Boarding Up Services in Bromley (BR1–BR8)

When your property’s been damaged or left exposed, you need it made safe quickly and properly — without guesswork. Our boarding up services in Bromley cover everything from broken domestic windows to smashed shopfront glazing, insecure doors after a break-in, and vulnerable rooflights after storm damage.

We work across the BR postcodes (BR1–BR8) including Bromley town centre, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington, West Wickham, Petts Wood and the surrounding neighbourhoods. If you’re in immediate need, go straight to our emergency boarding up service or call now on 020 4634 7872.

What we mean by “boarding up” (and what it’s for)

Boarding up is the short- to medium-term securing of a vulnerable opening (window, door, shopfront, rooflight, or damaged wall section) to:

  • prevent unauthorised access after burglary or vandalism
  • keep out wind and rain after storm or impact damage
  • reduce risk to the public (especially where glass has failed)
  • stabilise a property while repairs or glazing are arranged
  • help meet insurer requirements for “reasonable steps” to secure the premises

If you’re not sure what’s involved, our guide to what boarding up is and when it’s used explains the basics in plain English.

Our boarding up services (what we do in Bromley)

Every job is different, but the aim is always the same: secure the building safely, using appropriate materials and fixings for the location and risk level.

Window boarding (homes, flats and communal areas)

Broken or cracked windows are one of the most common call-outs — from a stray football in a garden in Hayes, to a forced entry near Bromley South, to vandalism around busier high streets.

We provide window boarding in Bromley for:

  • single windows and bays (including ground-floor front rooms)
  • rear windows and patio doors (often targeted in break-ins)
  • communal windows in blocks (stairwells, landings, shared entrances)
  • basement and side windows, where access can be awkward

How we approach it: we measure the opening, choose suitable board (often 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or higher-risk openings, or OSB for smaller/low-risk apertures), then fix it with a method that suits the frame and surface. Where the frame is too damaged for a tidy fit, we’ll explain the practical options before proceeding.

Door boarding up and temporary security for forced entries

Doors tend to fail at the locks, hinges, or the surrounding frame — and once they’ve been forced, they’re often not reliably secure even if they still close.

Our door boarding service is used when:

  • the door has been kicked in or the lock area is splintered
  • the frame is cracked or pulling away from brickwork
  • you’re between repairs and need the property secured
  • a side/rear entrance is vulnerable or out of sight

Depending on the situation, we may recommend a temporary steel door instead of boarding. Steel doors are particularly useful where the property will be unattended (for example, after a burglary, or where a house is void between tenancies) and you need a more robust medium-term solution.

Shopfront boarding for Bromley’s retail and commercial units

Commercial glazing can fail suddenly — impact damage, attempted theft, or vandalism — and leaving a shopfront open can put stock, fixtures and the public at risk.

We provide shopfront boarding for:

  • retail units and cafés along Bromley High Street and nearby side roads
  • small parades and local shops around Beckenham and West Wickham
  • offices and ground-floor commercial units with large panes or sidelights

What’s different with shopfronts: openings are often wider, boards are larger, and fixings need to be robust and safe. We can also advise on whether boarding should be full-height, part-height, or paired with internal bracing depending on the exposure and footfall.

Roof, skylight and overhead opening boarding

Storm damage in Bromley can expose rooflights, dormers and skylights, especially on older extensions or flat roofs. Overhead openings are hazardous, and access needs to be planned carefully.

Our roof boarding service can help after:

  • wind-lifted roof panels or dislodged rooflights
  • falling branches causing impact damage
  • water ingress through failed glazing or coverings

We focus on securing and weatherproofing, not full roofing repairs. If your roof structure is unstable, we’ll be honest about what can safely be done immediately and what needs a roofer or scaffold arrangement.

Security screens and options for vacant properties

If a property will be empty for weeks or months (probate, refurbishment, change of tenancy, or after a serious incident), a basic board-up can be a short-term fix — but it may not be the best long-term approach.

For voids, we’ll often discuss options such as steel security screens or more durable solutions designed to resist repeated attempts at entry. You can read more about this on our vacant property boarding page.

