Window Boarding in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

A smashed window or broken glazing isn’t just inconvenient — it’s an open invitation for further damage, theft, water ingress, and heat loss. If you need window boarding in St Albans, we’ll help you secure the property quickly and safely with practical, proven methods and materials.

For urgent issues (a smashed window, break-in damage, or weather exposure), call us for emergency boarding up support. We cover St Albans and the wider AL postcode area (AL1–AL10), and we’ll always give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

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

When window boarding is needed (and why it shouldn’t wait)

People usually call us when they need to board up a broken window after an incident that can’t be left until morning. Even a small gap can become a bigger, more expensive problem overnight — especially if the property is empty, the opening is reachable from the street, or there’s bad weather.

Common urgent scenarios we attend across St Albans and AL postcodes include:

Burglary or attempted break-in where glass has been smashed or frames have been forced
Vandalism (stones/bricks, deliberate damage, repeated attacks)
Accidental impacts (DIY mishaps, children’s footballs, vehicle knocks)
Storm damage where glazing has popped or cracked and rain is getting in
Vacant property risk where a compromised window makes the whole building vulnerable

If your situation is part of a wider incident, you may also find these useful:

emergency boarding up (out of hours, urgent attendance)
burglary repairs & boarding
vandalism repair boarding
storm damage boarding

Emergency window boarding up: what we can do straight away

If your window has gone and you need temporary boarding tonight, our priority is to make safe and reduce the risk of further loss.

Depending on what we find on arrival, emergency window boarding may include:

Removing immediate hazards (loose shards where safe to do so)
Checking frame condition and safe fixing points
Boarding the opening using the right thickness board and fixings
Using anti-tamper fixings where the board would otherwise be easy to remove from outside
Weather-conscious boarding to reduce drafts and water ingress as much as practical

We don’t give unrealistic, guaranteed arrival times — conditions and workload vary — but if you call, we’ll tell you what’s achievable and prioritise the most urgent risks.

Out of hours and need to secure property now? Call 01727 326 204

Materials we use (and why it matters)

Not all boarding is the same. The right approach depends on the opening size, the frame material, the location (front/rear/upper floor), and whether the property will be occupied or left unattended.

Exterior-grade plywood (common for emergency boarding)

For many domestic and commercial openings, we’ll typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability. Plywood holds fixings well and provides solid resistance for ground-floor windows where security is the main concern.

Best suited for:

Larger openings
Ground-floor accessible windows
Situations where the property may be empty
When a more robust “secure property” result is needed

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) for smaller/short-term applications

For smaller windows or less exposed openings, 12mm OSB can be suitable. It’s often used where a fast, cost-effective board up broken window solution is appropriate — while still delivering a strong, stable barrier.

Best suited for:

Smaller openings
Shorter-term boarding
Internal or less exposed window areas (case by case)

Fixings: security-first, not “quick and loose”

The difference between boarding that reassures you and boarding that fails is usually the fixings and method.

We choose fixings based on the substrate and security need, which may include:

Anti-tamper fixings (reduces risk of removal from the outside)
Through-fix methods using battens where appropriate and safe
Non-destructive approaches when the frame is sound and allows it

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

Our method: how we board up windows properly

Every property is different, but a professional window boarding job generally follows a consistent, safety-first process.

1) Quick assessment and safe working setup

We’ll inspect the opening, the remaining glazing, and the condition of the frame. If there are hazards (loose glass, unstable frame sections), we plan the safest way to make safe before fixing boards.

2) Measure, cut, and fit boards to reduce gaps

Boards should be cut to suit the opening and fitted to discourage prising. We aim for a tidy fit that improves security and helps reduce wind and rain getting through.

3) Fixing method chosen for security and property protection

We’ll select a fixing method suitable for timber, uPVC surrounds, masonry reveals, or shopfront structures (where relevant). The goal is always the same: secure property without causing avoidable extra damage.

