FAQs: Boarding Up in East London (E Postcodes)
When you’ve got a smashed window, a forced door, or an insecure shopfront, it’s normal to feel panicked. The priority is simple: make safe, secure the property, and document what’s happened so you can move forward with repairs and any insurance claim.
Below are the questions we’re most often asked about boarding up in East London, across the E postcode area (E1–E77). If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call us now.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk
The questions we get most (and clear answers)
Do you offer 24/7 emergency boarding up in East London?
Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up in East London for urgent situations such as burglary, vandalism, storm damage, accidents, and fire-related security.
We don’t promise a fixed arrival time because traffic, access, and workload vary—especially out of hours—but we prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone. For urgent help, see emergency boarding up.
What counts as an emergency boarding up call-out?
If your property can be entered, can’t be locked, or is exposed to weather, it’s an emergency. Common examples include:
- A smashed window at a house or flat
- A door that won’t close after a break-in (you need to board up door openings or fit a secure temporary solution)
- A shopfront boarded up after impact damage or vandalism
- A damaged skylight or roof opening where rain can get in
- A void property that’s been targeted and needs to be secured quickly
If you’re unsure, ring us—if it needs to be made safe, we’ll tell you the best next step.
Can you board up broken windows the same day?
Often, yes—especially for urgent jobs like a board up broken window situation. Same-day attendance depends on the time you call, the size of the opening, access arrangements, and current demand.
If it’s out of hours, we can still attend for temporary boarding so the building is secure overnight and you’re not left exposed.
For more detail on how we secure glazing, see window boarding in East London.
What materials do you use: plywood or OSB?
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor windows, doors, and high-risk openings (strong, reliable fixings, better long-term performance outdoors)
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate (often quicker and cost-effective)
Material choice depends on the risk level, how long the board needs to stay in place, weather exposure, and what we can safely fix into (brickwork, frame condition, render, etc.).
How do you fix boards so they can’t be removed from outside?
We use fixings and methods designed to deter tampering, selected based on the surface and the condition of the opening. Depending on the job, that may include:
- Anti-tamper fixings where appropriate (important when a property will be unattended)
- Internal bracing methods (when we can access the inside)
- Fixing into sound masonry rather than damaged frames (common after forced entry)
If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The goal is always to secure property without creating unnecessary additional damage.
Can you board up a door, or do you install temporary steel doors?
Both, depending on what’s needed.
- Door boarding is usually suitable for short-term security or where the doorway is structurally sound but the door leaf is compromised.
- A temporary steel door is often the best option when the door has been forced, the lock area is destroyed, or the property will be vacant for a while.
If you’ve had a break-in and the entrance can’t be properly locked, ask about door boarding in East London and the option of a steel temporary door for medium-term security.
Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?
Yes. We regularly secure shops, offices, and other commercial premises across East London where the priority is to prevent further loss and get the premises safe.
Shopfronts often involve larger panels and busy locations, so we plan the job around:
- Public safety (especially if glass is still falling or the opening is street-facing)
- Size and fixing strategy (larger spans need the right thickness and anchoring)
- Minimising disruption while still achieving a strong, secure result
Learn more about shopfront boarding.
Can you board up rooflights, skylights, and damaged roofing openings?
Yes—within the scope of securing and weatherproofing an opening. Roof-level jobs have extra access and safety considerations, and the right approach depends on what’s damaged and how we can safely reach it.
We can secure many skylights and roof openings using appropriate materials and fixings, with the aim to prevent water ingress and stop unauthorised access.
See roof boarding in East London for how this typically works.
What should I do immediately after a break-in or vandalism?
If you’re dealing with burglary or vandalism, these steps usually help:
- If anyone is inside or you feel unsafe, call 999 first.
- If safe, take a few photos of the damage (don’t touch anything that might be evidence).
- Get your police reference number.
- Call us to make safe and secure the opening (window, door, shopfront, rooflight).
- Contact your insurer as soon as practical.
For more guidance on what happens next, see:
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it is, especially when boarding up is necessary to prevent further damage after an insured event (like a break-in, storm, or impact). Coverage depends on your policy and excess.
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request, such as:
- Itemised invoice and work description
- Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible)
- Notes on what was secured and the method used
For practical claim tips, visit insurance claims support.
What information do you need when I call?
To give accurate advice and a realistic ETA, it helps if you can tell us:
- Your postcode (e.g., E1, E2, E6, E14, E16)
- What happened (burglary, accident, storm damage, fire, etc.)
- What needs securing (window, door, shopfront, roof opening)
- Approximate size/number of openings and whether it’s ground floor
- Whether the property is occupied or vacant
- Any access issues (gated entry, communal blocks, shutters, alarms)
If it’s safe, a photo can help us plan materials—though it’s not essential.
Do I need to be at the property?
Usually, yes—someone needs to provide access and authorise the work. For landlords, agents, and facilities managers, we can often work with:
- A keyholder
- Concierge/security (for larger blocks)
- A nominated on-site contact
If you can’t attend, call us and explain—there may be workable options depending on access and the situation.
How long does boarding up take?
It depends on the size and complexity of the job. A single window can often be secured quickly, while a damaged shopfront or multiple openings takes longer.
Factors that affect duration include:
- Number and size of openings
- Whether we can access inside for bracing
- Condition of the surrounding frame/brickwork
- Height/access requirements (especially for rooflights)
We’ll talk you through what’s realistic when you call.
Will boarding up cause more damage to my frames or brickwork?
Our aim is to secure the opening with the least additional damage possible. Where we can, we use methods that avoid destroying frames—however, after forced entry the frame may already be split, loose, or unsafe to fix into.
If the structure is too compromised for a “clean” install, we’ll explain why and what options you have before we proceed. Safety and security come first.
Can you help after storm damage or flooding?
Yes—where the priority is to secure broken glazing, failed doors, and openings exposed to weather.
- After storms, we often deal with broken windows, dislodged panels, or roof openings that need urgent weatherproofing. See storm damage boarding.
- After floods, frames can swell and doors may not close properly. We can secure openings and advise on practical next steps, but drying and restoration is separate. See flood damage securing.
Do you handle fire-damaged properties?
We can help secure a fire-damaged property once it’s safe to do so and you have clearance to enter. Our role is to prevent unauthorised entry and reduce further loss by securing doors, windows, and exposed areas.
We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or full reinstatement works—but we can make the building safe and help you stabilise the situation. More details are on fire damage securing.
Are you insured and are your technicians DBS-checked?
Yes. We’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. We’ve been trading for 10+ years and focus specifically on property security and boarding up across East London and the E postcode area.
If you need paperwork for an insurer or facilities process, tell us when you call so we can provide the right documentation.
Do you cover my area in East London?
We cover E postcodes (E1–E77), including residential streets, estates, high streets, industrial areas, and commercial centres.
If you’re not sure whether you’re included, call us with your postcode and we’ll confirm. You can also browse areas we cover for local pages.
Not sure what you need—boarding, a temporary steel door, or longer-term security?
If the property will be empty for a while, boarding up can be a good immediate measure, but it isn’t always the best medium-term solution. For longer void periods, you may want a temporary steel door or security screening (depending on risk and access).
If you describe what’s happened, we’ll recommend a practical, proportionate option—no pressure.
Still got questions? Speak to a real person
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 6384 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
