Commercial Boarding Up in Stevenage (SG1–SG19)

Commercial damage and break-ins rarely happen at a convenient time. A smashed shopfront, forced rear door, or broken office window can leave your premises exposed to theft, weather damage, and safety risks—especially if the site is unattended overnight.

Boarding Up Stevenage provides commercial boarding up in Stevenage and across the SG postcodes (SG1–SG19). We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. If you need urgent help, we can talk you through the next steps and give a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need to secure a commercial property now? Call 01438 594 023

Who this page is for (and what we can secure)

This page is for business owners, facilities managers, landlords, letting agents, and maintenance teams who need to secure property quickly and sensibly after damage—or who need planned temporary protection during works.

We commonly secure:

• Retail units (including shopfront boarded up requests)
• Offices and business parks
• Warehouses and light industrial units
• Restaurants, takeaways and cafes
• Schools, nurseries and community buildings
• Void commercial premises between tenants

If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll ask a few quick questions (opening size, height, access, and whether there’s ongoing risk) and recommend the safest option—often temporary boarding or a temporary steel door where a doorway has been forced.

Typical commercial call-out scenarios in the SG area

Commercial properties across Stevenage and the surrounding SG districts have a few patterns we see repeatedly. The right response depends on what’s damaged, how the site is used, and whether you need to keep trading.

1) Smashed shopfront glazing (daytime or late night)

A smashed window on a shopfront is high priority because it’s visible, easy to access from the street, and quickly attracts unwanted attention.

What we usually do:

• Attend to make safe and reduce risk to staff/public
• Measure and fit board to match the opening and sight lines
• Use fixings designed to resist removal from outside
• Where needed, board in a way that allows controlled access for staff until glazing is replaced

Relevant service: shopfront boarding in Stevenage

2) Forced entry at a rear/side door

A “board up door” request often follows a forced lock, split frame, or damaged latch/hinges—common at service yards, alley access, or side entrances.

What we consider:

• Is the frame intact enough for non-destructive fixing?
• Does the business need secure access again tomorrow morning?
• Is a temporary steel door more appropriate than timber boarding?

Relevant service: door boarding in Stevenage

3) Break-in through an office or warehouse window

Smaller openings are still a major risk because they can allow access to keys, IT equipment, stock, or internal doors.

What we usually do:

• Board the window opening to prevent re-entry
• Check for secondary vulnerabilities (e.g., adjacent panes or weak points)
• Provide basic documentation suitable for insurers/landlords

Relevant service: window boarding in Stevenage

4) Storm damage to rooflights or high-level glazing

Commercial roofs often include skylights/rooflights. When these fail in high winds or impact, water ingress can ruin ceilings, electrics, stock, and flooring.

What we usually do:

• Secure access safely (sometimes requiring additional planning on arrival)
• Fit boarding to reduce weather exposure as an interim measure
• Explain what we can and can’t do—boarding is to secure the property, not to complete roofing repairs

Relevant service: roof boarding in Stevenage

5) Vacant commercial units between tenants

Empty premises can attract opportunistic entry—especially when it’s obvious nobody is inside at night.

For longer gaps between tenants, we’ll discuss:

• Short-term boarding vs. more robust options (e.g., security screening where appropriate)
• How to keep access controlled for inspections and contractors
• What documentation you may need for managing agents and insurers

Related reading: boarding up for vacant properties

Our methods: how we board up commercial premises (and why)

Commercial boarding isn’t “one size fits all”. The best method depends on the opening size, the substrate (brickwork, timber frame, metal frame), footfall risk, and whether you need the premises operational.

Materials we typically use

We select materials based on the job rather than a fixed approach:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, durable security—often preferred for commercial frontages and larger openings
• 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller windows or lower-risk areas where appropriate
• Timber battens and load-spreading methods to reduce damage to frames/finishes where feasible

If a frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The aim is always to secure effectively while avoiding unnecessary damage.

Fixings and anti-tamper considerations

For commercial premises—especially street-facing—anti-tamper fixings matter. Used correctly, they help prevent boards being removed from outside, which is important when a site will be unattended.

We’ll also consider:

• Public safety: removing sharp edges and controlling protrusions
• Sight lines and lighting: keeping premises looking “managed” rather than abandoned
• Access needs: whether authorised entry is required before glazing/door replacement

Temporary steel doors (where boarding isn’t enough)

Where a doorway has been compromised, timber alone can be a weak point—especially if repeated attempts are likely. In those cases, a temporary steel door can provide a more secure medium-term solution while permanent repairs are arranged.

