Shipping is the backbone of many industries across the U.S. and around the world, from manufacturing and construction to farming and tech. These all-important processes are not without fault, however. Windows, doors and other fragile goods are especially vulnerable to bumps and breaks while being shipped, and this damage can result in lost customers, poor reviews, and expensive repairs or replacements. The USPS alone lost over $1.8 billion in 2024, partly as a result of damage.
Luckily, there are cost-effective shipping solutions that can protect windows and doors, satisfy customers and save money in the long run. UChannel and VChannel edge protection solutions stabilize and protect these goods from start to finish. They make it easy to pack glass windows for moving and stack doors for transport. In this article, we will discuss the dangers fragile goods face in the shipping process and examine the various ways UChannel and VChannel eliminate these issues.
Why Do Windows and Doors Need Protection During Shipping?
Each step of the shipping process — from the warehouse to the open road — exposes the goods being transported to potential harm. Windows and doors are especially vulnerable due to their fragility, weight and size. If they fall or bump into other objects, they can chip, crack or break entirely. They may also damage other items being shipped with them or harm people around them. Glass shards and sharp wood splinters can be especially dangerous.
Some of this damage is the result of human error, but in many cases, it happens as a result of suboptimal packaging, packing and handling. Failing to address these issues can result in:
- Expensive repairs and replacements
- Dissatisfied or lost customers
- Poor reviews
- Compromised shipment quality
- A damaged reputation
This is why proper packaging, packing and handling are so important. Customers expect you to be able to ship glass windows without breaking them, and failing to live up to that standard can seriously impact your business. In an online landscape governed by aggregated customer reviews, poor reviews caused by damaged items can weigh down your average rating online, scaring away potential customers and lowering your profits.
Common Packaging and Packing Practices for Windows and Doors
Shipping techniques and technology have changed significantly in recent years, bringing increased safety and efficiency. This progress has made transporting fragile items like windows and doors far easier. While every object has its own unique shipping needs, some common packaging and packing practices can reliably keep goods safe during loading, unloading and transit. These include:
- Using packing paper, packing peanuts and bubble wrap for support: Transporting goods is always going to involve a few bumps. As such, it is vital to cushion fragile items like windows with packing paper, packing peanuts and bubble wrap. Each item should be wrapped in bubble wrap or packing paper and supported by packing peanuts. Together, these items minimize shocks and keep the glass from bumping into other goods.
- Labeling boxes clearly: Loading and unloading are just as important as transit. Always label boxes with fragile items inside so that those moving the boxes know to be as careful as possible with them. Labeling also minimizes confusion and makes sorting through dozens of identical boxes easier.
- Using appropriately sized boxes: If a box is too big, it will not be able to support items stacked on top of it as effectively. This can lead to catastrophic collapse if the vehicle transporting the goods hits a pothole or drives over a speed bump too quickly. If a box is too small, the items inside may spill out and damage objects around them or break entirely. Always fill boxes fully without straining them and seal them tightly to prevent spills and breakage, especially when dealing with fragile goods.
- Maximizing space: Shipping can be quite costly, which is why it’s vital to use every inch of space you can. Compact packing also means there is less room for items to tip over, spill or grind, especially if they are packaged and supported correctly.
- Leveraging logistics management software: Computing has opened up whole new avenues of shipping efficiency, equipping your business with packing and shipping insights that can cut down on costs and accidents all at once. Shipping glassware safely becomes much easier with the power of data-driven insights into transportation processes and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
The methods above are useful and important, but they can be supplemented with more flexible, precise options.
The Power of UChannel and VChannel
The edge protector is one of the most cost-effective and useful packing tools. These flexible yet durable shipping solutions wrap around the sides of doors, windows and other goods to protect them from bumps and scrapes while making them easier to handle and stack. This increased protection and efficiency can:
- Save money that would otherwise be spent on repairing and replacing damaged goods
- Save time by facilitating more optimized packing, loading and unloading processes
- Prevent injuries and damage to goods and equipment caused by falling or broken items
The UChannel three-sided edge protector is strong, durable and designed specifically as window and door shipping protection to prevent damage during handling and shipping. Its paper widths can be adjusted to accommodate various lengths, widths and thicknesses, making them perfect for goods large and small. These durable protectors are also easier to use and less costly than wood crates, saving your business time and money.
VChannel edge protectors bring that same durability to the table while being even more flexible, offering three-sided protection to goods with more angular designs while still boasting adjustable paper widths. One side can also be folded out to shield larger, two-sided goods. They make packing, loading and unloading less conventional doors and windows simple and convenient. They even open up stable stacking options that would be impossible without their unique flexibility and support.
Both UChannel and VChannel edge supporters are made from recycled materials, reducing your business’s environmental impact and making responsible disposal simple for those receiving the shipment.
Protect Your Edges With Great Northern Laminations
Simplifying the shipping process doesn’t have to be complicated. Partnering with Laminations equips you with edge protectors and other shipping solutions that increase efficiency and decrease overall expenditures. We have been providing solutions like these for over 50 years. With us, you can count on strength and innovation.
To learn more about edge protectors and other products, fill out our contact form or call us at 855-950-1942.
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