Shopfront Boarding in Bromley (BR) – Emergency Shopfront Security
A smashed shopfront is stressful, especially if it happens at closing time, overnight, or just before a weekend. If your glazing has been broken, your frame is compromised, or you’ve been targeted during a break-in, we provide shopfront boarding in Bromley and across the BR postcodes to secure the opening quickly and reduce further risk.
For urgent help, use our emergency service: emergency boarding up.
Need assistance now? Call 020 4634 7872 or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.
When you need shopfront boarding (and why speed matters)
A damaged shopfront isn’t just a broken pane — it’s an open invitation for further theft, vandalism, weather damage, and liability issues. We’re often called out for:
- Burglary or attempted break-in where the glass has been smashed or a door has been forced
(see: boarding up after burglary) - Vandalism, including repeated attacks on the same frontage
(see: vandalism repairs and boarding) - Impact damage (vehicle bumps into a frontage, delivery accident, fallen street furniture)
(see: accident damage securing) - Storm damage where glazing, signage, or frames have loosened and become unsafe
(see: storm damage boarding) - Fire brigade/police access where panels or doors have been forced for entry
(see: post-fire boarding)
If the premises will be unattended (even for a night), proper boarding with secure fixings is usually the safest short-term measure until a glazier can replace the unit.
Shopfront boarding for Bromley’s retail and mixed-use areas
Bromley’s commercial areas range from larger town-centre units to smaller parades and corner shops. We regularly secure shopfronts in and around:
- Bromley town centre near The Glades, East Street and the High Street
- Beckenham around Beckenham Junction and the busy shops along the High Street
- Orpington around Orpington High Street and the areas near Orpington Station
We also cover the rest of the BR postcode area — if you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
What “shopfront boarding” actually involves
Shopfront boarding is the process of securing a commercial frontage (typically a large glazed area and/or entrance) using robust sheet material and fixings so the opening can’t be easily removed from the outside.
Depending on the damage, it can include:
- Boarding full-height glazed panels
- Boarding doors and sidelights
- Securing internal/external access points created by breakage
- Making the area safe where there are dangerous shards or unstable frames (within sensible limits)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. We’re here to secure the property — not to create further damage unnecessarily.
Materials we use (and when)
We select materials based on opening size, exposure, and how long the premises may be left secured.
Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm)
For most shopfront boarding jobs, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is the go-to. It’s strong, stable, and handles larger spans better than thinner boards.
Best for:
- Larger shopfront panels
- Higher-risk frontages (main roads, town-centre units)
- Sites where the property may be unattended
OSB (often 12mm, where appropriate)
OSB (oriented strand board) can be suitable for smaller openings or where boarding is a very short-term measure, depending on the site risk and fixing method.
Best for:
- Smaller panes/openings
- Lower-risk side windows or secondary panels
We’ll always choose a thickness that matches the opening and the security risk. If you’ve been targeted, stronger boards and more secure fixings are usually the sensible route.
Fixing methods: how we keep boards secure (and as tidy as possible)
Commercial boarding needs to be secure — but also practical. Businesses often need to manage signage, alarms, shutters, and access for staff.
Common approaches include:
- Through-bolting with anti-tamper fixings (preferred where suitable)
This makes removal from the outside far more difficult — important if the unit is closed or the property is vacant. - Timber bracing / internal battens where we can spread load and reduce stress on frames
Helpful on larger openings where a single sheet needs extra stability. - Careful edge positioning to reduce gaps and prevent boards rubbing against damaged glazing or frames
We aim for a secure fit that’s not “flapping in the wind” and not relying on a handful of screws. If there’s an alarm contact or sensor that needs consideration, tell us when you call — we’ll plan around it where possible.
If your entry door is damaged rather than the glazing, you may need door boarding in Bromley or a more robust temporary access solution.
Temporary steel doors and security screens for higher-risk shopfronts
Boarding is ideal for immediate, short-term security. If the premises will be empty for longer (for example, while waiting on a specialist shopfront system, or during a renovation), we’ll talk you through more secure options.
- Temporary steel doors: useful where the main entrance can’t be secured and you need controlled access
- Steel security screens: suited to voids or repeated targeting where you need medium-term protection
If you’re securing a site longer-term, it may also be relevant to look at vacant property boarding.
What to expect when you call us (especially out of hours)
When you contact us for emergency shopfront boarding, we’ll keep it straightforward.
- Quick questions on the phone
Location (postcode), type of premises, what’s broken, whether the site is safe, and whether police are in attendance. - On-site assessment
We’ll check the opening, the frame condition, and the safest fixing method. - Boarding and securing
We install boards to cover the vulnerable area and reduce the chance of removal from outside. - Documentation for your records/insurer
You can request time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement for claims.
We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times — jobs vary and conditions can change — but we prioritise genuine emergencies, especially when a shopfront is open to the street.
For urgent help, go to 24-hour emergency boarding up in Bromley.
A realistic Bromley shopfront scenario (what we typically see)
A small retail unit near Bromley South station calls late evening after an attempted break-in: the glazed panel beside the entrance has been smashed, and the internal lock area is now exposed. The tenant is worried someone will return once the street quietens down.
We attend, measure the opening, and install 18mm exterior plywood with anti-tamper fixings so the panel can’t be removed from outside. We leave the entrance operable where possible (or advise on secure closure if it’s not), then provide photos and an itemised invoice so the tenant can pass it to their insurer and landlord the next morning.
That’s the goal: secure the site, reduce the chance of repeat entry, and give you the paperwork you need.
If you’re dealing with insurance, landlords, or facilities teams
We’re used to working with:
- Shop owners and tenants
- Landlords and managing agents
- Facilities management teams
- Insurers/claims handlers (we’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the documentation they typically request)
If you can, keep hold of:
- Your crime reference number (if police attended)
- Photos of the damage (only if it’s safe)
- Any notes on what was stolen/damaged for your insurer
For more guidance, see: insurance claims support.
Shopfront boarding FAQs (Bromley & BR)
Can you board up my shop window tonight in Bromley?
Yes — for urgent incidents, use our emergency boarding up service. Call 020 4634 7872 and we’ll advise on the next steps.
What if the aluminium shopfront frame is bent or loose?
We can often still secure the opening, but fixing options depend on how compromised the frame is. If the frame is too unstable for a secure installation, we’ll explain the safest approach before we start.
Will boarding damage my shopfront further?
We use methods designed to be secure and proportionate. Where non-destructive options are suitable, we’ll use them. Sometimes, after heavy impact or forced entry, the frame condition limits the choices — we’ll talk you through that on site.
Do you cover Beckenham, Orpington and Chislehurst as well as Bromley?
Yes — we cover BR1–BR8. You can confirm coverage on areas we cover or check your local page such as boarding up Bromley BR1 and boarding up Beckenham BR3.
Do you provide invoices and photos for insurance?
We can provide an itemised invoice/work statement and time-stamped photos on request. We’re not insurance adjusters, but we’re familiar with what insurers typically need for emergency securing work.
Related services you might need alongside shopfront boarding
Depending on the incident, you may also need:
- window boarding in Bromley for side windows or upper-floor glazing
- door boarding in Bromley if the entrance door has been forced
- roof boarding if there’s damage to skylights or overhead glazing
- Advice on the underlying event (burglary, vandalism, storm): situations we handle
Ready to secure your shopfront?
If your shopfront has been damaged or left vulnerable, we’ll help you secure it and document the work so you can move forward with repairs.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Or email info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk.
