Accident Damage Boarding Up in East London (E Postcodes)

Accident damage can happen in seconds: a vehicle clips a shopfront, a delivery knocks out a panel, a contractor misjudges a ladder, or a strong impact cracks glazing and leaves a dangerous opening. If your window, door, or shopfront has been compromised, the priority is to make safe, secure the property, and reduce further loss from weather, trespass, or opportunistic theft.

Boarding Up East London provides emergency boarding up in East London across the E postcode area (E1–E77). We’re fully insured, have 10+ years trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need help now—whether it’s daytime, evening, or out of hours—call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on location and workload.

Need urgent help after an accident? Call 020 4634 6384
Prefer email (non-urgent)? info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk

When accident damage typically happens (and why it can’t wait)

“Accident damage” covers a lot of real-world scenarios we’re called to across East London:

• Vehicle impact: a car or van strikes a wall, shutter, door, or smashed window on a corner property or along a busy road.
• Shopfront incidents: deliveries or equipment collide with glazing, leaving exposed retail stock or a vulnerable entrance.
• Domestic accidents: a patio door shatters, a window is kicked in accidentally, or a communal entry door is broken.
• Building works: accidental impact during refurbishment damages frames, panes, or temporary hoarding.
• Falling debris: tiles, signage, or tree limbs break rooflights or upper windows.

Even if the damage looks “contained”, a compromised opening can quickly become a bigger problem:

• Safety risk (sharp glass, unstable frames, exposed nails or jagged edges)
• Security risk (easy access for intruders, especially if the property will be unattended)
• Weather risk (rain and wind entering, causing secondary damage and mould)
• Liability risk (public-facing properties need to be made safe quickly)

If you’re searching “board up broken window”, “board up door”, or “shopfront boarded up” after an impact, you’re in the right place.

First steps after accident damage (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps help protect you and support any insurance claim later:

1. Check for injuries and call 999 if needed.
2. If the incident involves a vehicle and there’s danger to the public, call the police and/or your local authority as appropriate.
3. Do not handle broken glass with bare hands. Keep people and pets away from the area.
4. Take photos and short video of:
   • the damage (inside and outside if safe)
   • the surrounding area (showing cause, e.g., impact point)
   • any debris (frames, locks, broken panels)
5. If you have an insurer, notify them early. Keep your reference numbers.
6. If you’re a tenant, inform the landlord or managing agent as soon as possible.

Then call us so we can plan the safest way to secure the opening.

Need to secure the property tonight? Call 020 4634 6384

How we secure properties after an accident (what we actually do)

Accident damage varies from a simple broken pane to twisted frames and unstable doors. Our aim is to secure the opening quickly and correctly, while avoiding unnecessary damage to what can be repaired.

1) We assess the opening and the frame condition

When we arrive, we’ll look at:

• whether the frame is sound enough for non-destructive fixing
• whether glass remains under tension (common after impact)
• any hazards: sharp edges, dangling locks, exposed fixings, unstable panels
• whether the property can be safely closed/locked after boarding

If the frame is too damaged for a straightforward fix, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

2) We choose the right boarding method and materials

We typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security (common for doors and larger windows)
• OSB (often 12mm) for smaller, less exposed openings where appropriate

The aim is a secure, stable board that’s difficult to remove from the outside and doesn’t cause avoidable harm to the surrounding structure.

For windows, see: window boarding in East London
For doors/entries, see: door boarding in East London
For commercial fronts, see: shopfront boarding in East London

3) We use secure fixings (not “a few screws and hope”)

To properly make safe and deter tampering, we may use:

• anti-tamper fixings where access from outside is a risk
• internal timber bracing where needed for larger spans
• fixings that suit the substrate (brick, timber frame, metal frame)

The “why” matters: if a property is going to be unattended (or it’s a shopfront on a busy street), quick-to-remove boards are a false economy.

4) We handle awkward access and higher openings

Accidents don’t always happen at ground level. If an upstairs window is damaged or a rooflight is affected, we’ll consider:

• safest access routes (internal vs external)
• whether roof boarding is required to prevent weather ingress

If the opening is overhead or on the roofline, this may fall under: roof boarding in East London

5) You receive documentation you can actually use

After securing the property, we can provide:

• time-stamped photos (before/after)
• an itemised invoice
• a brief work statement describing what was done and materials used

We’re not loss adjusters and can’t approve claims, but we can supply the practical documentation insurers typically request. For guidance, see: insurance claims support

What “accident damage” looks like in real East London call-outs

A typical call might involve a ground-floor flat or small business in an E postcode where an impact has left a smashed window and bent frame. The occupant can’t safely stay with an exposed opening and wants the building secure until glazing can be replaced.

In that situation we’d normally:

• isolate hazards (loose glass, unstable frame sections)
• measure and cut boards on site
• install exterior-grade plywood with suitable fixings
• check there are no gaps that could be pulled open
• take photos and provide a clear invoice for the insurer or property manager

If the door is the issue (common after impact), we may recommend a stronger temporary option, depending on the damage and how long the property will be without a permanent door.

