Commercial Boarding Up in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

When you’re responsible for a shop, office, warehouse, or other commercial premises, a broken window or damaged door isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a security risk, a safety hazard, and often a business interruption. If you need commercial boarding up in St Albans or anywhere across the AL postcodes, we can help you secure the property, make safe the site, and support you with the documentation insurers and landlords typically ask for.

For urgent incidents (a smashed window, forced entry, or impact damage), call 01727 326 204. We prioritise urgent jobs and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone (we don’t guarantee fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary).

We’re fully insured, have 10+ years’ trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

When commercial boarding up is needed (typical scenarios)

Commercial call-outs tend to be time-sensitive. Common situations we attend in St Albans and the surrounding AL area include:

• Smashed window or cracked glazing after vandalism or an attempted break-in
• Forced entry damage to doors, frames, locks, or hinges after a burglary
• Shopfront attacks where a large glazed panel has failed and the opening is exposed
• Accidental impact (e.g., a vehicle strike, loading bay mishap, or internal breakage)
• Storm damage where wind has taken out panes or loosened frames and the premises can’t be left open
• Fire service entry / post-incident securing once the building has been handed back and needs to be closed up (we secure the property — smoke/odour remediation isn’t our scope)

If you’re unsure whether you need boarding or a more secure temporary solution, we’ll talk it through and explain the options on-site.

For event-led support, see:

• emergency boarding up
• burglary repairs and boarding
• vandalism repair boarding
• accident/impact damage securing

What “make safe” means for a business site

On commercial properties, “make safe” usually means more than covering a hole. Your responsibilities may include staff safety, customer access, and preventing further loss or injury. Our aim is to leave the site:

• Secure against opportunistic entry
• Safe for occupants and passers-by (as far as boarding allows)
• Weather protected where practical (especially after storm or impact)
• Documented for insurance and building management

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Methods and materials we use on commercial properties

Commercial openings are often larger, more visible, and more likely to be targeted again — so the fixing method matters. We choose materials and fixings based on the risk, the size of the opening, and how long the property needs to remain protected.

Plywood vs OSB (and when we use each)

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for larger or higher-risk openings because it offers stronger impact resistance and holds fixings well.
• OSB (often 12mm) can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk temporary boarding, depending on conditions and the substrate.

We’ll recommend the best option for the specific opening and explain why.

For more detail, see window boarding in St Albans.

Anti-tamper fixings and commercial-grade installation

Where there’s a realistic risk of repeat attempts, we’ll use anti-tamper fixings and techniques designed to reduce external removal. This is particularly important if:

• The premises will be unattended overnight
• There’s stock inside
• The opening is on a public-facing frontage
• You’re dealing with repeat vandalism

Temporary steel doors for damaged entrances

If a door has been forced or the frame is compromised, boarding can be a short-term option — but for commercial sites, a temporary steel door can be a better medium-term solution where you need controlled access.

Learn more on door boarding and temporary door solutions.

Shopfront boarding for large glazed panels

Retail and other public-facing premises often have large glass sections that need careful boarding to cover the full span and reduce leverage points.

See shopfront boarding for how we handle commercial frontages.

Rooflights and overhead openings (commercial units & offices)

A broken rooflight or skylight is easy to overlook, but it can be a major vulnerability (and a weather risk). Access and safety are critical here, so we’ll assess the best approach before starting work.

See roof boarding.

What to expect when you call us (commercial workflow)

Commercial clients usually want clarity: what happens next, what you’ll receive, and what you can send to an insurer or managing agent. Here’s our typical process:

1. Call and describe the damage

   • What’s broken (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
   • Whether the site is occupied or vacant
   • Any immediate hazards (shattered glass, exposed wiring, unstable frames)

2. We give a realistic attendance estimate

   • We don’t quote guaranteed response times
   • We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible

3. On-site assessment

   • Confirm measurements and fixing points
   • Check whether a standard board-up is suitable or if a more secure option is needed

4. Make safe and secure property

   • Install boards/screens/temporary doors as agreed
   • Leave the opening protected and the site safer than we found it

5. Documentation for your records

   • Time-stamped photos (where appropriate)
   • Itemised invoice
   • Work statement describing what was secured and how

If you need us to coordinate with a facilities team, out-of-hours keyholder, or a managing agent, we can work with your process.

