What Is Boarding Up?

Boarding up is the process of fixing strong timber or steel panels over broken, weak or vulnerable doors, windows and openings to secure a property quickly and safely. Professional boarding up in Redhill is used after break-ins, vandalism, storms, fires, accidents or when a property is left empty and needs protection.

When carried out properly, boarding up is:

  • Fast – restores basic security the same day in most situations.
  • Non-destructive wherever possible – existing frames and brickwork are preserved for later repairs.
  • Insurance-friendly – with clear invoices and time-stamped photos to support your claim.

When You Need Boarding Up

You might first hear the term “boarding up” from the police, your insurer, or a neighbour after something has gone wrong. Common situations include:

After a break-in or attempted burglary

If a door has been kicked in or a window smashed, boarding up secures the property after a break-in so you can sleep safely and plan repairs. This is sometimes called:

  • Post-burglary boarding up
  • Break-in boarding
  • Burglary boarding

Our team can combine door boarding up with temporary secure locks, or fit a temporary steel door where the original door or frame is beyond safe use.

For more on what happens after a burglary, see our guide to post-burglary boarding up.

Broken and smashed windows

If you have a smashed pane or a completely broken window, boarding up:

  • Makes the opening safe (no loose glass).
  • Stops intruders reaching in.
  • Keeps out wind and rain until a glazier can replace the glass.

People often search for “emergency window boarding near me” or “who can board up my window tonight”. This is exactly what window boarding in Redhill covers.

Damage from vandalism

Graffiti, stones, bricks and deliberate smashing of windows or doors may leave your property exposed. Vandalism boarding is simply boarding up carried out after this type of incident.

We regularly help with:

  • Smashed shopfront glass on Station Road and Redhill High Street.
  • Broken common-area doors in blocks of flats.
  • Smashed windows at homes across Redhill, Reigate, Merstham and the wider RH area.

Learn more on our vandalism repair and boarding page.

Storm, fire, flood and accident damage

Boarding up is also vital when a property is damaged by:

  • Storms: blown-out windows, roof damage, loose tiles, or damaged skylights. See our storm damage boarding and roof & skylight boarding pages.
  • Fire: burnt frames and blown glass need securing to keep people out and protect what’s left. Our fire damage boarding page explains this in more detail.
  • Floods: swollen or warped doors and frames that no longer lock properly. Boarding can add a layer of security while drying and repairs take place.
  • Accidents and impacts: from a vehicle striking a shopfront to a ladder or ball going through a large window. See our accidental damage boarding page.

Vacant or void properties

If a property in Redhill or the surrounding RH postcodes will be empty for a while (awaiting sale, renovation or probate), boarding up is used to:

  • Secure empty homes and flats.
  • Protect commercial units between tenants.
  • Deter squatting, rough sleeping or repeated vandalism.

This is often called vacant property boarding, void property security or secure empty property work. For more on longer-term measures, see vacant property boarding in Redhill.

How We Secure Your Property

Professional boarding up is much more than simply “screwing a board over a window”. Our approach focuses on safety, strength and non-destructive securing wherever possible.

1. Initial assessment and safety check

When we arrive, we first:

  • Check for hazards: loose glass, sharp metal, unstable frames, damaged brickwork.
  • Make safe the immediate area, often cordoning off inside and outside.
  • Confirm what needs to be boarded and how urgently (ground floor, accessible roofs, public-facing areas, child bedrooms, etc.).

If we believe there may be structural issues (for example after a vehicle impact or severe fire), we will say so clearly and may advise you to contact a structural engineer or your insurer before further works.

2. Choice of materials – plywood / OSB / steel

We typically use:

  • Structural plywood or OSB (oriented strand board)

    • Common thicknesses are around 11–18mm, chosen according to opening size, risk level and insurer expectations.
    • Suitable for most windows, doors, shopfronts and internal openings.

  • Temporary steel doors

    • Used when a door or frame is destroyed or cannot hold a normal lock.
    • Fitted with locks so you can still safely access the property.

