FAQs — Boarding Up Tonbridge (TN Postcodes)

If you’re looking at this page, something has probably gone wrong — a smashed window, a forced door, or damage after bad weather. These FAQs explain how boarding up works in Tonbridge and across the TN postcode area, what happens when you call, and what you’ll need for insurance.

For urgent help, go straight to emergency boarding up or call now on 01732 900 178.

Quick answers (most asked)

  • Yes — we can secure broken windows and doors with temporary boarding and appropriate fixings.
  • We cover Tonbridge and the TN postcode area (TN1–TN40).
  • We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked.
  • We can provide insurer-friendly documentation (time-stamped photos, itemised invoice, and a work statement) for your claim.
  • We don’t guarantee a fixed arrival time — but we’ll give you a realistic ETA over the phone and prioritise urgent make-safe jobs.

When should I get boarding up?

Boarding up is usually needed when an opening has been compromised and the property can’t be left secure or weather-tight, for example:

  • A smashed window (vandalism, accidental impact, attempted break-in)
  • A door that’s been kicked in or won’t lock
  • A damaged shopfront or glazing panel
  • Storm damage where glass or frames are unsafe
  • Fire or flood incidents where windows/doors have been forced or left open by emergency services

If you’re unsure, it’s often better to make safe first and replace/repair properly once the site is secure. For context on what the work involves, see what is boarding up?.

How quickly can you attend in Tonbridge and the TN area?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours where needed. That said, we don’t promise fixed response times — traffic, weather, and workload make that unrealistic.

When you call 01732 900 178 we’ll:

  • Ask what’s happened and what needs securing
  • Confirm the location (Tonbridge / TN postcode)
  • Give you a realistic ETA based on current jobs

If it’s life-threatening or there’s a crime in progress, call 999 first. If you’ve been broken into, report it and keep your police reference number for your insurer.

What happens when I call?

A typical call-out follows a simple process:

  1. We take details and assess urgency
    What’s damaged, how large the opening is, whether it’s ground floor/upper floor, and if there are any hazards (loose glass, unstable frames).

  2. We attend to make safe and secure the property
    We’ll board up windows/doors/shopfronts or discuss alternatives such as a temporary steel door where appropriate.

  3. We provide documentation for your records/insurer
    Usually time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement.

If you need immediate help, use the dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

What materials do you use — plywood or OSB?

It depends on the opening, risk level, and how long the property needs to remain secured.

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for robust boarding, especially for larger openings or higher-risk situations.
  • OSB (often 12mm) may be used for smaller openings or where a shorter-term solution is suitable.

We’ll also select fixings based on the frame and location. In higher-risk settings (e.g., a property left unattended), anti-tamper fixings can help prevent removal from the outside.

If you specifically need window protection, see window boarding in Tonbridge.

Can you board up a door that’s been forced?

Yes. If the door is damaged, the frame is split, or the lock has failed, we can secure it using appropriate boarding methods — and in some cases a more suitable solution is fitting a temporary steel door for better medium-term security.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding so you can make an informed decision.

More detail here: door boarding in Tonbridge.

Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?

Yes — shopfront boarding is common after vandalism, attempted break-ins, or accidental impact. Commercial jobs often involve:

  • Larger panels and wider spans
  • Higher visibility sites (high street footfall)
  • Access planning (delivery bays, shutters, pedestrian management)
  • Out-of-hours working to reduce disruption where possible

If you’re a business owner or facilities contact, see shopfront boarding in Tonbridge and commercial property boarding up.

Can you board up a rooflight or skylight?

In many cases, yes. Roof and overhead openings can be more complex due to height, access, and weatherproofing requirements. The goal is to secure the opening and reduce water ingress risk until proper repairs can be completed.

Read more: roof boarding in Tonbridge.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, yes — especially after events like burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental impact. Policies vary, so it’s best to check with your insurer as early as possible.

What usually helps your claim:

  • A clear description of what happened (and when)
  • A crime reference number (if applicable)
  • Photos of the damage (take these before we arrive if safe)
  • Documentation from us: photos, invoice, and work statement

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we provide the paperwork insurers typically ask for. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

How much does boarding up cost in Tonbridge?

