Door Boarding in East London (Emergency & Planned Security)

A damaged or forced door can’t wait—especially if your property will be unattended overnight, the lock has failed, or the frame has been compromised. Our team provides door boarding in East London across the E postcode area (E1–E77), prioritising urgent call-outs and making properties safe after break-ins, vandalism, accidents and fire incidents.

If you need help now, use our emergency service page for the fastest route to assistance: emergency boarding up. If it’s not urgent, we can still secure your doorway with temporary boarding or a temporary steel door for longer-lasting protection.

Need to secure a door today? Call 020 4634 6384 or email us.

When door boarding is the right solution

Door boarding is most commonly needed when the door can’t be locked safely, the glazing has been smashed, or the frame is unstable. In East London, that often means post-burglary boarding, “make safe” work after vandalism, or urgent securing after an impact.

Typical reasons customers call us include:

• Forced entry / break-in: splintered timber doors, snapped locks, damaged keeps, kicked-in panels
• Smashed glazed doors: broken glass in uPVC or timber door sets (including communal entrances)
• Fire damage: the door may be compromised even if it still shuts; we secure access points after the fire service has finished
• Accident damage: vehicle impact to a doorway, or door/frame knocked out of alignment
• Vacant or void properties: securing a door between tenancies, after eviction, or while major works are planned
• Repeated tampering: where a standard lock replacement won’t stop re-entry on an unattended property

If what you actually need is window protection, see window boarding in East London. For retail entrances and glass frontage, shopfront boarding is usually the better fit.

Emergency door boarding: what we do (and what “make safe” means)

When you call for emergency door boarding in East London, the immediate aim is simple: secure the property and reduce risk—of re-entry, weather exposure, and further damage.

A proper “make safe” typically includes:

1. Assessment of the door, frame, hinges and lock area
   We check whether the door can be secured without boarding (occasionally it can), or whether the frame has failed and needs a stronger temporary solution.

2. Removal or stabilisation of dangerous debris (where safe to do so)
   If there’s broken glass in or around the doorway, we’ll work carefully to avoid spreading shards and to keep access clear.

3. Boarding method chosen to match the damage
   The same approach doesn’t work for every doorway. We’ll choose fixings and board thickness based on the door type and whether you need access later.

4. Secure fixing with anti-tamper considerations
   The goal is to prevent someone simply removing the board from the outside—especially important for vacant properties or ground-floor entrances.

5. Clear handover
   We’ll explain what’s been secured, what’s still unsafe (if anything), and what the next sensible step is (locksmith, door replacement, glazing, etc.).

If the door frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll talk you through the options before proceeding. We won’t pretend boarding is a permanent repair—it’s temporary security designed to buy you time and protect the site.

Materials we use (and why it matters)

Not all boarding is equal. In a doorway, the forces are different to a window—people push, kick, and pull at doors. That’s why we focus on structural strength and secure fixings, not just covering the opening.

Materials commonly used:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood
  Our go-to for most door openings because it’s strong, durable, and holds fixings well. It’s suited to forced-entry damage where the opening needs to be properly secured.

• 12mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
  Suitable for smaller internal doorways or lower-risk temporary boarding where heavy-duty plywood isn’t necessary. We’ll advise honestly—if OSB isn’t appropriate for the risk level, we won’t recommend it.

• Timber battens / bracing
  Used to reinforce boards and spread load, particularly where the surrounding frame is weak or uneven.

• Anti-tamper fixings
  Where external access is a concern, anti-tamper fixings help prevent removal from outside. This is especially relevant for properties that will be unoccupied overnight.

• Temporary steel doors (when appropriate)
  If you need ongoing access for contractors, residents, or deliveries, a boarded doorway can be inconvenient. A temporary steel door is often a better medium-term solution than repeatedly removing and refitting boards.

If you’re securing a wider opening or a site perimeter, we also offer temporary fencing as part of a wider make-safe plan.

Our door boarding methods (by door type)

Every property is different in East London—Victorian terraces, post-war blocks, newer developments, shop units, warehouses. The door construction dictates the safest method.

Timber doors (panelled or solid)

• We’ll usually board over the damaged area or full door opening depending on structural integrity.
• If the frame is split, we may reinforce with bracing so the board can’t be levered away easily.
• Where possible, we avoid unnecessary damage to surrounding joinery—but security comes first.

uPVC doors and composite doors

• These often fail around the lock and keeps after forced entry.
• If the door cannot lock and the mechanism has failed, boarding is a reliable immediate solution until a door engineer or locksmith can attend.
• Fixings must be chosen carefully to avoid cracking and to ensure the board is actually secure.

Communal entrance doors (blocks and converted houses)

• Access control and resident safety matter here.
• We can secure the entrance while considering how residents will enter/exit. In some cases, a temporary steel door is the most practical option.

Commercial doors and rear service entrances

• Rear doors are common targets because they’re less visible.
• We can board up door openings and advise on options to reduce repeat entry, especially if the premises will be closed for a period.

