What Is Boarding Up? (A Practical Guide for Tonbridge & the TN Area)

Boarding up is a quick, practical way to secure an opening in a property—most commonly a broken window, damaged door, or compromised shopfront—using strong sheet materials and secure fixings. If you’re dealing with a smashed window, forced entry, or storm damage in Tonbridge or anywhere across the TN postcodes, boarding up is usually the first “make safe” step to protect people, prevent weather getting in, and reduce the chance of further damage or theft.

We provide boarding up services across Tonbridge and the wider TN area (TN1–TN40), including out-of-hours call-outs where needed. If the situation is urgent, see emergency boarding up for immediate help.

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

Boarding up is most appropriate when there’s an exposed or vulnerable opening and you need temporary security or weather protection. Common call-outs include:

Smashed window after an accident, vandalism, or a break-in
A door that won’t close properly after forced entry (you may need to board up a door)
Shopfront boarded up after damage to commercial glazing
Rooflights/skylights damaged by debris or high winds
Vacant properties where glass is intact but the risk of entry is high

Boarding up may not be the right answer if the opening can be made secure safely with a simple repair on the spot (for example, if a lock has failed but the door is otherwise sound). We’ll be honest about what’s sensible and explain the options.

For event-based guidance, you may also want:

What “make safe” means in practice

“Make safe” is about reducing immediate risk. In boarding-up terms, that typically means:

Removing or managing obvious hazards (such as loose shards) where safe to do so
Securing the opening so it can’t be easily accessed from outside
Limiting water ingress and draughts as much as practical for a temporary measure
Leaving the property in a safer condition for occupants, neighbours, and passers-by

If the surrounding frame is badly damaged, we’ll talk you through what’s possible. Sometimes non-destructive fixing isn’t safe or reliable; if that happens, we’ll explain why before proceeding.

The different types of boarding up (windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs)

Not all boarding up is the same. The method depends on the opening, the location, and how long you need it secured.

Window boarding

Window boarding is the most common type of temporary boarding. The goal is to secure the opening without creating additional damage, where possible.

Typical approaches include:

Plywood boarding (often 18mm exterior-grade for larger openings) for strength and better resistance to impact
OSB (oriented strand board) (commonly 12mm for smaller openings) where suitable

We cut boards to size and fix them using methods appropriate for the frame and access. For more detail, see window boarding in Tonbridge.

Door boarding (and temporary steel doors)

If a door has been forced or the frame is split, boarding can secure the opening short-term. For higher risk properties—or where the property needs ongoing access—a temporary steel door is often a better option than timber boarding.

A temporary steel door can be ideal when:

The building will be unoccupied for days/weeks
Trades or loss adjusters need controlled access
The existing door/frame is too compromised to rely on

Learn more at door boarding services.

Shopfront boarding

Commercial glazing and shopfronts often involve large panels, public-facing exposure, and higher footfall—so the priority is to make safe quickly and secure the premises.

Shopfront boarding commonly includes:

Large-format plywood/OSB cut to suit wide openings
Consideration for alarms, shutters, and access routes
Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of removal from outside

See shopfront boarding if you’re dealing with a damaged retail frontage.

Roof and skylight boarding

Rooflights and skylights are tricky because access is harder and weatherproofing matters. Boarding here may be combined with short-term protection measures to reduce water entry until repairs are arranged.

If you need help after storm damage, start with roof boarding and our storm damage guidance.

Materials we use and why (plywood vs OSB)

You’ll often hear “board it up” used as a catch-all, but the choice of sheet material matters.

18mm exterior-grade plywood: strong, reliable, better for larger openings and higher-risk sites
12mm OSB: a practical option for smaller windows/openings and lower-risk requirements

We match materials to the situation—size of opening, height, whether the property is occupied, and how long it needs to be secured. If you’re unsure what you need, a quick call is often the simplest way to get clear advice.

How the boards are fixed (security and anti-tamper considerations)

A good boarding-up job is about more than putting a sheet over a hole. Fixings and method determine whether it’s genuinely secure.

