FAQs — Boarding Up North West London (NW1–NW26)

When a window’s been smashed, a door’s been forced, or a shopfront has been damaged, it’s normal to feel rushed and unsure what happens next. These FAQs explain how boarding up works in North West London, what to expect on the day, and what we can (and can’t) do.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call 020 4634 7794.

Quick answers (for when you’re in a hurry)

  • Yes — we cover NW1–NW26 and work across North West London.
  • We board up windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs/skylights, and we fit temporary steel doors and security screens where appropriate.
  • We can work with police/insurer requirements and provide the documentation you’ll typically be asked for (photos, work notes, invoice).
  • We don’t promise fixed arrival times—jobs and access can vary—but we prioritise urgent, insecure properties.

Emergency & call-out questions

Do you offer emergency boarding up in North West London?

Yes. We provide emergency boarding up across North West London and the NW postcode area. Emergency work usually involves making the property safe, securing the opening, and reducing the risk of further damage or unauthorised access.

If you’re dealing with an active break-in or immediate danger, call 999 first.

Can you board up my window tonight?

Often, yes—especially for insecure ground-floor windows, smashed shopfront glazing, or forced doors. The best way to confirm is to call with:

  • the postcode (NW1–NW26)
  • what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof)
  • whether the property is currently occupied or vacant
  • any access issues (shutters, rear access, concierge, parking restrictions)

If you’re looking specifically for urgent window help, see window boarding in North West London.

Do you guarantee a response time?

No. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, job over-runs, access problems, and police/Fire Brigade attendance can change priorities quickly. What we do is triage properly and prioritise properties that are open to the street, occupied, or at higher risk.

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe:

  1. Take photos of the damage for your insurer/landlord.
  2. Keep loose glass away from children/pets and avoid touching sharp edges.
  3. If a burglary has occurred, wait for police advice—they may want the scene preserved.
  4. Locate any keys, alarm codes, or access fobs you’ll need to let us in.

More guidance for specific incidents is on our situations hub, including after a burglary and after vandalism.

Services & methods

What is “boarding up” exactly?

Boarding up is the process of securing an opening—most commonly a broken window or damaged door—using robust sheet material and fixings to prevent entry and reduce weather exposure. For a clear overview, read what is boarding up?.

What materials do you use: plywood or OSB?

We use both, depending on the job:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is common for larger, higher-risk or street-facing openings where strength matters.
  • OSB (often 11–12mm) can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk temporary protection.

We’ll choose a material based on the size of the opening, exposure, and how long it needs to stay in place.

How do you fix boards without damaging my window frames?

Where possible, we use non-destructive methods such as:

  • fixing into masonry around the opening rather than the frame
  • using battening and internal bracing where access allows
  • anti-tamper fixings designed to reduce removal from the outside

If the surrounding structure is already compromised (for example, rotten timber, blown render, or cracked brickwork), we’ll explain what’s practical before proceeding. Sometimes a small amount of additional fixing is the only safe way to secure the property.

Can you board up from the outside only?

Sometimes, yes—particularly for street-facing shopfronts or upper-floor windows where internal access isn’t possible. However, the safest approach can depend on:

  • whether we can access the inside to brace properly
  • the condition of the reveals/frame
  • height and safe working constraints

For overhead openings, see roof boarding in North West London.

Do you board up doors as well as windows?

Yes. We can secure damaged external doors and frames, and we can also install temporary steel doors for stronger medium-term protection on vacant or repeatedly targeted properties. Details are on door boarding in North West London.

What’s the difference between boarding up and a temporary steel door?

  • Boarding up is typically quicker and ideal for smashed glazing or irregular openings.
  • A temporary steel door provides a lockable, durable entry point—useful where a door has been forced and the property needs to remain accessible for trades, insurers, or managing agents.

We’ll recommend the option that best matches your security needs and how the property will be used over the next few days/weeks.

Do you install security screens for vacant properties?

Yes—security screens can be a better fit than timber boarding where a property will be vacant for longer or has had repeated attempts at entry. They’re designed to be more resistant to tampering and are commonly used for voids and managed properties. If you’re securing an empty building, start with vacant property boarding up.