Commercial properties we commonly secure (St Albans & AL area)

Across AL1–AL10, we frequently help secure:

• Retail premises (including shopfront glazed panels)
• Offices and mixed-use buildings
• Restaurants, cafés, and takeaways
• Warehouses and light industrial units
• Schools, community buildings, and managed sites (where access and approvals matter)

If the property is temporarily empty between tenants, you may also want to consider longer-term protection options. Our vacant property boarding up page explains what changes when a building is unattended.

Scenario examples (typical commercial call-outs)

These are typical examples of what commercial boarding work can look like in the St Albans area, using conditional language because every site differs.

1) Shopfront boarded up after a smashed window (out of hours)

A typical out of hours call might involve a shopfront where one large pane has been broken overnight. The priority is to make safe the immediate area, then cover the opening in a way that reduces the chance of someone pulling boards off from outside.

Depending on the frame and layout, we may use exterior-grade plywood with anti-tamper fixings and leave guidance on what to tell the glazier in the morning (measurements and photos help).

Related service: shopfront boarding

2) Board up door after forced entry to a rear entrance

A common commercial break-in point is the rear door or side access. If the lock area or frame is damaged, a simple patch board might not be enough. We’ll assess whether the best outcome is:

• a secure board-up to stabilise the entry, or
• a temporary steel door if ongoing access is required and the risk is high

Related service: door boarding
Related situation: post-burglary boarding

3) Emergency window boarding after accident/impact damage

Impact damage can leave jagged glass and a wide opening — especially in offices, shared entrances, or commercial units. A typical call-out could involve boarding a ground-floor window, then providing photos and a clear work statement for the building manager and insurer.

Related situation: accident damage securing
Related service: window boarding

Insurance and facilities management: what we can (and can’t) do

Many commercial clients call us because an insurer, landlord, or managing agent requires the premises to be secured immediately. We can help by providing the documentation you’re likely to need, but it’s important to be clear:

• We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers
• We don’t authorise claims or determine policy cover
• We do provide invoices, photos, and a work description to support your claim process

If you’re dealing with a claim, our guidance page may help: insurance claims support.

Commercial coverage across St Albans and AL postcodes

We cover St Albans and the wider AL postcode area (AL1–AL10). That includes central St Albans and surrounding districts where commercial sites, retail parades, and industrial units are common.

If you’re looking for a more local page near your premises, these may help:

• boarding up in St Albans (AL1)
• boarding up in Harpenden (AL5)
• boarding up in Hatfield (AL9)

For urgent assistance anywhere in the AL area, use our emergency line: 01727 326 204.

FAQs — commercial boarding up in St Albans & AL

Do you handle commercial boarding up out of hours?

Yes. If your shopfront is damaged tonight, or you need to board up a door after a break-in, call 01727 326 204. We prioritise urgent call-outs and will give a realistic ETA on the phone.

Can you board up a smashed shop window the same day?

Often, yes — especially for urgent safety and security risks. Attendance depends on workload and conditions, but if you call we’ll tell you what’s realistic and talk you through what to do while you wait.

Will boarding damage my frames or cladding?

We aim to secure openings using appropriate fixing points for the substrate. Some situations require fixings into sound structural material to be secure. If the frame is already compromised or there’s no safe fixing point, we’ll explain options before starting.

Should I choose plywood, OSB, or a temporary steel door?

It depends on risk, access needs, and how long the premises will be unattended. Plywood is often preferred for strength on exposed commercial frontages. A temporary steel door is often better where the main entrance is damaged and you need controlled entry for staff.

Do you provide paperwork for insurers and managing agents?

Yes. You’ll typically receive an itemised invoice and work statement, and we can provide time-stamped photos where appropriate. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

Can you secure commercial properties across AL1–AL10?

Yes — we cover St Albans and the wider AL area. If you’re unsure whether your postcode is included, call and we’ll confirm.

What if the building is vacant between tenants?

Vacant sites can attract repeat attention. In addition to immediate boarding, you may want medium-term solutions depending on how long it’ll be empty. See vacant property boarding up.

Ready to secure your commercial premises?

If you need emergency boarding up for a commercial property in St Albans or across AL1–AL10, call now.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]