24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up Bromley (BR1–BR8)

If you need emergency boarding up in Bromley, the priority is simple: make the property safe, stop further damage, and secure it properly so you’re not left exposed overnight.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872
Or email: info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk

We provide 24 hour boarding up in Bromley across the BR postcodes (BR1–BR8) for break-ins, smashed windows, shopfront damage, storm impacts, and post-fire securing. We’ll talk you through what’s happened, what can be secured immediately, and what you’ll need for insurance.

When to call for emergency boarding up

People usually call us when something has just happened and they can’t safely leave the property as it is. Common urgent scenarios include:

Burglary or attempted break-in (door forced, lock area shattered, glazing removed) – see boarding up after burglary repairs
Vandalism (smashed panes, repeated targeting, exposed shopfronts) – see vandalism repair and boarding
Storm damage (blown-in windows, dislodged panels, roof openings letting water in) – see storm damage boarding up
Accidents/impacts (vehicle into a wall/shopfront, fallen branch through glazing) – see accident damage boarding
Fire damage (property needs securing after the fire service has made access) – see fire damage securing
Flood-related swelling and failure (frames distorted, doors not closing properly) – see flood damage boarding

If you’re unsure whether boarding up is necessary, call anyway. We’ll ask a few practical questions (type of opening, height/access, whether the frame is stable) and advise what’s sensible.

What happens when you call (day or night)

We keep the process straightforward because most callers are dealing with stress, noise, or police/landlord/insurer coordination.

We confirm the basics: address/postcode, what’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof), and whether the site is safe to approach.
We discuss the best securing method: plywood/OSB boarding, a temporary steel door, or steel security screens where appropriate.
We prioritise urgent risks: ground-floor openings, exposed shopfront glazing, or anything letting weather in.
On arrival, we assess before fixing: if the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
We secure the opening and check edges: reducing snag/sharp risks, limiting gaps, and ensuring fixings can’t be removed from outside where possible.
You receive documentation: an itemised invoice and a clear work statement; we can provide time-stamped photos for your records/insurer.

We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times. Conditions vary (traffic, police cordons, access issues), but we treat exposed properties as urgent and keep you updated.

Emergency boarding options (what we use and why)

The right approach depends on the opening, the condition of the surrounding frame, and how long the property will be unattended.

Plywood boarding (strong, reliable, common for emergencies)

For most emergency window boarding in Bromley, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is the go-to because it’s robust and resists flexing.

Suitable for broken windows, door side panels, and many shopfront sections
Can be cut on-site to fit the opening and fixed securely
Often paired with anti-tamper fixings where appropriate, especially for unoccupied properties

Learn more on our window boarding in Bromley page.

OSB boarding (practical for smaller or internal openings)

For some situations, 12mm OSB can be appropriate—particularly for smaller openings or where a quick, neat temporary closure is needed.

We’ll always balance speed with security. If a property has been targeted, we’ll advise the most resistant option.

Temporary steel doors (when a door is smashed or missing)

If the main entrance has been forced and the door/lock area is beyond immediate repair, a temporary steel door can be the safest option—especially for flats, empty houses, or commercial units that must be locked properly after-hours.

Better for repeat-risk locations and longer waits for joinery/door replacement
More practical than timber boarding if people need controlled access

See door boarding up for details.

Steel security screens (medium-to-longer term void security)

For vacant/void properties, repeated vandalism risks, or units awaiting refurbishment, security screens can be more suitable than timber boarding.

We’ll explain when screening is worth it based on your risk and timescales. For void-specific considerations, see vacant property boarding.

Shopfront boarding (larger spans, higher risk, public-facing)

Shopfront damage is different: larger panes, higher footfall, and greater urgency to prevent access or injury. We can secure retail units and commercial glazing, then provide documentation suitable for facilities teams and insurers.

Rooflights and overhead openings (weatherproofing matters)

A missing skylight or roof opening can quickly become a water ingress problem—especially in bad weather. Roof and skylight work also involves access planning and safe fixing methods.

See roof boarding services.

What you can do right now (before we arrive)

Only do what’s safe. If there’s glass, exposed wiring, or anyone suspicious nearby, keep your distance and call the police where needed.

Practical steps that help:

If it’s a burglary/vandalism, keep your crime reference number handy
Take photos (if safe) of damage and any points of entry for your records/insurer
Don’t clear up all glass immediately if police need to see it—follow their guidance
Keep pets/children away from the affected area
If weather is coming in, place a bucket/towel inside to limit internal damage (only if it’s safe)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for—see insurance claims support.

