Roof Boarding in West London (W2–W14)

When part of your roof fails, it rarely happens at a convenient time. A slipped tile line in high winds, a broken skylight after an impact, or storm debris punching through felt can leave your property exposed to rain, cold air, and unwanted access.

Our roof boarding in West London service secures damaged roof areas quickly and safely across the W postcodes (W2–W14). We prioritise emergency situations, stabilise the opening, and create a practical temporary barrier until your roofer or insurer’s contractor completes permanent repairs.

Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 8072 for emergency roof boarding, or email us if it’s planned work.

When roof boarding is needed (and why it matters)

Roof damage becomes an emergency when it risks:

• Water ingress into ceilings, electrics, and insulation
• Further structural damage as wind lifts more coverings
• Security issues (especially on flat roofs, rooflights, and accessible rear extensions)
• Liability if loose materials could fall onto pavements, gardens, or neighbouring property

Common callouts we attend in West London include:

• Storm damage: dislodged tiles, damaged felt, torn flashing, lifted edge trims on flat roofs
  (see: storm damage boarding)
• Skylight/rooflight breaks on rear extensions and loft conversions
• Fire damage where the roof void or upper floor is compromised
  (see: fire damage securing)
• Impact damage from falling branches or debris
• Break-ins via the roof (less common, but it happens—especially where scaffolding or flat roof access is available)
  (see: burglary repairs and boarding)

If you’re not sure whether boarding is the right solution, we’ll talk it through. In some cases, a roofer’s tarp-and-batten approach may be more appropriate; in others, boarding is the safest immediate option to stop access and limit weather exposure.

Emergency roof boarding: what happens when you call

For urgent situations, we keep the process simple and practical.

1. You call and describe the opening
   If you can, tell us the roof type (flat/pitched), height, access (scaffold, rear extension, loft hatch), and whether water is actively coming in. If it’s unsafe to inspect—don’t.

2. We advise on immediate safety
   We may ask you to keep people out of the affected room, move valuables away from leaks, and isolate electrics if water is near fittings (only if you can do so safely).

3. We attend and assess access
   Roof work is all about safe access. If conditions are dangerous (high winds, unstable surfaces), we’ll be honest about what can and can’t be done immediately and discuss alternatives.

4. We secure the opening using the right method
   We fit boards and fixings appropriate to the substrate and exposure, aiming to create a rigid barrier that resists wind uplift and tampering.

5. You receive documentation
   We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear work statement, and an itemised invoice—useful for landlords, facilities teams, and insurance claims. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

If you need urgent help outside standard hours, use our emergency boarding up service page for the fastest route to assistance.

Materials we use for temporary roof boarding (and why)

Roof boarding isn’t “one sheet fits all”. The goal is to create a temporary closure that’s:

• Strong enough to resist wind and impacts
• Fixed securely to reduce the chance of external removal
• Appropriate for short-term exposure until permanent repair

Depending on the opening, we typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings or where rigidity matters (common for rooflights and bigger holes)
• 12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk areas where a lighter panel is sufficient
• Treated battens/timber framing where we need a solid fixing line (for uneven openings or where fixing directly would split fragile edges)
• Anti-tamper fixings where the risk of unauthorised removal is higher, especially if the property will be unattended

We’ll choose materials based on wind exposure, roof pitch, and the condition of what we’re fixing to. If the surrounding roof structure is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

If your issue is mainly glazing at roof level (roof lanterns/rooflights), you may also find our approach similar to window boarding in West London, just adapted for overhead and weather exposure.

How we board different roof types in West London

West London properties vary—from Victorian terraces with pitched roofs to mansion blocks and modern flat-roof extensions. The method changes depending on what we’re securing.

Pitched roofs (tiles/slate)

For pitched roofs, temporary boarding is most often used when there’s a localised breach—for example, a hole where tiles and felt have failed, or damage near a dormer/rooflight.

Typical approach:

• Create a clean, stable perimeter around the breach
• Fit a board sized to overlap onto sound areas
• Use timber framing/battens where necessary for secure fixings
• Fix in a way that helps resist wind uplift and vibration

If the issue is primarily slipped tiles with intact underlay, boarding may not be the best temporary measure; we’ll advise accordingly.

