Boarding Up Situations We Help With in West London (W2–W14)
When something suddenly goes wrong at your property—whether it’s a break-in, smashed glazing, storm damage or a vehicle impact—the priority is simple: make the building safe, secure and weather-tight.
Boarding Up West London provides practical, insured boarding-up services across the W postcode area (W2–W14). This page covers the most common situations we’re called out to in West London, what to do immediately, and how we secure different types of openings until repairs can be completed.
If you need urgent help, see our dedicated emergency boarding up page.
First: what to do right now (before we arrive)
It’s normal to feel rattled after damage—especially at night or if you’re dealing with police, neighbours or a landlord. These steps help protect people and make the boarding-up process smoother.
- Check for immediate danger
- If there’s a risk of collapse, live electrics, gas smell, or ongoing fire risk, call 999 first.
- If it’s a crime, call the police and get a reference number
- Insurers often ask for this, especially after burglary or vandalism.
- Take photos if it’s safe
- Wide shots and close-ups of the opening, frame damage, and any tools/impact points.
- Don’t clear everything away
- For break-ins, keep disturbed items and glass/door damage as-is until police have attended (where applicable).
- Think about temporary security
- If the property will be unattended, tell us. The right method may be stronger than standard plywood boarding.
If you’re unsure what you need, our FAQs and what boarding up is pages explain the basics in plain English.
Situations we handle across West London
The scenarios below are the ones we see most often in W postcodes—from mansion blocks around Bayswater and Maida Vale to terraces in Acton and mixed-use parades in Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush.
Burglary / break-in (forced entry)
After a break-in, the entry point is often a splintered timber door, snapped lock area, or shattered ground-floor window. In West London we frequently attend call-outs where the frame is compromised—not just the glass—so the method has to match the damage.
What we typically do:
- Board damaged windows using exterior-grade sheet materials and secure fixings
- Secure broken doors and weak frames; where required, fit a temporary steel door for stronger medium-term protection
- Provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice to support insurance claims
Related guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up and door boarding in West London.
Vandalism (smashed glass, repeated targeting, anti-social damage)
Vandalism can be a one-off incident or repeated targeting—particularly for shops, schools, empty units, and properties with scaffolding or side access. In areas with busy footfall and night-time economy (for example near tube stations, bus corridors, and high streets), speed and anti-tamper fixing choices matter.
What we typically do:
- Board up smashed panes and vulnerable side/rear windows
- Use anti-tamper fixings where the board could be attacked or removed from outside
- Advise on stronger options for repeat incidents, such as steel security screens for void properties
Related guidance: vandalism repair and boarding up and window boarding in West London.
Storm damage (wind, fallen branches, loose roof coverings)
West London storms often create awkward problems: a dislodged sash pane, a fallen branch through glazing, or a rooflight that’s been lifted and left open to rain. The goal is to prevent water ingress and reduce the risk of further internal damage.
What we typically do:
- Board or sheet over broken windows and skylights to reduce draughts and rain penetration
- Install temporary protection on roof openings (access and safety first—some situations require scaffolding or a roofer)
- Help you stabilise the property while permanent repairs are arranged
Related guidance: storm damage boarding and roof boarding in West London.
Fire damage (post-fire securing)
After a fire, even a small one, the property can be left exposed: broken windows from heat, forced entry by emergency services, or doors that no longer close properly. Our role is securing the building—fire and smoke remediation are handled by specialist contractors.
What we typically do:
- Board up open windows, doors, and vulnerable access points
- Work carefully around unstable frames and heat-damaged surrounds
- Provide clear documentation for landlords, managing agents and insurers
Related guidance: fire damage securing and commercial boarding up.
Flood damage (swollen frames, doors that won’t shut)
Flooding and water ingress can leave timber frames swollen and locks misaligned—meaning you may not be able to secure the property normally. Sometimes a door still “closes”, but won’t lock reliably, or glazing becomes unsafe after rapid temperature change.
What we typically do:
- Provide temporary securing where standard locking has failed
- Board vulnerable low-level glazing if it has become loose or cracked
- Discuss ventilation considerations (boarding is about security, but trapped moisture is a real concern)
Related guidance: flood damage support.
