Door Boarding in Uxbridge (UB Area)

When a door is forced, kicked in, or damaged, you need the opening made safe fast. Our door boarding service in Uxbridge secures residential and commercial properties across the UB postcodes (UB1–UB18) 24/7. We attend out of hours, assess the damage, and board up doors to secure the property until permanent repairs can be arranged. We’re local, fully insured, DBS-checked, and have 10+ years’ experience making properties safe after break-ins, vandalism, storm damage, fire, and accidents.

Need urgent help to board up a door or fit a temporary steel door tonight? Call 01895 696 176 now. If lines are busy, leave a message with your postcode and brief details—we prioritise emergency boarding up and will call back with a realistic ETA.

• For immediate assistance: Call 01895 696 176
• Learn more about our emergency response: emergency boarding up

When You Need Door Boarding

A compromised door is a security and safety risk. Common scenarios we handle across Uxbridge and the UB area include:

• Break-ins where the lock area or deadlock has been split out of the frame
• Kicked-in panels on timber, composite, or uPVC doors
• Damaged communal entrance doors to blocks of flats
• Shop rear doors forced during a burglary; shutters left intact but door unusable
• Fire brigade entry where the door and frame are beyond a simple resecure
• Impact or accident damage (e.g., vehicle strike or heavy load hitting a door)
• Storm damage, swollen frames, or water-warped doors that no longer close

If the door can’t be locked or closed properly, it needs securing. We can either board over the opening, or if entry is still required, install a temporary steel door. We’ll advise the best approach on site.

Related services you might need:

• Window damage as well? See window boarding in Uxbridge
• For retail premises with damaged glazing, see shopfront boarding
• If you’re dealing with a break-in, read our guide to burglary repairs

How Our Door Boarding Works (Step by Step)

1. Initial call

   • We take your location (UB postcode), situation, and any hazards (broken glass, exposed nails, unsafe structure).
   • We give a realistic ETA—no fixed promises, but we prioritise urgent calls.

2. On-site assessment

   • Technician inspects the door leaf, frame, hinges, lock area, and surrounding structure.
   • We check whether a non-destructive resecure is possible (e.g., realign, temporary latch plate fix) or if boarding/steel door is required.

3. Make safe and clear debris

   • Remove loose splinters or protruding screws.
   • If glass panes are involved, make safe and clear the area.

4. Board sizing and prep

   • Measure the opening and select material: typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for doors; 12mm OSB may be used for smaller side panels or internal partition doors.
   • Cut to size on site. We leave adequate overlap beyond the opening to resist leverage.

5. Fixing method

   • For external doors, we use through-bolted, anti-tamper fixings with backing braces on the inside where possible. This prevents removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended.
   • If the frame is sound, we may use internal bearers to spread load and avoid damaging historic or fragile frames.
   • Where the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding so you can approve the fix that best balances security and future repair work.

6. Optional: Temporary steel door

   • If you need ongoing access (residents, staff, contractors), we can install a temporary steel door with an adjustable steel frame and secure locking. This is ideal for multi-day or vacant-property scenarios.
   • We’ll set cylinder access and supply keys to authorised persons.

7. Weatherproofing and finish

   • We fit foam or rubber seals where appropriate to reduce draught and water ingress.
   • For internal doors (e.g., to stairwells), we ensure fire escape routes are not obstructed.

8. Handover and documentation

   • We provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement describing materials, fixings, and the areas boarded.
   • If you’re claiming on insurance, see our guidance: insurance claims

Materials and Fixings We Use

We specify materials suitable for the job and environment. You’ll know exactly what’s being fitted and why:

• Boards
  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood: our standard for door openings due to superior strength and fastener retention.
  • 12mm OSB: used for smaller internal apertures or temporary secondary containment where appropriate.
• Bracing and bearers
  • Internal timber bearers to spread load and reduce stress on damaged frames.
• Fixings
  • Through-bolted anti-tamper fixings with security heads to prevent external removal.
  • Coach screws and shield anchors where substrate requires, with internal plates to resist pull-through.
• Temporary steel doors
  • Adjustable steel frame secured to structure.
  • Re-lockable system with changeable cylinders; keys provided to authorised persons.
• Weatherproofing
  • External-grade sealant and compressible seals to reduce water ingress where necessary.

Why this matters: A door board secured with anti-tamper through-bolts and internal bracing resists prying and prevents easy removal. That’s critical if the property will be empty overnight or for several days.

Choosing Boarding vs Temporary Steel Doors

Not sure which you need? Here’s our practical guide:

• Choose door boarding if:

  • You don’t require regular access to the doorway
  • It’s a short-term measure until a replacement door arrives
  • The opening is irregular and needs a custom cut to fully secure it

• Choose a temporary steel door if:

  • You need to enter/exit while repairs are arranged (residents, staff, contractors)
  • The property is vacant/void and needs medium-term security
  • The frame is too compromised for conventional boarding but can accept an adjustable steel frame

We’ll assess on site and explain the trade-offs, costs, and security differences. For longer-term void property security, consider steel security options on our vacant property page.

Situations We Handle and What You Get

We respond across UB1 to UB11 (and the wider UB area) for:

• Burglary or attempted break-in: split frames, blown locks, buckled hinges
• Vandalism: smashed door panels, forced rear doors to shops
• Storm damage: wind-blown doors, swollen frames that won’t latch
• Fire damage: charred doors and frames after fire service entry (we secure; remediation is outside scope)
• Accident/impact: vehicle strike or moved heavy goods damaging the doorway

With every job, you receive:

• A clear explanation of options before we proceed
• Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
• Itemised invoice with materials and labour
• Work statement suitable for insurers
• Advice on next steps and repair referrals if requested

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we provide documentation insurers typically need. For more on claims, visit insurance claims.

Local Knowledge: UB Postcodes and Property Types

Uxbridge and the surrounding UB districts include a mix of:

• Residential terraces and semis with timber or composite doors
• Purpose-built flats with communal entrance doors
• Retail and hospitality units with rear service doors
• Light industrial units around business parks

Busy roads and evening footfall can increase the risk of out-of-hours incidents. We work across the UB area and understand the practicalities: shared stairwells, managing access for residents, and coordinating with security or caretakers. For commercial work, we can provide RAMS where needed and liaise with facilities teams. See commercial properties or residential properties for specifics.

What To Expect When You Call

• We’ll ask for:
  • Your location (UB postcode and brief directions)
  • What happened (burglary, vandalism, storm, fire, accident)
  • Whether you need access through the door after we leave
  • Any hazards on site
• We’ll give:
  • An indicative ETA based on current workload and distance
  • An outline of likely methods (boarding vs temporary steel door)
  • Guidance on what to do while you wait

If safe to do so, keep your police reference number and take photos before we arrive. If the door is unstable, keep people clear and avoid handling damaged parts.

Honest Limits and Response Approach

• We aim to attend as quickly as possible, prioritising urgent calls, but we don’t guarantee specific response times.
• We won’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary. You’ll get a realistic ETA on the phone.
• Smoke/odour remediation after fire is outside our scope—we secure the property.
• Structural repairs beyond boarding/temporary doors may require a joiner or door specialist; we can recommend next steps.

For immediate needs, use our emergency line: emergency boarding up.

Door Boarding for Insurance Claims

Most insurers cover emergency make-safe after an insured peril (burglary, storm, fire). Typical documentation we provide:

• Time-stamped photos (before/after)
• Itemised invoice detailing materials (e.g., 18mm plywood, anti-tamper fixings) and labour
• Work statement summarising cause and actions taken

Practical tips:

• Report crimes to the police and keep the reference number
• Contact your insurer early to log the claim
• Don’t dispose of damaged components until approved by the insurer

More guidance here: insurance claims.

Pricing: What Affects Cost

We don’t publish fixed prices because every doorway and situation is different. Costs vary based on:

• Time of call (day, evening, overnight)
• Location within the UB area and access complexity
• Materials used (board type/size vs temporary steel door)
• Fixing method (through-bolting, internal bracing)
• Additional openings to secure (e.g., side lights, second door)

We’ll outline costs on the phone and confirm on site before work begins. For an overview, see our pricing page.

Frequently Asked Questions: Door Boarding

Can you board up my door out of hours in Uxbridge?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up across Uxbridge and the UB postcodes. Call us any time on 01895 696 176. We’ll prioritise your emergency and give a realistic ETA.

Will I be able to use the doorway after you’ve boarded it?

A boarded door is typically sealed for security. If you need regular access, ask about a temporary steel door with a lockable cylinder—we install these frequently for residential and commercial properties.

What if the door frame in my UB postcode is too damaged to fix?

If the frame is heavily split or pulled from the masonry, we’ll explain options: reinforced boarding with internal bearers, or a temporary steel door that spans the damaged area. We’ll talk you through pros, cons, and costs before proceeding.

Are your fixings tamper-resistant?

Yes. We use anti-tamper fixings and through-bolts with internal plates where possible. This prevents removal from outside and improves security while the property is unattended.

How long does door boarding take?

Most single-door openings are secured within a visit, typically under a couple of hours on site depending on complexity. Larger or multi-door sites take longer. We’ll advise on arrival.

Is this suitable for communal entrance doors in blocks of flats?

Yes, but we’ll discuss access needs. Often a temporary steel door is best so residents and caretakers can use keys while the permanent door is replaced.

Can you help with insurance paperwork?

We supply photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement. We’re not loss adjusters, but our documentation is designed to support claims. See insurance claims.

Do you cover all UB areas?

We cover UB1–UB18, including Uxbridge and nearby areas. For local pages, see boarding up in Uxbridge UB8 and areas we cover.

Related Pages

• Need help now? Go to our emergency boarding up page
• For smashed glazing, see window boarding in Uxbridge
• For retail units, see shopfront boarding
• Learn more about situations we handle like vandalism or storm damage

Why Choose Us

• Local UB specialists with 10+ years trading
• 24/7 attendance, out of hours, same-day where possible
• DBS-checked technicians and fully insured service
• Professional-grade materials: 18mm exterior plywood, anti-tamper fixings, steel door options
• Clear documentation for insurers

Read what people say about us: our reviews. If you have questions, check our FAQs.

Call Now To Secure Your Door

If you need to board up a door, install a temporary steel door, or just make the property safe, call us now. We’ll talk you through your options and give a realistic ETA.

• Need help now? Call 01895 696 176
• Prefer email? [email protected]