Boarding Up Services in Ilford (IG1–IG11)

When something’s been damaged—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or a cracked shopfront—your priority is to secure the property and reduce further risk. Our boarding up services in Ilford are designed to make the building safe quickly, protect against weather and opportunistic entry, and give you the paperwork insurers typically ask for.

We cover Ilford and the IG postcode area (IG1–IG11) with a practical, calm approach. If you need urgent help, use our emergency page for the fastest route: emergency boarding up.

Need to speak to someone now? Call 020 4634 8292 or email us.

Boarding up for homes, shops, and vacant properties

We work across residential, commercial, and void properties—each has different security risks and access challenges.

  • Homes & flats: broken glazing, damaged frames, rear access issues, communal entrances
    Learn more: residential boarding up
  • Shops & commercial units: shopfront boarding, out of hours attendance, larger openings and public-facing risks
    Learn more: commercial boarding up
  • Vacant / between tenants: longer-term solutions like temporary steel doors or security screens (where appropriate)
    Learn more: vacant property boarding

We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and have been trading for 10+ years. We’ll always explain what we’re doing and why—especially if the frame or surrounding structure is too compromised for non-destructive fixing.

What to expect when you book a boarding-up service

People usually call us when they’re stressed and trying to make quick decisions. This is the straightforward process we follow:

  1. Call and tell us what’s happened
    If it’s safe, share the rough size/location of the opening and whether access is straightforward (front only, rear access, flat above a shop, etc.). If it’s not safe, just call and we’ll guide you.
  2. We advise the best make-safe option
    For example: plywood vs OSB, internal vs external fixing, or whether a temporary steel door makes more sense than boarding a badly damaged entrance.
  3. We secure the property and document the work
    You’ll typically receive:
    • time-stamped photos (before/during/after)
    • an itemised invoice
    • a brief work statement describing what was done and why (often useful for insurance)

We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA on the phone.

Our boarding up services in Ilford

Below are the core services we provide across IG1–IG11. If you’re not sure which one you need, call—describing the problem is usually enough for us to recommend the right approach.

Window boarding (domestic & commercial)

If you need to board up a broken window after an impact, vandalism, or a break-in, we can secure the opening to prevent further damage and reduce the chance of unauthorised entry. This is one of the most common “smashed window” call-outs.

What we typically do:

  • assess the opening and frame condition
  • select the right sheet material (often 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most openings; 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller/low-risk areas)
  • fix using methods that prioritise security and minimise additional damage where possible
  • ensure the board fit discourages leverage points and tampering

Service page: window boarding in Ilford

Door boarding up (including forced entry damage)

When a door has been kicked in, the lock area has failed, or the frame is split, the priority is to board up the door (or replace the door temporarily) so the property can’t be accessed again.

Depending on the damage, we may:

  • board over the opening securely (often using internal bracing where appropriate)
  • fit anti-tamper fixings where external access is a concern
  • discuss alternatives if the door/frame is too compromised

Service page: door boarding in Ilford

Shopfront boarding (glazing, panels, and larger openings)

A damaged shopfront is high-risk: it’s visible, often accessible from the street, and can attract repeat attempts if it’s left vulnerable. We regularly attend to secure retail units that need a shopfront boarded up, including out of hours situations.

We focus on:

  • strong, correctly sized boarding for larger spans
  • safer fixing methods for busy public areas
  • clear “make safe” outcomes that reduce liability and keep the frontage secure until repairs are arranged

Service page: shopfront boarding in Ilford

Roof & skylight boarding (weather protection and security)

Roof damage and skylight breaks can let in rain quickly and create a dangerous access point. Roof work also introduces extra safety considerations—access, height, and whether the surrounding structure is stable.

We can provide temporary roof boarding to:

  • protect from weather ingress
  • reduce the chance of further internal damage
  • secure vulnerable overhead openings

Service page: roof boarding in Ilford

Temporary steel doors (medium-term security)

If your entry point is badly damaged—or the property will be unattended—boarding alone isn’t always the best option. A temporary steel door can be a strong, practical solution for medium-term security, especially for vacant properties or repeated break-in risks.

When a temporary steel door can help:

  • forced entry has destroyed the lock area and frame integrity
  • the building is vacant or between tenants
  • repeated attempts are a concern
  • you need secure access control for authorised visitors/contractors

If we think a temporary steel door is the better choice, we’ll explain why before proceeding.

Security screens (for longer-term void security)

Where a property is likely to remain empty, screens can offer a more robust deterrent than timber boarding alone. We’ll advise on whether screens are suitable based on the opening type, risk level, and expected duration.

If you’re securing an empty property, you may also want to review: vacant property boarding

Materials and methods (what we use, and why)

Boarding up isn’t just “putting a sheet over it”. The security outcome depends on material choice, fixing method, and fit.

  • Plywood vs OSB: exterior-grade plywood is commonly preferred for strength and resilience; OSB can be appropriate for certain lower-risk openings.
  • Fixings: where external tampering is a concern, we’ll use fixings designed to be harder to remove from outside.
  • Non-destructive vs necessary fixings: we try to minimise additional damage, but if the frame is already compromised, some fixings may be unavoidable. We’ll explain your options first.
  • Weather considerations: boarding can reduce weather ingress, but it isn’t full building repair. If you’ve had storm impact, securing first is usually the priority.

To understand the basics, see: what is boarding up?

Common situations we attend in Ilford and the IG area

If you’re coming to this page after an incident, these guides explain what to do next and what insurers may ask for:

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide documentation insurers typically need and talk you through what we’ll record on site.

Areas we cover (IG1–IG11)

We provide boarding up services across Ilford and the surrounding IG districts. This includes both planned work and urgent “make safe” call-outs.

For a full overview, visit: areas we cover

FAQs about boarding up services in Ilford

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

We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t promise fixed arrival times. Call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on location, time of day, and current workload. For urgent help, use: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Ilford.

Can you board up a smashed window tonight (out of hours)?

Yes—out of hours attendance is available for emergency situations. If you’re dealing with a smashed window, tell us whether it’s ground floor, above a flat roof, or at height so we can plan the safest approach.

Do I need to call the police before you board up after a break-in?

If a crime has occurred, it’s usually best to report it and keep your police reference number. If the property is insecure, you can still call us to make safe—just let us know if officers need access or if you’re waiting for a scene visit.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially when it’s part of an emergency make-safe after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact. Every policy is different. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement—documentation insurers commonly request. More guidance: insurance claims support.

Will boarding up damage my frames or brickwork?

We aim to minimise additional damage and choose the least invasive secure method that suits the risk. If the frame is already split, rotten, or unstable, some fixings may be unavoidable for safety and security. We’ll explain options before proceeding.

What’s the difference between plywood and OSB for boarding up?

Plywood is generally stronger and more weather-resistant when exterior-grade is used, making it a common choice for higher-risk openings. OSB can be suitable for smaller or lower-risk areas. We’ll select based on opening size, exposure, and security needs.

Can you secure a shopfront without blocking the entire entrance?

Sometimes, yes—depending on what’s damaged and how the frontage is laid out. We can discuss partial boarding or alternative securing methods. For commercial properties, see: shopfront boarding in Ilford.

Do you provide receipts and photos for my insurer or landlord?

Yes. We can supply time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a short work statement describing the make-safe work completed.

I’m a landlord/facilities manager—can you help with void security in IG areas?

Yes. We regularly secure vacant properties and can advise on options such as temporary steel doors and security screens depending on the risk and expected vacancy period.

Ready to book a boarding-up service?

If your property is exposed or insecure, getting it made safe quickly can prevent further loss and reduce stress.

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