What Is Boarding Up? A Practical Guide for West London (W2–W14)

Boarding up is the process of temporarily securing a property by fixing strong sheets (usually exterior-grade plywood or OSB) over vulnerable openings—most commonly broken windows, damaged doors, smashed shopfront glazing, and exposed rooflights. In West London, it’s often needed after a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, fire, or an accident.

The aim is simple: make the building safe, secure, and weather-resistant until permanent repairs can be completed—whether that’s new glazing, a replacement door set, or remedial building works.

If you need urgent help, see our emergency boarding up page. If you’re researching options (or dealing with an insurer), this guide explains what boarding up involves, what materials are used, and what to expect on the day.

When do you actually need boarding up?

You usually need boarding up when there’s a risk of:

  • Unauthorised entry (a broken window or forced door makes access easy)
  • Further damage (wind-driven rain, flying debris, opportunistic vandalism)
  • Injury to occupants or passers-by (loose glass, exposed frames, sharp edges)
  • Insurance complications (many policies expect “reasonable steps” to secure the property)

In West London’s mix of busy high streets and dense residential streets, the most common triggers we see include:

  • A smashed sash window in a converted Victorian flat in Bayswater or Maida Vale
  • A forced rear door at a rental property near Shepherd’s Bush or White City
  • Shopfront glazing damage after an impact on a main road such as Uxbridge Road or Fulham Palace Road
  • Rooflight or skylight damage after high winds, especially on top-floor flats

For event-specific guidance, you can also read our situation pages like burglary repairs and storm damage.

What boarding up is (and what it isn’t)

Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure. It buys time and reduces risk.

Boarding up is:

  • A way to secure openings and deter entry
  • A way to make areas safe where glazing/frames are damaged
  • A way to limit weather ingress while you arrange repairs
  • Often used to support insurance claims with clear documentation

Boarding up isn’t:

  • A substitute for permanent glazing/door replacement
  • A cosmetic repair (it won’t “look pretty”, especially on shopfronts)
  • A guarantee against every possible intrusion (it’s about making access difficult and obvious)
  • Specialist remediation after fire/flood (we secure the building; we don’t provide smoke odour removal or drying services)

If the surrounding structure is too compromised for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding—sometimes the safest step is simply to secure what we can and advise you to involve a builder or structural professional.

What gets boarded up? (Windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs)

Different openings require different methods, fixings, and materials.

  • Windows: From small panes to large bay windows and full-height glazing. See window boarding in West London.
  • Doors: After forced entry, a door may not latch or the frame may be split. See door boarding.
  • Shopfronts: Larger spans, higher footfall, and often a need to protect stock and comply with landlord/centre requirements. See shopfront boarding.
  • Roofs and skylights: Rooflights, lanterns, and damaged access hatches need safe access planning and weatherproofing. See roof boarding.

We work across West London W postcodes (W2–W14). If you’re not sure whether you’re in our patch, check areas we cover.

Materials used: plywood vs OSB (and why it matters)

Not all “boards” are the same. Choosing the right sheet affects strength, weather resistance, and how well the fixing holds.

Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm)

This is our go-to for many emergency security jobs, especially where the opening is large or street-facing.

  • Strong, stable, and resistant to splitting
  • Handles impact better than thinner boards
  • More reliable for anti-tamper fixing methods

OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings)

OSB can be suitable for smaller windows or less exposed areas where the goal is short-term coverage.

  • Cost-effective and widely available
  • Good structural performance when correctly installed
  • Typically best for short-term, lower-risk applications

We’ll select the board thickness and type based on:

  • Opening size and shape
  • Whether it’s at street level or reachable from a flat roof/balcony
  • Condition of the frame/substrate
  • Whether the property will be occupied or vacant

For longer-term void security (especially where repeated attacks are a risk), boarding may not be the best option. In those cases we may recommend solutions like security screens or other measures—see our property types guidance for how we approach occupied vs vacant buildings.

How boarding up is fixed: security first, damage minimised

A proper boarding-up job isn’t just “screwing a sheet on”. The fixing method matters—especially in West London, where many properties are period builds with older timber frames, sash boxes, or decorative stone surrounds that you don’t want unnecessarily damaged.

