24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up Stevenage (SG1–SG19)
Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
If it’s safer to email (for example, you’re on site but can’t speak freely), use [email protected].
A smashed window, forced door, or damaged shopfront can’t wait until morning. Our 24/7 boarding up in Stevenage is designed to make safe and secure property quickly across SG postcodes—whether it’s a home, a shop, or a vacant unit. We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions and workload vary—but when you call we’ll ask a few practical questions and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
When you should call for emergency boarding up
Call us if you need emergency boarding up because the property is exposed, vulnerable, or unsafe. Typical urgent scenarios include:
- Burglary or attempted break-in where you need to board up door damage or a prised window (see help after a break-in)
- Vandalism and a smashed window that’s left sharp glass or an open void (see support after vandalism)
- Storm damage where wind or debris has compromised glazing or a rooflight (see storm damage securing)
- Fire damage where windows/doors are missing or unsafe (we secure the building; remediation is separate) (see post-fire securing)
- Accidental impact such as a vehicle strike on a frontage or doorway (see accident damage make-safe)
If you’re unsure, call anyway. We’ll tell you honestly whether boarding is appropriate or if you need a different trade first (for example, a glazier, locksmith, or roofer).
What happens when you call us (and what we’ll ask)
To get the right solution on the first visit, we’ll ask a few quick questions:
- What’s been damaged? (window, door, shopfront, rooflight/skylight)
- What size is the opening? Even a rough estimate helps. Photos are useful if safe to take.
- Is the frame sound? If the frame is splintered or unstable, we may need a different fixing method.
- Is the property occupied or vacant? Security level changes depending on whether it will be left unattended.
- Any hazards on site? Loose glass, aggressive intruders, water ingress, fire damage, or unsafe access.
Then we’ll agree the plan: temporary boarding, a shopfront boarded up solution, or (where appropriate) a temporary steel door for medium-term security.
For more background on methods, see what boarding up is and when it’s used.
How we make safe: our emergency boarding-up process
Every call-out is different, but our approach is consistent and practical.
1) Safety first and immediate make-safe actions
On arrival we’ll assess risks—sharp glass, unstable frames, or exposed wiring (common after forced entry). If there’s loose glass creating a hazard, we’ll prioritise making the area safe before boarding.
If police are attending or have requested the property isn’t disturbed, we’ll work around that. If the opening can’t be boarded immediately for safety reasons, we’ll explain why and agree next steps.
2) Choosing the right materials (plywood vs OSB)
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger security and larger openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller or less complex openings where appropriate
Material choice depends on the opening size, how long it needs to stay secure, weather exposure, and the condition of the surrounding frame.
3) Fixing methods: secure from the outside
We aim for secure, tidy installations that resist removal:
- Anti-tamper fixings are used where needed to reduce the risk of boards being taken off from outside—especially important for unattended or vacant properties.
- Where the frame allows, we may use non-destructive methods (for example, anchoring into reveals rather than face-fixing into good frames).
- If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
If you specifically need to board up broken window openings, see our detailed guide to window boarding in Stevenage.
4) Weather protection and practical finishing
Emergency boarding is primarily about security and safety, but we also think about the elements:
- Minimising gaps and rattles where possible
- Considering ventilation (particularly after flood or fire incidents)
- Helping reduce further water ingress until permanent repairs are arranged
For overhead openings, see roof boarding (common for damaged rooflights/skylights).
5) Documentation you can use for insurers and landlords
After the job, you can request:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A short work statement describing what was done and why
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.
Emergency services we can deliver in Stevenage (24/7)
We keep this page focused on urgent help. If you want the detailed “how it works” version of each service, use the links below.
Emergency window boarding (broken or vulnerable glazing)
If you have a smashed window and need the property secured the same day or out of hours, we can board the opening to prevent access and reduce risk.
Learn more: window boarding in Stevenage
Emergency door boarding and temporary steel doors
If a door has been forced, kicked in, or the frame is compromised, boarding can work as an immediate barrier. For higher security—especially if you need access—ask about a temporary steel door.