Costs vary because every job is different. The main factors are:

  • Size and number of openings (single pane vs full shopfront)
  • Material choice (plywood/OSB) and fixing method
  • Access (upper floors, rear access only, tight parking)
  • Time of day (standard hours vs out of hours)
  • Whether the frame is intact or needs a different approach

We avoid quoting random “from” prices because they rarely reflect real call-outs. For a clearer explanation of what affects price, see pricing. For a quote, call 01732 900 178.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the size and complexity of the opening(s). A straightforward board up broken window may be relatively quick once we’re on site, while multiple openings, shopfronts, or damaged frames can take longer.

If speed matters (for example, you can’t leave the property unsecured), tell us when you call and we’ll advise what’s realistic.

Do you remove broken glass?

We can make the area safe so it can be secured properly, but full glazing removal, replacement, or specialist clean-up may need a dedicated glazing or remediation contractor depending on the damage.

If there’s a risk of injury from loose shards, keep people away from the area and let us know before we arrive.

Can you secure a property that’s vacant or between tenants?

Yes. Vacant properties are a common target for opportunistic entry, so security needs to be robust and durable. Depending on your needs, we may recommend solutions beyond standard temporary boarding, including longer-term options such as security screens or a temporary steel door.

See: vacant property boarding up.

Do you work with landlords, letting agents, and housing teams?

Yes. We regularly help:

  • Landlords and letting agents handling break-ins or tenant move-outs
  • Managing agents and facilities teams dealing with out-of-hours incidents
  • Business owners needing a shopfront boarded up quickly

We can provide the documentation you need for your records and to support insurance/admin processes.

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe to do so:

  • Keep people away from the damaged area, especially children and pets
  • Take a few photos for your insurer (don’t put yourself at risk)
  • If it’s a burglary/vandalism incident, report it and keep the reference number
  • If you can safely do so, close internal doors to reduce drafts and weather exposure
  • Don’t attempt to clear large shards or unstable frames without PPE

If you’re not sure what’s safe, call and we’ll talk you through sensible next steps.

What areas do you cover?

We’re based for Tonbridge and cover TN postcodes (TN1–TN40), including surrounding towns and villages across Kent and the wider TN area.

You can start here: areas we cover or view a local page such as boarding up in Tonbridge (TN9).

Are your technicians insured and DBS-checked?

Yes — we are fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need documentation for a facilities file or contractor onboarding, ask when you call and we’ll advise what we can provide.

What’s the difference between a repair and boarding up?

Boarding up is a temporary security and make-safe measure designed to:

  • secure property
  • reduce risk of further entry
  • protect against weather exposure (as much as practicable)

Repairs (like new glazing or replacement doors) are the permanent fix and are typically completed by the appropriate trade once the site is secured.

For situation-specific guidance, you may find these pages useful:

Can you help if the frame is badly damaged?

Often, yes — but the approach may change. If the surrounding frame or masonry is too weak to take standard fixings, we’ll explain what’s possible on site. In some cases we can still secure the opening; in others, a different temporary method may be required before boarding can be fitted safely.

We won’t carry out avoidable damage. If we believe a non-destructive method won’t hold, we’ll tell you why and discuss options.

Do I need to be at the property?

Ideally, yes — especially for residential jobs — because we may need access, confirmation of what you want secured, and to talk through any risks.

For commercial or managed sites, if you can’t attend, we can often work with:

  • a keyholder
  • a building manager
  • a facilities contact

If access is restricted (flats above shops, rear-only entry, gated alleys), tell us when you call so we arrive prepared.

Can you send photos and paperwork for my insurer?

Yes. We can provide:

  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed make-safe work
  • An itemised invoice
  • A short work statement describing what we did and why (e.g., “secure property after burglary”, “temporary boarding to prevent access”)

See insurance claims support for what insurers typically ask for.

Need help now?

If you need emergency boarding up in Tonbridge or anywhere in the TN postcode area, call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk