What Is Boarding Up? (Property Boarding Up in Stevenage & the SG Area)

Boarding up is the process of securing a damaged or vulnerable opening—usually a window, door, shopfront, or rooflight—using robust sheet materials and secure fixings to prevent further entry, weather damage, and risk to the public. If you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or a property that can’t be safely left overnight, boarding up is often the quickest way to make safe and secure property until permanent repairs can be arranged.

Boarding Up Stevenage provides boarding up across SG1–SG19 with DBS-checked technicians and full insurance. If you need emergency boarding up, you can call us any time: Call 01438 594 023. For urgent situations, see our dedicated emergency boarding up page.

When is boarding up needed?

Most people search for boarding up after something has happened—often late in the day, when it’s not practical to get a glazier or locksmith immediately. Boarding up is designed to bridge that gap safely.

Common reasons include:

  • Smashed window after vandalism or an accident (a typical “board up broken window” call)
  • Break-in damage where the door or frame won’t secure properly
  • Shopfront boarded up requirements after impact damage or an attempted theft
  • Storm damage where glazing is cracked, missing, or rattling loose
  • Fire damage where openings are unsafe or left exposed (we secure the building; we don’t do smoke/odour remediation)
  • Vacant properties that need temporary boarding to reduce risk while between tenants or during probate/renovation

If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary, call and explain what’s happened. If boarding isn’t the right solution, we’ll tell you honestly.

What does boarding up achieve?

Boarding up is not a “perfect repair”—it’s a security and safety measure. Done properly, it helps you:

  • Prevent unauthorised access (especially important if the property will be unattended)
  • Reduce weather ingress (wind-driven rain through broken glazing can cause rapid internal damage)
  • Protect the public from sharp edges and loose glass
  • Stabilise a situation so permanent repairs can be planned without rushing
  • Provide documentation for insurers and property managers (photos, work statements, invoices)

It’s also about peace of mind: after a burglary or smashed window, most people just want to feel the building is secure for the night.

How boarding up works (step-by-step)

Every job is different, but the process usually looks like this:

  1. Call and assess urgency
    Tell us what’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), whether anyone is inside, and whether the property is occupied. If it’s out of hours, we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone—without promising fixed arrival times.

  2. Make safe on arrival
    We’ll check for immediate hazards (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable frames). If there’s any sign of an ongoing crime or immediate threat, call the police first.

  3. Measure and choose the right boarding method
    We decide between different sheet materials and fixing methods depending on the opening, the frame condition, and whether the building needs access.

  4. Fit boards with appropriate fixings
    Where possible, we use methods that are secure and minimise further damage. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

  5. Document the work
    For landlords, businesses, and insurance claims, we can provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice describing what we installed and why.

For urgent call-outs and temporary boarding, this approach keeps things clear and controlled when you’re already dealing with stress.

Materials: plywood vs OSB (and why it matters)

Not all “boarding” is the same. The material and thickness should be appropriate to the risk level and the size of the opening.

Exterior-grade plywood (common for higher-risk openings)

For many emergency jobs we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood, particularly for:

  • Ground-floor windows
  • Doors and larger openings
  • Vulnerable elevations (side access, secluded areas)

Plywood has strong layered construction and holds fixings well—useful when a property must be left unattended.

OSB (often suitable for smaller or lower-risk openings)

For some situations, 12mm OSB can be appropriate, particularly for smaller windows or where the risk profile is lower. It can be a practical solution for quick make safe work, depending on conditions.

We’ll recommend what’s sensible on-site. The goal is to secure the opening properly—not to oversell materials you don’t need.

Fixing methods: how boards are secured (and how we reduce damage)

The way a board is fixed is as important as the board itself.

Depending on the opening, we may use:

  • Through-bolting with internal pattresses/battens (strong and difficult to remove from outside)
  • Anti-tamper fixings where external removal is a concern
    This matters if the building will be empty, or if the area has had repeated incidents.
  • Framed boarding where the surrounding structure needs support or the opening is irregular

If you need to maintain access (for example, a front door that can’t be left permanently shut), we’ll talk through options such as controlled access solutions or a temporary steel door where appropriate. (You can read more on door boarding in Stevenage.)

