Boarding Up Canary Wharf (E14) | Emergency Property Security in East London

If you need boarding up in Canary Wharf (E14), it’s usually because something has just happened: a smashed window, a forced door, a damaged shopfront, or glazing that’s become unsafe after an impact. In a dense, high-footfall area like E14—where residential towers sit alongside retail units, office buildings and public walkways—leaving an opening unsecured can quickly turn into a bigger problem (weather damage, repeat break-ins, or liability if someone gets hurt).

Boarding Up East London covers Canary Wharf and the wider E14 area, and we’re available 24/7 for urgent “make safe” work. We don’t promise unrealistic arrival times, because traffic restrictions, loading rules and call volume can change quickly in this part of East London. What we do promise is clear communication: when you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions and give you a realistic ETA, then arrive with the right materials to secure the opening properly.

You’ll be dealing with a team that’s been trading for 10+ years, with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians—important if we’re attending managed buildings, concierge sites, or anywhere with controlled access.

Why boarding up matters in Canary Wharf (E14)

Canary Wharf has a particular mix of risks that makes fast, professional boarding especially important:

1) High footfall + public access routes

Around Canary Wharf station and the retail areas (including Canary Wharf Shopping Centre), there’s constant movement day and night. If glazing is cracked, blown in, or missing, it’s not just a security issue—there’s also the risk of injury to passers-by and the potential for complaints or enforcement if a dangerous opening isn’t made safe promptly.

2) Modern glazing and aluminium frames can fail “all at once”

A lot of E14 property uses large glazed panels and modern door systems. When these are hit—by vandalism, an accident, or attempted entry—the failure can be dramatic: one compromised panel can leave a wide, accessible opening. Temporary boarding needs to be rigid, well-fixed, and fitted in a way that doesn’t cause unnecessary additional damage to the frame.

3) Loading bays, access controls, and management rules

Unlike a simple street-front house, many Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs buildings have:

• concierge desks or security gates
• restricted lifts/service corridors
• timed loading bay access
• strict rules about noise, fixings, and contractor sign-in

A “quick DIY board” often becomes a false economy if it blocks a fire exit route, can be removed from outside, or doesn’t meet the building’s expectations. We aim to secure the property while keeping access and compliance in mind—especially in shared or managed buildings.

4) Weather exposure between towers

Wind tunnelling around tall buildings can drive rain into openings and make temporary coverings fail if they’re not fixed correctly. In E14, boarding up isn’t only about stopping entry; it’s also about reducing further internal damage until permanent repairs are arranged.

5) Typical E14 call-out scenarios

In Canary Wharf, the most common reasons people contact us for emergency boarding up include:

• a smashed window in a ground-floor flat or lobby area
• a compromised door after a break-in attempt
• a shopfront boarded up after an impact or vandalism
• construction/maintenance incidents leaving glazing unsafe
• vacant units needing temporary boarding to deter opportunists

A typical Canary Wharf boarding-up call-out (example scenario)

A typical call-out in Canary Wharf (E14) might involve a late-evening report from a concierge or facilities manager: a large glazed panel has been damaged at street level near a building entrance, or a retail unit’s glazing has been cracked with sections missing. The immediate concerns are usually the same—security, safety, and preventing weather ingress—plus the added complication that the site may be open to the public or connected to shared access routes.

On arrival, we’d first confirm the area is safe to work around (and, if needed, ask that a small exclusion zone is maintained). We’ll assess:

• Size of the opening and whether there are loose shards
• Frame condition (whether it can take fixings safely)
• Access requirements (loading/parking restrictions, lift access, permits)
• Security needs (whether anti-tamper fixings are required due to street exposure)

For most glazing openings, we’ll typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability. For smaller or less exposed areas, 12mm OSB can be appropriate. The fixing method depends on the frame and whether we can work non-destructively. Where possible, we’ll use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of boards being removed from outside—particularly relevant in E14 where many properties are visible from busy walkways.

Before leaving, we’ll check the board is tight, stable, and covers the full vulnerable area. We can also provide practical documentation that clients often need later—such as time-stamped photos, a clear work statement, and an itemised invoice for building management records or insurance.

If we find the surrounding frame is too damaged to secure safely without additional work, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—because the goal is always to secure the property properly, not just “cover the hole” temporarily.