Property types & common scenarios

Do you work on residential properties like flats and houses?

Yes. We regularly secure:

  • Victorian and Edwardian homes with timber sashes and bay windows (common around NW3/NW6 areas)
  • 1930s semis across parts of NW4/NW9
  • mansion blocks and modern apartment buildings (often requiring concierge coordination)

See residential boarding up for what to expect.

Do you cover commercial premises—shops, restaurants and offices?

Yes. We support shops, cafés, offices, warehouses and light industrial units across NW postcodes. Shopfront glazing and aluminium framing often need a slightly different approach (larger panels, safe handling of glass, and fixing that suits the frontage).

Learn more about shopfront boarding in North West London and commercial boarding up.

What if my property has been broken into?

First, make sure everyone is safe and call the police. After that, boarding up is usually about:

  • securing the point of entry (door/window)
  • preventing re-entry while you arrange repairs
  • creating a clear record for insurers/landlords

Our step-by-step advice is on burglary repairs and boarding up.

Do you handle storm damage and fallen debris?

Yes. Storm damage can leave windows cracked, rooflights broken, or panels loose. We can secure openings and reduce further water ingress risk, but we’re not roofers or glaziers—our role is to secure and stabilise.

See storm damage boarding up for practical steps.

Can you help after a fire or flood?

We can secure the building after the incident—boarding broken windows, securing doors, and reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

What we don’t do:

  • smoke/odour remediation
  • drying and dehumidification
  • full reinstatement/building repairs

For more, read fire damage securing and flood damage securing.

Pricing, quotes & insurance

How much does boarding up cost in North West London?

Costs vary, and we don’t publish fixed prices because the job details matter. Typical factors include:

  • size and number of openings
  • height/access (ground floor vs upper floors)
  • material choice (plywood/OSB/security solution)
  • complexity (shopfronts, awkward reveals, damaged frames)
  • whether it’s an emergency/out-of-hours call

For a transparent explanation of cost drivers, see boarding up pricing. For a quote, call 020 4634 7794.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm or accidental impact—but cover depends on your policy and excess. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

  • time-stamped photos (where possible)
  • a description of damage and works carried out
  • an itemised invoice and work statement

More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.

Can you invoice a landlord, managing agent or insurer?

We can invoice landlords, managing agents and businesses where details are agreed in advance. For smoother processing, provide:

  • correct billing name and address
  • purchase order number (if needed)
  • site contact details and access info
  • photos or a brief description of what needs securing

Access, safety & practicalities

Do I need to be on-site?

Usually, yes—especially for residential jobs—so we can confirm scope and access. For managed buildings or commercial sites, we can sometimes coordinate with a keyholder, concierge, or facilities team.

If access is restricted (gated developments, basement flats, communal stairwells), tell us when you call so we can plan accordingly.

Will boarding up stop rain getting in?

Boarding up significantly reduces exposure, but it’s not the same as a full glazed repair. If the surrounding frame or structure is damaged, some water ingress may still be possible in heavy wind-driven rain. We focus on security and sensible weather protection until proper repairs are completed.

Can you remove the boards later?

Yes—removal can be arranged once glazing/door repairs are ready. If you know you’ll need a return visit, mention it at the start so we can advise on the most suitable fixing method.

Will boarding up damage my brickwork or render?

We aim to minimise damage and use appropriate fixing points. That said, when masonry is weak or already cracked, additional disturbance can sometimes be unavoidable to achieve a secure fix. If we think a chosen method will leave visible marks, we’ll explain your options.

Areas we cover

Which postcodes do you cover?

We cover North West London across NW1–NW26. If you’re checking whether we serve your neighbourhood, start at areas we cover or browse locally—examples include:

Are you a local North West London team or a national call centre?

We focus on North West London and NW postcodes. When you contact us, you’ll speak to someone who can take practical details (access, property type, scope) and arrange the right approach for the location.

Still got a question?

If you’re not sure what you need—window boarding, door security, shopfront boarding, or a longer-term option for a vacant property—tell us what’s happened and we’ll talk you through the safest next step.

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.