Roof Boarding in Stevenage (SG) – Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding

A damaged roof can’t wait. If you’ve had storm damage, a break-in through a rooflight, fallen debris, or unsafe access after an accident, we provide roof boarding in Stevenage and across the SG postcodes to help you make safe and secure the property quickly.

For urgent help, call Call 01438 594 023. If it’s out of hours, we’ll still talk you through the next steps and give you a realistic ETA based on where you are in the SG area and the access conditions.

We’re fully insured, have 10+ years’ trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

When you might need emergency roof boarding

Roof boarding is usually needed when there’s an opening (or a weakened area) that’s letting in water, allowing access, or creating a safety risk. We’re often called for:

• Storm damage: lifted tiles/slates, missing ridge sections, torn felt, damaged flashing
• Skylight/rooflight damage: cracked domes, broken glazing, smashed roof lantern panels
• Impact damage: falling branches, debris, or accidental damage during works
• Fire service access: openings created during emergency response (we secure; we don’t do remediation)
• Vandalism or break-ins: where access has been gained via a flat roof or rooflight
• Vacant property risks: an unsecured roof opening makes a building an easy target

If you’re dealing with storm-related issues, our storm damage boarding support page explains what to do while you’re waiting and what insurers typically ask for.

Need to board up a roof opening tonight? Call 01438 594 023 for emergency boarding up advice and attendance.

What roof boarding actually does (and what it doesn’t)

Roof boarding is a temporary boarding solution designed to:

• Keep the building weather-resistant (reduce water ingress)
• Prevent unauthorised access through roof openings
• Remove immediate hazards (loose material risk) where safe to do so
• Help you stabilise the situation until a roofer/glazier can complete permanent repairs

What it doesn’t do:

• It’s not a full roof repair or re-roof
• It won’t resolve underlying structural issues
• We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation after fire damage — we secure the property and document the work

If there’s extensive damage, we’ll explain what we can safely secure and what may need a roofer or structural contractor next.

Roof boarding materials we use (and why)

The right sheet material matters—especially overhead.

We typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings and where strength is critical
• 12mm OSB for smaller roof openings or where weight/handling needs to be reduced (site-dependent)
• Battens and framing timbers where we need to spread load, bridge awkward gaps, or create a fixing edge
• Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a risk of removal from outside (important for unattended buildings)

Because roof boarding often involves exposure to wind uplift and driving rain, we focus on rigid sheets, correct bracing, and secure fixings—not just “covering the hole”.

If your damage is on an upper level or involves glazing at height, you may also need window boarding in Stevenage for affected elevations, or door boarding if entry points have been forced.

Methods: how we board a damaged roof or skylight safely

Every roof is different, but our approach is consistent: secure access, assess the risk, then install boarding that’s strong, stable, and appropriate for the opening.

1) Safety and access assessment

Roof work can be hazardous, especially in wind, rain, or low light. When you call, we’ll ask about:

• Roof height and pitch (flat, shallow pitch, steep pitch)
• Access points (scaffold, ladder access, internal loft access)
• Any immediate hazards (loose tiles, hanging materials, broken glass)
• Whether the building is occupied or vacant

If conditions are unsafe (for example, extreme winds), we’ll tell you plainly and discuss safer alternatives until access is viable.

2) Measuring and preparing the opening

We measure the opening and check what we can fix into:

• Sound timbers / joists (ideal)
• Solid upstands around rooflights
• Masonry edges (case-by-case)
• Temporary battens where no reliable edge exists

3) Boarding installation

We cut the sheet to fit and install with the right fixing method:

• Through-fixing into structural timbers where possible
• Braced spanning where edges are weak or irregular
• Overlap and load distribution to reduce wind uplift and movement
• Anti-tamper fixings when security risk is higher

For broken rooflights/skylights, we aim to cover the full vulnerable area and minimise water ingress pathways. If the surrounding frame is too damaged for a secure install, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

4) Make-safe checks and documentation

Once installed, we do a final check for:

• Movement or flex under pressure (where safe to test)
• Rattling points that could loosen in wind
• Secondary risks (glass shards, internal water drip risks)

You’ll receive practical documentation that’s helpful for landlords, facilities teams, or insurers:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
• An itemised invoice and a work statement describing what was done

If you’re planning an insurance claim, see insurance claims help for what information to keep (and what we can provide).