Common approaches include:

  • Screw-fixed boarding into sound timber or masonry (with the right plugs/anchors)
  • Battening/backing methods where we can secure the sheet using internal support (useful when you want to reduce external fixings)
  • Anti-tamper fixings on vulnerable, street-facing openings—important if the property will be unattended or has already been targeted

We also plan around local practicalities:

  • Limited parking and access on tight streets (common around W2/W9)
  • Communal entrances and managed buildings with concierge or permit rules
  • Upper-floor access where safe working is essential

If you have specific site rules (facilities management, method statements, working hours), tell us when you call—we’ll do our best to accommodate.

What to expect when you book boarding up in West London

You don’t need to know the technical details to make the call. A few basics help us get the right materials to you first time.

1) We ask a few practical questions

Typically:

  • What’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)?
  • Is anyone inside and is it safe?
  • Rough size and location (ground floor, first floor, rear alley access, etc.)
  • Whether police/fire service have attended (if relevant)
  • Whether you need documentation for your insurer

If you can safely send a photo, it helps—especially for shopfronts and large openings.

2) We attend and make the area safe

On arrival, we’ll assess the frame and surrounding structure. If there’s loose glass, we’ll work carefully around it and prioritise safety.

We won’t promise a fixed arrival time because traffic and job overruns happen, but urgent situations are prioritised—particularly where the building is exposed or there’s a security risk.

3) We board up, then provide records

You can normally expect:

  • A clear description of what was secured and how
  • Time-stamped photos (useful for landlords and insurance files)
  • An itemised invoice and a basic work statement

For more on the paperwork side, see insurance claims support.

Boarding up for homes vs shops vs vacant properties

Boarding up isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on how the building is used and how long it needs to stay secure.

Residential properties (houses, flats, maisonettes)

Priorities are usually:

  • Keeping the home safe and weather-tight
  • Avoiding unnecessary damage to frames and finishes
  • Helping tenants/owners feel secure again

More detail: residential boarding up.

Commercial properties (shops, restaurants, offices)

Priorities often include:

  • Rapid securing to protect stock and equipment
  • Wider openings and heavier boards
  • Coordination with shutters, alarms, and landlord requirements

More detail: commercial boarding up.

Vacant and void properties

If a property is empty between tenancies or awaiting sale/probate, the risk profile changes. Repeated attempts are more likely once a building looks unattended. In these cases, we may discuss medium-term options rather than repeated short-term boarding.

More detail: vacant property security.

Does insurance cover boarding up?

Sometimes it can—especially when boarding up is necessary to prevent further damage after an insured event (like burglary, storm impact, or fire). But policies vary.

Practical steps that usually help:

  • Take photos before work starts (if safe)
  • Keep your police reference number (if applicable)
  • Notify your insurer as early as you can
  • Keep invoices and work notes together in one file

We’re not loss adjusters and can’t interpret your policy terms, but we can provide documentation insurers typically request. See our dedicated insurance claims support page for a straightforward overview.

FAQs about boarding up (West London)

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on access, the number of openings, and whether frames are intact. A single window is usually quicker than a full shopfront span, and rooflights require safer access planning. If you tell us what’s happened, we’ll give you a realistic expectation.

Is boarding up secure enough overnight?

In most cases, yes—boarding up is specifically used to secure openings quickly until permanent repairs are arranged. For higher-risk properties (vacant buildings, repeat targeting, street-facing commercial sites), we may recommend additional security measures.

Can you board up a property after a burglary?

Yes. We regularly secure windows and doors after forced entry. Our burglary repairs page explains what to do first and how we help you secure the property.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to minimise damage while ensuring the board can’t be easily removed. Some fixings are unavoidable for proper security. If the frame is already split or crumbling, we’ll explain what’s practical before we proceed.

Do you cover my area in West London?

We cover the W postcode area (W2–W14). Start with areas we cover or contact us with your postcode and we’ll confirm.

Ready to secure your property?

If you’re dealing with a broken window, damaged door, or smashed shopfront, boarding up is often the safest next step—especially if the property will be unattended.

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