Commercial boarding up in West London (W2–W14)
Commercial property damage rarely happens at a “convenient” time. A smashed shopfront on Uxbridge Road, a forced rear door off Shepherd’s Bush Green, or a broken window in an office block near Hammersmith Broadway can leave your premises exposed to theft, weather damage, and business interruption.
Boarding Up West London provides commercial boarding up across the W postcodes (W2–W14)—helping shop owners, landlords, facilities managers and managing agents secure buildings quickly and professionally. If you need urgent help, use our emergency boarding up service. If it’s planned works (void periods, refurbishments, risk-led security), we can schedule a visit and advise on the most suitable method.
Need to secure a commercial site now? Call 020 4634 8072 or email info@boarding-up-west-london.co.uk.
What counts as a “commercial” property for boarding up?
In West London, commercial premises come in all shapes and ages—Victorian parades with timber shopfronts, modern aluminium-framed glazing, mixed-use blocks with retail at ground level and flats above, and light-industrial units around places like Park Royal.
We commonly board up:
- Shops and retail units (including corner units and parades)
- Restaurants, cafés, takeaways and pubs
- Offices (serviced offices, small suites and larger blocks)
- Warehouses, workshops and trade counters
- Schools, nurseries and community buildings (where access needs managing)
- Vacant or “to-let” commercial units between tenants
If you’re unsure whether your premises fits, it usually comes down to the risk (public-facing frontage, footfall, vacant periods) and the type of openings that need securing (large panes, multiple bays, rear access doors, rooflights).
Typical commercial scenarios we attend in West London
Commercial boarding up tends to be driven by a handful of common events. The priority is always the same: make the building secure and weather-resistant, then leave you with clear documentation for insurers, landlords or building management.
Shopfront glass smashed or cracked
Busy high streets and late-night economy areas can see shopfront damage—sometimes from attempted burglary, sometimes accidental impact.
For large panes, we often use properly fixed boarding with anti-tamper fixings where appropriate, and we’ll look at the frame condition first (especially on older timber shopfronts where fixing points are limited). For this, see shopfront boarding in West London.
Forced entry or door damage (front or rear)
Rear doors, service corridors and alley access are common weak points. If a door has been forced and the lock/leaf/frame is compromised, boarding alone may not be enough—particularly for premises that need a secure, usable entrance.
Where suitable, we can fit temporary steel doors as a medium-term solution, which is often more practical for commercial sites than repeated boarding. Start here: door boarding in West London.
Vandalism (including repeated attacks)
Commercial properties can be targeted more than once—especially if the unit is vacant, under renovation, or has had previous damage.
In these cases, we’ll discuss whether standard boarding is sufficient or whether a more robust, longer-term approach is needed (for example, steel security screening on vulnerable openings). If the incident is active or just happened, use vandalism repair boarding to understand the next steps.
Storm damage and unsafe glazing
High winds can loosen frames, crack glazing, or bring down debris—particularly around scaffolded refurbishments or older roof details.
We can secure broken windows and vulnerable openings and, where required, handle more challenging access for upper floors. If you’re dealing with wind-related damage, see storm damage boarding.
Fire or flood aftermath (securing only)
After a fire or flood, the site often needs urgent security once the emergency services have finished. Our role is to secure the building—not to provide smoke/odour remediation or drying.
We can board damaged openings and help reduce opportunistic entry while you coordinate repairs with insurers and contractors:
Vacant commercial units between tenants
Empty shops and offices are at higher risk of break-ins, fly-tipping and weather ingress.
For void periods, we’ll usually recommend a security approach designed for weeks or months, not just overnight. That may include reinforced boarding, security screens, or access-control solutions depending on how the property is managed. You may also want to review vacant property boarding.
How we board up commercial premises (methods that suit retail and office sites)
Commercial boarding needs to be secure, professional-looking, and compatible with the building—especially when you’re operating nearby businesses, managing public access, or working under a landlord/freeholder’s rules.
1) Survey and make-safe first
On arrival, we’ll identify:
- The extent of glazing/frame damage and any loose shards
- Public risk (pavement-facing shopfronts, communal areas, entrances)
- Access constraints (shutters, alarms, shared lobbies, loading bays)
- Whether non-destructive fixing is possible (important for listed or high-value frontage)
If the frame is too damaged to fix safely without further work, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
2) Choosing the right board: plywood vs OSB
We select materials based on opening size, exposure, and risk:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for larger commercial openings where strength and better weather performance matters.
- OSB (typically 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable for lower-risk or smaller areas.
We’ll also consider sightlines and ventilation needs—particularly for restaurants or units with sensitive stock. If you want a primer on what boarding up involves, see what is boarding up?.
