Residential Boarding Up South West London
Residential boarding up in South West London is about making your home safe and secure quickly after a break-in, smashed window, accident or storm damage. Whether you’re in a flat in Battersea, a terraced home in Wimbledon, or a maisonette in Streatham, our technicians provide fast, non-destructive securing wherever possible to protect your family and belongings while permanent repairs are arranged.
We cover all SW postcodes (SW1–SW20) and nearby areas, with over 10 years’ experience, public liability insurance and DBS-checked technicians. If you need urgent help now, please Call 020 4538 6452.
When You Need This
Homeowners, tenants and landlords call us for residential boarding up across South West London when:
- Burglary or attempted break-in: doors kicked in, locks or frames compromised, glass panels smashed. This is classic post-burglary boarding up South West London and often requires a temporary secure door.
- Smashed glazing: accidental breakage boarding South West London from footballs, DIY accidents or cracked panes that become unsafe. We can board up broken window openings to make them safe.
- Storm damage boarding: wind-blown debris, fallen branches and rattled sash windows can leave openings exposed. We provide temporary weatherproofing with OSB/plywood boarding.
- Vandalism: smashed window boarding and door panel damage after out-of-hours incidents. We handle glass debris clean-up and swift make-safe.
- Fire or flood: after the emergency services leave, we secure empty or affected rooms to prevent trespass and protect contents while remediation starts.
- Void periods: if a flat is between tenants, vacant property boarding can deter opportunists with anti-tamper fixings and, where needed, steel security screens.
Typical symptoms and risks we address:
- Broken glass and sharp fragments
- Doors that won’t latch or lock
- Frames split from forced entry
- Exposed openings leading to heat loss, water ingress or easy access
- Anxiety about sleeping safely after an incident
If you’re wondering “who to call for a broken window late at night” or searching “emergency window boarding near me,” our 24/7 team is here for homes across SW.
How We Secure Your Property
Our aim is simple: make your home secure and weather-tight quickly, with tidy workmanship and clear communication.
- Rapid assessment
- A DBS-checked technician assesses the opening, frame condition and access.
- We favour non-destructive securing wherever possible. Exceptions may include severe structural damage where we must remove loose remnants for safety.
- Material selection and sizing
- We use exterior-grade plywood or OSB boarding (typically 11–18 mm depending on span and risk).
- Boards are cut to size to cover the opening fully, overlapping sound framing for a solid fix.
- Secure fixings and methods
- Anti-tamper fixings are used so they cannot be easily removed from outside.
- On windows, we use internal bracing or through-bolting methods to avoid damage to surrounding finishes, wherever possible.
- For doors or large patio openings, we install robust timber or temporary steel solutions to resist further attempts.
- Temporary steel doors and security screens (as needed)
- Where a door is beyond repair, we can fit a temporary secure door to maintain safe access control while permanent works are arranged.
- For higher-risk or longer-duration needs, we can specify steel security screens (often called Sitex-style) and anti-vandal security screens for ground-floor windows.
- Weatherproofing and clean-up
- We seal edges where appropriate to reduce draughts and water ingress, especially after storm damage.
- We clear accessible glass fragments and leave the area tidy.
- Insurer-friendly documentation
- We can provide time-stamped photos, a simple work statement and itemised invoice to assist with home insurance claims. Keep your police reference number if you have one.
If you also require glazing, we can coordinate board-up and liaise with a glazing partner so you are never left exposed.
For more details on window-specific methods, see our dedicated window boarding in South West London. For smashed shop glazing at mixed-use properties, view our shopfront boarding.
Why Choose Us
- Local SW coverage: We’re based in South West London and cover SW1–SW20, including Clapham, Putney, Tooting, Chelsea, Pimlico, Streatham, Barnes, Wandsworth and Wimbledon. See the full list of areas we cover.
- 10+ years’ experience: Residential properties are our daily work—from Victorian sash windows to modern uPVC and timber doors.
- DBS-checked technicians: Safety and trust are essential in homes; all team members attending your property are DBS checked.
- Public liability insured: You’re protected while we work, with methodical risk assessment and safe working practices.
- Non-destructive securing wherever possible: We prioritise methods that preserve frames and finishes. We’ll explain when exceptions apply, like severe frame splits or fire-damaged structures.
- Insurer-ready paperwork: We provide photos, itemised invoices and a brief statement of works to support claims. For more information, see our dedicated insurance support.
