Door Boarding in West London (W2–W14)
When a door has been forced, kicked in, or left insecure after an accident or fire, you need the building made safe quickly. Our door boarding service in West London is designed for urgent situations—securing damaged front doors, back doors, communal entrances and commercial access points across the W postcode area.
If you’re dealing with a break-in in the middle of the night, a smashed glass panel in a timber door, or a failed lock that’s left the property exposed, we’ll talk you through the safest next steps and get the opening secured.
Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 8072
Prefer email for non-urgent jobs? [email protected]
When door boarding is the right option (and when it isn’t)
Door boarding is ideal when the frame and surrounding structure can still take fixings and you need a reliable temporary barrier while repairs are arranged.
Common emergency use-cases we attend in West London include:
- Post-burglary / forced entry where the door leaf is split, the lock area has been ripped out, or the hinges have been pulled
- Damaged communal entrances in mansion blocks and conversions (often an issue around busy entrances near stations)
- Commercial back doors and side access routes after attempted break-ins
- Fire service entry where a door has been compromised to gain access
- Accidental impact damage (deliveries, removals, or a fall-through on glazed panels)
Door boarding may not be the best solution if:
- The frame is unstable/crumbled and can’t safely take fixings
- The opening needs medium-term access control (keys, authorised entry, ongoing works)
In those cases, we’ll explain your options—often a temporary security upgrade or a different securing method—before we proceed. For urgent attendance outside normal hours, see our emergency boarding up page.
What we secure: doors we commonly board up
West London properties are varied—from Victorian terraces and mansion blocks to modern flats and retail units—so we prepare for different door types and layouts.
We can board up and secure:
- Timber front and back doors (including damaged panels and splits around locks)
- Glazed doors (smashed or cracked glass within a door leaf)
- uPVC and composite doors (where the door is compromised and needs temporary securing)
- Communal doors to blocks, conversions and managed buildings
- Commercial access doors (rear service doors, staff entrances, storerooms)
If you’re dealing with a smashed window rather than a door, you may need window boarding in West London instead (or as well).
How our door boarding works (step-by-step)
We keep the process straightforward, because most customers call us at a stressful time—often while waiting for police, a locksmith, or a managing agent.
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Initial call and quick assessment
We’ll ask what’s happened, whether anyone is injured, and whether the property is safe to approach. If there’s an ongoing threat or evidence of a break-in, call 999/101 first. -
On-site inspection of the door, frame and fixing points
We check what’s still structurally sound: door leaf, frame, hinges, lock area, and surrounding masonry/timber. This determines whether we can use non-destructive fixings or whether reinforcement is needed. -
Measure and cut panels to suit the opening
We cut on-site for a close fit. Where possible, we position boards to cover weak points (lock side and hinge side) and reduce leverage. -
Secure using appropriate fixings
We use fixings chosen for the substrate (timber, masonry, composite surrounds). In higher-risk situations—especially if the property will be left unattended—we use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside. -
Stabilise and tidy for handover
We check there are no sharp edges, exposed fixings, or gaps that allow reach-through. Where required, we can advise on next steps for longer-term security.
For some properties—particularly vacant or repeatedly targeted sites—door boarding is only the first step. You may be better served by a more robust temporary solution discussed on our property types: vacant property page.
Materials we use (and why)
The right board and fixing method matters. A poorly fitted panel can be prised off quickly; an over-aggressive fixing plan can damage already-fragile frames. We aim for secure and sensible.
Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm)
Our standard for door boarding where stronger resistance is needed.
- Why plywood: strong, stable, and holds fixings well
- Best for: forced-entry damage, street-facing doors, and properties left empty overnight
OSB (often 12mm for smaller/secondary openings)
Used selectively where appropriate and where risk is lower.
- Why OSB: cost-effective and quick to work with
- Best for: internal/secondary access points, or where the opening is small and sheltered
Fixings: security-focused choices
We select fixings based on the door and surround:
- Coach screws / structural screws for robust timber and reinforcement points
- Masonry fixings where we need to anchor into sound brickwork (only when appropriate)
- Anti-tamper fixings where the property is vulnerable or likely to be targeted again
If the frame is too damaged for a secure install without causing further issues, we’ll tell you clearly and suggest alternatives.
Emergency door boarding after a burglary in West London
A forced door is more than a security issue—it’s also a weather and safety issue. Once a door has been kicked in, the frame can flex, the latch area can be torn out, and the door may not close at all.
Our role is to secure the opening so you can:
- prevent further entry
- protect belongings and interiors from rain and cold draughts
- show your insurer that you took reasonable steps to mitigate further loss
If you’re dealing with a break-in, our burglary repairs and boarding page explains practical next steps (police reference numbers, photos, and what to keep for insurance).
Door boarding for commercial properties (rear doors, staff entrances, delivery access)
Commercial break-ins in West London often target rear access—service alleys, side passages, and delivery routes. We regularly secure:
- staff doors behind shops and restaurants
- rear storeroom entrances
- side access doors to small offices and mixed-use buildings
For smashed glazing or frontage damage, our shopfront boarding service is usually the right fit.
If a site needs perimeter control (for example, after impact damage or when a ground-floor access point is exposed), temporary fencing can be more appropriate—see temporary fencing.
What you get from us (useful for landlords, managing agents and insurers)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we provide documentation insurers and property managers typically need.
You’ll usually receive:
- Before-and-after photos (time-stamped where possible)
- A clear work summary of what was secured and how
- An itemised invoice suitable for insurer submission
- Notes on any limitations (e.g., if the frame is too compromised for certain fixing methods)
For more guidance on paperwork, see insurance claims support.
Safety and access notes (important in urgent situations)
A few practical points that help the job go smoothly:
- If police are attending, wait until they’ve finished before anything is moved or covered (unless there’s immediate danger).
- If glass is present, keep people and pets away from the area.
- If there has been a fire, we can secure the property, but smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope—see fire damage securing.
- For flood incidents, swollen frames can complicate closure and fixing; we can secure the opening while you arrange drying and repairs—see flood damage securing.
FAQs: Door boarding in West London
How quickly can you attend for emergency door boarding?
We prioritise urgent calls across West London (W2–W14). We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access restrictions, and the nature of the damage can vary—but if your property is insecure, tell us and we’ll triage accordingly. For urgent help, use emergency boarding up.
Can you board up a door without damaging the frame?
Often, yes—especially when there are solid fixing points and the door surround is stable. However, after forced entry the frame can be split or loose. If non-destructive methods won’t be secure, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
Do you board up communal doors to flats and mansion blocks?
Yes. We regularly secure communal entrances and internal access points. If you’re a landlord or managing agent, it helps to have access to the meter cupboard/communal areas and any site rules from the freeholder or management company.
Is door boarding covered by insurance?
Many buildings and contents policies cover emergency securing after incidents such as burglary, vandalism, storm or impact damage, but cover varies. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. More detail is on our insurance claims page.
Should I get a locksmith first?
If the door can be repaired and re-secured quickly, a locksmith may be enough. If the door leaf/frame is badly damaged, or the property can’t be locked securely, boarding is often the safest immediate step. We can secure first so you can arrange repairs without leaving the property exposed.
Related services and situations
Depending on what’s happened, you may also need:
- window boarding in West London for adjacent broken panes
- shopfront boarding for commercial glazing
- storm damage boarding and securing after high winds
- accident damage securing (vehicle impacts and structural concerns)
- residential boarding up and commercial boarding up considerations
Ready to secure a damaged door?
If a door has been forced, won’t lock, or has been left unsafe, we can help you secure the opening and reduce the risk of further loss.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
