FAQs — Boarding Up Bromley (BR1–BR8)

When your window or door has been damaged, you usually need answers quickly: what happens next, how it works, and what your insurer will want. Below are the most common questions we’re asked about boarding up in Bromley and across the BR postcodes (BR1–BR8).

If you can’t see your exact situation here, call us — we’ll talk it through and explain the safest option.

Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 7872 or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.

Emergency & availability

Do you offer 24 hour emergency boarding up in Bromley?

Yes — we provide emergency boarding up for properties across Bromley and the wider BR area. If you’ve had a break-in, storm damage, vandalism or an accident, we can prioritise securing the opening so the property is safe and weather-tight.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, access and the type of damage can all affect this), but we do triage calls and treat exposed ground-floor openings and active security risks as urgent.

Are you available on weekends and bank holidays?

Yes, we can attend outside standard hours, including weekends and bank holidays, particularly for emergency call-outs. If it’s not urgent, we can also schedule a planned visit for vacant properties, refurbishments or pre-arranged security.

What areas do you cover?

We cover Bromley and BR1–BR8, including areas like Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington, Petts Wood, West Wickham and Swanley. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

For local pages, you can also see:

What boarding up involves

What exactly is “boarding up”?

Boarding up is the process of securing a broken, missing, or vulnerable opening (like a smashed window, damaged door, or exposed shopfront) using sheet materials fixed safely and securely. The goal is to prevent easy access, reduce risk of further damage, and protect the interior from weather.

If you want the plain-English overview, see what boarding up is.

What materials do you use — plywood or OSB?

It depends on the job and the risk level. Common options include:

18mm exterior-grade plywood: strong, stable, and a common choice for larger openings and higher-risk locations
OSB (often 9–12mm for smaller openings): can be suitable for smaller, lower-risk boarding where appropriate

We’ll choose the most suitable option based on the opening size, frame condition, and whether the property will be left unattended.

For more detail, see window boarding in Bromley and shopfront boarding.

Do you screw boards into the frame — will it cause damage?

We aim for secure fixing with minimal avoidable damage, but it depends on the surface and how compromised it already is.

Where there’s sound timber, we can often fix into timber safely.
Where frames are weak, split, or already broken (common after forced entry), we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
For some commercial fronts or awkward materials, we may need alternative fixing points to achieve a secure result.

Our priority is always: make it secure and safe, while being transparent about trade-offs.

Can you board up a door as well as windows?

Yes. If a door has been kicked in, warped, or can’t be locked, we can provide door boarding. In higher-risk scenarios (or where a door needs to function for access), we may recommend a temporary steel door rather than timber boarding.

What if the opening is on a roof or a skylight?

We can help with roof boarding for damaged skylights, roof lights and vulnerable roof openings. Roof access can be more complex (height, pitch, and safe working), so we’ll ask a few questions on the phone about access and any internal leaks.

Please note: we secure the opening; we’re not a full roofing repair service.

Common situations (what to do next)

What should I do if my property has been burgled?

If it’s safe and the police have attended (or you’ve reported it), the immediate priority is securing the entry point. Helpful steps:

Keep your crime reference number
Take photos if safe (don’t touch damaged locks or entry points if police may need them)
Call your insurer as soon as you can
Arrange urgent boarding to prevent a second entry

We regularly help after break-ins — see burglary repairs and boarding up.

What should I do if my shop window is smashed?

If glass is shattered or missing, your priority is public safety and securing the frontage. We can board up shopfront glazing and larger openings using appropriate sheet sizes and fixings.

For more on this service, visit shopfront boarding. If it’s happening now, use 24 hour emergency boarding up.

Can you help after vandalism (including repeated damage)?

Yes — we’re often called for repeated targeting of ground-floor windows, alley-facing doors, or shopfronts in busier areas. We can board up quickly and, where needed, discuss more robust temporary security options for unattended sites.

See vandalism repair and boarding.

Do you board up after storm damage?

Yes. High winds can cause broken panes, dislodged frames, and damage from fallen branches. We can secure openings to reduce water ingress and heat loss, then you can arrange permanent glazing or repairs.

See storm damage boarding.

Do you deal with fire damage?

We can help secure a property after a fire by boarding broken windows, damaged doors and vulnerable access points once the site is safe to enter. We don’t provide smoke or odour remediation, but we can help you protect the building while other works are arranged.

