Property Types We Board Up Across West London (W2–W14)

If you’re dealing with a broken window, a forced door, or an exposed shopfront, the next question is usually: “Do you handle my kind of property?” We do. Our boarding up services in West London are used by homeowners, landlords, shop owners and facilities teams across the W postcodes—often after a burglary, vandalism or storm damage, and sometimes as part of planned security for a vacant building.

This page explains how boarding up works for different property types across West London, what tends to go wrong in each setting, and which options are usually best—whether you need straightforward plywood boarding, a temporary steel door, or longer-term security screens.

If you need urgent help, go straight to emergency boarding up or call 020 4634 8072.

The main property types we work on

West London’s building stock is varied—stucco-fronted terraces near Bayswater, mansion blocks around Maida Vale, Victorian conversions in Shepherd’s Bush, modern mixed-use developments along the A40 corridor, and plenty of high-footfall retail from Oxford Street to local parades in Acton, Ealing and Hammersmith. Because the “right” boarding method depends on the building and the risk, we tailor our approach to the property type as well as the damage.

Our core property type pages are:

Below is an overview of what to expect for each.

Residential boarding up (houses, flats, conversions)

Residential call-outs in West London often involve ground-floor windows, rear patio doors, communal entrances, and vulnerable side access—especially on terraces and converted houses where you may have multiple entry points. We regularly secure:

  • Smashed sash windows or casement windows (often street-facing)
  • Broken double-glazed panels in doors and side lights
  • Rear doors or patio doors forced during a break-in
  • Vulnerable windows after an accidental impact (DIY, moving furniture, children’s accidents)

For homes and flats, the priority is usually safe, tidy, non-invasive security—especially if you’re still living there.

What we typically do in residential properties

Depending on the opening and frame condition, we’ll recommend the most suitable method:

  • Window boarding using 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor openings, or 12mm OSB for smaller/less exposed areas where appropriate. See window boarding in West London.
  • Door boarding where a door leaf has been split or the lock area is compromised. See door boarding.
  • Temporary steel doors when the door opening needs secure access (for example, if you need trades to enter while repairs are arranged), rather than simply sealing it shut.

Where possible, we use fixing methods that are robust and practical for domestic settings—aiming to avoid unnecessary damage. If the frame is too compromised for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain options before proceeding so you can make an informed choice.

Common residential scenarios in West London

  • A bay window damaged by vandalism on a busy road (risk of repeat damage)
  • A back window forced near a garden access route or alleyway
  • A communal entrance panel smashed in a mansion block, requiring a secure temporary solution until glazing is replaced

If your situation relates to a specific incident, the relevant guidance pages are:

Commercial boarding up (shops, offices, restaurants and sites)

Commercial properties in West London often need a faster decision-making process and a more robust approach—because of footfall, visibility and the risk of repeat attempts. We board up and secure:

  • Retail shopfront glazing and entrances
  • Office doors and ground-floor windows
  • Restaurants and café frontages (often with large panes and double doors)
  • Side/rear service doors and delivery access points

In areas with late-night activity or high footfall—think transport hubs, busy parades and main roads—the goal is to make the premises safe and secure without creating hazards for staff, customers or passers-by.

What we typically do for commercial properties

  • Shopfront boarding using appropriately sized panels and strong anti-tamper fixings where needed, prioritising safety and security for wider openings. See shopfront boarding in West London.
  • Door boarding or temporary steel doors when the main entrance is compromised and you need secure access for cleaners, managers or follow-on contractors.
  • Security screens for longer-term void periods (common for units between tenants), where a robust, re-usable solution can make sense.

We can work with facilities management and property management teams and provide clear documentation for your records and insurers. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can supply what insurers typically ask for: itemised invoices, a statement of works, and time-stamped photos on request. For more on that process, see insurance claims.

Vacant and void properties (between tenants, probate, renovation)

Vacant properties—whether a flat between tenancies in W2, a boarded unit awaiting refurbishment in W12, or an empty office space—tend to attract attention. The risk isn’t just theft; it’s also weather exposure, squatting attempts and ongoing vandalism.

For void properties, boarding up isn’t only about stopping access today—it’s about reducing repeated call-outs over the coming weeks.

What we typically do for vacant properties

  • Stronger, longer-term boarding where appropriate, with anti-tamper fixings to reduce removal from outside.
  • Temporary steel doors when regular access is needed for surveyors, contractors or cleaners.
  • Steel security screens where a more durable approach is required (particularly for ground-floor windows and doors in exposed locations).

If the building has suffered fire or flood damage and will remain empty while decisions are made, securing openings quickly helps prevent further deterioration and unauthorised entry. See fire damage boarding and flood damage boarding.

How our approach changes by building style in West London

West London isn’t one uniform property type, and the fixing method that’s sensible on one building can be a poor choice on another. When we arrive, we look at:

  • Frame condition: Rotten timber, cracked uPVC, bent aluminium, or damaged masonry affects what’s safe to fix into.
  • Opening size and position: Basement areas, rear lightwells, first-floor windows over a flat roof, and shopfronts all need different access and safety considerations.
  • Exposure and risk: A hidden rear elevation behind bins and alley access is different from a street-facing window on a busy road.
  • Occupancy: A lived-in home needs a different solution to a long-term void.

If boarding up is new to you, the plain-English overview is here: what is boarding up.

What you get when we board up your property

Whether it’s a house, a shop, or a void unit, you should come away with a secure opening and clear paperwork. Typically, you’ll receive:

  • A clear description of what was secured and how (statement of works)
  • Itemised invoice for your records/insurer
  • Time-stamped photos when requested (useful for landlords, managing agents and insurance)
  • Practical advice on next steps (glazier, door replacement, further security measures)

We’ll also flag issues we can see on arrival—such as unstable frames, loose masonry, or signs that the door surround needs repair—so you’re not surprised later. If something is outside our scope (for example, smoke/odour remediation after a fire), we’ll say so plainly and focus on securing the property.

Which service do you actually need?

People often search for “boarding up” when they really mean one of several specific solutions. These pages explain each option in detail:

If you’re not sure, call and describe what’s happened and the type of property (flat, terrace, retail unit, void). We’ll talk you through sensible options before any work begins.

FAQs about boarding up different property types in West London

Do you board up flats with communal entrances?

Yes. We often secure damaged communal doors or ground-floor windows in blocks, including when a panel has been smashed or a lock area has been forced. If there are access controls, concierge arrangements or management company procedures, tell us when you call so we can plan accordingly.

Can you secure a shopfront without making it easy to remove from the outside?

That’s the point of using the right materials and fixings. For higher-risk locations, we can use anti-tamper fixings and stronger boarding methods to deter removal. The most appropriate method depends on the frame, the opening size, and whether the premises will be unattended overnight.

Is boarding up covered by insurance for landlords and commercial premises?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm or accident damage—but policies vary. We’re not insurers, but we can provide documentation insurers typically request. See insurance claims for practical guidance on what to keep (photos, incident numbers, and the works description).

What if the door frame is too damaged to board neatly?

If the frame is badly compromised, a simple plywood board may not be secure or safe. In those cases, we’ll explain the options—often a temporary steel door is the more reliable route—before we proceed.

How quickly can you attend across West London?

We prioritise urgent calls, including out-of-hours where possible, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access, and job complexity vary across W postcodes. If it’s urgent, use our emergency boarding up page and call with your location and the type of opening that needs securing.

Ready to secure your property in West London?

If you’re unsure which option fits your property type, talk it through with us. We’ll ask a few practical questions (what’s damaged, size/location of opening, whether the property is occupied) and recommend a sensible solution.

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 8072 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.