Shopfront Boarding in St Albans (Emergency & Planned Security)

If your shopfront has been damaged or made vulnerable, you need it secured quickly—without creating more mess, delay, or risk. We provide shopfront boarding in St Albans and across the AL postcode area (AL1–AL10) for retail units, offices, cafés, takeaways, showrooms and other commercial premises.

For urgent issues like a smashed window, forced entry, or vandalism, we can help you make safe, secure property, and get you to a stable position for glazing replacement or further repairs. Need emergency help now? Call 01727 326 204.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked—useful when you’re dealing with staff access, public-facing premises, or managed buildings.

When you might need shopfront boarded up (and why it can’t wait)

A damaged shopfront isn’t just a broken pane. It’s often an immediate security and safety problem—especially if the unit is on a busy road, part of a parade of shops, or will be left unattended overnight.

Common reasons customers call us for emergency shopfront boarding include:

• Smashed shop window after vandalism or attempted theft
• Break-ins where glazing and frames are compromised (including side panels and fanlights)
• Accidental damage (impact from vehicles, trolleys, site work, or building works nearby)
• Ongoing security issues where the premises are repeatedly targeted
• Vacant or closing-down units that need temporary boarding while decisions are made
• Fire or flood incidents where the priority is to secure property once authorities allow access (we secure; we don’t provide remediation)

If the shopfront can be accessed from the street, a temporary board can be the difference between a controlled situation and further loss. If you’re unsure, call us—tell us what’s happened and we’ll talk you through the best next step. For out-of-hours incidents, we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Emergency? Call 01727 326 204 for 24/7 boarding up support in St Albans and the AL area.

What “shopfront boarding” actually involves (not just “putting a board up”)

Shopfront openings are often wider than domestic windows and more exposed. A good job needs to withstand weather, deter tampering, and stay secure until glazing contractors or insurers have done their part.

Our aim is to:

1. Make safe the immediate hazards (loose glass, unsafe access, exposed openings)
2. Secure the opening using the right sheet material and fixing method
3. Leave the frontage as neat and compliant as practical for a temporary solution

If you also need domestic openings secured, we can combine works with window boarding in St Albans during the same attendance where appropriate.

Materials we use for shopfront boarded up work (and how we choose)

We select materials based on the opening size, exposure, and how long it needs to remain in place.

Exterior-grade plywood (typical for shopfronts)

For many commercial glazing openings, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is a dependable option. It’s rigid, takes fixings well, and performs better than thinner sheet materials on larger spans.

We prefer it when:

• The opening is wide and needs better resistance to flexing
• The board may be in place for more than a day or two
• The frontage is particularly exposed to wind and passing footfall

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) (often for smaller panels or lower-risk areas)

For some smaller or less exposed shopfront sections, 12mm OSB can be suitable. We’ll explain what we propose and why—especially if you’re balancing cost against the likely duration of the board.

Fixings & security details (the part that really matters)

A board is only as good as its fixing method. Depending on the frame condition and access, we may use:

• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside (important if the unit is unattended)
• Through-bolting with penny washers/spreaders where appropriate for strength
• Timber battens internally to clamp the board securely (often a strong approach where access allows)
• Non-destructive fixing wherever possible to limit further damage

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged to safely take fixings, we’ll tell you plainly and talk through alternatives. We won’t just “force it” and hope for the best.

Our method for securing a damaged shopfront in St Albans

Every job differs, but a typical process looks like this:

1. Arrival & safety check
   We assess loose glass, sharp edges, unstable frames, and public risk. If needed, we’ll create a safe working area while we proceed.

2. Measure and plan the fixing points
   We measure the opening(s), identify solid fixing locations, and choose a method that suits the shopfront construction.

3. Cut/offer-up boards and fit securely
   Boards are cut to size and fixed so they resist leverage and tampering. We aim for a tight, stable fit that won’t rattle or work loose in bad weather.

4. Final checks and “make safe” sign-off
   We ensure there are no obvious hazards remaining and that the premises can be locked/secured appropriately.

5. Documentation for your records or insurer
   Where requested, we can provide photos and an itemised invoice/work statement—often helpful if you’re pursuing a claim. For claim guidance, see insurance claims support.

If the incident relates to a break-in, our approach aligns with burglary repairs and boarding (securing first, then supporting the next steps).

Emergency shopfront boarding: what to do right now

If your shop window is smashed or the frontage is open, take a breath and focus on safety first.

1. If there’s an immediate threat or intruder, call 999
   Don’t confront anyone. Wait somewhere safe.

2. If safe, keep people away from broken glass
   Use barriers, chairs, tape—anything to discourage access. Avoid moving large shards with bare hands.