Depending on the opening and frame condition, we may use:

Anti-tamper fixings (important when the property will be unattended)
Through-fixing where appropriate for strength (e.g., using internal battens)
Careful placement to reduce leverage points and improve resistance to forced removal

If the surrounding structure is too damaged to hold fixings safely, we’ll tell you. In those cases, the conversation becomes about alternative securing methods or temporary door solutions.

How long does boarding up last?

Boarding up is intended as a temporary security measure—how long it stays in place depends on:

The reason for boarding (break-in vs planned void security)
Exposure to weather
Whether you’re waiting for glazing/door repairs
Whether you need access during that period

If you need medium-term protection for an empty building, you may want to look at vacant property boarding options rather than a short-term “overnight” make-safe approach.

What happens when you call us (Tonbridge & TN coverage)

When you call, we keep it straightforward:

We take the details: what’s damaged, property type, whether it’s occupied, and any safety issues
We give a realistic ETA: we don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will tell you what we can do
We secure the opening: we arrive with appropriate boards and fixings, then make safe and document the work

If you need immediate help, use our 24/7 emergency boarding up page or go to the contact page.

Insurance and documentation (what you’ll receive)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can help by providing the documentation insurers typically ask for after emergency works.

You can expect:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
An itemised invoice
A work statement describing what we did and why (useful for claims and property managers)

More guidance is on our insurance claims support page. If safe, it also helps to take your own photos before we arrive and keep any police reference number to hand.

Typical scenarios where boarding up helps most

Boarding up is often used to stabilise a situation quickly while you arrange permanent repairs.

Examples include:

After a break-in where the lock side and glazing are damaged and the property can’t be secured normally
After vandalism where a ground-floor window is smashed and the building is exposed
After strong winds where a rooflight fails and rain is getting in
After an accident/impact where a window or door opening is compromised and needs immediate security

For situation-specific steps, see:

FAQs about boarding up

Is boarding up the same as glazing repair?

No. Boarding up is a temporary measure to secure an opening and make the property safer. Glazing repair is the permanent replacement/repair of the glass and (where needed) frames.

Can you board up a broken window the same day?

Often, yes—especially for urgent “board up broken window” call-outs. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time because workload and conditions vary, but we’ll prioritise urgent cases and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Do you offer out-of-hours boarding up?

Yes. If you need out of hours help to secure property after a smashed window or forced entry, see emergency boarding up.

Will boarding up stop rain getting in?

Boarding significantly reduces exposure, but it isn’t the same as a full repair. We’ll do what’s practical for temporary boarding, but some situations (especially roof openings or damaged frames) may still need follow-on weatherproofing and permanent works.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

It often can be, depending on your policy and the cause (burglary, storm damage, vandalism, accidental damage). We provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. Start here: insurance claims help.

How is boarding fixed without damaging my frames?

Where possible, we use methods designed to be secure while minimising additional damage. However, if the frame is already compromised or unsafe, we’ll explain the trade-offs and options before proceeding.

Do you board up doors as well as windows?

Yes—if you need to board up door openings after forced entry or damage, we can help. In some cases, a door boarding solution or temporary steel door is the more secure option.

Can you board up a shopfront without blocking all access?

Often we can plan access, especially if you need to retrieve stock or secure valuables. For commercial sites, we’ll discuss the safest approach on arrival. See shopfront boarded up support.

How much does boarding up cost in Tonbridge?

Costs vary based on the opening size, height/access, materials, and urgency. We don’t publish fixed prices because it wouldn’t be accurate. For a transparent breakdown of what affects cost, see pricing.

Areas we cover (Tonbridge and TN postcodes)

We’re based around Tonbridge and cover the wider TN area (TN1–TN40). If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

You may also be looking for a local page such as:

Next steps

If you’re dealing with a broken window, a damaged door, or you need to secure a property after a break-in, we can talk you through the safest option and what happens next.

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

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