Flat roofs (felt/GRP/EPDM)

Flat roofs—especially on rear extensions—are vulnerable after storms, falls, or foot traffic. If a section is open, water can enter quickly.

Typical approach:

• Board to cover the opening and reduce water ingress risk
• Fix into sound timbers/edges where possible
• Consider the direction of prevailing wind and rainfall exposure
• Leave ventilation considerations in mind if the area has been damp (where appropriate)

If you’re dealing with water-related damage and swollen frames/doors below, see flood damage boarding and securing.

Rooflights, skylights, and roof lanterns

Broken roof glazing is an urgent security and weather issue—often directly above kitchens, stairwells, or loft rooms.

Typical approach:

• Measure and cut a panel to cover the aperture safely
• Fit with fixings designed to reduce removal from outside
• Avoid adding stress to already-cracked frames where possible

For commercial buildings with multiple rooflights (e.g., units and warehouses), we can discuss longer-term security options alongside commercial boarding up.

Safety and limitations (transparent and important)

Roof boarding can involve height, fragile surfaces, and unstable structures. We’ll always prioritise safe working.

• We can’t guarantee fixed arrival times, especially in severe weather, but we prioritise urgent situations and keep you updated.
• We may be unable to proceed in dangerous wind conditions or where safe access isn’t achievable.
• We’re a property security and boarding specialist—not roof repair contractors. We secure the opening to buy time for permanent repairs.

If the building has been affected by fire, we’ll secure it once the area is safe and cleared. We do not provide smoke/odour remediation—our role is to make the property secure and weather-resistant where possible. See post-fire securing.

Roof boarding for homes, shops and vacant properties

Roof issues don’t just affect houses. We secure:

• Residential properties: terraces, flats, maisonettes, loft conversions
  Learn more: residential boarding up
• Commercial buildings: shops with rear extensions, offices, restaurants, light industrial units
  Learn more: commercial boarding up
• Vacant/void properties: where repeated access attempts or ongoing building works create risk
  Learn more: vacant property security

Where appropriate, we can also advise on medium-term security measures if a property will remain empty for weeks rather than days.

What you get from our roof boarding service

To make the situation easier to manage—especially if you’re coordinating multiple contractors or an insurer—we provide:

• A clear description of what was secured and how
• Before/after photos (time-stamped where possible)
• An itemised invoice and work record
• Practical notes if we see anything that may affect follow-on repairs (e.g., unstable edges, water pathways)

If you’re dealing with a wider break-in or building damage, you may also need door boarding in West London or shopfront boarding as part of the same visit.

FAQs: Roof boarding in West London

How long does temporary roof boarding last?

It’s designed as a temporary measure—typically days to a few weeks—depending on exposure and the condition of the surrounding structure. We’ll tell you honestly what’s realistic for your specific opening and roof type.

Can you stop rain completely with boarding?

Boarding reduces exposure and helps prevent access, but no temporary measure is a perfect substitute for a proper roof repair. Where possible, we fit boards to overlap onto sound material and fix securely to minimise wind-driven rain.

Is roof boarding covered by insurance?

Many policies cover emergency make-safe work, but cover varies. Keep your claim reference if you have one, take photos if it’s safe, and see our guidance on insurance claims. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for.

Do you cover my area in the W postcodes?

Yes—our focus is West London across W2–W14. You can also check areas we cover for neighbourhood pages.

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe:

• Move valuables away from the leak area and place containers to catch drips
• Avoid going onto the roof
• Keep people out of the affected room if the ceiling is bulging or wet If there’s immediate danger (e.g., collapse risk), call 999.

Related services that may help

Roof damage is often part of a wider incident. These pages may be relevant:

• If it happened during severe weather: storm damage boarding
• If the property has been broken into: burglary repairs and securing
• If glazing is smashed elsewhere: window boarding in West London
• If access points are compromised: door boarding in West London
• If it’s a retail or frontage issue: shopfront boarding

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• pricing information
• insurance claims support
• what is boarding up?
• FAQs
• contact us

Need temporary roof boarding in West London now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance. If it’s non-urgent, email us to arrange a free, no-obligation quote.