Commercial Boarding Up in Uxbridge (UB Area)

Commercial properties in the UB postcodes face different risks and operational pressures to homes. Whether you manage a single retail unit in Uxbridge town centre or multiple industrial units across UB3–UB11, when glass is smashed or a door won’t secure, the priority is simple: make safe, minimise downtime, and document everything for insurers and stakeholders. We specialise in commercial boarding up across Uxbridge and the wider UB area, with 10+ years’ experience, fully insured cover, and DBS-checked technicians who understand the realities of trading, compliance, and reputation management.

We handle urgent “tonight” call-outs and planned security works. If you need emergency boarding up outside trading hours, call us on 01895 696 176. We won’t promise fixed times, but we’ll give a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent incidents.

When Commercial Sites Need Boarding Up

Commercial incidents vary, but the pressure points are consistent: safety, security, continuity, and clear records for insurance.

Typical scenarios we attend across UB districts:

• Shopfront smashed by impact or attempted theft (UB8, UB10, UB6 high streets)
• Office glazing damaged by vandalism overnight
• Roller shutters forced, leaving doors unable to lock
• Industrial unit pedestrian doors kicked in, hinges or frames split
• Accidental breakage during fit-outs or maintenance
• Storm damage to curtain walling, rooflights, and clerestory glazing
• Fire service forced entry, leaving doors and windows unsecured
• Vacant retail units needing temporary steel doors or screens between tenants

If you’ve experienced a break-in or vandalism, see our guidance for burglary repairs and vandalism repair. For weather-related issues, our storm damage page explains how we stabilise and make safe.

Our Approach for Commercial Clients

Commercial premises demand a methodical, low-disruption approach with proper documentation. Here’s how we work:

1. Initial triage by phone

   • We’ll ask for photos if safe to take and details of the opening sizes, access, and any hazards.
   • You’ll receive a realistic ETA and what equipment we’ll bring (e.g., 18mm exterior-grade plywood, temporary steel door options, anti-tamper fixings).

2. Site assessment and make-safe

   • We clear loose glass and debris, cordon as needed, and check frames for structural integrity.
   • For glazing, we typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for doors and larger openings, and 12–18mm OSB/ply for smaller panes depending on risk and span.
   • Anti-tamper fixings are used so boards cannot be removed from outside—critical for unattended periods.
   • Where frames are compromised, we use through-bolting or a tube-and-prop method to avoid further damage. If non-destructive fixing isn’t possible, we’ll explain options before progressing.

3. Temporary access and medium-term security

   • For damaged shop doors or rear access, we can install a temporary steel door with adjustable frame so staff can still open/close securely.
   • For longer void periods, we supply steel security screens for higher deterrence than timber.
   • See door boarding, shopfront boarding, and temporary fencing for perimeter control on larger sites.

4. Handover and documentation

   • Time-stamped photos before/after, itemised invoice, and a brief work statement suitable for insurers.
   • If required, we can note suspected entry points and visible damage for your records. We are not loss adjusters, but our paperwork aligns with what insurers typically request. More detail on insurance claims.

Materials and Methods That Suit Commercial Premises

• Timber boarding: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for primary doors, large panes, and high-risk shopfronts; 12mm OSB for small internal panes or low-risk openings. Edges are cut to fit the aperture flush and fixed to sound substrate.
• Anti-tamper fixings: Clutch-head or similar fixings prevent removal from outside, essential when the property is unattended.
• Through-bolting: Used for aluminium curtain walling or compromised frames to avoid splitting and to spread loads.
• Temporary steel doors: Adjustable frames clamp to the opening without damaging sound substrate, providing controlled access and better resistance against forced entry.
• Security screens: Steel screens for vacant or repeat-target sites, particularly useful between tenancies.
• Weatherproofing: We add membranes, tape, or sealant where water ingress is a risk, especially on rooflights and damaged upper-storey glazing. See our roof boarding page for elevated works.

Why these choices matter:

• Commercial fronts present larger spans; thicker sheet stock reduces flex and intruder leverage.
• Anti-tamper fixings and through-bolts keep boards in place until planned glazing repairs.
• Temporary steel doors reduce downtime—staff can trade behind a secured access point where safe and permitted.

What You Get from Us

• Rapid triage and realistic ETA over the phone
• A clear plan on arrival and priority on safety and trading continuity
• Professional make-safe: board sizing, secure fixings, debris removal from the immediate work area
• Time-stamped photos and itemised invoice
• Work statement noting the openings secured and methods used
• Advice on next steps for glazing repairs and security
• Fully insured service by DBS-checked technicians

For a fuller overview of how emergency call-outs work, visit emergency boarding up. For broader scope, see our services page.