See fire damage boarding.

Can you help after flooding?

Flooding can swell timber frames and make doors/windows hard to close or lock. We can secure openings where needed, but we’ll also consider ventilation and safe access — especially if electrics may be affected.

See flood damage boarding.

What if the damage was caused by an accident (impact/vehicle strike)?

If there’s impact damage (for example, a vehicle hit a wall or frontage), we can secure the opening once the area is safe and any structural concerns have been addressed. In some cases, we may advise you to get a structural assessment before or alongside boarding.

See accident damage boarding.

Security options & vacant properties

Do you secure vacant or void properties?

Yes — we regularly secure empty houses, probate properties, and units between tenants across the BR postcodes. For vacant buildings, we may recommend options that are more suitable than basic timber boards, depending on risk and duration.

See vacant property boarding.

What’s the difference between boarding up and security screens?

Boarding is usually a short-term, rapid solution for immediate damage. Steel security screens are a more robust, medium-term option for higher-risk sites and void properties where repeated attempts are likely.

If you tell us how long the property will be unattended and what’s been damaged, we’ll recommend the most appropriate approach.

Can you install temporary steel doors?

Yes. Temporary steel doors are useful when:

the original door/frame is too damaged to secure properly
the building needs controlled access for trades
the property will be empty and at higher risk

This is often the most practical option after forced entry to rear/side doors or where a timber board would be repeatedly attacked. See door boarding for related options.

Pricing, quotes & documentation

How much does boarding up cost in Bromley?

Costs vary because each job is different. Typical factors include:

size and number of openings
whether it’s a window, door, shopfront or roof light
access requirements (height, rear access, internal obstructions)
material choice and fixing method
whether it’s out-of-hours or planned

We’ll ask a few quick questions and give a clear explanation of what’s included. For more detail, see pricing.

Do you provide invoices for insurance?

Yes. We can provide itemised invoices and a written description of the work carried out. We can also provide photos of the secured openings, which insurers often request.

More guidance is on our insurance claims page. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can supply the documentation insurers typically need for emergency securing.

Will my insurance cover boarding up?

Many policies include cover for emergency securing after burglary, vandalism or storm damage, but it varies by policy and excess. It’s best to notify your insurer early and keep any reference numbers.

See insurance claims for practical steps.

On the day: access, safety, and what to expect

What happens when I call you?

We’ll ask for the essentials so we can arrive prepared:

address and postcode (BR1–BR8)
what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof light)
whether the property is occupied and safe
any access notes (rear alley, shared entry, shutters, height)

Then we’ll confirm the plan and talk you through what we’ll do on arrival.

If you’d prefer, you can also contact us via the contact page.

Do I need to be at the property?

Ideally, yes — especially if we need internal access to fix boards safely and check for secondary vulnerable points. For landlords, managing agents and facilities teams, we can sometimes work with a keyholder or arranged access.

If access is complicated (rear gardens, side passages, flats above shops), telling us in advance helps avoid delays.

Is boarding up safe for children and pets?

We’ll position boards and fixings to minimise sharp edges and loose debris. That said, a property with broken glass or damaged frames can still be hazardous. If possible, keep children and pets away from the affected area until the site is secured and cleaned.

How long can boards stay up?

Boards are designed as a temporary security and weatherproofing measure. How long they can remain depends on exposure, risk and the condition of the surrounding frame. If you expect a longer period before permanent repairs, tell us — we can advise on more suitable options for medium-term security.

Residential, commercial & landlord questions

Do you board up flats and maisonettes?

Yes. We frequently work on flats (including above shopfronts) where access and communal areas need care. We’ll take practical steps to avoid unnecessary disruption to neighbours and shared entrances.

See residential boarding up.

Do you work with shops, offices and restaurants?

Yes — especially around Bromley’s town-centre retail areas and small parades across the BR districts. We can secure shopfronts, rear staff doors, and vulnerable side windows, and provide paperwork helpful for insurers and facilities records.

See commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding.

Can you help landlords and letting agents between tenancies?

Yes. We’re often called where a property has been left insecure, keys are missing, or a door/window can’t be locked. For void periods, we can advise on the most appropriate level of security rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach.