24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up North West London (NW1–NW26)

When a window’s been smashed, a door’s been forced, or a shopfront has been damaged, the priority is simple: secure the opening fast and make the property safe. We provide 24 hour emergency boarding up in North West London, across the NW postcode area.

Need urgent help right now? Call 020 4634 7794
If you can’t call, email us at [email protected] (but for emergencies, phone is always quickest).

We cover NW1 through NW26, including busy high streets and residential streets around places like Camden Town, Kilburn, Cricklewood, Golders Green, Hampstead, Hendon and Colindale. Whether it’s a ground-floor flat off a main road, a basement conversion with awkward access, or a retail unit with large panes, we’ll talk you through the safest next step and get the property secured.

When to call for emergency boarding up

You’ll usually need emergency boarding up North West London when the building is exposed to:

  • Security risk (forced entry, missing glazing, damaged locks/frames)
  • Weather risk (wind-driven rain through broken panes, open rooflights, storm damage)
  • Public safety risk (loose shards, sharp edges, low-level openings near pavements)

Typical callouts we handle across NW include:

  • Burglary / attempted break-in where the lock area, door leaf or frame has split
    See also: burglary repairs and boarding up
  • Vandalism—smashed glass, kicked-in panels, repeated targeting of empty units
    See: vandalism repair and securing
  • Storm damage—blown-in windows, dislodged panels, damage to rooflights and skylights
    See: storm damage boarding
  • Fire damage—after the fire service has finished, the property still needs to be secured (we secure; we don’t remediate smoke/odour)
    See: fire damage securing
  • Accident/impact—vehicle strikes to shopfronts, delivery mishaps, scaffold/contractor damage
    See: accident damage boarding

If you’re unsure whether boarding up is “necessary”, call anyway. We’ll ask a few quick questions (opening size, height, access, whether the frame is holding, whether the police or fire service are involved) and give straightforward guidance.

Call now: what we’ll ask (so we can help faster)

When you call 020 4634 7794, it helps to have:

  1. The address and postcode (NW1–NW26)
  2. What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight) and roughly how big the opening is
  3. Whether the frame is intact or if there’s structural damage
  4. Any access issues (rear access only, shared communal hallway, basement area, shutters, concierge, parking restrictions)
  5. Whether police/fire are on scene or if you have a reference number

We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, active incidents and access conditions vary), but we prioritise urgent exposures and keep you updated.

What happens on an emergency boarding-up visit

Emergency situations are stressful. The goal is to get control back quickly—secure, tidy, and documented.

1) Safety check and risk control

On arrival we’ll check:

  • Loose glass and sharp edges
  • Instability in frames (especially after forced entry or impact)
  • Any immediate hazards to residents, staff, or passers-by

If anything makes the opening unsafe to work on immediately, we’ll explain why and what needs to happen next (for example, waiting for clearance, or adjusting the method).

2) Choose the right method (not just “slap a board on”)

We match the fixing method to the situation:

  • Non-destructive fixing where possible (especially on frames you intend to repair)
  • Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of external removal—important for unattended properties
  • Oversheeting for cracked panes that are still in place but vulnerable (where appropriate)
  • Upgraded solutions like temporary steel doors or security screens when the risk is ongoing

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll tell you before proceeding and talk through options.

3) Boarding up, securing, and weatherproofing

We commonly use:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security on larger openings
  • OSB (often 12mm) for smaller or less critical areas where suitable

We cut boards to size, fit securely, and aim to:

  • Remove easy leverage points
  • Reduce gaps that let in weather
  • Keep access routes and fire exits safe and compliant

For doors, if the doorway has been compromised, we may recommend a temporary steel door for safer, more functional access control rather than repeated re-boarding. (More detail here: door boarding in North West London.)

4) Site tidy and handover documentation

After the opening is secured, we’ll provide what most insurers and property managers typically need:

  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
  • An itemised invoice
  • A brief work statement describing materials and method used

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can help you keep your claim documentation clear. See: insurance claims support.