What to do right now in an emergency in Canary Wharf (E14)

If you’ve got a broken window, damaged door, or unsafe glazing in Canary Wharf, these steps help protect people, reduce loss, and make the repair/claim smoother.

1. If there’s danger or a crime in progress, call 999 If you suspect offenders are still nearby, or there’s immediate risk to life, call emergency services first. Don’t confront anyone.

2. Make the area safe (without taking risks)

• Keep people away from broken glass and sharp edges
• If it’s a shared entrance or public-facing area, ask building security/concierge to help control access
• If safe, move valuables away from the opening and close internal doors to limit visibility

3. Take photos before anything is moved (if safe to do so) Use your phone to capture:

• the whole elevation/entrance (wider shot)
• the damage close-up
• any tool marks or forced entry points
• any internal damage or water ingress

This is especially useful for managed buildings where multiple parties may need a record (tenant, landlord, managing agent, insurer).

4. Report it promptly

• If it’s a break-in or attempted break-in, obtain a crime reference number
• If you’re a tenant, notify your landlord/managing agent as soon as possible
• If it’s commercial premises, inform whoever holds responsibility for security and H&S

5. Call for emergency boarding up / make-safe When you call us, it helps to know:

• whether it’s a window, door, or shopfront
• approximate size of the opening (even “about the size of a door” helps)
• whether the site is street-level or higher-floor
• any access rules (concierge, service lift, parking/loading restrictions)

Need urgent help in E14? Call 020 4634 6384. We’ll talk you through the next steps and give you a realistic ETA.

Our local coverage around Canary Wharf (E14)

We provide boarding up across Canary Wharf and the wider E14 postcode district, including surrounding parts of the Isle of Dogs where residential and commercial properties sit close together.

If you’re nearby, you may also be looking for help in:

• boarding up Isle of Dogs (E14)
• boarding up Poplar (E14)
• boarding up Blackwall (E14)

Because E14 includes high-density developments and controlled-access sites, we’ll always confirm the best way to enter (concierge, site contact, service access) when you book the job, so we can secure the property with minimal delay.

Canary Wharf boarding up FAQs (E14)

How quickly can you attend in Canary Wharf (E14)?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times. Canary Wharf can involve access controls, congestion, and loading restrictions. When you call, we’ll ask a few questions and give a realistic ETA based on current workload.

I’m in a managed building—do you coordinate with concierge or site security?

Yes. In Canary Wharf it’s common for properties to have concierge desks, security patrols, or sign-in requirements. If you can provide a site contact name/number, we’ll coordinate access and keep disruption to a minimum while we make safe.

Can you board up large glazed panels common in E14 lobbies and retail units?

Yes—large openings are common in Canary Wharf. The key is using the right thickness board (often 18mm exterior-grade plywood) and a fixing method suited to the frame and exposure. We’ll also advise if a temporary solution needs upgrading (for example, if the risk of tampering is high).

Will boarding up damage the frame or surrounding cladding?

We try to use methods that are secure while avoiding unnecessary damage. However, if the frame is already cracked, bent, or unsafe, a completely non-destructive fix may not be possible. If that’s the case, we’ll explain why and talk you through the safest, most secure option before we proceed.

My shopfront is damaged near Canary Wharf station—what should I do first?

First, make sure staff and the public are safe and keep people away from glass. If there’s any sign of attempted theft or a break-in, contact the police and get a reference number. Then arrange for the opening to be made safe and secured as soon as possible to prevent repeat entry or further damage.

Do you provide documentation suitable for insurers or managing agents?

We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the practical paperwork insurers and managing agents usually need: time-stamped photos, a written description of the damage and what was done, and an itemised invoice.

Can you secure a door that won’t close after an attempted break-in?

Often, yes. If the door leaf or frame is compromised, we can secure the opening to prevent access and reduce risk overnight. The best method depends on the damage and whether the property needs re-entry (for example, residents needing access versus a vacant unit).

I’m worried about repeat vandalism in a public-facing spot—can the boarding be made harder to remove?

Yes. In busy parts of E14, we commonly use anti-tamper fixings and robust board thickness to reduce the chance of removal from outside. Tell us if the property will be unattended, and we’ll take that into account when planning the make-safe.

Need boarding up in Canary Wharf (E14)?

If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or arrange temporary boarding after damage in Canary Wharf, we can help—day or night.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance. If you can’t stay on the line, tell us and we’ll arrange a callback as soon as possible. You can also email: info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk.