Residential Boarding Up in Uxbridge
If you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or damage after a storm or fire at home, we’re here to help. Boarding Up Uxbridge secures residential properties across the UB area—houses, flats, and maisonettes—so you can make the property safe and focus on next steps. We’ve been trading for 10+ years, are fully insured, and all technicians are DBS-checked. Whether it’s late at night or a planned visit while you arrange repairs, we provide practical, tidy, and robust residential boarding using the right materials for each opening.
We cover Uxbridge and every UB postcode district (UB1–UB18). If you need urgent help—tonight or out of hours—call us. We prioritise emergency boarding up and will give you a realistic ETA when you ring.
- Need emergency boarding up? Call 01895 696 176
- Prefer email? [email protected]
When homeowners call us: typical residential scenarios
You’re not alone—these are the situations we handle most for homes across UB postcodes:
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Burglary or attempted break-in
- Forced doors, splintered frames, broken locks
- Smashed or levered sash and casement windows
- Priority: secure property, preserve evidence if police are involved
See: burglary repairs and securing
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Vandalism or accidental breakage
- Smashed double glazing, patio doors cracked by impact
- Single panes shattered in older frames
- Priority: make safe sharp glass, secure property quickly
See: vandalism repair
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Storm and weather damage
- Wind-blown debris through windows, fallen branches
- Rooflights/skylights compromised, temporary weatherproofing needed
- Priority: keep water out, protect interior until glazing/roof repairs
See: storm damage and roof boarding
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Fire damage
- Fire service access points, blown-out glazing, weakened frames
- Priority: secure openings post-incident; we do not handle smoke/odour remediation
See: fire damage securing
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Flood impacts
- Swollen door frames, failed locks, glass stress cracks from debris
- Priority: safe ventilation and controlled access while drying
See: flood damage
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Void or between-tenancies
- Keeping an empty house or flat secure while awaiting works
- Options: robust plywood boarding or medium-term steel security for longer voids
See: vacant property boarding
How we secure residential windows and doors
Our approach is based on tried-and-tested methods that protect your home without unnecessary damage. The exact method depends on the frame condition, material, and how long the property needs to be secured.
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Window boarding
- Materials: typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for ground-floor and vulnerable openings; 12mm OSB for smaller, less-exposed apertures where appropriate
- Fixings: anti-tamper screws/bolts and—where suitable—through-frame studding systems that resist removal from outside
- Method: we size each board precisely, avoid live glass edges, and pack behind boards to prevent flex and rattling
Learn more: window boarding in Uxbridge
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Door boarding and temporary access
- When the door leaf/frame is damaged, we can board the opening securely
- If you need ongoing entry, we can fit a temporary steel door with a security-rated lock, allowing safe access for you or contractors
Learn more: door boarding up and temporary steel doors
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Shop-style glazing at home
- Some houses and flats have large panes or patio doors similar to commercial glazing; we bring longer boards and additional fixings to span larger areas safely
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Rooflights and skylights
- We use safe access methods, weatherproof membranes, and boards to keep rain out until a roofer or glazier can replace the unit
Learn more: roof & skylight boarding
- We use safe access methods, weatherproof membranes, and boards to keep rain out until a roofer or glazier can replace the unit
Why these methods? Anti-tamper fixings prevent removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended overnight. Exterior-grade timber holds up to weather while you arrange permanent repairs. We aim to protect the frame for future glazing; if the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
What you can expect when you call
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Calm guidance on the phone
- We’ll ask about the damage type, floor level, frame material (uPVC, timber, aluminium), and access constraints
- We’ll give a realistic ETA based on workload and distance—no fixed promises, but we do prioritise emergencies
For urgent situations: emergency boarding up
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On arrival
- Safety first: remove or stabilise loose glass and hazards
- Measure and cut boards on site to fit precisely
- Fit boards with anti-tamper fixings; fit temporary steel door if required
- Weatherproof as needed (particularly after storm or fire service entry)
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After the work
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the boarding
- Itemised invoice with location and materials noted
- Work statement suitable for insurers
Insurance guidance: making an insurance claim and pricing factors
Materials and specifications for homes
- Plywood: 18mm exterior-grade for most ground-floor or easily accessible windows and doors
- OSB: 12mm–18mm for smaller or less-exposed openings
- Fixings: anti-tamper screws/bolts, spreader washers, backing timbers as needed
- Sealing: weatherproof tape/membrane where ingress risk exists (rooflights, fire-damaged openings)
- Temporary steel doors: steel panel with reinforced frame and secure locking; ideal for properties needing medium-term access
We bring a range of board sizes to reduce seams, which increases strength and improves appearance. Where aesthetics matter (front elevations), we’ll discuss board orientation and neat finishing so it’s presentable during the temporary period.