Emergency boarding-up services we can provide (day or night)

We’re set up to secure a wide range of openings across North West London:

If you’re calling about a larger site (multiple panes, repeated vandalism, or a vacant unit), we’ll explain the difference between a short-term board-up and a more secure medium-term solution, so you’re not paying for repeated callouts.

North West London coverage (NW1–NW26)

North West London isn’t one uniform area—callouts vary from dense, high-footfall streets to quieter residential roads and mansion blocks with controlled access. We routinely attend jobs around:

  • NW1: Euston, Marylebone, Regent’s Park edges, Camden Town’s busy night-time areas
  • NW2 / NW6: Kilburn, Cricklewood, West Hampstead—mixed residential and commercial with plenty of street-level glazing
  • NW3 / NW5: Hampstead, Belsize Park, Gospel Oak, Dartmouth Park—period properties, sash windows, and conservation sensitivities
  • NW4 / NW9: Hendon, Colindale, Kingsbury—estates, parades, and new-build mixed-use blocks
  • NW10 / NW11: Park Royal industrial estates and Hampstead Garden Suburb’s residential streets—very different security needs

If you want a local page for your neighbourhood, start here: areas we cover.

Common emergency scenarios in NW London (what to do before we arrive)

If your window has been smashed

  • Keep people away from the opening; don’t handle shattered glass with bare hands.
  • If it’s safe, take photos for your insurer and/or landlord.
  • If there’s been a crime, call the police and keep your crime reference number.

Then call us for emergency window boarding.

If your door has been forced

  • Avoid repeatedly trying the lock if the frame has split—this can worsen damage.
  • If the property can’t be secured with a normal lock, boarding or a temporary steel door is often the safest next step.

Call us for emergency door boarding.

If your shopfront glazing is damaged

  • Keep staff and public clear; consider a temporary closure until the frontage is made safe.
  • If you have shutters, don’t force them down over broken glass unless it’s safe to do so.

Call us for shopfront boarding.

If you’ve got roof or skylight damage after a storm

  • Keep the room below clear of people and valuables where possible.
  • Put buckets down only if safe; avoid climbing onto roofs or ladders in high winds.

Call us for roof boarding.

What we can and can’t do (straightforward and honest)

We can:

  • Secure broken windows, doors, shopfronts, rooflights and other openings
  • Provide stronger temporary security options when appropriate
  • Supply documentation to support property management and insurance processes

We can’t:

  • Guarantee exact arrival times (we prioritise by risk and conditions)
  • Carry out full glazing/lock replacement as part of every emergency visit (we secure first; repairs can follow)
  • Provide smoke/odour remediation after a fire (we secure the building after fire damage)

If you’re looking for an overview of the method, see: what is boarding up?.

FAQs — 24/7 emergency boarding up in North West London

How much does emergency boarding up cost in North West London?

Costs depend on the size and number of openings, height/access, the materials required (e.g., 18mm exterior plywood vs smaller boards), and whether it’s a shopfront or residential window. We’ll explain the options on the phone and provide an itemised invoice after the work. For more detail, see pricing.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in North West London?

Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or impact—policy wording varies. We’re not insurers, but we do provide photos and paperwork insurers commonly request. See insurance claims support.

Can you board up flats and maisonettes with communal access?

Yes—many NW properties are mansion blocks and conversions with shared entrances. We’ll ask about entry method (intercom/concierge), working hours restrictions if applicable, and safe access to the opening.

Do you provide emergency boarding up for commercial properties and sites?

Yes. We help secure shops, offices, warehouses and mixed-use buildings across NW. If RAMS or site sign-in is required, tell us on the call so we bring the right documentation.

How long will the boarding stay in place?

It depends on the risk level and the repair timeline. Some boards are suitable for short-term security while glazing is arranged; vacant properties or repeat targeting may need a stronger medium-term solution. We’ll advise based on your situation and whether the property will be occupied.

For more general questions, visit our FAQs.

Need help now?

If your property is exposed and you need 24 hour boarding up in North West London, call us and we’ll guide you through the next step.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 7794 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]