Boarding up vs temporary steel doors vs security screens

People often use “boarding up” to mean any temporary security. In practice, you have options.

Standard temporary boarding (fastest for emergencies)

Best when you need to secure an opening immediately—such as a smashed window or a forced door—until permanent repairs happen.

For examples of how we handle this, see:

Temporary steel doors (better for repeated access or medium-term security)

If a doorway is badly damaged, or if trades need regular access during renovations, a temporary steel door can be more practical than repeatedly removing and refitting boards.

This is often relevant for landlords and vacant properties—see vacant property boarding in Stevenage.

Security screens (often best for longer-term void protection)

Where a property is going to be empty for an extended period, a screen system can provide stronger, reusable security and easier managed access. We’ll advise if this is a better fit than timber boarding.

What types of properties need boarding up in the SG area?

We work across the Stevenage area and surrounding SG postcodes, and the needs vary depending on the property:

  • Residential homes and flats: fast response after a broken window or forced door to keep the household safe (see residential boarding up)
  • Commercial premises: keeping entrances secure and reducing liability until glazing contractors can attend (see commercial boarding up)
  • Void properties: preventing opportunistic entry while a building is between tenants or awaiting sale (see vacant property services)

If you’re a managing agent or facilities team, tell us about site rules, access, alarms, and any permit-to-work process—this helps us arrive prepared.

After an incident: what you should do first

If you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, or impact damage, these steps help protect you and support any insurance claim:

  1. If there’s danger or a crime in progress, call emergency services first.
    Don’t put yourself at risk to protect a building.

  2. Take photos if it’s safe
    Capture the damage from a distance before anything is moved. This can help with your insurer later.

  3. Keep key details handy

    • Police reference number (if applicable)
    • Insurer details
    • Any building management contact (for flats/managed sites)

  4. Call us to secure the opening
    We’ll talk you through what’s possible and give a realistic ETA. If you need 24/7 boarding up, use our urgent page: emergency boarding up.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. See insurance claims guidance for practical next steps.

What you’ll receive from us

Boarding up can be stressful—especially when it’s out of hours—so we keep the process clear. Depending on your needs, you can receive:

  • A clear description of what was boarded and how
  • Time-stamped photos (before/after)
  • An itemised invoice suitable for insurance submission
  • A work statement for landlords, agents, and facilities teams

If permanent repairs are planned, we can also discuss the safest way to remove boards later without causing unnecessary extra damage.

Limitations (honest notes that matter)

Boarding up is a practical measure, but it isn’t magic. A few important points:

  • We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times—traffic, workload, and site conditions vary. We prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you ring.
  • Boarding up isn’t the same as a full repair. It’s designed to secure and weather-protect until proper replacement/repairs can be arranged.
  • Fire and flood jobs may involve hazards (unstable frames, swollen timber, lingering risks). If it isn’t safe to proceed without further assessment, we’ll tell you.

FAQs: What is boarding up?

Do you just nail boards over the opening?

Not typically. Nailing can be insecure and may cause unnecessary damage. We normally use measured boards with suitable fixings (often through-bolted and/or anti-tamper methods) to improve security and stability.

How long can boarding up stay in place?

It depends on the material used, exposure to weather, and the security risk. Some temporary boarding is fine for short periods; if you need longer-term protection (especially for a void), we may recommend a more robust solution.

Will boarding up stop rain coming in?

It significantly reduces ingress, but results depend on the shape of the opening, surrounding damage, and wind direction. Where possible, we fit boards to overlap the reveal and reduce gaps.

Can you board up a door so I can still get in and out?

Often yes, depending on damage. Options may include controlled access arrangements or a temporary steel door solution. If access is essential, mention it when you call so we can plan appropriately.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Sometimes—especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental impact. Coverage depends on your policy. We can provide the kind of photos and paperwork insurers commonly request; see insurance claims guidance for help preparing.

What if the window frame is badly damaged?

If the frame won’t hold fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before doing anything that could worsen the damage. In some cases, a different approach (or additional support) is needed to properly secure the opening.

Need boarding up in Stevenage or the SG area?

Whether you need to board up a broken window, secure a boarded up door after a break-in, or arrange shopfront boarded up protection after damage, we can help across SG1–SG19.

Ready to get started? Call 01438 594 023 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.