Storm Damage Boarding Up in Bromley (BR1–BR8)

Storm damage rarely arrives at a convenient time. One hard night of wind and driving rain can crack glazing, tear felt from a flat roof, or knock loose a soffit that then takes out a window below. If you need storm damage boarding in Bromley, we’ll help you secure the property, reduce further water ingress, and make the building safe until permanent repairs can be arranged.

For urgent help, use our emergency boarding up service or call now: Call 020 4634 7872.

We cover the full BR postcode area, including Bromley town centre, Beckenham, Chislehurst, Orpington and surrounding neighbourhoods.

When storm damage typically happens in Bromley

Bromley is exposed enough that strong gusts can funnel along open spaces and higher ground. We often see call-outs after:

Gales across open areas such as Keston Common and around High Elms Country Park, where wind can catch older fences, garden structures and roof edges.
Driving rain pushing into already-tired seals on older timber frames, common in Victorian and Edwardian streets around Bromley North and pockets of Beckenham.
Falling branches from mature trees in places like Church House Gardens or along residential roads near Chislehurst Commons, where heavy limbs can strike conservatory roofs, skylights or bay windows.
Storm debris hitting shopfront glazing and entrances along Bromley High Street and near The Glades, especially when bins, signage or loose materials get blown about overnight.

Even if the damage looks minor at first, a cracked pane or missing tile can quickly become an internal leak, warped flooring, or an easy entry point if the building is left unattended.

What to do straight away (before we arrive)

If you’ve had storm damage, these steps help protect you, your family/tenants, and the claim process:

Check for immediate danger
If there are downed power lines, structural movement, or a risk of collapse, keep clear and call emergency services.
Avoid handling broken glass
Don’t try to tape up shattered panes or move large shards—injuries are common. Keep people away from the area.
Take photos if it’s safe
A few clear photos from inside and outside (without putting yourself at risk) can help with insurers and contractors.
Keep paperwork handy
If your insurer asks, note the date/time, what happened, and what has been damaged. If police attend due to secondary issues (e.g., burglary after storm damage), keep the reference number.
Call for securing
If rain is getting in, or the property is vulnerable, don’t wait. Call 020 4634 7872 or use our contact page.

We can’t provide fixed arrival-time guarantees (storms affect traffic and workload), but we prioritise urgent jobs where security or weatherproofing is critical.

How we secure storm-damaged properties (our approach)

Storm damage isn’t one-size-fits-all. A small crack in a sash window needs a different solution to a blown-in shopfront or a damaged rooflight. Our goal is simple: make the opening safe, secure, and as weather-resistant as practical until glazing or building repairs are completed.

1) Initial checks and safe access

On arrival we’ll assess:

The size and location of the opening (ground floor, first floor, roof level)
The condition of the frame/substrate (sound enough to fix into, or compromised)
Any internal hazards (loose glass, water ingress, ceiling bulges)
Whether the property will be occupied or vacant (security needs differ)

If access is difficult (rear gardens, side alleys, restricted parking near busy areas like Bromley South), we’ll work with you on the safest and least disruptive way to get the job done.

2) Boarding method and materials (what we use and why)

We typically use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings where strength matters
12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk openings where appropriate

Fixing methods depend on the frame and site conditions:

Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a clear security risk (important if the property will be empty)
Non-destructive fixing where possible (for example, where the frame allows secure fixing without unnecessary damage)
If a frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

We aim to balance security with minimising further damage, especially on older properties where timber frames and decorative trims are easier to harm if rushed.

3) Weatherproofing and reducing further damage

Boarding up won’t “repair” storm damage, but it can reduce the ongoing impact:

Covering openings to help limit rain penetration
Securing loose edges and preventing wind-driven movement from worsening cracks
Advising if the opening is better handled by roof boarding rather than standard window boarding (common with rooflights and skylights)

For roof-level issues, see roof boarding in Bromley.

4) Documentation for insurers and landlords

After we’ve secured the property, we can provide what insurers and agents typically need:

Time-stamped photos (before/after)
An itemised invoice
A clear statement of work describing what was done and what materials were used

We’re not loss adjusters and can’t advise on policy coverage, but our paperwork is designed to support your insurance claim process.

