24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up Ilford (IG1–IG11)

If you need emergency boarding up in Ilford, we can help you secure the property and make it safe after a break-in, smashed window, storm damage, fire, flood, or an accident. We cover Ilford and the wider IG postcode area (IG1–IG11), with DBS-checked technicians, 10+ years trading, and a fully insured service.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292
Prefer email for non-urgent enquiries? [email protected]

When should you call for emergency boarding up?

People usually search “board up broken window” or “board up door” when something has just happened and security is compromised. If your property is exposed, you may also be dealing with stress, police, neighbours, or worried tenants—so we keep the process simple and practical.

Call us if you need to:

  • Secure a smashed window or shattered glazing (ground floor, upper floor, bay windows)
  • Get a shopfront boarded up after vandalism or an attempted break-in
  • Protect a door opening after forced entry (including temporary solutions for damaged frames)
  • Make safe after out of hours incidents (evenings, nights, weekends)
  • Reduce weather ingress after storm or impact damage with temporary boarding
  • Secure a vacant or at-risk building to help prevent further entry

If you’re not sure whether boarding is the right option, we’ll talk it through on the phone and explain what’s achievable on arrival. For a deeper overview of what “boarding up” actually involves, see: what boarding up means and when it’s used.

Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 8292

What happens when you call (simple 3-step process)

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, access, and the nature of the damage all affect it. What we do promise is clear communication and a realistic ETA on the phone.

  1. Call and tell us what’s happened
    We’ll ask a few quick questions: what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), whether the opening is accessible, and whether the property is occupied.

  2. We attend and make safe
    We assess the opening, check the surrounding frame for stability, and confirm the most secure method before fitting boards or installing a temporary security option.

  3. You receive documentation for your records/insurer
    We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement describing what was done and why—useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurance claims.

For planned works (for example, securing a void property in advance), you may also want to review our wider boarding up services in Ilford.

Emergency make-safe: what we do on arrival

Every call-out is different, but the goal is always the same: secure property fast and reduce the risk of further damage.

Depending on the situation, we may:

  • Remove or stabilise loose shards where safe to do so (especially on shopfronts and doors)
  • Fit boards to windows, doors, or shopfront glazing
  • Use fixings that reduce the chance of external removal (important where the property will be unattended)
  • Board from the safest access point (for upper floors or awkward rear access, we’ll discuss options)
  • Weatherproof as far as reasonably possible with the chosen method

If frames are badly split, crumbly, fire-damaged, or water-swollen, non-destructive fixing isn’t always possible. Where drilling or more robust fixing is required for safety, we’ll explain that before we proceed.

Related service pages (if you want details on each method):

Materials and methods we use (and why)

For emergency boarding up, the priority is security and stability—not just covering a hole.

Common materials include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most window and door openings where a strong, rigid sheet is needed
  • 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate (we’ll choose based on exposure and vulnerability)
  • Anti-tamper style fixings where removal from outside is a concern (especially for ground-floor openings and empty properties)

Where a door has been forced and you can’t lock the building, boarding alone can be a short-term fix. If you need something more robust for a few weeks or months, we’ll discuss options such as temporary steel doors or security screens depending on the opening and your risk level.

If your situation is specifically a break-in, our dedicated guidance here may help: what to do after a burglary.

Common emergency call-outs we get across Ilford and the IG area

We’re frequently contacted for situations like:

  • Smashed window after vandalism or neighbour disputes
  • Ground-floor windows compromised during an attempted burglary
  • Rear doors forced or kicked in; frames too damaged to re-lock
  • Shopfront boarded up after impact or overnight damage
  • Storm-blown debris breaking glazing; urgent make safe required
  • Fire brigade entry causing door/window damage after an incident (we secure the opening, not the smoke/odour remediation)

For situation-specific next steps, you can also read:

Emergency boarding up for homes, shops, and vacant properties

Different buildings need different approaches—especially out of hours when you may be trying to secure things quickly.

Residential (houses, flats, maisonettes)

In Ilford and the surrounding IG postcodes, we often see a mix of family homes, converted flats, and low-rise blocks. Common issues include rear access constraints, communal entrances, and upper-floor windows where safe access matters.

More here: residential boarding up

Commercial (shops, offices, mixed-use)

For commercial sites, speed and safety matter—especially if you’re on a busy parade where the opening is visible and vulnerable. We can board larger glazed areas and help reduce the risk of repeat entry.

More here: commercial boarding up

Vacant/void property security

If the property is empty between tenants or awaiting works, emergency boarding is sometimes the first step—followed by more durable protection if needed.

More here: vacant property boarding and security options

Insurance and documentation (what we can provide)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t approve claims—however, we know what insurers typically ask for after emergency work.

If requested, we can supply:

  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured openings
  • An itemised invoice (clear line items for labour and materials)
  • A work statement describing the make-safe measures taken

Useful next steps:

  • Keep your crime reference number (if police attended)
  • Take your own photos before we arrive if it’s safe
  • Contact your insurer early and ask how they want emergency works documented

More guidance: insurance claims support information

Areas we cover for 24/7 boarding up (Ilford + IG postcodes)

We’re based for Ilford call-outs and cover the London Borough of Redbridge and nearby IG districts. If you’re searching for 24/7 boarding up or same day boarding up around Ilford, we aim to attend as quickly as possible and will give you a realistic ETA when you call.

We cover IG1–IG11, including:

For a wider overview, visit: areas we cover

FAQs – Emergency Boarding Up Ilford

How quickly can you attend for emergency boarding up in Ilford?

Attendance depends on time of day, workload, and access details. We prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone when you call. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times.

Can you board up my window tonight in Ilford?

Yes, we handle out of hours call-outs where possible. If you need to board up broken window after an incident, call and we’ll advise on the next steps and an ETA.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292

What’s the difference between boarding a window and boarding a door?

Windows are usually boarded to prevent access and weather ingress after a smashed window. Doors may need boarding when locks can’t be secured or the frame is compromised; in some cases a temporary door solution is more practical. See: door boarding in Ilford.

Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?

Yes. If you need a shopfront boarded up after damage, we can secure the opening and help reduce vulnerability until glazing is replaced. See: shopfront boarding in Ilford.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in Ilford?

Often, emergency make-safe work can be claimed as part of an insured event, but policies vary. We provide documentation (photos, itemised invoice, work statement) to support your claim. See: insurance claims guidance.

What information should I have ready when I call?

If possible, tell us:

  • The address and IG postcode
  • What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
  • Whether the property is occupied
  • Whether police or the fire service have attended (and any reference number)

Can you make safe after a burglary or attempted break-in?

Yes. If you need to secure property after burglary or board up after burglary, we’ll secure the opening and provide documentation for your insurer/landlord records. More guidance: burglary repairs and boarding.

What if the window/door frame is badly damaged?

We’ll assess it first. If the frame won’t hold fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes boarding is still possible with alternative fixing points; in other cases, a different temporary security method may be needed.

Can you help if my rooflight or skylight is broken?

Yes—roof and skylight openings are high risk for weather ingress. We can advise on safe access and temporary boarding options. See: roof & skylight boarding.

Need emergency boarding up now in Ilford?

If you need emergency boarding up Ilford—whether it’s a board up door, a board up broken window, or a shopfront boarded up after an incident—call and we’ll talk you through the quickest, safest next step.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Non-urgent: [email protected]