3) Fixing method: secure, tidy, and difficult to remove
Commercial sites are often targeted again, so fixings matter.
Depending on the substrate and layout, we may use:
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside
- Through-bolting where the internal access allows and it provides better security
- Framed boarding to spread loads and reduce further damage on fragile surrounds
Our aim is to secure the opening without making the eventual glazing repair harder or more expensive.
4) Doors: boarding vs temporary steel doors
For door openings, we’ll discuss what you actually need:
- If the premises will be shut and unoccupied, door boarding can be a fast, effective barrier.
- If you need controlled access for staff/contractors, a temporary steel door is often a better option.
Learn more about options via door boarding in West London.
5) Rooflights and overhead vulnerabilities
Commercial buildings—especially mixed-use blocks and some retail back-of-house spaces—can have rooflights, skylights, or vulnerable roof access points. These can be overlooked after an incident.
Where access and safety allow, we can secure these openings as part of roof boarding in West London.
What you get from our commercial boarding up service
Commercial clients often need clarity for internal reporting, landlord communication, and insurance.
You can expect:
- A clear description of what was secured and how
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice and work statement for your records
- Practical advice on next steps (glaziers, door replacement, follow-on security)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. For guidance, see insurance claims support.
Working with facilities managers, landlords and managing agents
If you’re responsible for multiple sites across West London, you need consistent processes.
We can work with you on:
- Call-out procedures and authorised contact lists
- Out-of-hours access (keyholding arrangements where applicable)
- Site rules, permits and basic RAMS expectations (where required)
- Planned security for voids or refurbishment phases
If you have a standard format for purchase orders or job sheets, tell us at the start of the call—we’ll do our best to fit your workflow.
Commercial areas we cover in West London (W2–W14)
We operate across the W postcode area, including busy retail and commercial hubs such as:
- Shepherd’s Bush (W12) – around Westfield and Uxbridge Road: boarding up in Shepherd’s Bush
- Hammersmith (W6) – Broadway, King Street and the office clusters: boarding up in Hammersmith
- Ealing (W5/W13) – Ealing Broadway area and surrounding parades: boarding up in Ealing and boarding up in West Ealing
- Paddington & Bayswater (W2) – hotels, HMOs and mixed-use blocks near the stations: boarding up in Paddington and boarding up in Bayswater
- Kensington & Olympia (W8/W14) – higher-value storefronts and exhibition-related footfall: boarding up in Kensington and boarding up in Kensington Olympia
For the full list, visit areas we cover.
A realistic example: securing a damaged shopfront in W12
A small retail unit just off Uxbridge Road in Shepherd’s Bush suffers an attempted break-in overnight. The external glazing is shattered, the aluminium frame is twisted, and the unit opens onto a busy pavement with morning footfall.
We attend to:
- Make the area safe and reduce public risk.
- Assess whether the frame can take fixings without causing further failure.
- Fit exterior-grade boarding sized to the opening, using secure fixings designed to resist tampering.
- Provide photos and a written work summary for the tenant and their insurer, so a glazier can measure and replace glazing accurately.
If the unit is likely to be targeted again (or will be vacant), we’ll discuss whether upgrading to a longer-term solution makes sense.
FAQs: commercial boarding up in West London
How quickly can you attend a commercial call-out?
We prioritise urgent jobs, especially when a shopfront is open to the street or there’s a clear security risk. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access, and job complexity vary—but if you need immediate help, use our emergency boarding up page and call us with the details.
Will boarding up affect my alarm or shutters?
It can, depending on where sensors and shutter guides are positioned. If you tell us what system you have (and whether it’s been triggered), we’ll aim to board in a way that avoids interfering with sensors and moving parts where practical.
Can you secure large commercial windows and full shopfront bays?
Yes. Large panes are common on West London parades, and we’ll size boards properly and choose fixings appropriate to the frame and surrounding structure. For more detail, see shopfront boarding in West London.
Is boarding up covered by business insurance?
Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism or storm damage, but policies vary. Keep your incident number (police or fire service if relevant) and take photos if it’s safe. We can supply the documentation insurers typically request—see insurance claims support.
Do you work in shared blocks with a freeholder or managing agent?
Yes. Many W postcodes have mixed-use buildings with communal entrances and restrictions on works. If there are building rules (hours, loading access, permits), let us know when booking so we can plan accordingly.
Next steps for commercial clients
If your premises has been damaged, the key is to secure the opening quickly, reduce further loss, and document the work properly.
- For urgent call-outs: Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance.
- For planned securing or multiple sites: email us with addresses, photos (if available), and access notes.
