Accident Damage Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN) – Make Safe After Impact
Accident damage can happen in seconds: a vehicle clips a front wall, a delivery mishap cracks glazing, or something heavy strikes a door or window. If you’re dealing with a sudden impact and an exposed opening, we provide accident damage boarding up in Tonbridge and across the TN postcode area to help you make safe and secure the property until permanent repairs are arranged.
If you need urgent help, use our emergency service page and call straight away: emergency boarding up or Call 01732 900 178.
When accident damage typically happens (and why it needs urgent securing)
Accident/impact damage isn’t always dramatic, but it often leaves your property vulnerable—especially if glass is cracked, frames are split, or a doorway won’t close properly. We’re commonly called out when:
- A car or van hits a boundary wall, shopfront, garage door, or bay window
- A reversing incident damages a door, shutter, or frame
- Falling debris breaks glazing or punctures a panel
- A workplace impact (pallets, trolleys, plant equipment) cracks a window or door
- A cyclist or pedestrian accident results in shattered glass (often shopfront glazing)
Even “small” impacts can create a security issue: cracked glass can fail later, frames can be pulled out of square, and a door that looks closed may not lock properly. If the property will be unattended—or you can’t guarantee the opening is secure—temporary boarding is usually the safest short-term solution.
First steps after impact damage (before we arrive)
If it’s safe to do so, these steps help protect people and support insurance:
- Check for injuries and call emergency services if required.
- Do not touch cracked/tensioned glass—it can collapse suddenly.
- Keep the area clear, especially around shopfronts and doorways.
- Take photos of the damage (only if safe), including wider shots.
- If police or a responsible authority attends, note any reference numbers.
- Call your insurer early if you can—many prefer you to prevent further loss.
When you’re ready, Call 01732 900 178 and we’ll talk through the situation and what’s needed to board up a broken window, board up a door, or secure a larger opening.
What we do: making the property safe and secure after an accident
Accident damage often involves more than just a broken pane. Our job is to stabilise the situation, make safe, and reduce the chance of theft, weather damage, or further injury.
1) Safety-first assessment on arrival
We’ll start with a practical check:
- What’s failed (glass, frame, locks, hinges, surrounding structure)
- Whether there are loose shards or unstable sections
- Whether non-destructive fixing is possible (to avoid causing additional damage)
- Whether the opening needs boarding, a temporary door solution, or screening
If the frame is too damaged to safely fix boards in the usual way, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
2) Boarding up windows after impact
For most domestic and commercial windows, we use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security and improved weather resistance
- 12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk openings (where appropriate)
We fix boards using methods suited to the opening and condition of the frame, including anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of removal from outside—particularly important if the property is vacant or will be unattended overnight.
If you specifically need window boarding, see: window boarding in Tonbridge.
3) Securing damaged doors and entrances
A door impact can break the lock area, crack the door leaf, or shift the frame so it won’t latch. Depending on what’s happened, we can:
- Board up the door to prevent access
- Fit a temporary steel door when the entrance needs medium-term security (for example, where a doorway can’t be reliably boarded or needs controlled access)
If door security is your main concern, see: door boarding in Tonbridge.
4) Shopfronts and larger openings (commercial make-safe)
For retail or mixed-use buildings, accident damage often affects larger panes or full frontage sections. The priority is to secure the opening quickly and safely, while considering public access and business interruption.
We can provide shopfront boarded up solutions using appropriately sized panels and fixings, with careful attention to edges, frames, and how people move around the frontage.
More detail here: shopfront boarding in Tonbridge.
5) Roof panels, skylights and overhead damage
Impact damage isn’t always ground level—storm-thrown debris or falling branches can break rooflights and skylights. These need a different approach due to access and weatherproofing.
If the damage is overhead, see: roof boarding in Tonbridge.
Typical scenario: accident damage on a busy day (what happens next)
If a vehicle clips a property and leaves a smashed window or exposes an entrance, the priorities are usually:
- Secure the opening so the property can be locked and left safely
- Prevent weather ingress (especially overnight)
- Provide clear documentation for insurers and property managers
- Leave the site in a safe condition for occupants, staff, or tenants
Sometimes the glazing company or builder will attend later. Boarding up bridges that gap—helping you secure property after an accident without rushing into permanent decisions while everything is still being assessed.