Emergency roof boarding in Stevenage: common call-outs we see

People often ring us in a panic because the weather’s coming in or the property has been targeted. Typical urgent requests include:

• “Can you make safe a smashed rooflight before it rains again?”
• “We need to secure property access through a flat roof opening.”
• “We’ve had a smashed window downstairs and damage above—can you board both?”
• “Can you arrange emergency boarding up for a warehouse roof panel?”

If you’re in Stevenage or anywhere across SG1–SG19 and need help, call 01438 594 023. We prioritise urgent risks and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

What to do right now if your roof is damaged

If you’re reading this after a storm, accident, or break-in, use these steps:

1. Stay safe first
   Don’t go onto the roof. Avoid rooms beneath sagging ceilings, dangling lights, or active leaks near electrics.

2. Stop access if you can do so safely
   Close and lock internal doors. Keep people away from the affected area.

3. Take photos from a safe position
   Photos from ground level or inside the loft can help with insurance and repair planning. Don’t climb for better angles.

4. Contact your insurer early
   Keep your claim reference number. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the job documentation insurers typically request.

5. Call for temporary boarding / make-safe
   For 24/7 boarding up support, call 01438 594 023.

If the incident involves vandalism, you may also want to read vandalism repair and boarding.

Roof boarding for homes, shops and industrial buildings

Roof openings can be a security risk in any type of building. We work across:

• Homes and flats: rooflight damage, storm-lifted sections, accidental breakages
• Commercial properties: warehouses, offices, retail units with vulnerable flat roof sections
• Vacant buildings: where roof access can lead to repeat intrusion or further damage

If you’re managing an empty or awaiting-let property, our vacant property boarding approach may be relevant—especially where the goal is medium-term security until refurbishment.

How pricing for roof boarding is worked out (honestly)

Roof boarding costs vary because the risk and complexity vary. We don’t quote a single fixed price without understanding the job.

Factors that affect cost include:

• Size of the opening (small rooflight vs larger damaged section)
• Roof type and height (flat vs pitched, number of storeys)
• Access requirements and safe working time
• The condition of the surrounding structure (what we can fix into)
• Whether additional openings also need securing (windows/doors)

For more detail on what drives cost, see our pricing information. For a quote, call 01438 594 023 and tell us what’s happened—we’ll ask a few practical questions and advise the next step.

Roof boarding FAQs (Stevenage & SG area)

Can you board up a rooflight or skylight?

Yes. Rooflights and skylights are common emergency roof boarding call-outs, particularly after storm damage or vandalism. We measure the opening and install a rigid sheet with secure fixings so the property is safer and more weather-resistant until glazing can be replaced.

Can you help out of hours if the roof is leaking tonight?

Yes—call 01438 594 023. We handle out of hours call-outs across the SG area. We can’t guarantee exact arrival times because conditions and workload vary, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent risks.

What if the roof edge is too damaged to fix boards to?

That happens, especially after impact damage. If we can’t install boarding safely using standard fixing points, we’ll talk through options (such as creating a temporary fixing edge with battens) before we proceed. If it’s not safe or viable, we’ll be honest and advise what type of contractor is needed next.

Is roof boarding weatherproof?

Boarding is designed as temporary boarding to reduce water ingress and secure the opening, but it’s not the same as a full roof repair. The goal is to stabilise the situation and protect the interior as much as possible until permanent repairs are arranged.

Can you board up other damage at the same time?

Often, yes. Storms and break-ins don’t always damage just one point. If you also need to board up broken window openings or secure a door, we can advise on the best approach. Relevant options include window boarding and door boarding up.

Do you provide paperwork for insurance claims?

We provide practical job documentation such as time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a short work statement describing what was secured and how. We’re not loss adjusters, but this documentation is commonly requested by insurers. See insurance claims guidance for more.

Do you cover my area outside Stevenage?

Yes—our coverage includes Stevenage and the wider SG postcode area (SG1–SG19). If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm.

Need roof boarding in Stevenage now?

If your roof, skylight or rooflight has been damaged and you need to make safe and secure property quickly, call us.

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