If you need a more robust door solution, start here: door boarding in Stevenage

What to expect when you call (commercial sites)

When you ring, we’ll keep it practical and calm—no jargon, no pressure. We’ll ask questions that help us turn up prepared:

1. What’s damaged? (shopfront, window, door, rooflight)
2. Is anyone at risk right now? If there’s danger or a crime in progress, call 999 first.
3. What’s the opening size/height? Photos help if it’s safe to take them.
4. Is the site open/closed? Any security or access procedures?
5. Any special requirements? (e.g., facilities management sign-in, loading bay access, alarms)

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions vary. But we prioritise urgent jobs, and if you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

For urgent attendance, see: emergency boarding up in Stevenage

A typical commercial “make safe” scenario (what it can look like)

A typical call-out might involve a retail unit in the SG area discovering a break overnight: the front glazing is cracked and partially missing, with glass on the pavement inside and outside the threshold.

In a situation like this, we would:

• Arrive and assess what needs to be done to make safe the entrance first
• Remove immediate hazards where possible and prepare the opening for boarding
• Fit appropriately sized external-grade boards and secure them with fixings designed to resist removal
• Check the surrounding panes/frames for secondary weak points
• Provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement for your records or insurer

If the business needs to trade the next day, we’ll talk through access—sometimes that means boarding in a way that allows controlled entry until glazing contractors attend.

Insurance, landlords, and compliance: what we can provide (and what we can’t)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers and managing agents typically need, including:

• Time-stamped before/after photos
• A clear description of what was damaged and what we installed
• Itemised invoices and a work statement for your claim file

If you’re dealing with a claim, this guide helps: insurance claims support

If the property is leased, you may also need to inform:

• The landlord/managing agent
• Your insurer (contents/buildings depending on responsibility)
• Alarm/monitoring provider (if applicable)

Keeping your staff and customers safe while you wait

If you’ve got a smashed window or forced entry and you’re waiting for attendance, a few steps can reduce risk:

• Keep people away from the damaged area—especially broken glass and unstable frames
• If it’s a shopfront, consider closing the immediate frontage and moving stock away from sight lines
• Don’t touch suspected tools or evidence after a break-in—police may need the scene preserved
• Take photos for your records (only if safe)
• Make a note of a crime reference number if police attend

When you’re ready, call us to secure property properly and reduce the chance of repeat entry.

Commercial boarding up across Stevenage and SG postcodes

We cover Stevenage and the wider SG area (SG1–SG19). That includes support for commercial premises in and around:

• SG1 and SG2 (Stevenage and surrounding districts)
• SG3–SG6 (nearby towns and villages where commercial units and estates are common)
• Wider SG coverage where facilities managers need consistent help across multiple sites

If you’re looking for a nearby local page, you may find these useful:

• boarding up in North Stevenage (SG1)
• boarding up in South Stevenage (SG2)
• boarding up in Knebworth (SG3)

For our full service area, see: areas we cover

FAQs: Commercial boarding up in Stevenage (SG)

How quickly can you board up a shopfront in Stevenage?

We prioritise urgent commercial sites and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t guarantee fixed arrival times. Call 01438 594 023 and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on location, time of day, and current workload.

Can you board up broken windows without damaging the frame?

Often, yes—especially where the surrounding frame is sound and we can use methods that spread load and avoid unnecessary drilling. If the frame is already split, rotten, or structurally weak, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

We need to trade tomorrow—can you still secure the premises tonight?

In many cases, yes. We’ll discuss how to secure the opening while maintaining controlled access where possible. For doors that are too compromised, a temporary steel door may be a better option than timber alone—see door boarding in Stevenage.

Do you handle out of hours boarding up for commercial units?

Yes—many commercial call-outs are out of hours, after a break-in or vandalism. If you need emergency boarding up, use our urgent page: emergency boarding up in Stevenage.

What’s the difference between shopfront boarding and standard window boarding?

Shopfronts are usually larger openings, more exposed, and often involve different fixing strategies and safety considerations due to public footfall. If you have a shopfront boarded up requirement, see shopfront boarding in Stevenage.

Can you help if the damage is at height (upper floors or rooflights)?

Yes, depending on safe access. Rooflights and high-level windows often need additional assessment on arrival. We can secure openings and help prevent weather ingress, but full roof repairs aren’t part of boarding up—our role is to secure and stabilise. See roof boarding in Stevenage.

Do you provide paperwork for facilities management and insurers?

We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement. If you’re dealing with a claim, read: insurance claims support.

Are you able to board up multiple commercial sites across the SG area?

Yes. If you manage multiple locations across SG postcodes, we can coordinate attendance and documentation per site. Call to discuss your requirements and access arrangements.

Ready to secure your commercial premises?

If you need to board up broken window, secure a board up door, or arrange temporary boarding after damage, we can help across Stevenage and the SG postcodes.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]