Residential Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN) – Houses, Flats & Landlord Call-Outs

When something goes wrong at home—a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage, or a fire—your priority is simple: make the property safe and secure. We provide residential boarding up in Tonbridge and across the TN postcode area (TN1–TN40) for homeowners, tenants, landlords and letting agents who need an opening secured quickly and properly.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you’re dealing with a break-in or damage outside normal hours, you can speak to a real person and get practical help.

Need urgent help today or tonight? Call 01732 900 178 or email info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk.

Who this page is for

This page is for residential customers who need boarding up or temporary security measures for:

Houses (terraced, semi-detached, detached)
Flats and maisonettes (including blocks with shared entrances)
Let properties (between tenancies or after tenant-related damage)
Vacant/void homes awaiting sale, probate, or refurbishment

If you’re looking for urgent attendance, go straight to: emergency boarding up.

Typical residential call-outs we get in Tonbridge & the TN area

Residential damage tends to fall into a few common patterns. The cause is different, but the risk is the same: an exposed opening can invite further theft, weather damage, or injury.

1) Burglary or attempted break-in

Common issues include splintered door frames, snapped locks, and broken glazing (often ground-floor windows or patio doors).

What we do in these situations:

Secure the opening fast to prevent repeat entry
Use anti-tamper fixings where appropriate, especially if the property will be unattended
Provide photos and documentation you can pass to insurers or landlords
Related guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up and door boarding in Tonbridge.

2) A smashed window (accidental or malicious)

Football damage, DIY accidents, neighbour disputes, or vandalism can all result in a smashed window that needs a make safe quickly—especially if there are children or pets in the home.

Typical approach:

Remove obvious loose shards only if safe to do so
Board the opening using the correct sheet material and fixings
Aim to keep it as neat and weather-resistant as possible
See: window boarding in Tonbridge and vandalism repair.

3) Storm damage and wind-blown debris

After high winds, we often see cracked panes, dislodged panels, broken conservatory glazing, or rooflight issues.

In storm call-outs we focus on:

Temporary boarding that reduces water ingress
Securing loose elements where safely accessible
Advising clearly if something needs a roofer/structural contractor next
More detail: storm damage make-safe and roof boarding.

4) Fire damage (securing only)

After a fire, windows and doors may be compromised, and the property can be unsafe to leave open.

We can:

Secure broken or missing openings
Help prevent unauthorised access while you arrange next steps
Important note: we secure the property, but smoke/odour remediation and fire restoration are outside our scope.
See: fire damage securing.

5) Flood damage and swollen frames

Flooding can swell timber frames and doors so they won’t close properly. Even when water recedes, gaps and misalignment can leave the home insecure.

We can:

Board up vulnerable openings as a temporary measure
Discuss practical options if standard fixings aren’t possible due to the condition of the frame
See: flood damage make-safe.

6) Vacant homes, probate properties, and long refurbishments

If a home will be empty for weeks or months, quick “patch” boarding isn’t always enough. We’ll talk you through the right level of security for how long it needs to stand.

If you’re securing a void home specifically, also see: vacant property boarding solutions.

How we board up residential windows and doors (and why it matters)

Not all boarding is equal. In residential work, the goal is to secure the opening without causing unnecessary damage, and without making future repairs harder.

Materials we typically use

We select materials based on the opening size, exposure, and risk level:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for most residential windows and doors (strong, reliable, better for longer exposure)
12mm OSB for smaller openings or short-term use where appropriate

We’ll always choose the method that fits the situation rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Fixings and security approach

Depending on access and frame condition, we may use:

Through-bolting with penny washers to spread load (common for larger window openings)
Framing and bracing for wide spans where a single sheet would flex
Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of removal from outside—important if the property is unoccupied

If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Our aim is to secure your home effectively while keeping the next stage (glazier, locksmith, builder) straightforward.