Temporary fencing (when the perimeter needs securing)

Sometimes the issue isn’t just an opening — it’s access to the site itself, especially after a vehicle impact, fire damage, or where a wall has failed.

Where appropriate, we can arrange temporary fencing to help secure a perimeter while repairs are organised.

Situations we’re commonly called out for in BR postcodes

Boarding up is rarely planned — it’s usually a response to something stressful that’s happened. These are the situations we deal with most often in Bromley:

If you’re not sure which one applies, tell us what’s happened and what’s currently unsafe. We’ll guide you to the most practical option.

How our process works (what to expect)

When you call, we keep it simple and focused on making the property safe.

  1. We ask the essentials: address and postcode, what’s damaged, whether access is available, and whether police/fire have attended (if relevant).
  2. We prioritise urgency: we don’t promise fixed arrival times — conditions and job overruns happen — but we do triage genuinely urgent exposures.
  3. On-site assessment: we check the opening, the surrounding frame/substrate, and any safety issues (loose glass, overhead hazards, unstable timber).
  4. Boarding method agreed: we explain the approach before fixing, especially if the frame is badly damaged and tidy/non-destructive methods aren’t possible.
  5. Secure and document: you receive itemised paperwork and, where needed, time-stamped photos for your records or insurer.

If you need support with documentation, see our guidance on insurance claims for boarding up. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the work statements and evidence insurers typically ask for.

Materials and fixings (why it matters)

The difference between a board that looks fitted and a board that’s genuinely secure is usually the method and fixings.

We commonly use:

  • Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm) for strength on larger openings and higher-risk locations
  • OSB (commonly 12mm) for smaller apertures or lower-risk, short-term coverage
  • Anti-tamper fixings where the property may be left unattended or is vulnerable to repeat attempts
  • Bracing and safe fixing methods to reduce damage to surrounding frames where possible

We aim to fit boards neatly and safely, but we’ll always prioritise security and public safety over appearance — particularly on commercial frontages or street-facing windows.

Residential, commercial and landlord work

We board up and secure a wide mix of property types across Bromley:

Landlords and managing agents often need documentation, access coordination, and clear communication for tenants — we’re used to working with all three.

Where we work: Bromley and BR postcodes

We cover Bromley and the surrounding BR districts, including:

  • BR1: Bromley, Sundridge, Downham
  • BR2: Bromley Common, Hayes, Keston, Shortlands
  • BR3: Beckenham, Clock House, Eden Park, Elmers End
  • BR4: West Wickham
  • BR5: Petts Wood, St Mary Cray, St Paul’s Cray, Ruxley
  • BR6: Orpington, Farnborough, Chelsfield, Green Street Green, Pratts Bottom
  • BR7: Chislehurst, Elmstead
  • BR8: Swanley, Crockenhill, Hextable (as per coverage)

For postcode-specific details, visit our areas we cover page.

FAQs about boarding up services in Bromley

How much does boarding up cost in Bromley?

Costs depend on the size and number of openings, materials (plywood vs OSB, and thickness), access (upper floors, roof work), and whether anti-tamper methods or temporary steel doors are needed. We don’t publish fixed prices because like-for-like comparisons can be misleading — see our pricing guidance for what affects the quote.

Can you board up a property if I’m not there?

Often, yes — but access needs to be arranged. For commercial sites this may be a keyholder; for landlords it might be an agent or caretaker. If police have secured the scene after a burglary, we’ll work around their requirements. We’ll confirm access arrangements when you call.

Will you provide an invoice and paperwork for insurance?

Yes. We provide an itemised invoice and a clear description of the work carried out, and can supply photos where appropriate. More detail is on our insurance claims page.

What if the frame is too damaged to fix boards neatly?

If the surrounding frame/substrate is compromised, we’ll explain what can be fixed safely and what might require a different approach (for example, additional bracing, alternative fixing points, or a temporary steel door). We won’t quietly do something destructive without discussing it first.

Do you handle emergency call-outs outside normal hours?

Yes — if you need urgent help, use our 24-hour emergency boarding up page and call 020 4634 7872.

Ready to get started?

If you need boarding up services in Bromley — whether it’s an urgent break-in, storm damage, or planned securing for a void property — we’ll talk you through the safest, most practical option.

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7872 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.