What Is Boarding Up?

Boarding up in South West London is the fast, professional process of securing broken or vulnerable openings—such as windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs and skylights—using sturdy timber or steel so your property is safe, weatherproof and protected from unauthorised entry. If you need emergency boarding up South West London after a break-in, vandalism or storm damage, we can board up and secure your home or business quickly and cleanly, 24/7, across all SW postcodes.

Boarding up is designed to be temporary but strong. It stabilises the situation, protects people and property, and keeps insurers happy while permanent repairs or glazing are arranged.

  • Primary materials: exterior-grade plywood or OSB (typically 11–18 mm thick, chosen to match risk and opening size).
  • Fixings: anti-tamper fixings that can’t be easily removed from outside.
  • Options: temporary steel doors and steel security screens for higher-risk or vacant properties.
  • Approach: non-destructive securing wherever possible, with tidy work and minimal disturbance.

If you need immediate help, call 020 4538 6452 now. For a deeper dive into prices and claims, see our boarding up prices and our insurance support.

When You Might Need Boarding Up

You may need boarding up in South West London when an opening becomes unsafe, exposed to the weather, or vulnerable to intruders. Common scenarios include:

  • Burglary or attempted break-in: frames kicked, doors forced, locks damaged, glazing smashed. See our post-burglary boarding up.
  • Vandalism: smashed panes, prised-open windows, damaged shopfronts and roller shutters. See our vandalism repair.
  • Storm damage: blown-out windows, flying debris damage, leaking skylights, or compromised roof lights. See storm damage boarding.
  • Fire or flood: compromised glazing, weakened frames, or the need to secure an empty property while investigations or drying works continue.
  • Accidents and impacts: ball damage at home, delivery trolley knocks, or vehicular impact to shopfronts. See accident damage boarding.
  • Vacant/void property security: to deter trespass and protect against weather. See vacant property security.

Whether it’s a smashed window board up for a terraced house in SW17, a temporary secure door for a flat in SW11, or commercial shopfront boarding on a high street in SW1, your priority is preventing further damage and keeping people safe.

How Boarding Up Works: Step by Step

Our process is simple, safe and designed to meet insurer expectations while keeping disruption to a minimum.

  1. Make-safe and assess
  • We make the area safe, sweeping up broken glass and cordoning off hazards.
  • We assess frames, hinges, lintels and sills for structural soundness.
  • We choose materials and fixings appropriate to the opening size, height and risk.
  1. Non-destructive securing wherever possible
  • Our first choice is non-destructive methods, using existing frames and reveals.
  • Where frames are damaged or missing, we explain any necessary through-fixing clearly before work proceeds.
  1. Materials selected for strength and fit
  • Plywood/OSB thickness: commonly 11, 15 or 18 mm, matched to opening size, location and exposure.
  • Board cuts: sized to overlap the opening and distribute load without overstressing frames.
  • Anti-tamper fixings: designed so they can’t be easily removed from outside; we may use coach bolts with back plates or specialist screws.
  1. Doors, shopfronts and high-risk openings
  • Temporary steel doors: installed where you need secure daily access after a forced-entry or kicked-in door.
  • Steel security screens: anti-vandal or Sitex-style screens for vacant property boarding or highly exposed sites.
  • Roof & skylight boarding: where glazing is inaccessible or leaking; temporary tarping and weatherproofing may be added. See roof & skylight boarding.
  1. Clean, clear and document
  • We tidy the site and remove loose debris we create.
  • On request, we provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a simple work statement—helpful for insurance claims.
  • Keep any police reference number if applicable.

If glazing is needed quickly, we can coordinate board-and-glaze through trusted emergency glaziers where appropriate, so the opening is secure and the repair pathway is clear.

What Materials and Methods Are Used?

  • Plywood boarding or OSB boarding: exterior-grade sheets provide rigid, reliable protection. Thickness is selected based on span and risk.
  • Anti-tamper fixings: bolts and screws with securing plates or collars to resist removal from the outside.
  • Backing timbers: used where frames are too damaged for safe fixing and only when necessary; we’ll explain why.
  • Temporary steel doors: provide a lockable, robust entrance where original doors are unusable.
  • Steel security screens: anti-vandal screens that allow airflow while deterring intrusion, ideal for voids and insurance compliance.

