Property Types We Board Up in Romford (RM) — Residential, Commercial & Vacant Properties

When something goes wrong with a property—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or damage after a storm—you usually don’t have time to figure out who can help, what they can do, and whether they’ll understand your type of building.

We provide boarding up in Romford and across the RM postcodes for a wide range of property types, from family homes and flats to shop units and empty buildings. If you need urgent help, we can talk you through the safest next steps and arrange emergency boarding up where appropriate.

Need to secure a property now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.

Which property types do we cover?

Property damage doesn’t look the same everywhere. A ground-floor flat with communal access needs a different approach to a high street shopfront, and a vacant house often needs stronger, longer-term security than a lived-in home.

On this page, you’ll find quick, practical guidance on how boarding up typically works for:

If you’re unsure where you fit, call us. We’ll ask a few questions and recommend the most sensible way to make safe and secure the opening.

Residential boarding up (houses, flats & maisonettes)

Residential call-outs are often stressful—especially after a break-in, vandalism, or accidental damage. The priority is simple: secure the property quickly and safely, without creating more damage than necessary.

Typical residential jobs include:

Board up broken window after impact damage or a burglary attempt
Smashed window in a front room, bedroom, or landing
Board up door after forced entry
Temporary boarding where glazing can’t be replaced immediately

Depending on the opening and risk level, we’ll usually use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security, with fixings chosen to reduce tampering from outside. For smaller openings or low-risk internal areas, OSB may be appropriate—we’ll explain what we’re using and why.

For more detail, see: residential boarding up in Romford and our window boarding in Romford.

Commercial boarding up (shops, offices, restaurants & sites)

Commercial properties often need a faster “make safe” decision because of public-facing risk, stock security, and insurance requirements. We regularly deal with:

Shopfront boarded up after vandalism or impact
Large glazed panels and aluminium shopfront systems
Door damage to rear access points
Out-of-hours calls where the premises can’t be left exposed

We’ll consider practical site constraints such as high street access, shutter lines, shared entrances, and how the boarding will affect emergency exits. If a more secure medium-term solution is needed, we may recommend a temporary steel door instead of timber boarding—particularly where a door frame has been compromised.

Learn more here: commercial boarding up in Romford and shopfront boarding.

Vacant/void property boarding up (between tenancies or awaiting works)

Empty properties can attract unwanted attention and can deteriorate quickly once an opening is exposed. If you’re a landlord, estate agent, or property manager, you may need to secure property proactively—not only after a break-in.

Vacant property security commonly involves:

Stronger boarding methods and anti-tamper fixings
Securing multiple openings (front/rear doors, side windows, basement access)
Options that balance security with future contractor access
Documentation for insurers or management files

If the property will remain empty for a while, boarding may be the short-term answer, but we’ll also discuss longer-term options where suitable.

See: vacant property boarding up in Romford and door boarding.

What we mean by “make safe” for different property types

“Make safe” isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on footfall, visibility, whether the property is occupied, and how damaged the frame or surrounding structure is.

In practical terms, making safe typically includes:

Removing or stabilising loose shards where safe and accessible
Boarding or securing the opening to prevent entry and reduce weather ingress
Checking for secondary vulnerabilities (e.g., cracked panes nearby, weak frames)
Advising on next steps if the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing

If we can’t use a non-destructive method because the frame is blown or unsafe, we’ll talk you through the options before proceeding.

If your damage is urgent, start here: emergency boarding up.

Materials and methods we use (and why)

We choose methods based on the opening size, surface type, risk level, and whether the property is occupied.

Common approaches include:

Plywood boarding (typically 18mm exterior-grade)
Good for security, impact resistance, and medium-term cover.
OSB (often 12mm for smaller/low-risk openings)
Useful where appropriate, but we’ll be honest if it’s not the right choice for a high-risk frontage.
Anti-tamper fixings
Important for properties that will be unattended, to prevent removal from outside.
Temporary steel doors
A strong option for damaged doors/frames and vacant properties needing safer access control.

If you want a plain-English overview, see: what is boarding up?

Situations we commonly attend across all property types

Different buildings, similar problems. Across Romford and the RM area, we’re often called when there’s been:

A break-in or attempted break-in (urgent emergency boarding up)
Vandalism leading to a smashed window
Storm damage exposing a window, door, or roof opening
Fire damage where the property needs securing (we secure it—we don’t do smoke/odour remediation)
Flood damage where openings need securing while materials dry
Accidental impact damage (including vehicle strikes to frontage areas)

You can read situation-specific guidance here:

Insurance and documentation (what you’ll receive)

If you’re claiming on insurance, good documentation matters—especially for commercial sites, landlords, and managed blocks.

Where appropriate, we can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured opening
An itemised invoice
A clear work statement describing what was done (materials and method)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the kind of evidence insurers typically ask for. More guidance here: insurance claims support.

What to expect when you call

Whether it’s a home, shop, or vacant building, the first steps are similar:

Tell us what’s happened and the property type
We’ll ask what’s damaged (window/door/roof), whether the property is occupied, and if there are safety risks.
We give a realistic ETA and approach
We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and will be clear on what’s possible.
We attend, secure the opening, and provide documentation
You’ll get straightforward confirmation of what’s been done, plus photos/invoice if required.

For urgent help, use the emergency page: 24/7 boarding up.

FAQs — Property Types & Boarding Up in Romford

Do you board up flats and maisonettes with communal entrances?

Yes. Flats often involve shared access, entry systems, or restricted working areas. If there’s a managing agent or concierge, we can coordinate access and focus on keeping the building secure and safe.

Can you secure a shopfront the same day if the glass is smashed?

If you have a smashed shopfront window, call as soon as you can. We prioritise urgent make safe work and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on workload and time of day. For the service itself, see shopfront boarding.

Do landlords need to board up a vacant property?

Often, yes—especially if an opening is broken or the property is likely to be unattended. Vacant properties are higher risk, and boarding (or a temporary steel door) can help prevent repeat entry and further damage. See vacant property boarding.

What’s the difference between boarding a lived-in home and an empty building?

Occupied homes usually need a solution that’s secure but minimally disruptive, with careful consideration for ventilation and access. Empty buildings often need more robust, anti-tamper methods and may require securing multiple points.

Can you board up a damaged door as well as windows?

Yes. If you need to board up door openings after a forced entry, we can secure the property and discuss whether a temporary steel door is a better short- to medium-term option. Start here: door boarding.

Do you provide “make safe” paperwork for insurers?

We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement. This is commonly requested for insurance claims—especially for commercial and managed properties. See insurance claims support.

How long does temporary boarding stay in place?

It depends on the risk level and when glazing/repairs are scheduled. Some clients need short-term temporary boarding for a few days; others need longer while works are arranged. If your frame is badly damaged, we’ll explain the safest option.

Who can board up my window tonight in Romford?

If you need out of hours help to board up broken window openings or secure a property after damage, call us and we’ll advise on the next steps and attendance. Use: emergency boarding up.

Ready to secure your property?

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, or an exposed opening on any type of building, we’ll help you make a clear plan and get the property secured.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-romford.co.uk

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