  • Steel security screens (Sitex-style / anti-vandal security screens)

    • Used where repeated vandalism or squatting is a risk, such as long-term vacant buildings.
    • Allow light and limited ventilation while preventing entry.

We’ll explain the options relevant to your situation, and what your insurer is likely to expect.

3. Fixings and non-destructive methods

A key part of professional boarding up is how the boards are fixed in place:

  • Non-destructive securing wherever possible

    • We usually use internal bracing and existing frame/structural points, so we’re not drilling lots of visible holes into your brickwork or frames.
    • This approach makes later glazing or joinery work easier and avoids unnecessary damage.

  • Anti-tamper fixings

    • Where external fixings are necessary, we use anti-tamper fixings designed so they can’t easily be removed from outside by intruders.
    • This is especially important for street-level shopfronts and visible ground-floor windows.

  • Tight, flush fit

    • Boards are cut to size and fitted so there are no easy handholds or gaps.
    • Edges are aligned to shed water and resist wind uplift.

4. Weatherproofing and containment

In addition to security, boarding up also helps:

  • Keep out rain and wind, especially after storm or roof damage.
  • Contain soot and odour spread within the building after a fire (though full cleaning and decontamination are outside our scope).
  • Maintain some ventilation where that’s important after flooding or water ingress, using techniques such as vented panels or partial opening while still keeping the property secure.

5. Clean, tidy handover and documentation

Before we leave, we:

  • Clear loose glass and debris from the immediate area.
  • Walk you through what has been boarded, how to access any temporary doors, and any areas that still need specialist attention (for example glazing, carpentry, roofing or structural checks).
  • Take time-stamped photos and provide an itemised invoice with a clear description of the work – this helps with insurance support for boarding up in Redhill.

Why Choose a Professional Boarding Up Service?

Boarding up may sound simple, but done badly it can:

  • Leave your property easy to break into.
  • Damage frames and brickwork unnecessarily.
  • Fall short of what insurers expect after a claim.

A professional service brings several key advantages.

Local presence across Redhill and the RH postcode area

We cover Redhill itself plus nearby areas such as Reigate, Merstham, Earlswood, Horley, Nutfield, Godstone, Oxted, Crawley Down, Haywards Heath and across the wider RH postcode region. Our mobile teams can reach you day or night for 24 hour boarding up and emergency securing.

You can see the full list of areas we cover for more detail.

10+ years’ experience and specialist training

With over a decade of experience in boarding up services in Redhill, we are familiar with:

  • Modern uPVC and aluminium systems.
  • Older timber sash windows and doors.
  • Commercial shopfronts, roller shutters and aluminium curtain walling.
  • Rooflights, skylights, lanterns and roof access hatches.

Our technicians are trained in safe working at height, glass handling and risk assessment, and we can provide simple RAMS (risk assessment and method statement) where required for commercial jobs.

Insured, DBS-checked and trusted

  • Public liability insured for your peace of mind.
  • DBS-checked technicians, which is especially important for residential work, schools, nurseries and care settings.
  • Clear ID on arrival and courteous, tidy working practices.

Non-destructive approach and insurer-friendly methods

Insurers often expect that:

  • The property is made secure quickly.
  • Openings are boarded in a way that discourages further damage or theft.
  • The chosen method does not create unnecessary damage.

Our focus on non-destructive securing, anti-tamper fixings, and correctly sized plywood/OSB or steel screens is aligned with typical insurance expectations. We also provide:

  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding.
  • An itemised invoice.
  • A simple written description of the work carried out.

You can read more about this on our insurance support page.

Suitable for homes, shops and vacant properties

We routinely provide:

  • Residential boarding up in Redhill for houses and flats – see residential boarding services.
  • Commercial and shopfront boarding for retailers, offices and hospitality – see shopfront boarding and commercial boarding up.
  • Vacant property boarding with options such as steel security screens and temporary steel doors for medium- to long-term security.

