24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up West London (W2–W14)

If your window has been smashed, a door has been forced, or your shopfront is exposed, you need the property made safe quickly and properly. We provide 24 hour emergency boarding up in West London across the W postcode area (W2–W14), helping homeowners, landlords, shop managers and facilities teams secure buildings after break-ins, vandalism, storm damage, fire or accidental impact.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072
Prefer email (non-urgent)? [email protected]

We’re calm, practical, and used to working in awkward situations—late-night callouts, damaged frames, broken glass, busy high streets, blocks of flats with access restrictions, and properties that need to be secured without making the damage worse.

When you should call for emergency boarding up

You don’t need to “wait until morning” if the building is open to the street, weather, or opportunistic entry. Typical urgent calls include:

  • Smashed or cracked windows (ground-floor, bay windows, shop glazing, communal doors)
  • Forced entry / break-ins where locks, frames or panels are compromised
  • Vandalism (stones through glass, kicked-in panels, repeated targeting)
  • Storm damage (blown-in panes, damaged sashes, dislodged rooflights)
  • After a fire when the fire brigade has gained entry or glazing has failed
  • Vehicle impact into a frontage, corner unit, or boundary structure

If you’re unsure whether boarding up is necessary, we’ll talk it through on the phone. In many cases, urgent window boarding is the safest short-term solution until a glazier or builder can carry out permanent repairs.

Related guidance: what is boarding up and our FAQs.

What happens when you call us (out of hours included)

When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions so we can bring the right materials and fixings first time:

  1. What’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight/skylight)
  2. Size and location of the opening (ground floor, upper floor, rear access, alleyway)
  3. Whether there’s active risk (loose glass, exposed electrics, water ingress, repeated targeting)
  4. Access details (keys, concierge, shutters, rear service road, parking/loading restrictions)
  5. Any insurer or police reference number (if you have one)

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, diversions and the nature of emergency work can affect scheduling—but we prioritise urgent security risks and keep you updated as we travel.

Emergency boarding up across West London: what we do on arrival

Every job is different, but our approach is consistent: make the site safe, secure the opening, and leave you with documentation that’s useful for insurers and property management.

1) Safety check and making the area safe

We start by checking for immediate hazards such as:

  • Loose shards and unstable remaining glass
  • Splintered timber frames or exposed fixings
  • Damaged door edges and misaligned locks
  • Signs the opening is still moving (common after impact)

If the damage suggests wider structural issues, we’ll flag it. We’re there to secure the property—structural assessment and full building repairs are handled by the appropriate trades—but we won’t ignore warning signs.

2) Choose the right method: non-destructive where possible

Where frames are still sound, we aim for a secure fit with minimal additional damage. If a frame is too compromised for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Common emergency materials and methods include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust, high-risk ground-floor windows and shopfront sections
  • 12mm OSB (where suitable) for smaller openings or lower-risk internal/secondary areas
  • Anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside
  • Internal bracing/battens when appropriate to spread load and reduce stress on damaged frames

If the opening needs to stay ventilated (for example after flood or fire), we’ll discuss safe short-term options—boarding up should secure the property without creating new problems.

More detail on specific methods: window boarding in West London and door boarding in West London.

3) Secure, label, and photograph

Once the opening is secured, we’ll:

  • Check the board is solid and free of flex
  • Confirm doors can’t be levered or slipped
  • Take time-stamped photos of the completed work (and the damage where safe)
  • Provide an itemised invoice and work statement suitable for most insurance claims

If you’re managing multiple sites, we can also note access details and any further risks we observed (e.g., a second vulnerable window or a broken lock that needs a locksmith).

Insurance support: insurance claims help.

The emergency services we provide (24/7)

Emergency boarding isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right solution depends on the opening, the risk level, and how long you need it secured.

Emergency window boarding (homes and flats)

West London has plenty of vulnerable glazing—Victorian and Edwardian bay windows, large ground-floor panes in conversions, and sash windows that can be prised if already damaged. We board up broken windows to prevent:

  • Further breakage from wind and rain
  • Re-entry after burglary
  • Injury risk from loose glass
  • Unauthorised access while you organise repairs

Learn more: window boarding in West London.

Emergency door boarding and temporary security

If a door has been forced, the weakness is often in the frame, not just the lock. We can board doors and surrounding panels to stop the door being pushed through again, and we’ll tell you honestly if you need a locksmith or carpenter next.

For higher-risk situations—vacant properties, repeated attempts, or badly damaged entrances—consider a stronger temporary option.

More detail: door boarding in West London and boarding up vacant properties.

