Commercial boarding up in North West London (NW)
If you manage a shop, office, restaurant, warehouse unit or mixed-use building, damage to a window, door or shopfront isn’t just inconvenient — it can stop trading, breach lease/security obligations, and leave staff and stock exposed. We provide commercial boarding up in North West London across the NW postcode area (NW1–NW26), securing premises after break-ins, vandalism, accidents and storm damage, and helping you keep control of the site until permanent repairs are arranged.
For urgent situations, use our out-of-hours service: emergency boarding up. To book planned works for void properties, refits or handovers, you can also speak to us during normal hours.
Need help securing a commercial property now? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us.
The kinds of commercial buildings we secure in NW London
North West London has a varied commercial mix — from street-level retail and cafés to light industrial estates and modern office buildings. We regularly attend:
- Retail units and parades (often large glazed shopfronts and aluminium frames)
- Restaurants, takeaways and cafés (front glazing, rear doors, side access routes)
- Offices and managed blocks (communal doors, reception glazing, internal security lines)
- Industrial and trade units (roller shutter damage, side personnel doors, high-level windows)
- Mixed-use buildings where a shop sits under flats (extra care around access, residents, and communal routes)
If you’re unsure whether boarding up is the right solution or you need something longer-term, we’ll talk you through options such as temporary steel doors and steel security screens, depending on risk, access, and how long the site may be unattended.
For a broader overview of what “boarding up” actually includes, see: what boarding up is and when it’s used.
Typical scenarios for commercial boarding up
Commercial jobs tend to be time-sensitive and security-critical. Here are the most common callouts we handle across NW:
Break-ins and attempted break-ins
A forced entry can leave a splintered door edge, broken lock area, or shattered glazing. Even if the intruders didn’t get in, the damage often makes the entrance insecure.
Relevant guidance: securing your property after a burglary.
Vandalism and deliberate damage
Shops and offices near busy routes can be targeted with smashed panes, cracked door glass, or repeated tampering. When the opening is visible from the street, quick physical securing reduces the chance of repeat incidents.
Relevant guidance: post-vandalism boarding and securing.
Accidental impact (vehicles, deliveries, street furniture)
Delivery mistakes and low-speed vehicle strikes can cave in a shopfront panel or door leaf. With impact damage, we focus on immediate security first, and we’ll flag if the surrounding frame looks too compromised for non-destructive fixing.
Relevant guidance: boarding up after accident damage.
Storm damage and wind-related failures
Loose panels, failed glazing, or debris impact can create openings that let in rain and invite opportunistic entry. We’ll board up to make the premises safe and reduce weather ingress until your glazier/roofer can complete permanent works.
Relevant guidance: storm damage boarding up.
Fire and water incidents (security after the emergency)
After the Fire Brigade or flood response, commercial buildings are often left ventilated or partially open for safety. Our role is to secure what’s been exposed — we’re not a smoke/odour remediation service, but we can help you lock the site down and document what we’ve done for the insurer.
Relevant guidance: securing a site after fire damage and after flood damage.
How commercial boarding up works (what we do on site)
Every site is different — a high-street shopfront in NW1 isn’t the same as a trade unit in NW10 — but our approach is consistent: make the property safe, secure the opening properly, and leave clear documentation.
1) Quick assessment: safety, access and priorities
We start by confirming:
- What’s damaged (glass, frames, door leaf, shutters, rooflight/skylight)
- Whether there are immediate hazards (loose glass, unstable panels, overhead risk)
- Access constraints (rear service roads, shutters, alarm activation, shared entrances)
- Your priority: get trading, secure stock, or secure a void building
If there’s a reason we can’t safely proceed without additional support (for example, significant structural movement), we’ll tell you straight away.
2) Choosing the right material: plywood vs OSB (and when steel is better)
For most commercial openings, we use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security and better fix-holding in larger spans
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings or where a slightly lighter board is appropriate
Where a site is likely to be unattended for longer, or where repeat targeting is a concern, we may recommend upgraded measures like temporary steel doors or steel security screens (particularly useful for voids or repeated break-ins).
Related services:
- window boarding in North West London
- door boarding in North West London
- shopfront boarding in North West London
3) Fixing methods that prioritise security and minimise damage
Commercial frames vary (timber, uPVC, aluminium, steel). We aim to secure the board firmly while being mindful of what will be repaired/replaced later.
Common methods include:
- Anti-tamper fixings to help prevent boards being removed from the outside — important for street-facing premises
- Through-bolting (where appropriate) for larger openings and higher-risk sites
- Framing/cleating to spread load and improve hold on uneven surfaces
If the frame is too damaged to take fixings, we’ll explain options before proceeding. Sometimes the safest solution is a different securing method (for example, a temporary steel door for a destroyed doorway).