Typical Commercial Call-Outs in the UB Area

• Retail and hospitality: Smashed shopfronts, damaged entrance doors, late-night incidents aligned to the night-time economy. We can shopfront boarded up quickly to help you re-open safely.
• Offices and managed buildings: Meeting room glazing or atrium panels damaged; coordination with building management and RAMS where required.
• Industrial and logistics: Side doors pried, loading-bay access compromised. Temporary steel doors or reinforced boarding to keep operations secure.
• Vacant units: Between tenants or under fit-out; a mix of timber boarding, steel doors, and security screens to deter trespass and protect assets. See vacant property.

A Realistic Scenario: What It Often Looks Like

A typical call-out might involve a retail premises in UB8 after an attempted break-in around 11pm. The laminated glass door is shattered, with the frame splintered near the lock. On arrival, we isolate the area, remove loose glass, and assess the door frame. Because the frame won’t hold conventional fixings safely, we install an adjustable temporary steel door to maintain secure access for staff. Adjacent sidelights are boarded with 18mm plywood using anti-tamper fixings. We photograph before/after, provide an itemised invoice, and a work statement for the insurer. The business can open the next morning behind the temporary door while waiting for replacement glazing.

Planning for Downtime and Safety

• Keep a copy of your insurance policy and emergency contacts accessible off-site.
• Record a police reference number after incidents—insurers commonly request it.
• If safe, take photos before we arrive; do not handle broken glass.
• Consider staff communication: a quick notice on the door helps manage expectations if customers arrive while we make safe.
• Where a site remains unattended, ask us about upgraded boarding or a temporary steel door to reduce follow-on risk.

For broader events like storms or floods, see storm damage and flood damage. After fires, we secure the property; we don’t undertake smoke or odour remediation—see fire damage for scope.

Health, Safety, and Access

• We work around trading hours and busy pavement areas, setting safe zones and signage as needed.
• Upper-storey or roof access may require towers or MEWPs; we’ll discuss practicalities and time on the call.
• If your security alarms or CCTV are affected, let us know so we can coordinate with your monitoring provider.
• For larger estates or multi-unit sites, we can align with your RAMS and permit processes where required.

Areas We Cover for Commercial Boarding Up

We cover commercial sites across all UB postcodes, including UB1–UB11 and surrounding districts. Common locations include retail and hospitality in UB8 and UB10, industrial and logistics across UB3, UB7, and UB11, and mixed-use developments across the wider UB area.

Nearby local pages:

• Boarding up in Uxbridge UB8
• Boarding up in Hayes UB3
• Boarding up in West Drayton UB7

See the full list on areas we cover.

Costs and Insurance

Commercial costs vary by:

• Size and number of openings
• Materials (plywood vs steel door vs screens)
• Access requirements (out of hours, upper floors, special equipment)
• Site constraints and RAMS

We don’t quote fixed prices online. We’ll outline likely costs on the phone and provide an itemised invoice after the job. Our pricing page explains the factors. For claims, we provide documentation insurers typically request—see insurance claims. We are not loss adjusters and cannot advise on policy coverage.

FAQs for Commercial Clients

Can you board up out of hours so we can trade the next day?

Yes. We handle 24/7 boarding up and aim to make you safe and compliant so you can reopen where practical. We’ll give a realistic ETA on the phone.

We’re in UB8 with a smashed shopfront—should we choose timber boarding or a temporary steel door?

It depends on the damage and access needs. Timber boards are fast and secure; a temporary steel door is best when you need controlled staff access while the main door is out of action. We’ll assess and advise on site.

Do you cover business parks and industrial units across UB3, UB7, and UB11?

Yes—logistics hubs and industrial estates are a regular part of our work. We can provide reinforced boarding, temporary steel doors, and perimeter measures like temporary fencing where needed.

Can you work with our facilities team and issue RAMS?

For planned works, yes—we can align with site inductions and RAMS. For emergencies, we’ll operate under our standard risk assessments and provide documentation after the make-safe.

What documentation will we receive for our insurer and landlord?

Time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement describing openings secured, materials used, and any notable site conditions.

We manage multiple UB sites—can you coordinate multi-location call-outs?

We prioritise urgent incidents and can coordinate sequential visits. Call us to discuss the situation and we’ll agree a practical plan and ETAs.

How long do boards stay in place?

They’re a temporary measure. Many clients keep them until glazing repairs are scheduled—often days to a couple of weeks. For longer voids, we recommend steel security screens or a temporary steel door.

Can you help after a fire or storm at our premises in the UB area?

Yes, we secure doors, windows, and roof openings after fire or weather events. We don’t do smoke/odour remediation. See fire damage and storm damage.

Next Steps

• For urgent incidents: Call 01895 696 176. We’ll triage, provide a realistic ETA, and get you made safe.
• For planned works or multi-site support: Email us with photos and site details, or visit contact.

Ready to get started? Call 01895 696 176 or email us for a no-obligation discussion.