Temporary steel doors vs boarding: which should you choose?

Boarding is often the quickest way to secure a damaged doorway, but it isn’t always the best option if the property needs ongoing access.

Door boarding is usually best when:

• you need to secure property immediately after a break-in
• the building will be unoccupied
• you’re waiting for insurance approval or replacement parts
• it’s a short-term measure (hours to a few days)

A temporary steel door is often better when:

• you need controlled access for trades, tenants, or staff
• the door opening will be unsecured for weeks, not days
• there’s a risk of repeated attempts
• you want a more robust deterrent than plywood/OSB

If you’re dealing with a break-in, see burglary repairs and boarding for a practical “what happens next” guide.

What to expect when you call us (especially out of hours)

When you’re stressed—standing in the cold with a smashed door or a kicked-in frame—you don’t need a complicated process. Here’s how we handle emergency door boarding:

1. Call and describe what’s happened
   Tell us whether it’s a board up door situation, if anyone is inside, and whether the police have attended.

2. We’ll give a realistic ETA
   We don’t promise a fixed arrival time because traffic, time of day, and current workload vary. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible.

3. On arrival: assess, secure, document
   We’ll choose the right method, install the boarding, and take photos as needed.

4. You receive paperwork suitable for insurers
   We can provide an itemised invoice and work description. We’re not loss adjusters, but we know what insurers typically request. See insurance claims support for guidance on what to keep.

For urgent help tonight, go straight to 24/7 emergency boarding up in East London.

What you get: clear documentation and a secure handover

Customers often need evidence for landlords, managing agents, or insurers—especially after burglary or vandalism. We provide practical, straightforward documentation, which may include:

• Time-stamped photos of the secured doorway (where appropriate)
• A clear description of materials used (e.g., 18mm exterior plywood)
• An itemised invoice for your records
• Notes on any limitations (e.g., “frame compromised; temporary steel door recommended”)

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked—useful reassurance when work is being done at homes, blocks, schools, or sensitive sites.

Safety and insurance tips after a door is forced

If you’ve had a break-in or an attempted break-in, these steps can save time and reduce stress:

• If there’s an immediate threat, call 999. If the offender has gone, consider 101 and get a crime reference number.
• Take photos if it’s safe (door, frame, lock area, any tool marks).
• Don’t touch potential evidence if police attendance is expected.
• Call your insurer early and ask what they need from you (crime reference number, photos, invoice).
• Avoid “quick fixes” that don’t actually secure the opening—a poorly fixed board can be removed in seconds.

More situation-specific guidance:

• After vandalism: vandalism repair and boarding
• After fire: fire damage make safe (we secure the property; smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope)
• After storm damage: storm damage boarding

Door boarding for homes, shops, and vacant properties

We handle door boarding for:

• Residential properties (houses, flats, maisonettes) where safety and privacy are paramount
• Commercial premises (shops, offices, light industrial) where out-of-hours “make safe” is often essential
• Vacant/void properties where repeat entry risk is higher and stronger solutions may be required

If you’re a landlord, managing agent, or facilities manager, we can work to site requirements and provide the documentation you need. You can also review general guidance on what boarding up is and how it works.

FAQs: Door boarding in East London

How quickly can you board up a door in East London?

We prioritise emergency calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. Exact attendance depends on time of day, traffic, and current workload—when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

Can you board up a door after a burglary tonight?

Yes—this is one of the most common reasons people call for emergency boarding up. If the lock has failed or the frame is damaged, boarding is often the safest immediate way to secure property until repairs can be arranged. Start here: emergency boarding up.

Will boarding damage my door frame?

Sometimes we can use fixing methods that minimise additional damage, but the priority is security. If the frame is already split or unstable, stronger fixing and bracing may be necessary. We’ll explain the options before we start.

Do you board up double doors or wider entrances?

Yes. Wider entrances may require multiple boards, bracing, and careful fixing to prevent flex. If it’s a commercial frontage rather than a doorway, shopfront boarding may be more appropriate.

Should I choose a temporary steel door instead of boarding?

If you need repeated access (contractors, residents, staff) or the property may be unsecured for weeks, a temporary steel door can be a better option than boarding. We’ll talk through what’s practical based on the opening and risk level.

Is door boarding covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially after a burglary, vandalism, or storm damage—but policy terms vary. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), photos, and our invoice. For guidance on what insurers typically ask for, see insurance claims support.

Can you secure a door if the building has had a fire?

Yes—we can secure compromised entry points after the fire service has finished. Our role is to make safe and secure the property; specialist cleaning and smoke/odour remediation would be handled by other contractors. See fire damage boarding and securing.

Do you cover all E postcodes?

Yes—our boarding up services cover East London across E1–E77. If you’re not sure whether you’re in our coverage area, contact us and we’ll confirm.

Need a door boarded up now?

If you’ve had a forced entry, a smashed glazed door, or the lock has failed, we can help you secure the property with temporary boarding or advise on a temporary steel door where access is needed.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
Or email us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.