of the frontage by a wide margin. Re-securing the shop is the first job; making the next attempt harder is the one that matters.
Typical range: $350–$4500 CAD. Ranges are typical for the GTA and depend on the door, the hardware and the time of day. We confirm the price before dispatching.
Getting you trading again
A boarded frontage costs a retailer real money every day it stands. Our first question on site is always whether we can get you trading normally rather than behind plywood.
Often we can: a damaged door with intact glazing can be repaired or its hardware replaced the same visit. Where the glass itself is gone, we board securely the same night and coordinate glazing, and we will give you a realistic date rather than an optimistic one.
Repairs to the door itself
- Adams Rite deadlatch and hook bolt replacement where hardware was forced
- Snapped and drilled mortise cylinder replacement
- Corner assembly repair and re-squaring on doors racked during entry
- Pivot and floor closer service where the door was forced off its pivots
- Stile and rail replacement where the extrusion has torn
- Latch guards and astragal plates to defeat prying
- Frame and threshold repair
Security film — the measure that actually addresses glass
Laminated security film bonded to the interior face of the glazing does not stop the glass breaking. What it does is hold the broken glass together in the frame, so an intruder who breaks it still has a barrier and has to keep working at it, loudly and visibly, instead of stepping through.
For a smash-and-grab — which is what the overwhelming majority of retail break-ins are — that delay is usually decisive, because the whole approach depends on being inside within seconds. It is the highest-value upgrade available on a glass frontage, and it costs far less than replacing glazing with laminated units.
Other measures worth considering
Roller shutters and security grilles are the strongest option and are common on GTA frontages, though some business improvement areas and municipal by-laws restrict solid shutters on street-facing frontages — open-mesh grilles are usually permitted where solid ones are not, and it is worth checking locally before buying.
Alarmed rear exits deserve attention too. Where a frontage is hardened, attempts move to the back of the unit, and rear service doors on plazas are typically the least protected part of the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
My storefront glass was smashed. Do I need a locksmith or a glazier?
Both, usually in that order. We board the opening the same day so the premises are secure, deal with any damage to the door and hardware, and coordinate the glazing. Calling a glazier alone often leaves the building open overnight, because glass is rarely available immediately in the size you need.
Will security film stop a break-in?
It will not stop the glass breaking, and any installer who says otherwise is overselling it. What it does is hold the broken glass in the frame so there is no clean opening to step through, turning a two-second entry into sustained, noisy, visible work. Against smash-and-grab, which is what most retail break-ins are, that is usually enough.
How long will I be closed after a storefront break-in?
Often not at all. If the glazing is intact and the damage is to the door or hardware, we can frequently repair it the same visit and you open normally. If glass is gone, you can typically trade behind a board while glazing is arranged, depending on your business. We will tell you which situation you are in within minutes of arriving.
Can I get roller shutters for my storefront?
Usually, but check locally first. Some business improvement areas and municipal by-laws restrict solid shutters on street-facing frontages for streetscape reasons, while permitting open-mesh grilles that still provide protection. It is worth confirming before ordering, because a shutter you have to remove is an expensive mistake.
Storefront Break-In Repair across the GTA
We provide storefront & glass door repair after break-in throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Storefront Doors
Narrow-stile aluminium entrances — deadlatches, pivots, corner assemblies, closers and complete door sections.
Break-In Repair
Same-day repair and re-securing after a forced entry — doors, frames, locks and hardware, with documentation for your insurance claim.
Emergency Board-Up
Doors and openings secured the same night when a proper repair cannot be completed immediately.
Post-Burglary Upgrades
A structured review of every opening after an incident, with upgrades prioritised by what actually gets exploited.