What Happens Next If You Need Boarding Up?

If you’re currently dealing with a broken window, damaged door or other emergency, the typical process is:

1. Contact us

Call our 24/7 line on 01737 301 082 or contact our Redhill team. We’ll ask:

  • Where you are (postcode and any access notes).
  • What has happened (burglary, storm, accident, fire, etc.).
  • What is damaged (how many windows/doors/roof openings, which floors).
  • Whether the police or fire brigade have attended and if you have a reference number.

If the situation is urgent, please tell us clearly when you call.

2. We advise on immediate steps

Over the phone we can explain:

  • Any immediate safety actions (for example staying away from damaged structures, turning off electrics if water is involved).
  • What we are likely to do on arrival – for example temporary door boarding, roof & skylight boarding, or fitting of temporary steel doors or security screens.
  • Anything your insurer may expect you to document before works start (photos, police reference, etc.).

If you’re not in immediate danger and want to understand costs first, our boarding up prices explanation page outlines the factors we consider (without quoting fixed prices online).

3. On-site boarding up and securing

When we arrive, we:

  1. Make the area safe.
  2. Agree the boarding approach with you.
  3. Carry out the boarding using appropriate materials and anti-tamper fixings.
  4. Tidy up, explain what we’ve done and what the next repair steps might be.

If you need follow-on services such as glazing, carpentry or roofing, we’ll explain how boarding up fits into that sequence and whether “board & glaze” options are suitable in your case.

4. Paperwork and follow-up

After the work, you’ll receive:

  • An itemised invoice for labour and materials.
  • Time-stamped photos on request.
  • A brief written description of the emergency situation and the securing work carried out.

This can be passed to your insurer or landlord as part of your claim. We are not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but our insurance support for boarding up in Redhill page gives a simple overview of the usual claim steps.

For ongoing jobs (for example repeated visits to secure a vacant property), we can agree a simple schedule and keep notes of each attendance.

Boarding Up FAQs

What is boarding up in Redhill, exactly?

Boarding up in Redhill means installing strong temporary panels (usually plywood, OSB or steel) over broken or vulnerable doors, windows and openings to secure your property quickly. It stops intruders, keeps people away from broken glass, and helps protect against the weather until permanent repairs are made.

How long does it take to board up a property?

Most single domestic incidents – for example one or two smashed windows – can be assessed and boarded up in under a couple of hours once we arrive. Larger commercial frontages, roof work or complex damage naturally take longer. When you call, we’ll give you an honest idea based on how many openings are damaged and the type of property.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

In many burglary, vandalism, storm, fire or accidental damage cases, insurers do cover the cost of emergency boarding up, but policies vary. You should check with your insurer or broker. We support you by providing insurance-ready paperwork: itemised invoices, time-stamped photos and a brief statement of what happened and what work was done. Remember to keep any police reference number as well.

Will boarding up damage my windows or walls?

Our aim is non-destructive securing wherever possible. We normally use methods that avoid unnecessary drilling into frames or brickwork, and we use appropriate fixings to minimise visible marks. In rare cases – for example when frames are already destroyed or structurally unsafe – we may have to use more robust methods, but we will always explain why and get your agreement before proceeding.

Can you still board up at night or out of hours?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up and out-of-hours boarding across Redhill and the wider RH region. If your window is smashed late at night and you’re wondering “who can board up my window tonight?”, we’re set up specifically for this kind of emergency property securing. Call 01737 301 082 any time.

Do I need boarding up or an emergency glazier?

In most emergencies, boarding up is the first step, even if glass replacement will follow quickly. It makes the property safe and secure so a glazier can measure and order glass. In some cases, we can coordinate with glaziers or work as part of a board & glaze process. If you’re unsure, call us – we’ll explain what’s most appropriate for your situation.

Need help now? Call 01737 301 082 or Email us for fast, professional boarding up and emergency securing across Redhill and the RH postcode area.

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