Emergency boarding up for homes, shops, and vacant buildings in Bromley

Bromley has a real mix: Victorian and Edwardian homes with bay windows, 1930s semis with large front windows, purpose-built flats, and busy commercial areas where shopfront glazing is a common weak point.

We regularly support:

Residential customers (owners, tenants, landlords) – see residential boarding up
Commercial sites (shops, offices, restaurants, managing agents) – see commercial boarding up
Void properties between tenancies, probate, or refurbishment – see vacant property securing

If you’re a facilities manager or letting agent, we can help with out-of-hours make-safe work, access coordination, and paperwork suitable for your internal process.

The areas we cover (BR1–BR8)

We’re based around Bromley and cover the BR postcode districts, including:

BR1 (Bromley, Bickley, Sundridge) – boarding up Bromley BR1, boarding up Bickley BR1
BR2 (Bromley Common, Hayes, Keston, Shortlands) – boarding up Bromley Common BR2, boarding up Hayes BR2, boarding up Keston BR2, boarding up Shortlands BR2
BR3 (Beckenham, Clock House, Eden Park, Elmers End, Park Langley) – boarding up Beckenham BR3, boarding up Clock House BR3
BR4 (West Wickham) – boarding up West Wickham BR4
BR5 (St Mary Cray, St Paul’s Cray, Petts Wood/Ruxley areas) – boarding up St Mary Cray BR5, boarding up St Pauls Cray BR5, boarding up Petts Wood BR5
BR6 (Orpington, Farnborough, Chelsfield, Green Street Green, Locksbottom) – boarding up Orpington BR6, boarding up Chelsfield BR6
BR7 (Chislehurst, Elmstead) – boarding up Chislehurst BR7, boarding up Elmstead BR7
BR8 (Swanley, Crockenhill, Hextable) – boarding up Swanley BR8, boarding up Hextable BR8

For a full list, see areas we cover.

How emergency boarding up is fixed (and what “secure” actually means)

A board isn’t “secure” just because it covers the hole. In an emergency, the quality comes down to:

Correct board thickness for the span (to prevent flexing and levering)
Solid fixing points (frame condition matters; sometimes the surrounding timber/brickwork is the real issue)
Anti-tamper approach where appropriate, so fixings can’t be removed from outside
Edge coverage and overlap to reduce pry points and improve weather resistance
Access planning (upper floors, tight alleyways, shared entrances, or shopfronts with signage/roller shutters)

If the frame is crumbling, split, or unstable after impact, we’ll tell you plainly. Sometimes boarding is still possible; sometimes a temporary steel door or screening is the safer route.

Micro case study: smashed shopfront glass near Bromley town centre

A small retail unit near the Glades and the busy routes around Bromley South had its front glazing damaged overnight. The main concern was public safety and preventing access before morning footfall.

We attended to make safe, cleared immediate hazards around the opening, then installed robust boarded protection sized for the wider shopfront span. Because it was a public-facing frontage, we used a fixing method designed to reduce external removal risk. The customer received time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice to pass to their insurer and landlord, and the unit was secure until replacement glazing could be fitted.

FAQs: 24 hour boarding up in Bromley

Do you cover out-of-hours and weekends?

Yes. If you need 24 hour boarding up Bromley, call and we’ll advise the next step. We can’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise exposed properties and urgent security risks.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in Bromley?

Often, emergency make-safe work can be covered as part of a claim, but every policy is different. We’re not insurers or loss adjusters; we provide the paperwork insurers typically request. See insurance claims guidance.

How long does emergency boarding up take?

It depends on the size and number of openings, access (upper floors, rear alleys, shopfront spans), and whether the frame is sound enough for secure fixing. We’ll give you a realistic expectation when you call.

Can you board up a damaged door, not just windows?

Yes. We provide door boarding up and can advise whether timber boarding is appropriate or whether a temporary steel door is a better solution.

We’re in Beckenham/Orpington/Chislehurst — do you cover us?

Yes, we cover BR1–BR8. You can also go straight to your local page: boarding up Beckenham BR3, boarding up Orpington BR6, or boarding up Chislehurst BR7.

Need emergency boarding up in Bromley right now?

If your window, door, shopfront, or roof opening has been damaged, we’ll help you secure it properly and get you the documentation you need afterwards.