Commercial Boarding Up in Romford (RM) for Shops, Offices & Sites

When a shopfront is hit, an office door is forced, or glazing cracks overnight, the priority is simple: secure the building, reduce further loss, and get the right documentation in place for insurance. We provide commercial boarding up in Romford and across the RM postcodes, helping retailers, landlords, agents and facilities teams protect premises after damage—or secure void units between tenants.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need urgent help, start here: emergency boarding up.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.

Who this page is for (and what we can secure)

Commercial properties come with different risks and practical constraints than domestic jobs—public-facing locations, larger openings, higher footfall, and stricter site processes. We commonly help with:

• Retail units (including large glazed shopfronts)
• Offices and mixed-use buildings (e.g., flats above shops)
• Warehouses and light industrial units
• Schools, community buildings and managed sites (by prior arrangement)
• Vacant commercial units awaiting refit or new tenancy

If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll talk it through on the phone and recommend the most appropriate option—temporary boarding, security screens, or a temporary steel door—based on the risk and how long the property will be unattended.

Typical commercial call-outs in Romford & the RM postcodes

Commercial boarding up is often urgent because the building is visible, accessible, and attractive to opportunists once damage is obvious. Some of the most common scenarios we attend include:

Smashed shopfront glass (accidental or deliberate impact)

A “smashed window” on a high street unit can expose stock, tills, displays and entry points. The aim is to make safe quickly, then install a secure board-up that’s difficult to remove from outside.

Relevant service: shopfront boarding in Romford

Break-in damage to doors and frames

Forced entry can leave a door that won’t close, a lock ripped out, or a frame too weak to secure. In these cases, boarding alone may not be enough—sometimes the safest option is a temporary steel door while repairs are arranged.

Relevant service: door boarding in Romford
Related situation guidance: burglary repairs and boarding

Vandalism and repeated targeting

If a unit has been hit more than once—especially if it’s vacant—boarding may need to move beyond “one-off” plywood. Steel security screens or a stronger, anti-tamper approach is often more appropriate.

Related situation guidance: vandalism repair and boarding
Background reading: what boarding up is (and when it’s used)

Storm damage to commercial glazing or rooflights

After strong winds, debris impact or dislodged panels, the immediate need is weather protection and preventing unauthorised access. Roof-level damage can require a different method due to access and exposure.

Relevant service: roof boarding in Romford
Related situation guidance: storm damage boarding

Fire-damaged premises (post-incident securing)

After a fire, even when the blaze is out, doors and windows may be compromised and the building may need to be secured until the insurer and contractors take over. We secure the openings; smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope.

Related situation guidance: fire damage boarding

How commercial boarding up works (what we do on arrival)

Every site is different, but commercial jobs typically follow a clear process. If you’ve just had an incident, this is what you can expect.

1. Rapid assessment and make-safe

   • We check the damaged openings, any immediate hazards, and the best fixing points.
   • If there’s loose glass or sharp edges in a public-facing area, we prioritise making the area safe.
   • If there’s structural damage beyond simple boarding, we’ll explain limitations and safe next steps.

2. Choose the right method for the risk

   • For short-term protection: boarding using exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm for larger openings).
   • For smaller or less exposed areas: OSB (often 12mm) may be suitable.
   • For higher risk or longer void periods: temporary steel doors and/or security screens may be recommended.

3. Fit with security in mind

   • We use fixings and methods intended to resist removal from outside (important if the premises will be unattended).
   • We aim for a secure fit that reduces leverage points and covers the vulnerable area properly.

4. Document the work

   • We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement describing what was done and why—useful for insurers and property management records.

If you need urgent attendance, use the dedicated page: 24/7 boarding up in Romford.

Materials and methods used on commercial premises

Commercial openings are often larger, higher visibility, and subject to higher attempted re-entry. The method matters.

Plywood boarding (common for shopfronts and large panes)

• Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength on bigger apertures
• Cut to size on-site where needed for irregular openings
• Fixed to provide strong resistance and stable coverage

Best fit: urgent “shopfront boarded up”, temporary protection pending glazing replacement.
Related: shopfront boarding

OSB boarding (useful for smaller openings)

• Often 12mm OSB for smaller windows or secondary access points
• Can be appropriate where the risk is lower or the opening is more contained

Best fit: smaller back windows, internal yard-side openings, ancillary areas.
Related: window boarding in Romford

Anti-tamper approach (important for unattended sites)

On commercial properties—especially vacant units—boarding needs to deter removal attempts. Where appropriate, we use fixings and placement that reduce the likelihood of someone pulling boards away from outside.

Best fit: repeated targeting, vacant units, rear alley access, or premises that will sit empty overnight or longer.

Temporary steel doors (when the door can’t be relied upon)

If a door has been forced and the frame/locks are compromised, a temporary steel door can offer a more robust solution than boarding alone, particularly for medium-term security while the door set is replaced.

