Accident Damage Boarding Up in Stevenage (SG1–SG19)

When an accident leaves a window smashed, a door out of line, or a shopfront exposed, the priority is simple: make the property safe and secure it properly so weather, opportunist theft, and further damage don’t escalate the situation.

Boarding Up Stevenage provides emergency boarding up across Stevenage and the wider SG postcode area (SG1–SG19). If you need help now—whether it’s a vehicle impact, an accidental breakage, or building works gone wrong—call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps and give you a realistic ETA.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023
Or email: [email protected]

What “accident damage” usually looks like (and why it needs urgent securing)

Accident damage can happen in seconds, but the knock-on effects can last days if the opening is left exposed. We’re often called when:

• A vehicle has struck a boundary wall, garage door, shopfront, or ground-floor window
• A door has been forced off its hinges by impact (not necessarily a burglary—just blunt damage)
• Glazing has shattered due to DIY mishaps, moving furniture, or a dropped object
• Building works have left an opening vulnerable overnight (temporary protection required)
• A rooflight/skylight has been cracked or broken, leaving a direct water ingress point

Even if the damage looks “contained”, an exposed opening can quickly lead to:

• Water ingress and swelling of timber frames
• Heat loss and damp issues (especially overnight)
• Increased risk of theft or further vandalism
• Safety hazards from loose glass and unstable frames

If there’s any doubt about safety, keep people back from the area and call for help. Our role is to secure property and reduce risk while you arrange repairs with your glazier, builder, insurer, or managing agent.

If this is urgent, go straight to our emergency boarding up page and call—this is exactly the type of “out of hours” situation we deal with.

First priority: make safe (before we board up)

After an impact incident, the immediate concern is often sharp glass, unstable frames, and unsecured access. “Boarding up” isn’t just putting a sheet over a hole—we focus on making the scene safe first, then securing it to a standard that actually holds.

Depending on what we find on arrival, “make safe” may include:

• Checking for loose glazing and obvious hazards (without interfering with structural elements)
• Removing dangerous shards where safe and accessible
• Assessing whether the surrounding frame can take fixings
• Choosing a fixing method that can’t be easily removed from outside

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding. In some accident damage cases, boarding has to bridge beyond the original frame to reach sound fixing points.

How we secure accident-damaged windows, doors, and shopfronts

Accident damage can affect almost any opening. Here’s how we typically secure the most common ones.

Boarding up a smashed window (domestic or commercial)

If you need to board up broken window openings after an impact or accidental breakage, we normally use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or high-risk openings
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate

The goal is a secure, stable fit that resists tampering and helps protect against weather until repairs are completed. We use fixing methods that suit the substrate (timber, masonry surrounds, uPVC where feasible), always aiming for a safe, solid installation.

If you’re searching because you’ve got a smashed window tonight, we can provide temporary boarding to keep the property secure until your glass replacement is booked.

Relevant service: window boarding in Stevenage

Securing a damaged door after impact

If a door has been hit hard enough that it won’t close, the property can’t be left like that—especially if it’s a shop, a vulnerable side entrance, or a ground-floor flat.

We can board up door openings where needed, but if a doorway is the main access point (or needs to be kept usable), a better option may be a temporary door solution.

Relevant service: door boarding in Stevenage

Shopfronts and commercial glazing after a vehicle strike

Vehicle impacts to commercial frontage are one of the most disruptive accident scenarios. You might have staff trying to close up, customers nearby, and a clear need to secure property fast.

When a shopfront needs to be shopfront boarded up, we focus on:

• Covering the opening with properly sized sheeting
• Using robust, anti-tamper approaches (important when the property will be unattended)
• Reducing sight-lines into the premises where possible
• Leaving the site safe for the morning handover to insurers or contractors

Relevant service: shopfront boarding in Stevenage

Rooflights and skylights damaged by impact

Accidents don’t just happen at ground level. A cracked skylight or rooflight can lead to rapid water ingress and internal damage, particularly in bad weather.

We can secure vulnerable overhead openings and help prevent further rain damage. Access, height, and roof type all matter here, so we’ll ask a few practical questions on the phone.

Relevant service: roof boarding in Stevenage

What to expect when you call us (and what we need from you)

When you call, we’ll ask a few straightforward questions to understand the risk and the safest approach:

1. What’s been damaged? (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
2. Is anyone at risk right now? (sharp glass, unstable frame, exposed wiring)
3. Is the property occupied or vacant tonight?
4. Do you need access maintained? (especially for homes and trading premises)
5. Are police/other services involved? (if applicable)

We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—conditions vary. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on current workload and the location within SG1–SG19.

