Door Boarding in Bromley (BR) – Emergency Door Security & Temporary Steel Doors

When your front door has been forced, a rear entry has been kicked in, or a commercial entrance has been smashed, you need the property secured quickly and properly. Our door boarding in Bromley service is designed for urgent call-outs across BR1–BR8, helping homeowners, landlords and businesses restore security after a break-in, vandalism, fire, or an accident.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency page or call now: Call 020 4634 7872.
For non-urgent enquiries you can also email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.

Internal link: If this is happening right now, see emergency boarding up for what to do next.

When door boarding is the right choice (and when it isn’t)

Door boarding is for situations where a door opening can’t be safely secured with the existing door and lock—usually because the door leaf, frame, or surrounding structure has been compromised.

Common reasons customers call us for emergency door boarding Bromley:

After a burglary or attempted break-in (splintered timber frame, snapped lock, cracked glazing in a door panel)
Related guidance: burglary repairs and boarding
Vandalism (damage to communal entrances, kicked panels, repeated targeting) See: vandalism repair and boarding
Fire or smoke damage where the door won’t close properly or the frame has warped
See: fire damage securing
Flooding that has swollen timber doors/frames so they no longer latch
See: flood damage help
Accidents/impact (for example a vehicle strike to a garage or entry door)
See: accident damage securing
Void or vacant properties between tenancies where you need reliable, medium-term security
See: vacant property boarding

When door boarding may not be appropriate:
If the existing door and frame are intact and only the glass is broken, you might be better with targeted window boarding in Bromley or (for larger commercial glazing) shopfront boarding. We’ll talk you through the safest option on the phone.

What “door boarding” actually means

Door boarding isn’t just screwing a sheet over an opening and leaving. Done properly, it’s about:

preventing re-entry (especially if the property will be unattended)
reducing risk of further damage (from weather and trespass)
creating a secure barrier while repairs, glazing, or locksmith work is arranged
doing it in a way that’s proportionate to the risk and the condition of the frame

Depending on the situation, we’ll secure the entrance using plywood/OSB boarding or fit a temporary steel door for more robust, longer-term protection.

Emergency door boarding in Bromley: what happens when you call

If you’re stressed and it’s the middle of the night, the priority is simple: make the property safe, then secure it.

Quick questions on the phone
We’ll ask what type of door it is (uPVC, timber, composite, metal), whether the frame is split, and whether the opening is exposed to the street or rear access. If it’s a flat or communal entrance, we’ll ask about access and management contacts.
Arrival and safety check
If police are attending, we’ll wait for permission to begin work. If it’s a fire-damaged site, we only work when it’s safe and access is authorised. We’re not loss adjusters or structural engineers—but we’ll flag obvious safety concerns and won’t make unsafe fixings.
Measure and choose the right method
Boarding is cut to suit the opening and fixed in a way that resists removal from outside. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
Secure the opening and tidy up
We’ll board the door opening, remove sharp debris where safe to do so, and make sure the board is stable and weather-conscious (especially in exposed porches and alleyway entrances).
Documentation for your records/insurer
Customers typically need a clear work statement and evidence the property was secured. We can provide itemised invoices and time-stamped photos of the boarding once complete.
Helpful: insurance claims support

If you need urgent attendance, use our emergency boarding up page or Call 020 4634 7872 now.

Materials we use (and why)

Plywood vs OSB for door openings

We select material based on exposure, risk level, and opening size.

18mm exterior-grade plywood
Our go-to for many door openings because it’s strong, more resistant to splitting, and holds fixings well—important when a property is vulnerable after a break-in.
12mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
Suitable for smaller or lower-risk openings, internal doors, or where a temporary cover is needed while a replacement door is arranged.

We’ll always aim for a secure, stable fit—especially for street-facing entrances in busy parts of Bromley, where an unsecured opening can attract attention quickly.

Fixings and anti-tamper approach

Where possible, we use anti-tamper fixings or methods that can’t simply be unscrewed from outside. This is especially important for:

empty homes
rear access points and alleyways
commercial premises with predictable closing hours
repeat-target properties

If access allows, we may use internal bracing/battens so the board is anchored from the secure side. Every job is slightly different—our goal is always the same: a barrier that’s difficult to remove without creating noise/time exposure.

