Boarding Up Stratford (E7) – Emergency Property Security in East London

If you need boarding up in Stratford (E7), it’s usually because something has just happened: a smashed window, a forced door, a shopfront hit overnight, or storm damage that’s left the building exposed. We provide 24/7 boarding up across Stratford and the wider East London area, focusing on making the property safe, secure, and weather-tight until repairs can be arranged.

We cover E7, E15 and E20, including busy residential streets, mixed-use blocks, and commercial units around Stratford High Street and the transport hubs. We don’t promise an unrealistic “guaranteed arrival time” (traffic, access, and live incidents can affect attendance), but we prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, letting agent, facilities manager or shop owner, the goal is the same: secure the property quickly and properly—with fixings that can’t be removed from the outside and materials that match the risk level.

Need emergency boarding up now? Call 020 4634 6384.

Why boarding up matters in Stratford (E7) – local risks and common call-outs

Stratford is a high-footfall part of East London with a mix of older housing stock, newer developments, and commercial frontages. That combination affects the types of damage we’re asked to make safe.

1) Busy roads, footfall and accidental breakage

Around Stratford High Street and key routes through E15 and E20, accidental impacts are a real factor—delivery activity, late-night foot traffic, and general wear-and-tear can turn a cracked pane into a dangerous opening. Even a “small” smashed window can escalate quickly:

• Rain gets in and damages flooring and electrics
• The opening becomes a security risk overnight
• Loose shards can be hazardous to residents, staff, and the public

2) Mixed property types with different vulnerabilities

In and around Stratford you’ll see:

• Victorian/Edwardian terraces and conversions (often with older timber frames that can split under force)
• Flats above shops (where ground-floor incidents can compromise access and shared entry points)
• Retail units and cafés (large glazing panels that need stronger boarding methods and tidy, public-facing finishing)
• New-build blocks (where building management rules, loading bays, and restricted access can affect installation)

Boarding up isn’t one-size-fits-all. A ground-floor shopfront typically needs larger, stronger panels, careful fixing placement, and an approach that deters tampering. A residential sash window might need neater, lower-profile boarding that still prevents intrusion.

3) Opportunistic crime and repeated targeting

After a break-in or vandalism, properties can be targeted again—especially if the opening is left temporarily covered with weak materials or poor fixings. In Stratford, where there are plenty of unattended units (void periods, refurbishments, short-term lets), the priority is to secure the property in a way that’s difficult to remove from outside. That generally means:

• Exterior-grade board sized correctly
• Anti-tamper fixings where suitable
• Fixing into sound structure (not just damaged trim)

4) Weather exposure and “can’t-wait” openings

If wind-driven rain is getting in—particularly through a broken window, damaged door, or an opening at height—waiting until morning can add avoidable damage. Boarding up is often the fastest way to make safe and weatherproof while you organise glazing, joinery, or longer-term repairs.

A typical Stratford call-out (what it can look like)

A typical call-out in Stratford might involve a smashed shopfront window reported out of hours, where the premises sits on a busy stretch and can’t be left exposed overnight.

After you call, we’d ask a few practical questions so we turn up prepared:

• Is it a window, door, or shopfront?
• Approximate size of the opening and whether the frame is intact
• Any immediate hazards (shards, alarms, exposed wiring, unsafe glass)
• Whether access is straightforward (rear access, shutters, management on site)

On arrival, we’d first make safe: clear immediate hazards where safe to do so, and check whether the frame will hold secure fixings. For larger openings, we’d normally use 18mm exterior-grade plywood (or another suitable board depending on the opening and environment). For smaller or less exposed openings, 12mm OSB may be appropriate—though in higher-risk commercial locations we’ll often recommend the stronger option.

We’d then measure and cut the board to fit with an overlap, position it to resist leverage, and secure it using fixings designed to reduce the chance of removal from outside. If the surrounding frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—sometimes the safest approach involves fixing into solid brickwork or structural timber rather than compromised trim.

Before leaving, we can provide what insurers and property managers typically need:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
• A clear work statement (what was secured and how)
• An itemised invoice for your records/claim

The end result: the premises is secured, safer for the public, and protected from weather until glazing or repair contractors attend.

What to do right now in Stratford if you’ve got a smashed window or forced door

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, or impact damage in E7 / E15 / E20, these steps help keep people safe and make the next stages smoother.