Emergency shopfront boarding (retail and commercial)

Shops, cafés and offices around West London can’t afford to be left exposed overnight. We board up shopfront glazing and large panes, working with:

  • Larger board sizes and wider spans
  • High-footfall locations where safety and visibility matter
  • Rear service access constraints and loading bays
  • Site rules (facilities management, alarm resets, shutter coordination)

Service page: shopfront boarding in West London.

Emergency rooflight and skylight boarding

Roof openings are often overlooked until rain arrives. We provide temporary roof boarding for damaged rooflights/skylights where it’s safe and accessible, focusing on preventing water ingress and making the opening secure.

Service page: roof boarding in West London.

Situations we’re called out for most often in West London

If you’re dealing with a stressful incident, it helps to know what “good next steps” look like.

After a burglary or attempted break-in

  • Keep your crime reference number
  • Photograph damage if safe (don’t touch glass with bare hands)
  • Call to secure the opening so the property isn’t targeted again

More guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up.

After vandalism or repeated targeting

Vandalism can be opportunistic or repeated—especially if a property looks empty or repairs are delayed. Prompt boarding helps stop copycat damage.

More guidance: vandalism repair and boarding up.

After storm damage

Wind can flex frames and turn a crack into a failure. Boarding up also protects interiors while you arrange glazing or joinery.

More guidance: storm damage boarding up.

After a fire

We can secure broken openings and doors after fire brigade entry. We’re not a fire restoration company—smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope—but we help you stabilise the security of the building.

More guidance: fire damage securing.

After a flood or leak

Flooding often swells timber and affects how doors/windows close. We can secure openings while you manage drying and repairs, and we’ll discuss ventilation needs rather than sealing everything blindly.

More guidance: flood damage boarding.

After accidental impact (vehicle or site damage)

From delivery mishaps to vehicle strikes, the priority is public safety and securing a large, irregular opening. We’ll board up and help you document the condition for next-stage repairs.

More guidance: accident damage boarding up.

What you get from an emergency callout

People usually call us when they’re under pressure—tenants are anxious, a shop has to shut, a building has been compromised, or an insurer is asking questions. We keep it straightforward.

You’ll receive:

  • A properly secured temporary barrier (boarded window/door/shopfront/roof opening)
  • Time-stamped photos of completed works (and damage where safe)
  • An itemised invoice and short work description for records/insurers
  • Practical advice on next steps (glazier, locksmith, managing agent, building repairs)

If you need us to liaise with a site contact (concierge, building manager, security), we can do that too.

Areas we cover: West London W postcodes (W2–W14)

We’re set up for emergency boarding up across West London, including residential streets, busy high roads and mixed-use developments.

We commonly attend callouts in and around:

For the full list, see areas we cover.

Emergency boarding up: common questions

How much does emergency boarding up cost in West London?

It depends on the size of the opening, the material required (e.g., heavier 18mm exterior plywood for larger or higher-risk openings), access (upper floors, restricted parking/loading), and whether there’s additional complexity like badly damaged frames.

We’re happy to explain the cost drivers clearly before we attend. For broader guidance, see pricing.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, emergency securing is covered as part of a claim, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or fire—but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we provide photos and documentation insurers typically request.

More guidance: insurance claims help.

How long does boarding up take?

Most straightforward windows and doors can be secured relatively quickly once we’re on site, but it varies with size, number of openings, and access. Shopfronts and complex frames naturally take longer.

If you have multiple damaged areas, tell us on the phone so we can plan materials and time.

Can you secure a property after a break-in if the door frame is damaged?

Yes. If the frame is compromised, we’ll advise whether boarding is sufficient or whether a stronger temporary option is needed. In higher-risk cases (or where the property will be empty), we may recommend additional security measures designed for medium-term protection.

Relevant reading: burglary repairs and boarding up and boarding up vacant properties.

Do you also replace the glass or repair the door?

We focus on emergency securing and temporary protection. We can leave the site safe and stable, then you can arrange a glazier, locksmith or builder for permanent repairs. If you’re coordinating through insurance, our documentation helps support that next stage.

What to do right now (before we arrive)

If it’s safe:

  • Keep people away from broken glass (especially children and pets)
  • Don’t try to remove embedded shards with bare hands
  • If there’s a police attendance, ask for your reference number
  • Take a couple of photos for your own records
  • If it’s raining and safe to do so, move valuables away from the opening

If you feel threatened or someone is still on site, call 999 first.

Need emergency boarding up in West London tonight?

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance.
You can also email (non-urgent): [email protected]