Best fit: break-ins, void periods, damaged frames.
Related: door boarding and temporary steel doors

Roof and high-level boarding (rooflights and skylights)

Roof-level openings need careful handling because weather exposure is often the bigger immediate threat. Access also needs to be safe and appropriate; we’ll advise if specialist access is required beyond standard attendance.

Best fit: storm damage, rooflight breakage, overhead entry risks.
Related: roof boarding

Commercial sites: access, neighbours, and day-to-day realities

Commercial boarding up is rarely “just a window”. There are practicalities that can change the approach:

• High footfall: We work with the reality that customers, staff and passers-by may still be around.
• Shutters and internal layouts: Some units have shutters; others rely solely on glazing. Access may be via front, rear service yards, or shared corridors.
• Flats above shops: Mixed-use buildings require extra care to keep shared entrances safe and to avoid unnecessary disruption.
• Parking/loading limits: On busier streets, we plan loading/unloading sensibly and keep the work area controlled.
• Facilities management requirements: If you need photos, a clear scope, or a work statement for your internal processes, tell us at the start—we’ll accommodate where possible.

Insurance and incident documentation (what you’ll typically need)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we understand what insurers and managing agents usually ask for after emergency boarding up:

• Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
• Itemised invoice showing labour/materials and what was secured
• Work statement summarising the make-safe actions taken

If it’s safe to do so before we arrive, it can help to:

• Take a few photos of the damage
• Keep any police reference number (for break-ins or criminal damage)
• Notify your insurer early, especially for shopfront damage

More guidance: insurance claims support for boarding up

Vacant commercial units: short-term vs longer-term security

If a unit is empty between tenants, your risk profile changes. “Temporary boarding” can be fine for a short gap, but for longer void periods it may be worth considering more robust options to reduce repeat call-outs.

• Short-term gap (days): secure the openings, deter opportunists, keep weather out
• Medium-term (weeks): stronger fixings, improved coverage, consider steel doors
• Longer-term void: discuss more durable site security options and ongoing checks

If your commercial site also needs boundary control, we can advise on options such as temporary fencing.

Where we cover for commercial boarding up (Romford + RM postcodes)

We cover Romford and the wider RM postcode area (RM1–RM50). Many commercial clients manage multiple units, so we’re used to working across districts and coordinating access.

You can view the full list here: areas we cover. Popular local pages include:

• boarding up Romford RM1
• boarding up Gidea Park RM2
• boarding up Hornchurch RM11
• boarding up Upminster RM14
• boarding up Dagenham RM8
• boarding up Grays RM17

If you’re not sure which page applies, call and we’ll confirm coverage based on your postcode and the nature of the job.

FAQs — Commercial boarding up in Romford

Do you offer emergency commercial boarding up out of hours?

Yes. Commercial incidents don’t stick to office hours, so we provide urgent assistance via our emergency boarding up service. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—conditions vary—but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone and prioritise urgent calls.

Can you board up a smashed shopfront window tonight?

Often, yes—subject to workload and safe access. If you need to “board up broken window” glass on a shopfront, call with the size of the opening (approximate is fine) and whether the area is currently safe for staff/public.

What if the door frame is too damaged to board safely?

If the frame can’t take secure fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. That may include alternative fixing points, additional bracing, or fitting a temporary steel door where appropriate. See: door boarding in Romford.

Do you need me on-site to authorise the work?

Ideally yes, but we can often work with landlords, agents, or facilities managers who can provide access and approval. If you can’t attend, tell us who will meet our technician and how access will be managed.

Will boarding damage my shopfront or window frames?

Boarding is installed to secure the opening; fixings can leave holes or marks depending on the surface and urgency. We always aim for a secure, sensible approach and will talk through the least destructive option that still keeps the property safe.

Can you provide documents for my insurer or property manager?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement—useful for insurance and facilities management records. More info: insurance claims.

How long does commercial boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access, and whether we’re also fitting a temporary steel door. We’ll give you a realistic expectation after we understand the site and damage.

Do you cover my part of Havering / the RM area?

We cover Romford and RM postcode districts widely. If you’re in or near Romford, there’s a good chance we can help—check areas we cover or call with your postcode.

I manage multiple sites—can you handle repeat call-outs?

Yes. We regularly work with landlords and property managers who need consistent make-safe support across multiple units. If you have site procedures (sign-in, permits, photo requirements), let us know when booking.

Related services for commercial premises

If you’re comparing options, these pages go deeper into specific methods:

• shopfront boarding in Romford
• window boarding in Romford
• door boarding and temporary steel doors
• roof boarding in Romford
• temporary fencing

For “what happened to me” guidance:

• burglary repairs and boarding
• vandalism repair and boarding
• storm damage boarding
• fire damage boarding
• accident/impact damage boarding

Helpful links

• emergency boarding up
• pricing factors for boarding up
• insurance claims
• FAQs
• contact us
• areas we cover

Get a commercial property secured in Romford (RM)

Whether you need a shopfront boarded up after impact, a door secured after a break-in, or a vacant unit protected between tenants, we’ll help you take control of the situation and secure the property properly.

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