4) Weather resistance and practical considerations for trading sites
Boarding is primarily for security, but in commercial environments we also consider:
- Rain ingress (especially after shopfront glazing failure)
- Drafts and temperature loss if the premises must remain operational
- Safe access routes for staff (separating “public” and “back-of-house” as needed)
For overhead damage (skylights/rooflights), we can secure openings as part of roof boarding where access is safe and appropriate.
5) Documentation for insurers and facilities teams
You’ll receive practical paperwork and evidence that helps with claims and internal reporting, typically including:
- A clear description of the works completed
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured result (where possible)
- An itemised invoice and work statement for your records
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’re used to providing the documentation insurers and property managers usually request. For more on preparing a claim, see: insurance claims support.
Commercial property considerations we handle every day
Out-of-hours access and keyholding realities
Many commercial callouts happen when the premises are closed — evenings, weekends, or early morning. If you have a keyholder procedure, alarm company attendance, or a security team, tell us when you call so we can coordinate safely.
If you can’t meet on site, we can often work with:
- A building manager / concierge (for managed blocks)
- A security guard
- A nominated staff keyholder
- A facilities management contact
Shared entrances, mixed-use blocks and public safety
In areas with mixed-use buildings (shops beneath flats), there’s often a need to:
- Keep communal doors safe and accessible
- Avoid obstructing fire exits
- Reduce risk from loose glass near pavements
We’ll work sensibly and keep you informed if any constraint affects the securing method.
Compliance, RAMS, and site rules
Some commercial sites (especially offices, public buildings, managed estates) have contractor rules. If you require method statements or specific sign-in procedures, mention this upfront so we can align with your requirements where possible.
Where we work: NW postcodes and local knowledge
We cover boarding up services North West London across NW postcodes, including busy commercial areas, high streets and business parks. Examples include:
- Camden Town (NW1) — around Camden High Street and the canalside footfall: boarding up in Camden Town
- Brent Cross (NW2) — retail and surrounding routes near the North Circular: boarding up in Brent Cross
- Park Royal (NW10) — industrial and logistics-heavy sites: boarding up in Park Royal
- West Hampstead (NW6) — mixed retail and residential conversions: boarding up in West Hampstead
- Golders Green (NW2) — busy parades and foot traffic near the station: boarding up in Golders Green
You can also browse the full list on our areas we cover.
Micro case study: securing a damaged shopfront in NW6
A small retailer near West End Lane reported that a large shopfront pane had been cracked during the night, leaving the glass unstable and the frontage insecure by the morning. The priority was to prevent further damage and keep the premises secure until a glazier could measure and replace the unit.
We attended, confirmed the frame was still sound enough for secure fixing, removed immediate hazards from the opening area, and installed exterior-grade plywood with anti-tamper fixings suitable for a street-facing location. We then supplied time-stamped photos and a written work summary so the tenant could pass everything to their insurer and landlord’s managing agent.
(Every job is different — where frames are bent or pulled away, we’ll discuss alternatives before fixing boards.)
FAQs — commercial boarding up in North West London
How quickly can you attend an emergency commercial boarding job?
We prioritise urgent calls, especially when a site is open to the street or stock is at risk. We don’t quote fixed arrival times because traffic, access, and the nature of the damage varies — but we’ll give an honest expectation when you call and keep the focus on making the premises secure. If it’s urgent, use our 24-hour emergency boarding up service.
Can you board up large shopfront glazing and aluminium frames?
Yes — shopfronts are a common part of commercial work in NW London. We’ll choose a method that suits the opening size and frame condition, with fixings designed to reduce the chance of outside removal. See shopfront boarding in North West London.
Do you provide temporary steel doors for commercial properties?
Where a doorway has been forced or is too insecure to rely on boarding alone (or the property will be vacant), a temporary steel door can be a more durable solution. We’ll advise on-site once we’ve seen the extent of the damage. Start here: door boarding in North West London.
Will boarding up damage my frames or façade?
Our aim is always to secure the premises with sensible, proportionate methods. Some fixing is inevitably invasive, particularly for high-risk, street-facing openings — but we’ll avoid unnecessary damage where possible. If the frame is already compromised, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
Is boarding up covered by commercial insurance?
Often it can be, depending on your policy and circumstances. We’re not insurers, but we provide the documentation typically needed for claims. See insurance claims support and keep your incident/crime reference number if applicable.
Talk to us about securing your commercial premises
If you’re dealing with a smashed shop window, a forced door, repeated vandalism, or storm damage, the priority is simple: secure the building properly and document it clearly so you can move on to repairs and reopening.
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