Our technicians aim to avoid drilling into undamaged masonry or frames. Exceptions include severe structural damage, missing frames, or unsafe substrates—situations where through-fixing is the only safe option. We’ll talk this through on site before proceeding.

Is Boarding Up the Same as Glazing?

No. Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure. Glazing is the permanent replacement of glass or door units. We provide fast boarding up; where needed, we can liaise with trusted emergency glaziers for board & glaze or follow-on works to suit your schedule and insurer requirements.

Where We Work in South West London

We cover all SW postcodes (SW1–SW20) and nearby areas, from riverside shops in Putney and Battersea to homes in Wimbledon, Streatham, Brixton, Clapham, Fulham and beyond. Our mobile teams operate 24/7 with efficient dispatch rather than fixed ETAs. Explore the areas we cover.

Why Choose Us for Boarding Up in South West London

  • Local presence across SW1–SW20: fast, mobile coverage of homes, shops and commercial sites.
  • 10+ years’ experience: trained, DBS-checked technicians with public liability insurance.
  • Non-destructive securing wherever possible: we protect the structure and finish as we secure your property.
  • Professional materials and methods: plywood/OSB, anti-tamper fixings, temporary steel doors and steel security screens when needed.
  • Clear, insurer-friendly paperwork: time-stamped photos, itemised invoice, simple work statement; keep your police reference if issued.
  • Tidy, respectful, reassuring: we work cleanly, communicate clearly, and treat your property as if it were our own.
  • Workmanship guarantee: on our boarding installation; we stand behind what we secure.

For a breakdown of what influences costs (opening size, access, material choice, out-of-hours and more), visit our boarding up prices.

What Happens Next

  • If it’s urgent: Call 020 4538 6452 and we’ll arrange 24/7 emergency boarding up across South West London. You can also see our 24/7 emergency boarding up page.
  • If you’re planning: Tell us about your property, opening sizes and the situation, and we’ll provide a no-obligation quote.
  • If it’s an insurance claim: We’ll provide photos and a simple statement. Read more about our insurance support.

You can also learn about specific services:

FAQs

What is the process for emergency boarding up?

We make the area safe, assess frames, choose suitable plywood or OSB, then secure with anti-tamper fixings. Where frames are too damaged, we explain any through-fixing before proceeding. We finish with tidy-up and documentation for insurers. For urgent help, see 24/7 emergency boarding up.

How long does it take to board up a property?

Most single openings are secured within a single visit. Duration depends on the number and size of openings, access (ground floor vs height), and whether a temporary steel door or security screens are needed.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, yes—insurers typically cover emergency securing after insurable events like burglary, vandalism or storm damage. Policies vary. We provide insurance-ready paperwork and photos. More details are on our insurance support.

Will boarding up damage my frames or brickwork?

We use non-destructive securing wherever possible. If frames are missing or structurally unsound, we may need to use through-fixings or backing timbers; we’ll explain why first and keep impact minimal.

What thickness of board do you use?

Typically 11–18 mm exterior-grade plywood or OSB, chosen for the opening’s size, exposure and risk. Larger shopfronts or windy locations may require thicker boards and additional fixings.

Can you secure a shopfront after hours?

Yes. We provide out-of-hours boarding up for shops, cafes and offices, and can coordinate with shutters and alarms. See our dedicated shopfront boarding.

What should I do if my window is smashed late at night?

Keep people clear of glass, isolate pets and children, and call us. We’ll secure the opening and clean up loose debris. Our window boarding in South West London page has more detail.

Who We Help

We also support councils and facilities teams needing RAMS, method statements and coordinated access control.

When Boarding Up Is Not Enough

In cases of severe structural damage (e.g., vehicle impact dislodging masonry, significant fire damage, or compromised roof structures), we may establish a safety cordon and recommend immediate structural assessment. We will still secure what’s safe to do, and can add temporary fencing or screens as appropriate.

Ready to Secure Your Property?

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm or an accident, we’ll secure your property quickly, safely and with insurer-ready documentation. We cover all SW postcodes, any time of day.

Need help now? Call 020 4538 6452 or Email us.

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