Learn more: door boarding in Stevenage
Emergency shopfront boarding (commercial glazing)
For retail and commercial properties, a broken frontage is both a safety risk and an invitation to repeat attempts. We can get a shopfront boarded up to stabilise the site until glazing is replaced.
Learn more: shopfront boarding
Rooflights, skylights, and roof openings
Storms and impact can leave overhead openings exposed. Roof boarding often requires careful access planning and safe fixing, especially in poor weather.
Learn more: roof boarding
Areas we cover: Stevenage and SG postcodes (SG1–SG19)
We’re based to cover Stevenage and the wider SG area, including residential streets, estates, business parks, and rural villages. We regularly attend across:
- SG1 and SG2 (Stevenage)
- SG3–SG19 (wider North Hertfordshire and surrounding districts)
If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, call—postcode is usually enough to confirm.
You can also check areas we cover for a full overview.
What to do right now if your property has been damaged
If you’ve just discovered a break-in, vandalism, or storm damage, these steps can help while you arrange 24 hour boarding up Stevenage support:
- If there’s immediate danger, call 999. Don’t enter if you suspect intruders are still inside.
- If safe, take photos of the damage before anything is moved (wide shot + close ups). This can help insurance and landlords.
- Don’t handle loose glass with bare hands. Keep people away from the area—especially children and pets.
- Call your insurer as early as possible and note your policy number.
- Call us to make safe and secure property: Call 01438 594 023. We’ll talk through the opening size, location, and best temporary solution.
- Keep key details handy: police reference number (if applicable), site contact name, access notes (gates, shutters), and any constraints.
If your situation is specifically burglary-related, see who to call after a break-in for a calmer step-by-step.
Honest expectations: what emergency boarding can (and can’t) do
Emergency boarding is the right first step when the building is exposed, but it’s not a full repair.
What we can do
- Make the opening safe and restrict entry
- Provide temporary protection until glazing/doors are replaced
- Support with insurer-friendly documentation
What we don’t do
- We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation after fire (we secure the property)
- We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times (we prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA)
- We’re not a substitute for structural engineers if the building is unsafe
If you need cost guidance before going ahead, see pricing information (we explain what affects cost without quoting fixed prices).
Emergency boarding up FAQs (Stevenage)
Will you board up my window tonight in Stevenage?
If you need to board up broken window damage out of hours, call us on 01438 594 023. We operate 24/7 and will tell you a realistic ETA based on where you are in the SG area and current workload.
Can you make safe without damaging my window frame?
Where the frame and reveals allow, we’ll use methods designed to minimise additional damage. If the frame is already split, rotten, or unstable, we may need a more secure fixing approach—either way, we’ll explain options before we start.
What if the door is forced and won’t lock—do I need to board up door access?
If you can’t lock the door, you generally need a secure temporary measure. Boarding can be suitable, but if you need ongoing access (for residents, trades, or facilities teams) a temporary steel door can be a better option. See door boarding in Stevenage.
Do you board up shopfronts and commercial units in Stevenage?
Yes—if your glazing has been attacked or cracked, we can arrange a shopfront boarded up solution to secure the unit. For commercial sites, we can also work with keyholders or facilities contacts where needed. See shopfront boarding.
Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it can be, depending on your policy and the cause (burglary, vandalism, storm, etc.). We’re not insurers, but we can provide photos, an invoice and a work description to support your claim. See insurance claims guidance.
I’m in an SG postcode outside Stevenage—can you still attend?
Yes. We cover SG1–SG19 and travel across the wider SG area. Call with your postcode and we’ll confirm coverage and give you a realistic ETA.
What should I do if the police have attended a break-in?
If the police advise you not to disturb anything, follow that instruction. Once you have permission to secure the opening, call us and we’ll help you secure property properly. Keep your crime reference number for your insurer. More detail: post-burglary boarding and repairs.
Need emergency boarding up in Stevenage right now?
Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
Prefer message first? Email [email protected] and include your postcode, photos (if safe), and a contact number for a callback.