1. If there’s danger or an intruder, call 999 If the offender is still nearby, or the building is unsafe, don’t go in. Wait at a safe distance.

2. If it’s a crime, get a police reference number This often helps later with the insurance process and building management reporting.

3. Take quick photos (only if it’s safe) Use your phone to capture:

• The damaged window/door/shopfront from inside and outside
• Any visible tool marks, broken locks, or prised frames
• A wider shot showing context (don’t touch anything if police attendance is expected)

4. Prevent further damage while you wait

• Keep people away from glass and sharp edges
• If weather is coming in, move valuables and soft furnishings away from the opening
• If you can safely isolate a room, close internal doors to limit draught and water spread

5. Call for emergency boarding up If you need to board up a broken window, secure a boarded-up door, or get a shopfront boarded up out of hours, call 020 4634 6384. We’ll take details, talk through access, and give a realistic ETA.

6. Notify the insurer or property manager early We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request. If you’re in a managed block (common around Stratford), it’s worth notifying the building manager/security desk as soon as possible to smooth access and approvals.

Our Stratford coverage (E7, E15, E20) and nearby areas

We provide boarding up across Stratford and the surrounding East London districts, covering E7, E15 and E20. That includes residential streets, commercial parades, and mixed-use buildings around major transport routes and higher-footfall areas such as Stratford Station and Westfield Stratford City (where access and loading restrictions can sometimes affect how equipment is brought in).

If you’re just outside Stratford, we also attend nearby areas, including:

• boarding up Maryland (E15)
• boarding up Forest Gate (E7)
• boarding up Olympic Park (E20)

Wherever you are in E7/E15/E20, the aim is the same: secure property, reduce the chance of repeat entry, and help you stabilise the situation until repairs are arranged.

Stratford boarding up FAQs (local questions we hear a lot)

Does boarding up in Stratford need to be “neat” for shops on busy streets?

Often, yes. For shopfronts and highly visible premises around Stratford’s busier stretches, we aim for a secure fit that’s also presentable—tight edges, correct panel size, and fixings that don’t invite tampering. The priority is security, but appearance matters for trading and reputation too.

Can you board up a smashed window in a flat above a shop in E7/E15?

Yes—these jobs are common locally. Access can be the main challenge (shared entrances, stairs, restricted working space). If you can tell us how to reach the flat and whether there’s a concierge/building manager, it helps us plan the safest approach.

What if the door frame is damaged as well as the lock?

If the frame is split or pulled away, simply boarding the door leaf may not be enough. We’ll assess what’s solid enough to fix into. If the frame can’t safely take fixings, we’ll talk you through alternatives before proceeding so you’re not left with a “boarded” entrance that still isn’t secure.

I’m near Stratford Station—can you attend out of hours?

Yes, we provide out of hours and 24/7 boarding up. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, but we prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA when you ring. Busy roads and late-night access restrictions can affect attendance, so clear directions and access arrangements help.

Is boarding up usually covered by insurance around Stratford?

It often can be, depending on your policy and the cause (burglary, vandalism, storm, accidental damage). The key is documenting the damage and keeping invoices/photos. We can provide an itemised invoice and supporting photos commonly used for claims.

Can you board up quickly if rain is coming in through broken glazing?

Yes—this is one of the most common reasons people call. Temporary boarding is often the fastest way to stop water ingress and secure the opening until glazing or joinery repairs are arranged.

Will boarding up stop people trying the same place again?

Good boarding significantly reduces the chance of easy re-entry—especially when panels are correctly sized and fixed with anti-tamper methods where appropriate. No method is “unbreakable”, but proper boarding makes the property a much harder target than a loose sheet or weak fixings.

I’m a landlord and the property is empty—can you secure it to reduce ongoing risk?

Yes. Voids in E7/E15/E20 can attract unwanted attention. We can secure vulnerable openings and advise on a sensible level of protection based on how long the property will be unattended and the condition of existing doors/windows.

Need boarding up in Stratford (E7) now?

If you need emergency boarding up in Stratford, whether it’s to board up a broken window, board up a door, or make a damaged shopfront safe, we’re here 24/7 across E7, E15 and E20.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 and we’ll talk you through the next steps and arrange attendance. If you can’t stay on the line, ask about a callback and we’ll return your call as soon as possible.