Fire Damage Boarding Up in Ilford (IG) — Secure Your Property After a Fire
A fire is unsettling even when it’s contained quickly. Once the flames are out and it’s safe to re-enter, the next worry is usually security: broken windows, forced entry by emergency services, damaged doors, missing glazing, or a roof opening that’s left the building exposed to weather and opportunists.
If you need fire damage boarding up in Ilford or anywhere across the IG postcodes, we can help you make safe and secure the property with practical, insurance-friendly documentation.
Need urgent help now? Call 020 4634 8292 (out of hours available) or email us.
When fire-damage boarding up is needed
Not every fire results in open access, but it’s common for a property to be left vulnerable afterwards. You may need post-fire boarding when:
- Windows have cracked or blown out from heat or pressure
- Doors are damaged or won’t lock after heat exposure or impact
- Emergency services have forced entry (doors or frames compromised)
- The shopfront glazing is smashed or partially missing
- Rooflights/skylights are broken, or there’s a hole in the roof
- The property is temporarily unoccupied while inspections and repairs are arranged
Even small openings matter. If a pane has gone and you can’t lock up, the risk of theft, weather damage and further deterioration increases quickly—especially overnight.
If this is happening right now, the priority is simple: temporary boarding to prevent unauthorised access and keep the building safer until permanent repairs are organised.
For urgent assistance: Call 020 4634 8292.
What to do after a fire (practical first steps)
If the fire service has only just left, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Here are sensible next steps:
- Follow official advice first. If the building has been deemed unsafe to enter, don’t go in.
- Take photos if it’s safe (from outside is fine). Your insurer will usually want evidence of damage and openings.
- Keep key details handy: any incident reference, insurer policy number, and whether the site is occupied or vacant.
- Arrange immediate security. If windows are open, a door won’t lock, or the roof is exposed, call for emergency boarding up.
- Contact your insurer early. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically request.
If smoke odour or soot cleanup is the pressing concern, it’s worth knowing this upfront: smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope. Our role is to secure the property after fire damage and help you stabilise the site while restoration and repairs are arranged.
How we secure a property after fire damage (what we actually do)
Fire damage can affect more than the obvious broken glass. Heat can distort frames, weaken fixings, and make “normal” boarding methods unsuitable. We take a careful approach:
1) We assess access and the condition of frames
On arrival, we’ll check:
- Which openings are vulnerable (windows, doors, shopfront panels, rooflights)
- Whether the frame is stable enough for non-destructive boarding
- How to secure without creating additional damage where possible
- Safe access (especially for upper floors and roof areas)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
2) We board and secure using suitable materials and fixings
The goal is to secure property quickly and reliably. Depending on the opening size and location, we commonly use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure coverage
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings or where appropriate
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of panels being removed from outside—especially important if the property will be unattended
For commercial sites, we can also advise on stronger medium-term solutions if boarding will need to remain in place longer.
Related services:
- For broken or cracked glazing: window boarding in Ilford
- For damaged entrances: door boarding up
- For retail fronts: shopfront boarding
- For roof openings: roof & skylight boarding
3) We focus on safety, weatherproofing, and “make safe”
After a fire, secondary damage often comes from rain, wind and unauthorised entry. Our boarding is about:
- Closing off access points to deter opportunists
- Reducing exposure to weather where possible
- Helping you stabilise the site so the next trades (glaziers, builders, fire restoration teams) can plan properly
We do not claim to make a building structurally safe—if there’s a structural concern, that needs a qualified professional assessment. We can, however, make safe the obvious openings and reduce immediate risk.
Out of hours and emergency call-outs in Ilford & IG postcodes
Fire damage doesn’t wait for business hours. If you need emergency boarding up or out of hours help, call us and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and conditions. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—but we prioritise urgent situations and aim to attend as quickly as possible.
Emergency contact: Call 020 4634 8292
For immediate assistance, visit: emergency boarding up
Typical post-fire scenarios we’re called to in Ilford
Every incident is different, but these are common reasons people call for post-fire boarding Ilford:
- A smashed window after heat stress, leaving a ground-floor opening
- A board up door request after forced entry or a warped frame won’t lock
- A retail unit needing the shopfront boarded up before the next trading day
- A stairwell or communal area window missing in a block, creating a security risk
- A cracked rooflight where temporary protection is needed until roof repairs are arranged
Whether it’s residential or commercial, the objective is the same: secure the property fast, document the work, and help you move forward.