Temporary steel doors (when boarding isn’t enough)

For some properties, boarding is a short-term measure but not the best medium-term answer—particularly if:

the doorway will be used by trades (repairs, drying, clearance)
the property will be vacant for weeks
the risk of repeat attempts is high
insurers or managing agents request a more robust solution

A temporary steel door provides a lockable, re-usable security door solution that allows controlled access while keeping the property secured. It’s commonly used for:

void council or housing association properties
fire-damaged properties awaiting assessment/repairs
empty shops or offices between tenants
probate properties awaiting sale

If you’re unsure whether you need a temporary steel door or conventional boarding, tell us the situation and we’ll advise realistically—no upselling, just what’s appropriate for the risk.

Door boarding for different property types in Bromley

Residential doors (houses, flats, maisonettes)

Across Bromley you’ll find everything from Victorian and Edwardian stock (often with timber doors and original frames) to 1930s semis and modern flats with communal entrances. Forced entry often damages the frame as much as the lock—especially around night latches and multipoint systems.

We regularly secure:

front doors after lock snapping or hinge attacks
rear patio/side entrances where access is hidden from the street
porch doors and internal lobby entrances (where exposed to weather once damaged)

Commercial doors (shops, offices, restaurants)

Commercial entrances often need a balance of speed, security and keeping the premises presentable—especially if you’re on a parade and want to deter further attention. Where a site has shutters, we’ll work around them; where it’s a glass-and-aluminium system, we’ll choose a method that secures without creating unnecessary extra damage.

More on this: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding

Vacant properties and managed sites

If you’re a landlord, agent or facilities manager dealing with a void, your priorities are usually:

reliable security for longer periods
controlled access for contractors
documentation for your files

We can advise on steel security screens where appropriate for longer-term void security, particularly on ground floor entry points.
See: vacant property boarding

A realistic emergency scenario (what this looks like on the ground)

A typical call we receive is after an attempted break-in where the door won’t close and the frame is split around the lock area. The homeowner has already spoken to police and needs the entrance secured before trying to sleep.

In that situation, we’ll usually:

check whether the door leaf can be re-seated safely (sometimes it can’t)
measure and fit 18mm plywood to cover the opening
use a fixing method that can’t be easily removed from outside
take time-stamped photos once secure, and provide an itemised invoice suitable for insurer records

If, during assessment, it’s clear the property will be empty while repairs are arranged, we may recommend a temporary steel door instead—especially for street-facing entrances.

What you get from our door boarding service

A secure boarded door opening or temporary steel door (as agreed)
Practical advice on next steps (locksmith, glazing, replacement door ordering)
Time-stamped photos of the secured opening (on request)
An itemised invoice and work description suitable for landlord, agent or insurer paperwork
Related: pricing information and insurance claims guidance
Clear communication about limitations:
- We don’t guarantee specific arrival times (jobs vary and emergencies are prioritised)
- We secure the property; we don’t carry out full door replacement or fire remediation
- If the surrounding structure is unsafe, we’ll tell you and help you plan a safe approach

How to help us help you (especially out of hours)

If it’s safe, before we arrive:

Keep your police reference number (if applicable)
Take a few photos of the damage for your insurer
Remove valuables from view if you can do so safely
Let us know if there’s rear access, side gates, or communal entry codes
Tell us if the property is listed or has unusual door furniture/frames (common in parts of Bromley and nearby villages)

If there’s any risk of intruders still being inside, don’t approach—call 999 first.

FAQs – Door boarding in Bromley (BR)

Do you offer emergency door boarding in Bromley at night or on weekends?

Yes—urgent situations are a key part of what we do. Use our emergency boarding up page for immediate steps, or Call 020 4634 7872.

Can you board up a uPVC or composite door opening?

Yes. The approach depends on whether the frame is intact and where solid fixing points are available. If the frame is too damaged for a safe, secure fit, we’ll explain alternatives such as a temporary steel door.

Will boarding damage my frame or brickwork?

We aim to use the least destructive secure method available. However, if the frame is already split or crumbling, achieving proper security may require more invasive fixings. We’ll talk you through this before we proceed.

Do you provide paperwork for insurance?

We can provide itemised invoices and a clear description of works carried out, plus time-stamped photos if needed. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can support you with the documentation insurers typically request. See insurance claims support.

How much does door boarding cost in Bromley?

Costs depend on the size of the opening, the condition of the frame, materials used (plywood/OSB vs steel door), access, and whether it’s an emergency call-out. We don’t publish fixed prices because it wouldn’t be honest. For guidance on what affects cost, see pricing, then call for a quote.

Areas we cover (BR1–BR8)

We provide door boarding across Bromley and the BR postcode area, including Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington, West Wickham, Petts Wood and surrounding neighbourhoods. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

Helpful links

Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Contact info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.

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