Moving Glass: Mirrors, Table Tops and Louvre Panes Safely

A glass top is lying on the sofa, the helpers are arguing about who carries which end, and someone has just said "it is not that heavy". That sentence usually comes just before a crack.

Glass is the one thing in a move that can hurt people as well as get damaged. A sheet that breaks can cut deeply, and a big one can fall quickly. Slow, boring and careful is the right speed.

Before you touch it

Wear sturdy shoes and gloves. Clear the path first: move shoes, bags, cables and loose rugs, and open every door the glass will pass through.

Check the glass itself. If you see a crack or a chip on an edge, tell the driver and be careful, since a cracked pane can break further with a small knock.

Decide who leads. One person calls the steps ("lift, turn, down"), and everyone else follows.

Wrapping

Treat every piece differently, but the idea is the same: cushion it, cover the edges and keep it from flexing.

• Mirrors and framed glass: cover with a blanket or soft cloth, then cardboard on both faces. Tape across the glass in a cross shape if you like, but put cloth between the tape and the surface first.
• Glass table tops: protect the corners with folded cardboard or foam, wrap the whole top in blankets and tape the wrap, not the glass.
• Louvre panes and window glass: stack them in a sturdy carton or wooden crate with paper between each pane, and stand them on their long edge.
• Display glass and shelves from shops: wrap each pane on its own. Our post on relocating a phone and electronics shop covers display cases in more detail.

Label every wrapped piece "GLASS, THIS SIDE UP" with a marker.

Carrying

Carry flat glass on its edge, never flat like a tray. Two people is the minimum for a mirror or table top, and heavy pieces need more.

1. Hold the bottom edge and the side, with fingers away from the corners.
2. Walk slowly, and say out loud when you turn or reach a step.
3. Put it down on its long edge on a blanket, never on a hard floor, and lean it against a wall that is steady.
4. Do not carry glass through a doorway while someone else is coming the other way.

If the stairs are tight or the glass is very large, it may be better to hire a glass fitter to take the piece out. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for any glass that is part of a fitted appliance.

Loading

Glass should stand upright and lean on something solid, such as the side of the truck or a mattress against the cab wall. Pad both sides with blankets or mattresses.

• Put heavy items at the bottom and nothing on top of glass.
• Fill gaps so the glass cannot slide, and tie it against the side with a rope or strap over the padding.
• Keep glass away from sharp corners of furniture and from tools.
• Place it last on, first off, so it is not carried around the vehicle.

Drivers who want to improve their own method can read padding and protecting furniture on the truck.

Ready to move?

Request a truck or van on Sphere

Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.

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On the road

Tell the driver at the start that there is glass. A driver who knows will usually take speed bumps and potholes more slowly and avoid sudden braking. Good drivers also check the load at the first stop.

If you can, travel behind the vehicle or ride with a person who can watch the glass. The pickup van is a good choice for a few pieces, and a truck for a full house with other large items.

At the drop-off

Open every door first. Have the person who will receive the glass decide in advance where each piece will stand, away from foot traffic. Offload the glass first, one piece at a time, and lean it on a wall with a blanket underneath.

Do not hang or fit the mirror the same minute. Put it somewhere safe and fit it once the other items are in.

If something breaks

Stop and keep people away. Do not pick up pieces with bare hands. Use a broom and thick gloves, put the glass in a strong box or bag and mark it clearly. Check hands and feet, and get medical help for any deep cut.

How to do this on Sphere

1. Pick a pickup van for a few pieces of glass, or a truck for a larger load.
2. Add the pickup and drop-off, and note stairs and any tight turns.
3. Describe the load, and say how many glass items there are and how large they are.
4. Propose your price. Nearby verified drivers accept it or send a counter-offer, and you choose.
5. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer.

See van hire in Lagos for small loads and house moving in Lagos for larger ones.