Working in flats, maisonettes, and shared buildings

Residential call-outs aren’t always simple ground-floor access. We frequently deal with:

Flats above shops or in mixed-use buildings
Upper-floor windows
Shared entrances and communal areas

If access is restricted (entry fobs, concierge, gated parking), tell us on the phone so we can plan the safest approach.

What to do right now if your window or door is damaged

If you’ve had a break-in or there’s an exposed opening, these steps can help:

If there’s danger or a crime in progress, call 999.
If it’s a burglary, keep your police reference number—insurers often ask for it.
Take photos (only if safe) before anything is moved or boarded.
Move valuables away from the damaged area and keep children/pets clear.
Call us for advice and an attendance plan: Call 01732 900 178.

For more general background, see: what boarding up is and when it’s used.

What you get from us (useful for landlords and insurance)

A lot of residential customers are dealing with insurers, letting agents, or freeholders. To make that easier, we can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
An itemised invoice
A clear work statement describing what was secured and how

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically need. More guidance here: insurance claims support.

Residential services you can book (with the right solution for the job)

Residential jobs vary from a single board up broken window to securing multiple openings after major damage. These are the most relevant services for homes:

window boarding in Tonbridge – for cracked, broken, or vulnerable glazing
door boarding in Tonbridge – including forced entries and unstable frames
roof boarding – rooflights/skylights and overhead openings where safe access allows
shopfront boarding – sometimes needed for mixed-use properties or ground-floor units

If you’re unsure which applies, call and describe what’s happened. We’ll ask the right questions and explain options.

Where we cover for residential boarding up

We’re based around Tonbridge and cover TN postcodes (TN1–TN40). That includes the Tonbridge area and nearby towns and villages across Kent and surrounding TN districts.

For local pages, you may find these useful:

If you’re calling from a rural address, mention any access constraints (narrow lanes, long drives, restricted parking). It helps us arrive prepared.

Typical scenario (residential make-safe)

If a ground-floor window is smashed in the evening, the priority is to secure property and reduce exposure to weather and opportunistic entry. We’ll usually:

Confirm the opening size and type (window, patio door, side panel, etc.)
Advise on immediate safety (keep people away from glass, avoid touching unstable frames)
Attend and install a strong temporary board using appropriate fixings
Take completion photos and provide paperwork for your insurer/landlord

If additional issues are found—like a frame so compromised it won’t hold fixings—we’ll explain what’s possible and what needs a specialist (glazier, locksmith, builder) before doing anything that could make repairs harder.

FAQs – Residential boarding up in Tonbridge & TN

How quickly can you attend a residential emergency?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because workload and travel conditions vary, but if you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Can you board up a smashed window tonight?

Often, yes—this is a common emergency boarding up request. If you need someone to board up broken window damage tonight, call us and we’ll talk through the opening size, floor level, and any access issues.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim for secure fixing with minimal disruption. The best method depends on the condition of the frame and what we’re fixing into (timber, uPVC, masonry). If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

Is boarding up covered by home insurance?

Many policies cover reasonable costs to make safe after insured events (burglary, storm damage, accidental impact), but cover varies. We can provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support a claim. More help: insurance claims.

Can you board up a door after a break-in?

Yes. If you need to board up door damage after forced entry, we can secure it as a temporary measure and advise on the next step (often a locksmith and/or door replacement). See: door boarding.

What if the property is a flat with restricted access?

Tell us when you call—floor level, lift access, parking/loading restrictions, and whether there’s a concierge or entry system. We regularly work in flats and shared buildings, but access details can affect what we can carry and how we set up safely.

Do you secure conservatories and patio doors?

Yes, depending on the damage and access. Patio doors and conservatory panels can be awkward due to large spans and frame types, so we’ll ask for details and use bracing where needed.

Do you cover residential boarding up outside Tonbridge?

Yes—across the TN postcode area (TN1–TN40). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

Helpful links

Next step: secure your home and get it documented properly

If you need residential boarding up in Tonbridge or anywhere in the TN postcode area, we’ll talk you through the safest next step and what to expect.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.

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