Choosing between temporary boarding, a temporary steel door, and security screens

Accident damage isn’t always a one-night problem—repairs can take time, especially if specialist glazing, frames, or shopfront systems are involved.

Temporary boarding (best for short-term securing)

Temporary boarding is often the fastest way to:

• secure a broken window
• cover a damaged shopfront panel
• close off a compromised door opening until repairs start

It’s ideal when you need emergency boarding up and will be arranging permanent repairs quickly.

Temporary steel doors (best for damaged entrances)

If a door has been forced, split, or no longer aligns—boarding can secure it, but it may not be practical for access.

A temporary steel door is often better when:

• trades need ongoing access
• the property is empty between works
• you need a more robust option than timber boarding

Discuss options with us when you call, or read more about door boarding in East London.

Security screens (best for longer-term vacant or high-risk sites)

For some properties—especially empty units or long-running refurbishments—steel security screens can provide a more durable solution than repeated boarding. If you’re unsure what’s appropriate, we’ll talk it through on the phone and advise based on the risks and timeframe.

Accident damage for homes vs shops (what changes)

Residential properties (flats, houses, communal doors)

Common priorities:

• safe access for occupants
• preventing water ingress overnight
• keeping the property insurable and secure while waiting for replacement glazing/doors

If you’re a landlord or managing agent, we can work with your process—photos, work statements, and clear invoicing help keep everything auditable. See: residential boarding up

Commercial properties (shops, offices, sites)

Commercial priorities often include:

• visible security to deter entry after closing time
• protecting stock and equipment
• making the frontage safe for the public (especially where glazing has fallen)

For commercial fronts, the right approach is usually purpose-built for larger spans and higher footfall: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding in East London

What to expect when you call us

When you ring, we’ll ask a few quick questions so we can bring the right materials and fixings:

• Which E postcode are you in?
• Is it a window, door, shopfront, or rooflight?
• Is anyone injured? Are the police or fire service involved?
• Is the property currently secure at all?
• Do you need access afterwards (e.g., a boarded door would block entry)?
• Can you send photos (if safe)?

We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, access, and existing emergencies vary, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

For urgent help, you may also want: 24/7 emergency boarding up in East London

Accident damage and insurance: practical guidance (without the sales pitch)

If you’re claiming, insurers typically want clarity on:

• what happened and when
• what immediate steps were taken to prevent further damage
• what temporary works were completed (boarding, make safe)
• photos and receipts

Helpful tips:

• Keep your incident reference numbers (police, building management, or contractor)
• Take photos before anything is moved, if safe
• Don’t dispose of broken locks/handles until you’ve documented them
• If you’re a tenant, keep communications in writing with the landlord/agent

We can provide documentation, but we can’t interpret policy wording. More here: insurance claims support

FAQs: accident damage boarding up in East London

How quickly can you board up after an accident in East London?

We prioritise emergency calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible across the E postcode area. Timing depends on workload, time of day, and access, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA when you call.

Can you board up a smashed shop window out of hours?

Yes. If your shopfront is smashed and you need it shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent entry, we can attend out of hours. Call with your postcode and a brief description of the frontage.

Will boarding damage my window frame or brickwork?

We use methods designed to be secure while avoiding unnecessary damage. That said, if the surrounding area is already cracked, rotten, or unstable from the impact, fixings may need to be more substantial. If non-destructive methods aren’t suitable, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Can you secure a door that won’t close after impact?

Yes. We can board up a door opening, and in some cases recommend a more practical solution if the property needs repeated access. The best approach depends on how damaged the frame is and how long you’ll be waiting for a permanent replacement.

Do I need to clear broken glass before you arrive?

No—please don’t put yourself at risk. Keep people away from the area and leave the glass. If you can safely take photos from a distance, that’s helpful.

Can you work with property managers and facilities teams?

Yes. We regularly support landlords, agents, and facilities managers with temporary boarding and securing. We can provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear description of works for your records.

If a vehicle hit the building, do I call you or the police first?

If there’s danger to the public, injuries, or the scene needs managing, call the emergency services first. Once it’s safe and you have any reference numbers available, call us to secure the property and make safe the opening.

Next step: get the property secured

Accident damage is stressful, but securing the opening is usually straightforward once the right materials and fixings are in place.

Need emergency boarding up now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
For non-urgent enquiries, email: info@boarding-up-east-london.co.uk

Helpful Links

• Need urgent help at any time: emergency boarding up
• Broken or vulnerable glazing: window boarding in East London
• Damaged entrances and forced doors: door boarding in East London
• Commercial glazing and retail fronts: shopfront boarding in East London
• Overhead openings and rooflights: roof boarding in East London
• Claim support and documentation: insurance claims support