Boarding Up Services in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, a damaged door, or a vulnerable shopfront, you usually don’t need a long conversation—you need the property secured properly and without delay. We provide professional boarding up services in St Albans and across the AL postcodes (AL1–AL10), with a clear, practical process and fully insured, DBS-checked technicians.

For urgent help (including out of hours), call 01727 326 204. If it’s safe to do so, taking a couple of photos before we arrive can help us advise on the best way to make safe and secure the opening.

When to use a boarding-up service (and why it matters)

Boarding up isn’t just “covering a hole”. Done correctly, it prevents further damage, reduces the risk of repeat entry, and helps you stay compliant with landlord, insurer, or facilities requirements while repairs are arranged.

People typically contact us when they need to:

• board up a broken window after vandalism, impact, or a break-in
• secure a property after a smashed window or failed lock
• board up a door that won’t close properly after forced entry
• get a shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent further disruption
• make safe a building before weather worsens (especially with rooflight or roof damage)
• secure a vacant property between tenancies or during probate

If you need immediate help, see our dedicated page for emergency boarding up—it’s designed for urgent situations and what to do next.

How our boarding up service works (what to expect)

When you call, we keep things straightforward. We’ll ask a few practical questions so we can arrive prepared with the right materials and fixings.

1. Initial call & risk check
   We’ll ask what’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), whether access is safe, and if police or emergency services are involved. If you’re not sure, we’ll guide you.

2. On-site assessment
   We check the opening size, condition of the frame, and whether there are hazards (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable frames, overhead risks).

3. Make safe
   Where possible, we clear immediate dangers and secure the area so nobody gets hurt while we work.

4. Fit the boarding or temporary security solution
   We use the most suitable method for the situation—often exterior-grade plywood or OSB with anti-tamper fixings, and sometimes a temporary steel door or security screen for higher-risk or longer-term needs.

5. Documentation for your records/insurer
   You can request time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear work statement showing what was secured and how.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary—especially late at night and during bad weather—but we do prioritise urgent calls, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Materials & methods we use (and why)

The goal is to secure the opening without creating additional damage and without making future repairs harder than they need to be.

Plywood boarding (common for windows, doors and shopfronts)

For many jobs we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood, as it’s strong, stable, and suitable for short-term security. We cut boards to size and fix them using methods appropriate to the substrate and frame condition.

OSB boarding (useful for smaller openings)

For some smaller or lower-risk openings, 12mm OSB can be a practical solution. We’ll advise if plywood would be more appropriate—particularly where the property will be unattended.

Anti-tamper fixings & security-first installation

We regularly use anti-tamper fixings because they reduce the risk of boards being removed from outside. This matters most for:

• vacant properties
• shops with repeat targeting risk
• buildings that will be unattended overnight
• doors/windows accessible from the street or a rear alleyway

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

Our core boarding up services

Below is an overview of what we do most often in St Albans and across the AL area. Each service has its own page if you want the detail.

Window boarding (domestic and commercial)

Window boarding is for broken panes, failed glazing, or windows that are insecure after a break-in. We can board from the most appropriate side and fix boards in a way that prioritises security while keeping later repairs in mind.

Learn more about window boarding in St Albans.

Door boarding and forced-entry securing

If a door has been kicked in, the lock area has failed, or the frame has split, boarding can be used as a short-term stabilisation step while you arrange a new door set—or we can discuss a stronger temporary option.

See door boarding.

Shopfront boarding (retail and commercial glazing)

Shopfronts often require larger boards, careful measuring, and a tidy finish—especially when you need to close up quickly and protect stock. We aim to keep boarding secure and professional-looking while you organise glazing replacement.

Read about shopfront boarding.

Roof boarding and skylight/rooflight securing

Roof and skylight damage can lead to rapid water ingress. Boarding overhead openings safely also involves access planning and weatherproofing considerations.

Explore roof boarding.

Temporary security for sites and perimeters

For some properties, securing the opening isn’t enough—especially after impact damage or when there’s ongoing site activity. Temporary fencing can help control access while repairs are underway.

More on temporary fencing.

Options for vacant or higher-risk properties

If a property is likely to be empty for a while, simple timber boarding may not be the best long-term solution. Depending on the risk level and access, we can discuss:

• Temporary steel doors (a strong option when a doorway is compromised and the building needs ongoing access)
• Steel security screens (useful for void properties needing a longer-term deterrent)

If you’re securing an empty building between tenancies or after a change of ownership, our vacant property boarding page explains common approaches and what to plan for.

Situations we commonly attend in St Albans and the AL area

Most call-outs follow a stressful event. We’ll keep you informed, focus on the immediate security need, and help you prepare the paperwork your insurer is likely to request.

Common situations include:

• break-ins and attempted break-ins (see burglary repairs and boarding)
• vandalism and malicious damage (see vandalism repair)
• storm damage and wind-driven breakage (see storm damage boarding)
• vehicle impact and accidental damage (see accident damage securing)
• post-incident securing after fire (we secure the property; we don’t do smoke/odour remediation) (see fire damage securing)
• flood-related swelling/warping that stops doors and windows closing properly (see flood damage securing)

What you receive after we’ve secured the property

We aim to leave you with more than just a boarded opening—especially if you’re coordinating repairs, reporting to a landlord, or making an insurance claim.

On request, we can provide:

• time-stamped photos of the secured area
• an itemised invoice and clear description of works
• notes on any visible frame damage or safety concerns
• practical advice on what to arrange next (glazier, door replacement, locksmith, roofer)

For more guidance, visit our insurance claims support page. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can supply the documentation insurers typically ask for.

Areas we cover (AL1–AL10)

We cover St Albans and surrounding locations across the AL postcodes, including residential streets, retail areas, and managed sites. If you’re not sure whether you’re inside our working area, call and we’ll confirm.

You can also check our areas we cover and local pages such as:

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

FAQs about our boarding up services

Can you board up tonight if my window has been smashed?

If it’s urgent, call 01727 326 204. We prioritise emergency boarding up and out of hours calls where a property is exposed or unsafe. We’ll talk through what’s happened and give a realistic ETA based on workload and travel.

What’s the difference between plywood and OSB boarding?

Plywood (often 18mm exterior-grade) is generally tougher and more resistant to tampering and weather. OSB (often 12mm) can be suitable for smaller openings or short-duration jobs. We’ll recommend the right option based on risk, opening size, and how long the property will be unattended.

Can you secure a door that won’t lock after a break-in?

Yes. Depending on the damage, we may board the door area as a temporary measure or recommend a stronger solution such as a temporary steel door if the doorway is a repeat risk or the building will be vacant.

Will boarding up damage my frames or brickwork?

We aim for secure fixing with minimal additional damage. However, if the surrounding frame is already broken or unstable, there may be limited non-destructive options. If that’s the case, we’ll explain what we can do before we proceed.

Do you handle commercial premises and shopfronts?

Yes—shops, offices, and managed sites. Shopfront boarding often needs careful fitting for larger openings and a tidy finish, particularly where premises are on a busy frontage and you need to reopen safely once glazing is replaced.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact—cover varies by policy and excess. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. Our insurance claims guidance explains what documentation is commonly requested.

Ready to secure your property?

If you need boarding up services in St Albans or anywhere across AL1–AL10, we’ll talk you through the options and help you secure the property properly.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 or email us.