Storm damage scenarios we handle most often

Broken or blown-in windows

This can be anything from a cracked pane to an entire bay window being compromised by debris or pressure changes. In Bromley, we often see it on:

Bay-fronted period homes
1930s semis with larger front windows
Upper-floor flats where wind exposure is higher

Relevant service: window boarding in Bromley.

Damaged doors and forced entries after storms

Storms can damage hinges, frames and locks—especially if a door slams repeatedly in high winds or the frame swells after water ingress. We can secure entrances and, where needed, fit a more robust temporary solution.

Relevant service: door boarding in Bromley.

Shopfront glazing and commercial entrances

Commercial properties can’t just “wait until morning” if the frontage is exposed. We board up shopfronts to protect stock, prevent access, and reduce the chance of further damage.

Relevant service: shopfront boarding in Bromley.

Roof openings, rooflights and skylights

Storms often target the vulnerable parts of a roof: felt edges, rooflights, skylights and flashing points. If rain is entering from above, a window-style board-up may not solve it.

Relevant service: roof boarding in Bromley.

A realistic local example (micro case study)

A landlord in Shortlands (BR2) called after overnight wind had dislodged a fence panel, which then hit a ground-floor rear window. The property backs onto a sheltered garden, but the opening was still exposed to rain and visible from a side path.

We attended, cleared loose glass hazards as far as was safe, and installed an exterior-grade plywood board using secure fixings suitable for the existing timber frame. We then provided time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice so the landlord could progress the insurer notification and arrange glazing replacement. The tenant could remain in the property with the opening secured and weather risk reduced.

Residential, commercial and vacant properties: what changes?

Homes and flats

We prioritise occupant safety and practical disruption:

Keeping sharp edges contained
Securing openings without making access impossible
Clear explanations so you know what’s temporary and what needs follow-on repair

Shops, offices and other commercial sites

Commercial jobs often need additional coordination:

Safer access around pedestrians and shopfront areas
Out-of-hours work where trading is affected
Clear documentation for facilities management teams

Vacant and void properties

If the building is empty (between tenancies, probate, renovation), storm damage can quickly turn into a security incident. In these cases we may recommend more robust medium-term solutions than basic timber boarding, depending on risk.

See: vacant property boarding up.

What it’s like to book us (and what you can expect)

When you call 020 4634 7872 we’ll ask a few quick questions to get the right solution first time:

What’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof)?
Is anyone inside the property?
Are there hazards (loose glass, water pouring in, exposed street frontage)?
Your location and postcode (BR1–BR8)
Whether you need documentation for insurers/landlord/facilities team

Then we’ll:

Attend and assess the safest fixing method
Secure the opening using appropriate materials
Provide photos and paperwork on request

If the damage is more complex than boarding (e.g., structural movement, major roof failure), we’ll be honest about what we can do and what needs a specialist contractor. Our job is securing and making safe, not full building restoration.

FAQs about storm damage boarding up in Bromley

Can you board up a window the same day after storm damage in Bromley?

Often, yes—especially when the opening is exposed or there’s a security risk. Conditions vary during storms, so we can’t promise a fixed arrival time, but we prioritise urgent situations. For immediate help, use emergency boarding up or call 020 4634 7872.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after storm damage?

It may be, depending on your policy and excess. We’re not able to confirm coverage, but we can provide photos and an itemised invoice that insurers typically ask for. See insurance claims help.

What materials do you use for storm damage boarding?

Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength on larger openings, and 12mm OSB for smaller areas where suitable. The fixing method depends on the frame condition and security risk.

My rooflight/skylight is broken—do you handle that?

Yes. Roof-level openings often need a different approach due to weather exposure and access. Start with roof boarding in Bromley and call us to discuss the details.

Do you cover my area in the BR postcodes?

Yes—we cover Bromley and the wider BR area, including places like Beckenham (BR3), West Wickham (BR4), Orpington (BR6) and Swanley (BR8). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

Need storm damage boarding up in Bromley?

If wind, rain or debris has left your property exposed, don’t wait for the next downpour—or for someone to notice an easy way in.

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

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