3. Take quick photos (only if safe)
   Wide shots and close-ups help with insurance and incident records.

4. Call us for emergency boarding up
   We’ll ask what’s happened, what’s damaged, and whether the unit is currently attended.
   Need to board up a broken window or board up a door tonight? Call 01727 326 204.

5. Contact your insurer as soon as practical
   Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), and note the time damage was discovered.

We can’t promise a fixed arrival time—traffic and active emergencies vary—but we do prioritise urgent calls and we’ll be straight with you about likely attendance when you call.

Out of hours call-outs for shopfronts (what we can and can’t do)

A lot of commercial incidents happen out of hours—late evenings, early mornings, weekends and bank holidays. We can attend to secure property, reduce risk, and leave the premises stable.

What we can do:

• Fit boarding to shopfront glazing openings and vulnerable panels
• Provide temporary protection to reduce access and weather ingress
• Advise on next steps for glazing replacement and longer-term security

What we don’t do:

• We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors (we provide documentation insurers typically need)
• We don’t carry out fire/odour remediation—after a fire, we secure the building once it’s safe to do so

If you need broader emergency help, start with our emergency boarding up page and then call—urgent situations are handled case-by-case.

Shopfront boarded up vs longer-term options (when boarding isn’t enough)

Boarding is usually the right first step, but it’s not always the best medium-term solution—especially for vacant premises or repeat targeting.

If you expect the opening to remain for weeks rather than days, we may recommend:

• A temporary steel door (for forced-entry doorways and insecure access points)
• Steel security screens for longer-term protection on void properties (where appropriate)

We’ll explain the pros/cons and costs in plain terms so you can decide. For some sites, a hybrid approach works well: shopfront boarded up immediately, then a more robust solution installed once the situation stabilises.

Commercial considerations: landlords, agents, and facilities teams

If you manage multiple units or act on behalf of a landlord, you’ll usually want:

• Clear communication on access arrangements and keys/alarm procedures
• Photos before/after for records
• An itemised invoice and short work statement
• A realistic plan if multiple openings are damaged (prioritising the most vulnerable first)

We regularly support shops, offices, and managed premises across St Albans and the wider AL area. If your site has specific requirements, tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what we can accommodate.

Pricing: what affects the cost of shopfront boarding?

We don’t publish “one size fits all” prices because shopfronts vary massively in size and construction. The cost typically depends on:

• The number and size of openings (single pane vs multiple bays)
• Material choice (e.g., exterior plywood vs OSB where suitable)
• Fixing method required (anti-tamper fixings, through-bolting, internal battening)
• Access complexity (height, recessed entrances, tight working areas)
• Whether the frame is damaged and needs a more careful approach

For a straightforward breakdown of cost factors, see boarding-up pricing. For a quote, call and we’ll take details and advise what we need to price it properly—sometimes that’s photos; sometimes it’s a quick site visit.

FAQs: shopfront boarding in St Albans & AL postcodes

Can you board up my shop window tonight?

If you need out of hours help, call us on 01727 326 204. We provide 24/7 boarding up across St Albans and AL1–AL10 and prioritise urgent “open to the street” situations like a smashed window or forced entry.

Do you cover AL postcodes outside St Albans?

Yes—our coverage includes AL1 through AL10. If you’re just outside the city centre, still call; we’ll confirm if you’re within our working area and give a realistic ETA.

Will boarding damage my shopfront frame?

We aim for non-destructive methods where possible. Sometimes, however, existing damage means we have limited safe fixing options. If the frame is too compromised, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Can you board up a door as well as the shopfront?

Yes. Break-ins often affect both glazing and the entrance door. We can board up a door or advise on more secure options depending on the condition of the doorway. If it’s mainly a doorway issue, see door boarding in St Albans.

Is shopfront boarding covered by insurance?

Often, emergency “make safe” work can be covered, but policies vary. We’re not insurers or loss adjusters—however, we can provide photos and paperwork insurers typically request. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

How long does it take to board up a shopfront?

It depends on the size of the opening(s), access, and how damaged the frame is. When you call, we’ll ask a few questions and give you a realistic expectation for the work involved.

What if there’s broken glass everywhere?

Tell us when you call. We’ll plan the job with safety in mind and work to make safe the area as part of securing the opening. If there’s any immediate danger to the public, prioritise safety and contact emergency services if needed.

Can you make the boarding look neat for trading the next day?

We’ll always aim for a tidy, secure temporary finish. That said, the priority is safety and security. If you need to reopen quickly, tell us—sometimes we can board in a way that allows controlled access while still keeping the frontage secure.

Ready to secure your shopfront?

If you need a shopfront boarded up, want to secure property after damage, or you’re dealing with an urgent smashed window, we can help.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email for non-urgent enquiries? [email protected]