4) Final checks and documentation

Before we leave, we confirm the board is firm, edges aren’t loose, and the opening is protected. We can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the boarded window
An itemised invoice
A simple work statement (useful for property managers and insurers)

For guidance on documentation, see insurance claims support.

What window boarding does (and doesn’t) solve

Window boarding is an effective immediate security measure. It is not the same as a permanent repair.

Window boarding helps with:

Preventing easy access after a smashed window
Reducing risk of further vandalism or opportunist theft
Limiting weather exposure (wind-driven rain and drafts)
Stabilising the situation while you arrange glazing replacement

Window boarding doesn’t:

Replace the window or restore glazing
Fix underlying frame distortion or structural movement
Remove smoke odours or remediate fire/flood damage (we secure openings)

If you also need a door secured after forced entry, look at door boarding in St Albans. For commercial glass loss, shopfront boarding may be the better fit.

Residential, commercial, and vacant properties: different risks, different boarding

Residential window boarding (occupied homes)

When people are in the property, we try to balance security with practicality (light, ventilation, access). If you’re staying in the house, tell us which rooms are affected and whether vulnerable occupants are present.

Commercial window boarding (shops, offices, sites)

For businesses, the priority is securing the frontage and reducing the chance of repeat attempts. We can board ground-level glazing securely and help you document the damage for facilities teams and insurers.

Vacant and void property window boarding

If the building is empty, boarding needs to be more resistant and harder to remove. In some cases, longer-term solutions may be appropriate depending on risk and duration.

What to do right now if your window is broken

If you’re dealing with emergency window damage in St Albans or anywhere across AL1–AL10, these steps usually help:

If there’s a threat or intruder risk, call the police first.
Keep people away from broken glass, especially children and pets.
Take photos (if safe) before anything is moved — wide shots and close-ups.
Find your insurer details and (if relevant) your crime reference number.
Call us to board up the window and make the property safe.

If you need 24/7 boarding up, see our emergency boarding up page and call: 01727 326 204.

Coverage: window boarding across St Albans and AL postcodes

We provide window boarding St Albans services across AL1–AL10, including residential streets, commercial areas, and rural edge properties where storm exposure can be an issue.

You can also view our wider coverage on areas we cover or visit local pages such as:

We’re fully insured, have 10+ years’ trading experience, and our technicians are DBS-checked — important when you’re inviting someone to secure your home or premises after a stressful incident.

Window boarding FAQs (St Albans & AL area)

Will you board up my window tonight?

If you need emergency window boarding near me St Albans, call us and we’ll tell you what’s realistic based on workload and travel. We do attend out of hours and prioritise urgent security risks, but we won’t promise a fixed arrival time.

Can you board up a window without damaging the frame?

Often, yes — where the frame and surrounding structure are sound. We’ll choose a method that balances security with minimising extra damage. If the frame is already split, rotten, or unstable, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

What thickness board do you use for a smashed window?

It depends on the opening size, access risk, and duration. We commonly use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security and 12mm OSB for smaller or more short-term boarding, where appropriate.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in St Albans?

It’s commonly claimable as part of emergency make-safe work, but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the photos and paperwork insurers typically request. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

Do you remove the broken glass first?

We focus on making the area safe and securing the opening. If glass is dangerously loose, we’ll take sensible steps to reduce immediate risk. Full glazing replacement and detailed clean-up are usually handled by a glazier or restoration team.

How long does window boarding take?

It depends on access, opening size, and how damaged the frame is. A straightforward board up broken window job can be relatively quick; complex shopfronts, awkward access, or multiple openings take longer. When you call, tell us how many windows are affected and whether the property is occupied.

Can you board up upstairs or hard-to-reach windows?

Sometimes — access and safety determine what’s possible. If specialist access equipment is required, we’ll be upfront about limitations and options. For rooflights or overhead openings, roof boarding may be more appropriate.

Book window boarding in St Albans

If you’ve got a smashed window or need to secure property after a break-in, don’t leave the opening exposed.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 for immediate assistance.
Or send details/photos to [email protected] and we’ll come back to you with the next steps.

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