Safety, access and working in lived-in homes
- We maintain clean work areas, sweep up glass and debris, and dispose of waste responsibly
- For upper floors, we assess safe access (ladders/towers). If specialist access is required (e.g., difficult rooflines), we’ll explain options and any limitations
- We liaise respectfully with neighbours, concierges, or building managers in flats
- If police or loss adjusters are involved, we’ll preserve scene integrity and coordinate accordingly
Limitations to note:
- We don’t give guaranteed arrival times; conditions vary
- Smoke/odour remediation after fire is outside our scope—we secure the property
- We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we provide documentation insurers typically request
A typical residential call-out (what it looks like)
A typical evening call-out in UB8 might involve a terraced house with a smashed rear patio door after an attempted burglary. The homeowner calls at 9:30pm, police have attended and issued a reference number. On arrival, we make safe the glass, measure and cut 18mm exterior-grade plywood to span the opening, including a backing timber to pick up solid fixings without damaging the surviving frame. Because the family needs to let the dog into the garden, we discuss a temporary steel door as an alternative. They decide to go with standard boarding overnight and arrange a glazier for the morning. We take time-stamped photos, tidy shards inside and out, and email an itemised invoice with a brief work statement for the insurer.
Practical steps for homeowners right now
- If you suspect a break-in, call the police first. Keep your reference number.
- If it’s safe, take a few photos of the damage before any clearing up.
- Keep pets and children away from glass fragments; avoid touching damaged panes.
- If you’ve got an insurer, notify them early—most will cover emergency securing.
- Call us to make safe and secure the property. We’ll advise on the best short-term solution and what to tell your insurer.
Local coverage for residential properties
We secure homes across the UB area: UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5, UB6, UB7, UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11 and surrounding districts. We know the mix of housing stock—Victorian terraces, interwar semis, post-war maisonettes, and newer flats—and carry materials to suit. We don’t promise specific times, but we prioritise emergencies and aim to attend as quickly as possible.
Looking for area-specific information?
See all areas: areas we cover
Documentation for insurers and landlords
We regularly help homeowners and landlords with claims. While we can’t speak for your insurer, typical documentation we provide includes:
- Time-stamped photos (before/after)
- Itemised invoice with materials and methods
- Work statement describing the damage and what was secured
Landlords can authorise works remotely; we can liaise with tenants and provide access photos on request. More detail: Insurance claims support.
FAQs for residential boarding up in the UB area
Can you board up tonight if my window is smashed?
Yes. We provide out of hours residential boarding across Uxbridge and UB postcodes. Call and we’ll give a realistic ETA based on workload.
Will boarding up damage my uPVC or timber frames?
We use non-destructive methods wherever possible—backing timbers, existing fixing points, and anti-tamper fixings placed to protect future glazing. If the frame is too damaged to avoid intrusive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
I’m in UB3—can you secure a flat on the third floor?
Often yes, but it depends on safe access. For upper floors in UB3 and UB5 tower blocks, we assess ladder/tower viability. If specialist access is needed, we’ll advise on next steps and interim safety measures.
Do you install temporary doors so I can still get in and out?
We can fit a temporary steel door with a secure lock where the frame allows, ideal for ongoing access during repairs. Ask about availability when you call.
How long should I leave the boards in place?
They are temporary. Most homeowners arrange glazing within days to a couple of weeks. We can advise on keeping ventilation and weatherproofing balanced while you wait.
Is this covered by home insurance in Uxbridge?
Many policies cover emergency boarding up after insured events like burglary or storm damage. Contact your insurer first if you can; we’ll provide the paperwork they typically need. See: Insurance claims.
Do you handle rooflights and skylights after storms?
Yes. We provide emergency roof boarding and weatherproofing for damaged skylights and roof windows. Learn more: roof & skylight boarding.
I’m a landlord—can you attend without me present?
Yes. We can coordinate with tenants or agents, send photos, and invoice with full details. See: residential and vacant property.
Related services for homeowners
- Window boarding in Uxbridge
- Door boarding up
- Shopfront-style large pane boarding for big patio or picture windows
- Roof and skylight boarding
- For incidents: Burglary repairs, Vandalism repair, Storm damage, Accident damage, Fire damage, Flood damage
Why homeowners choose us
- 10+ years trading in the UB area
- Fully insured, DBS-checked technicians
- Materials matched to risk: 18mm exterior-grade plywood, anti-tamper fixings
- Respect for your home: clean, tidy, and considerate working
- Clear communication and documentation for insurers
Need help now? Call 01895 696 176. If it’s not urgent, you can also email us for a no-obligation quote and guidance on the best way to secure your home.