Materials and methods (what affects the approach after fire)
Fire scenes can be unpredictable. Here are a few real-world considerations that affect how we board up:
- Heat-distorted frames: Timber and uPVC can warp; fixing points may not be square.
- Fragile remaining glass: We plan fixings to avoid vibration where possible.
- Soot and residue: It can affect grip and visibility; we take care around surfaces and fittings.
- Shared entrances (flats above shops): Access and security needs can involve multiple openings and stakeholders.
If you tell us what type of property it is (house, flat, shop, office) and what’s been damaged, we can advise whether window boarding, door boarding, or a more robust option is sensible.
You may also find it useful to read: what is boarding up?
Make-safe documentation for insurance claims
After a fire, insurers often want evidence of what was done to protect the property from further loss. We can provide the documentation that typically helps support a claim, including:
- Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding (where possible)
- Itemised invoice for the work carried out
- Work statement describing what we secured and how
We’re not loss adjusters and can’t advise on policy wording, but we’re used to working in a way that supports the claims process.
For more on this: insurance claims support
Residential vs commercial fire damage — how the needs differ
Residential properties
In houses, flats, and maisonettes, priorities often include:
- Securing a broken ground-floor window quickly
- Making sure the property can be left unattended safely
- Considering family access needs (keys, re-entry, short-term security)
If you’re a homeowner, tenant or landlord, see: residential boarding up
Commercial premises
For shops, offices and mixed-use buildings, priorities often include:
- Fast temporary boarding to prevent loss of stock or equipment
- Keeping entrances safe for staff or contractors
- Clear documentation for facilities teams and insurers
For business premises, see: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding
Vacant/void properties after a fire
If a property will be empty for weeks (or longer), it may need stronger medium-term security than simple plywood. We can discuss options such as temporary steel doors or security screens depending on the risk and duration.
Start here: vacant property security
What happens when you call us (3-step process)
When you contact Boarding Up Ilford, we keep it straightforward:
- We take the essentials: location (postcode), what’s damaged, whether access is safe, and whether the site is occupied.
- We give a realistic ETA and talk through the best way to secure it (window, door, shopfront, roof).
- We attend and make safe, then provide photos and paperwork for your records/insurer.
Need help tonight or out of hours? Call 020 4634 8292
Fire Damage Boarding Up FAQs (Ilford & IG)
Can you board up my window tonight after a fire?
Yes, if it’s safe to access and you have permission to secure the property. Call and we’ll confirm what we can do and provide a realistic ETA. For urgent cases, use our emergency boarding up service.
Do you handle smoke damage cleanup as well?
No—smoke/odour remediation and deep cleaning are outside our scope. We secure the property (windows/doors/roof openings) to prevent further loss while you arrange restoration specialists.
Can you secure a door that won’t lock after heat damage?
Often, yes. Depending on the condition of the frame and door, we may board the entrance or discuss a stronger option. See door boarding up.
My shopfront glass is cracked or missing—can you board it up quickly?
Yes. A damaged shopfront can’t be left open, especially overnight. We can install solid temporary panels and use appropriate fixings to deter removal. See shopfront boarding.
Is boarding up covered by insurance after fire damage?
It often can be, as “mitigation” to prevent further damage or theft—but policies vary. We’re not able to confirm cover; however, we provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement that insurers typically request. Read more at insurance claims support.
What if the window frames are too damaged to board without causing more damage?
We’ll explain the situation clearly before proceeding. If non-destructive fixing isn’t possible due to severe frame damage, we’ll discuss safe alternatives to secure the opening.
Can you board rooflights or a hole in the roof after a fire?
In many cases, yes, subject to safe access and conditions. Roof work can require additional planning, but we can often provide temporary protection to reduce weather exposure. See roof & skylight boarding.
I’m a landlord—can you secure the property between inspections and repairs?
Yes. We regularly help landlords and managing agents secure properties while surveys, quotes, and repairs are arranged. For longer vacant periods, look at vacant property security.
Next steps: secure your property after fire damage
If you’re dealing with fire damage, you don’t need a sales pitch—you need a clear plan and a secure building. We’ll talk you through the safest, most practical way to board up and protect the property, and we’ll provide documentation that helps with your records and insurer.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? [email protected]
