What Is Boarding Up? A Practical Guide for Bromley (BR1–BR8)

Boarding up is the process of securing a damaged, vulnerable, or exposed opening—most often a window, door, or shopfront—using robust sheet materials and tamper-resistant fixings. In Bromley and across the BR postcodes, it’s usually needed after a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, fire, or an accident, when you need the property made safe and secure quickly.

If you’re dealing with a stressful situation right now, you don’t need a long technical lecture—you need clarity on what happens next, what “good” boarding up looks like, and what you’ll receive for your insurance or landlord. This page explains the basics, the options, and when to choose each approach.

For urgent help, use our emergency boarding up page or call us directly: Call 020 4634 7872.

When boarding up is needed (and when it isn’t)

Most people in Bromley search “what is boarding up” right after something has happened. Common triggers we see across BR1–BR8 include:

When boarding up might not be the right first step

Boarding up is about security and safety, not repair. In some cases you may be better served by:

  • A same-day glazier (if the frame and aperture are intact and glazing can be replaced quickly)
  • A locksmith (if the door is secure but the lock is compromised)
  • A roofer (if the issue is structural roof damage rather than a rooflight/opening)

If you call us and boarding up isn’t the most appropriate option, we’ll tell you plainly. Sometimes a property can be made safe with a simpler temporary measure, and sometimes the damage is too extensive for a non-destructive method without discussing options first.

What “good” boarding up actually means

Boarding up isn’t just putting timber over a hole. Done properly, it should:

  • Prevent easy access (including from outside)
  • Reduce risk to people (sharp edges, unstable glass, exposed openings)
  • Protect against weather where practical (especially overnight or before a contractor can attend)
  • Avoid unnecessary damage to frames and surrounding finishes
  • Be appropriate to the property type (home vs. shopfront vs. vacant unit)

In Bromley, we often work around everything from Victorian and Edwardian homes (bay windows, timber sashes) to 1930s semis and modern flats, plus shopfronts near busy parade areas. The method that suits a timber sash isn’t always what suits aluminium commercial frames or curtain walling.

What we board up: windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs

Boarding up can apply to more than just a broken pane.

Window boarding

If a window is broken, cracked, or insecure, we can secure it with correctly sized sheet material and suitable fixings.

Door boarding (and temporary steel doors)

When a door has been forced, the frame split, or the lock area is damaged, boarding can secure the opening. For some properties—especially if you need access for trades or inspections—boarding isn’t always practical long term.

Shopfront boarding

Retail and commercial glazing is often larger, more exposed, and more tempting for repeat attempts. A good shopfront board-up needs to be robust, tidy, and mindful of the public realm—especially if the unit fronts a pavement.

Roof and skylight boarding

Rooflights and skylights can be vulnerable after storm damage, impact, or attempted entry. Access and safety are key here, and the aim is usually to secure and weatherproof the opening until proper repairs are arranged.

Materials and methods: plywood vs OSB (and why it matters)

You’ll often hear “plywood” used as shorthand for boarding, but materials vary—and so does performance.

Exterior-grade plywood (often preferred for security-critical work)

  • Strong, stable, and durable
  • Commonly used in 18mm thickness for larger or higher-risk openings
  • Better resistance to splitting and flexing when properly fixed

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

  • Useful for smaller openings or where the risk profile is lower
  • Commonly 12mm for lighter-duty applications
  • Can be a sensible option in some domestic situations, but it’s not “one size fits all”

Fixings and tamper resistance

A secure board-up relies heavily on how it’s fixed:

  • Anti-tamper fixings help prevent removal from outside—especially important if the property will be unattended.
  • We aim for methods that are secure without causing needless additional damage.
    If the frame or reveal is already compromised, we’ll explain what’s realistically possible before proceeding.

What to expect when you call us (step-by-step)

When you contact Boarding Up Bromley, we keep it practical:

  1. We take details: address/postcode (BR1–BR8), what’s happened, what’s damaged, whether anyone is at risk.
  2. You can send photos (if safe): it helps us arrive with the right board sizes and fixings.
  3. We agree the approach: for example, internal board-up vs external, whether a door needs a more secure temporary solution, and any access constraints (communal entrances, rear access, alarms).
  4. We carry out the work: making the opening safe, secure, and as neat as the situation allows.
  5. You receive documentation: typically itemised paperwork suitable for landlords, managing agents, and insurers, plus time-stamped photos where appropriate.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary, but we do prioritise urgent vulnerabilities—especially if a ground-floor opening is exposed or the property can’t be secured.

Aftercare: what boarding up does and doesn’t do

Boarding up is usually the first step, not the final step.

What it does

  • Secures access points after damage
  • Helps deter opportunistic entry
  • Makes the site safer until glazing/repairs can be completed

What it doesn’t do

  • It doesn’t replace the need for glazing repairs, joinery, or structural work
  • It doesn’t remove smoke odours or restore fire-damaged interiors (we secure the property after a fire)
  • It doesn’t act as a legal guarantee of prevention—no physical security is perfect, but correct methods reduce risk significantly

If you need a secure solution while the property is empty between tenancies or refurbishment, consider planned measures via our vacant property boarding services page.

Boarding up in Bromley: local realities that affect the job

Across Bromley and the wider BR area, we regularly encounter factors that influence how boarding up is done:

  • Bay windows and period timber frames in older housing stock, where fixings must be chosen carefully
  • Mixed residential and retail parades where shopfront boarding needs to be sturdy and safe for pedestrians
  • Flats and maisonettes with communal access, entry systems, and restrictions on how works are carried out
  • Properties left unoccupied after a break-in, probate, or sale—where anti-tamper methods matter most

If you’re looking for a nearby team who understands your specific part of the borough, you can also browse our areas we cover or see local pages such as boarding up Bromley (BR1) and boarding up Beckenham (BR3).

Insurance and documentation (what insurers usually want)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we can help you stay organised.

If you’re making a claim, it often helps to have:

  • A brief description of what happened (burglary, storm, accident, etc.)
  • A crime reference number (if the police attended)
  • Photos of the damage (before boarding up, if safe)
  • An itemised invoice and work statement

More guidance is available on our insurance claims help page.

FAQs about boarding up in Bromley

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the size and number of openings, access, and the condition of the frame. A straightforward domestic window can often be secured quickly, while shopfronts, multiple panes, or damaged door frames can take longer due to measuring, load handling, and fixings.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in Bromley?

Many policies cover emergency measures to prevent further loss after incidents like burglary, storm damage, or accidental impact—but coverage varies. Keep paperwork and photos. Our insurance claims help page explains what to collect.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to use the least destructive method that still provides real security. If the surrounding structure is already damaged—or if a secure fix requires mechanical fixing—we’ll explain options and likely outcomes before starting.

Can you board up a shopfront safely on a busy street?

Yes—shopfront boarding is designed to secure large glazing areas while keeping edges neat and fixings robust. If your premises are commercial, see shopfront boarding and commercial property boarding up.

I’m in a BR postcode—do you cover my area?

We cover Bromley and the BR postcode area (BR1–BR8). Use our areas we cover page to find your nearest local page, or call and we’ll confirm.

Next steps

If you need to secure a property after damage—or you’re planning ahead for a vacant unit—tell us what’s happened and we’ll talk you through the safest option.

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