Accident / impact damage (vehicles, building works, accidental breakage)
We’re often called when an opening has been damaged by:
- A reversing vehicle into a shopfront or frontage wall
- Accidental breakage during removals or building works
- Falling debris damaging glazing
In impact situations, it’s not always “just the glass”—frames and surrounding masonry can be affected, and we’ll tell you honestly what we can secure safely.
What we typically do:
- Board up the opening to secure and deter access
- Use fixings appropriate to the substrate (timber, masonry, metal frames)
- Explain options if the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach
Related guidance: accident damage boarding and shopfront boarding in West London.
How our boarding-up service works (what to expect)
Every job is a little different, but the process stays consistent.
- You call or message with the basics
- Location (W postcode), what’s been damaged, whether it’s occupied, and whether police/fire service are involved.
- We talk through the safest way to secure it
- For example: plywood vs OSB, anti-tamper fixing, or whether a temporary steel door is better.
- Arrival and on-site assessment
- We don’t promise exact arrival times—traffic, access and safety can affect scheduling—but we prioritise urgent security risks.
- Boarding-up installation
- Typical materials include 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger protection, and OSB for smaller/shorter-term requirements where appropriate.
- Documentation
- You receive photos of the finished boarding, plus an itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurers or property managers.
To understand the different methods in more detail, see boarding up services in West London and pricing guidance.
Choosing the right method: plywood, OSB, steel doors, or screens
The “best” option depends on the opening, the risk level, and how long the property will remain vulnerable.
- Plywood boarding (common for emergency security)
- Strong, versatile, good for windows and doors when installed with correct fixings.
- OSB boarding (often for smaller openings or lower-risk situations)
- Practical for temporary securing when the risk is lower.
- Temporary steel doors (for repeated access and stronger security)
- A good solution after forced entry where the original door/frame can’t be secured reliably.
- Steel security screens (for vacant/void properties)
- Better for medium-to-long term protection where properties are unoccupied.
If you’re managing an empty unit or between tenancies, our vacant property boarding page explains what typically works best.
Residential, commercial, and vacant properties — common West London considerations
West London has a mix of building types that affect access and installation:
- Mansion blocks and flats (e.g., W2, W8, W9)
- Communal entrances, concierge involvement, and restricted parking/loading can affect how materials are brought in.
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces (common across W3, W4, W5, W6)
- Bay windows and older timber frames can need careful fixing to avoid further cracking.
- Retail parades and mixed-use buildings
- Shopfronts often require larger sheets, tidy edges, and anti-tamper fixings—especially if the premises will be closed overnight.
- New-build blocks and managed estates
- Site rules, permits, and working hours may apply—tell us if you’re a facilities manager or agent so we can plan accordingly.
See more: residential boarding up and commercial boarding up.
Insurance and landlords: what we can (and can’t) do
We’re used to working alongside landlords, managing agents, and insurers across West London.
We can help by providing:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
- An itemised invoice and work statement
- Clear notes where frames are too damaged for non-destructive methods
A few honest limits:
- We’re not loss adjusters and can’t approve claims
- We secure the building; full repairs (glazing replacement, joinery, fire remediation) are separate trades
- If access isn’t safe (for example, unstable structure), we’ll explain what’s possible before proceeding
More guidance here: insurance claims support.
FAQs about boarding up after damage in West London
How quickly can you board up after a burglary or smashed window?
We prioritise urgent security risks and can often attend quickly, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times. Traffic, access (especially in flats), and safety conditions can affect scheduling. If you need immediate help, use our emergency boarding up page.
Is boarding up covered by building insurance?
Often it can be, especially when boarding up is necessary to prevent further damage or secure a forced entry. Coverage varies by policy and excess, so it’s best to notify your insurer early. We provide the documentation insurers typically request—see insurance claims support.
Can you secure a property if the door frame is badly damaged?
Usually, yes—but the method may change. If the frame can’t safely take fixings, we’ll explain options such as a temporary steel door solution via door boarding or alternative securing approaches.
Do you board up shopfronts out of hours?
Yes, we secure commercial glazing and entrances when a unit has been attacked or accidentally damaged. For details, see shopfront boarding in West London.
I’m a landlord/managing agent—can you send photos and paperwork for my file?
Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement suitable for property management records and insurance submissions.
Next steps (book a call-out or request a quote)
If your property has been damaged, you don’t need to figure everything out before you call. Tell us what’s happened and where you are in West London, and we’ll talk you through the safest way to secure it.
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 8072 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