Accident damage and insurance: what we can (and can’t) do

If your insurer is involved, early documentation helps. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the practical paperwork insurers typically need for emergency securing work, such as:

• Itemised invoices
• A clear work statement describing what was done and why
• Time-stamped photos (before/after) where feasible

If it’s safe to do so before we arrive, take your own photos as well—especially wide shots showing the overall scene and close-ups of the damage.

For more guidance, see: insurance claims support

Common accident-damage scenarios in the SG area

Accident-related call-outs around Stevenage and across SG postcodes often involve everyday situations rather than dramatic incidents. A typical pattern is:

• An impact breaks glazing or twists a frame late afternoon/evening
• The property can’t be left exposed overnight
• The next-day repair chain (glazier, locksmith, builder, insurer) needs time to mobilise

That’s where emergency boarding up and temporary securing makes the difference: it buys you time safely and helps avoid secondary losses like water ingress or opportunist entry.

A typical accident damage call-out (what it might involve)

A typical call-out might involve a ground-floor property where a window has been accidentally smashed and the frame is left sharp and exposed. The customer needs it secured that night for safety and peace of mind.

On arrival, we would:

• Assess the stability of the remaining frame and clear immediate hazards where safe
• Measure the opening and select suitable sheeting (often 18mm exterior plywood for larger openings)
• Fix the board securely using a method appropriate to the surrounding material
• Check from the outside for gaps and obvious leverage points
• Provide photos and a short description of the work for your records/insurer

If the surrounding structure is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain that and discuss options before proceeding.

What to do right now if your property has accident damage

If you’re dealing with an impact or accidental breakage in Stevenage or nearby SG areas, these steps help keep everyone safe:

1. Check for injuries first and call 999 if needed.
2. Keep people away from the damaged area (especially children and pets).
3. If glass is broken, don’t attempt major clean-up if there’s a risk of further collapse.
4. If the opening is accessible from outside, assume it’s a security risk.
5. Take photos if safe—wide shots and close-ups.
6. Call us to arrange emergency boarding up and temporary securing.

If you need urgent help tonight, use our emergency page: 24/7 boarding up in Stevenage

Why customers choose us for accident damage securing

When something has just gone wrong, you want clear information and a sensible approach—not hype.

• 10+ years trading locally focused across Stevenage and SG districts
• Fully insured work
• DBS-checked technicians
• Practical, transparent process and documentation
• We’ll tell you honestly if we think another trade is required first (e.g., structural concerns)

If you’re comparing options and want to understand how boarding up works in general, see: what is boarding up?

FAQs: accident damage boarding up in Stevenage

Do you cover accident damage boarding up across SG1 and SG2?

Yes—Stevenage and the wider SG area is our day-to-day coverage. If you’re in SG1, SG2, or anywhere across SG1–SG19, call us and we’ll confirm attendance and a realistic ETA.

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

If you’ve got a board up broken window situation and it can’t wait, call us. We provide emergency boarding up and can often attend on an out of hours basis depending on workload.

What if the frame is cracked or the bricks around the window are damaged?

That’s common after impact. We’ll assess whether the surrounding structure can take secure fixings. If it can’t, we’ll explain the safest option we can offer before doing any work.

Do you handle shopfronts after a vehicle impact?

Yes—this is a frequent reason for requesting shopfront boarded up work. We can help make safe, secure the opening, and provide photos/invoice documentation for your insurer or facilities team.

Can you board up a damaged door as well as windows?

Yes. If you need to board up door openings because the door won’t close or has been damaged by impact, we can secure it. If you need a more usable access solution, we’ll talk through the best approach when you call.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after an accident?

Often it can be, but policies vary. We’re not insurers or loss adjusters, but we provide itemised invoices and work notes that insurers typically ask for. See our guidance on insurance claims support.

How long does temporary boarding stay in place?

It depends on the situation and exposure. Many customers keep temporary boarding in place until a glazier/contractor completes permanent repairs. If you expect delays (e.g., lead times on glazing), tell us so we can advise on more robust options.

Talk to us now about accident damage boarding up

If you’ve had an impact incident or accidental breakage and need to secure property quickly, we’re here to help across Stevenage and SG1–SG19.

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