- Tidy, respectful, family-focused: We work carefully around children’s bedrooms, nurseries and living spaces, and can suggest options that balance ventilation with security after flood or fire.
What Happens Next
- Call us or get in touch: Explain what’s happened and share any photos if you can. We’ll clarify immediate safety steps and arrange a visit.
- On-site make-safe: We secure windows or doors using plywood/OSB boarding, anti-tamper fixings and, where needed, temporary steel doors or screens.
- Follow-up options: We’ll discuss next steps, from glazing to joinery or security upgrades, and provide the paperwork you need for insurers.
You may find these pages helpful:
- If a break-in has occurred, see our step-by-step guide to post-burglary boarding up.
- For glazing-specific make-safe, visit window boarding in South West London.
- For emergency, out-of-hours attendance, head to 24/7 emergency boarding up.
- Not sure if we cover your street? Check the areas we cover.
Residential Boarding Up Scenarios We Handle
- Flats and apartments: From higher-floor casements in Battersea to mansion blocks in South Kensington, we bring the right access equipment and fixings for safe, non-destructive securing.
- Terraced and semi-detached houses: Sash or casement windows, French doors and patio doors boarded swiftly with secure bracing.
- Family homes with children: We prioritise the removal of accessible glass fragments and ensure edges are smooth and secure.
- Landlord and estate-managed properties: Same day boarding up South West London available for end-of-tenancy damage or void security, with clear, itemised paperwork suitable for property managers.
- Conservatories and roof lights: Interim OSB boarding or temporary weatherproofing, and liaison with roofing or glazing contractors. If there’s roof damage, see our roof & skylight boarding.
Materials and Methods We Use at Homes
- Plywood or OSB boarding 11–18 mm, sized to suit span and risk.
- Anti-tamper fixings that cannot be easily removed from outside, with internal bracing where appropriate.
- Temporary steel doors for compromised entrances.
- Optional steel security screens for medium-term void property security.
- Edge sealing to reduce draughts and rain, as appropriate to the situation.
- Non-destructive securing as our default approach.
Insurance and Paperwork for Homeowners
We know dealing with insurers after a stressful event can be daunting. We keep it simple:
- We supply time-stamped photos of the damage and our work.
- An itemised invoice showing labour, materials and any access equipment.
- A brief statement of works summarising what we secured and why.
- We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’re happy to outline typical steps. For more detail on claims, visit our dedicated insurance support.
Tip: Keep a note of your police reference number after a burglary or vandalism incident; insurers often ask for it.
Mini Case Examples
- Streatham Hill, SW2: After a late-night attempted break-in, we secured a split front door frame with a temporary secure door and boarded the sidelights using anti-tamper fixings. Photos and a work statement supported the client’s claim.
- Putney, SW15: Football impact cracked a large sash pane in a child’s bedroom. We completed a broken window board up, removed loose shards and sealed edges for the night while glazing was arranged.
- Chelsea, SW3: Storm gusts shattered a roof light over a stairwell. We installed OSB boarding and temporary weatherproofing, then liaised with a roofer for permanent replacement.
FAQs
How fast can you attend my home?
We operate 24/7 across South West London. We dispatch efficiently and keep you updated; exact times vary with location and workload.
Will boarding up damage my frames or walls?
Our non-destructive securing methods aim to avoid damage wherever possible, using interior bracing and anti-tamper fixings. In cases of severe structural damage, we’ll explain any necessary exceptions before we proceed.
What thickness of board do you use on houses?
Typically 11–18 mm OSB or plywood. We choose thickness based on opening size, risk level and whether it’s a door or window.
Can you make my front door secure if it’s been kicked in?
Yes. We can fit a temporary secure door and board any glass panels, then advise on permanent repair or replacement. See our door boarding up.
How much does residential boarding up cost?
It depends on size and number of openings, height/access, materials, fixings, out-of-hours attendance and whether temporary steel doors or screens are required. For a breakdown of factors, see our boarding up prices.
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Many home insurance policies cover emergency securing after insured events. We provide insurance-ready paperwork to support your claim. Read more at our insurance support.
Final Steps
If you’re dealing with a smashed window, forced entry or weather damage at home anywhere in SW1–SW20, we’re ready to help—day or night. Our friendly, DBS-checked team will secure your property quickly and neatly, with insurer-friendly paperwork and clear next steps.
Need help now? Call 020 4538 6452 or Email us.
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