What you’ll receive for insurance and records
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we do provide the documentation insurers typically ask for after emergency boarding up:
- Time-stamped photos of the opening before and after we secure it
- An itemised invoice
- A brief work statement describing the method and materials used
If you’re dealing with a claim, this page may help: insurance claims support.
Accident damage: residential vs commercial considerations
Residential properties
In Tonbridge and across the TN area, we regularly secure:
- Houses with front or rear window impacts
- Flats and maisonettes where access and shared entrances matter
- Garages and side doors that become easy entry points after a knock
If you’re a homeowner, tenant or landlord, you may also find this useful: residential boarding up.
Commercial and mixed-use buildings
For shops, offices, and units with flats above, the pressure is often higher: you may need to protect stock, keep staff safe, and prevent further disruption—especially out of hours.
See: commercial boarding up.
Vacant properties after an incident
If a property is empty between tenants or awaiting repair, accident damage can be a magnet for opportunistic entry. In those cases, we’ll discuss stronger short- to medium-term options (such as a temporary steel door or security screening, depending on what’s appropriate).
See: vacant property boarding up.
Why temporary boarding is often the right first step
Permanent repairs after impact damage can take time—parts, trades, approvals, or an insurer visit. Boarding is a practical “stop the bleeding” step:
- Helps secure property quickly after a break or impact
- Reduces risk of theft and further vandalism
- Helps protect interiors from wind and rain
- Keeps the site safer for occupants and passers-by
- Gives you time to choose the right permanent fix
If you’re comparing options and want an overview, see: what is boarding up?.
How our emergency accident-damage call-outs work (Tonbridge & TN)
We cover Tonbridge and TN1–TN40, and we prioritise urgent calls. We can’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, weather and job complexity vary—but if you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
For urgent attendance, go straight to: emergency boarding up or Call 01732 900 178.
FAQs – Accident damage boarding up in Tonbridge
How quickly can you attend after an accident?
We prioritise urgent make safe work and will aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t quote guaranteed response times, but we will give you a realistic ETA when you call based on current workload and location.
Can you board up a broken window tonight?
Yes—if you need to board up broken window openings out of hours, call 01732 900 178 and we’ll advise on the safest next step.
Do I need to clear the glass before you arrive?
No. In many cases it’s safer not to touch damaged glass. If safe to do so, keep people away from the area and leave the rest to us.
Can you board up a door that won’t lock after impact?
Yes. We can board up door openings where locks, frames, or hinges are compromised. If boarding isn’t suitable or you need controlled access, we can discuss a temporary door option.
My shopfront has been hit—can you secure it the same day?
In many cases, yes. We regularly secure shopfront boarded up openings for retail and mixed-use buildings. Call and we’ll confirm the best approach and an ETA.
Will boarding damage my frames further?
We use appropriate fixing methods for the condition of the opening and aim to avoid unnecessary additional damage. If the frame is already too compromised for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options before we proceed.
Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it can be, but cover varies by policy and circumstance. We provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. More guidance is here: insurance claims support.
What if the opening is very large or irregular?
That’s common with accident impacts, especially on commercial properties. We’ll assess on arrival and use suitable panel sizes and fixing points. If we can’t safely secure it as expected, we’ll explain what’s possible before continuing.
Do you cover my area outside Tonbridge?
Yes—we cover Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40). You can browse location pages via areas we cover.
Related services for accident damage
Depending on what was hit and what’s exposed, these pages may help:
- window boarding in Tonbridge
- door boarding in Tonbridge
- shopfront boarding in Tonbridge
- roof boarding in Tonbridge
If the incident has left your property open right now, use: emergency boarding up.
Need help after accident damage in Tonbridge or the TN area?
Accident damage is stressful, especially when you’re trying to keep people safe and protect your home or premises. We’ll talk you through the next steps and secure the opening with the right materials and fixings.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk
