Shopfront Boarding in West London (W2–W14)

If your shopfront glass has been smashed, cracked, or left insecure, you need it made safe quickly — for your staff, your stock, and the public outside. We provide shopfront boarding in West London across the W postcode area (W2–W14), helping retailers, restaurants, offices and managing agents secure premises after break-ins, vandalism, accidents and storm damage.

For urgent help, call 020 4634 8072. If you can, take a couple of photos of the damage (from a safe distance) and keep any police incident number — it helps us plan the right fixings and panels before we arrive.

Need out-of-hours support? See emergency boarding up.

When shopfront boarding is needed (common emergency scenarios)

West London has a lot of busy frontages — from Uxbridge Road in Ealing and the parades near Shepherd’s Bush Green, to high-footfall areas around Paddington Basin and the restaurant strips off Hammersmith Broadway. When glass fails in places like these, the priority is to reduce risk immediately and stop easy access.

We most often board up shopfronts after:

• Burglary / attempted break-in (forced doors, smashed glazing, damaged frames) — see burglary repairs and boarding
• Vandalism (bricks through windows, repeated attacks on the same frontage) — see vandalism repair
• Accidents / impact damage (a vehicle clipping the frontage, delivery trolley damage, internal accidents) — see accident damage boarding
• Storm damage (wind-blown debris, loosened panes, failing putty or beads) — see storm damage boarding
• Fire service entry or post-fire exposure (we secure; we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation) — see fire damage securing

If the opening is street-facing, we’ll also consider pedestrian safety and visibility for neighbouring units — particularly in shared blocks and arcades where footfall continues even when you’re closed.

What we actually do on arrival (step-by-step)

Every shopfront is different — aluminium frames, timber shopfronts, glazed screens, double doors, side panels — but the approach is consistent and practical.

1. Make safe first

   • We check for loose glass, sharp edges, and unstable frames.
   • If there’s shattered glazing, we’ll manage debris carefully and reduce immediate risk around the threshold.

2. Assess the frame and fixing options

   • We look at what’s intact: mullions/transoms, door rails, reveal depth, and whether the surround is sound enough for secure fixing.
   • If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

3. Measure and cut panels for a proper fit

   • Shopfronts often have wide spans. We measure to minimise gaps and avoid “easy peel” edges.
   • Where possible, we fit panels in a way that keeps fixings protected from the outside.

4. Fix using anti-tamper methods

   • We use anti-tamper fixings where suitable because they’re far harder to remove from outside — important if the property will be unattended overnight.
   • Fixing method depends on the substrate and the condition of the surround (timber, masonry, metal frame).

5. Check security and close-down

   • We test for movement, check the bottom edge and corners (common attack points), and ensure the boarding doesn’t foul doors that still need to operate.
   • You’ll receive time-stamped photos and a clear work statement suitable for property managers and insurers.

If you need a more complete securing solution (especially after forced entry), we may recommend door boarding in West London or a temporary door option, depending on what’s been damaged.

Materials we use (and why)

Exterior-grade plywood (typical for emergency shopfront boarding)

For many urgent call-outs, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is the go-to for strong, fast, reliable boarding — particularly for large glazed screens and door panels. It holds fixings well, resists flex, and stands up to short-term weather exposure.

OSB (used where appropriate)

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) can be suitable for smaller or less exposed areas, or where the board will be in place briefly. As a general rule, we’ll choose the thickness to suit the opening (often 12mm OSB for smaller sections), but we won’t force OSB where plywood is the safer choice.

Fixings and security details

The strength of shopfront boarding isn’t just the panel — it’s how it’s fixed:

• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of external removal
• Through-fixing and bracing where reveals allow (useful on wide openings)
• Consideration for shared façades, signage, shutters, and alarm sensor lines

If you have roller shutters, we can board internally/behind where practical — it can be a cleaner finish and better protected — but it depends on access and damage.

Boarding shopfronts without causing unnecessary damage

A lot of West London commercial property is a mix of:

• Older timber shopfronts (often with decorative pilasters and frames)
• Modern aluminium storefront systems
• Ground-floor retail beneath residential flats or mansion blocks

Where we can, we use methods that avoid permanent damage to frames and surrounding stonework/brickwork. Sometimes, after severe impact, there’s no “perfect” non-invasive option — we’ll talk you through what’s possible, what’s secure, and what’s likely to be required for later repair.

If you’re also dealing with broken windows elsewhere (upper floors, side returns, internal courtyard glazing), our window boarding in West London service may be the better fit.

For shops, restaurants, offices and managing agents

Shopfront boarding isn’t just for retail. In W postcodes we commonly secure:

• Restaurants and cafés (especially where wide frontage glazing faces the pavement)
• Offices and clinics at street level with glazed reception screens
• Salons and studios with display windows and product shelving near the glass
• Vacant units between tenants where repeated vandalism can become a pattern

If the property is empty or likely to remain unoccupied, you may want a longer-term approach. Start with our guidance for vacant property security and we’ll advise on the most sensible next step.

A realistic West London call-out: smashed frontage on a busy parade

A small convenience unit near a Tube station in the W postcode area had a smashed fixed pane and damaged door glass after an attempted break-in. The concern wasn’t only theft — it was the early-morning footfall and the exposed shelving close to the frontage.

We attended, made the area safe, cleared immediate hazards, then installed 18mm exterior plywood cut to cover the damaged sections with anti-tamper fixings. Because the frame was partially distorted, we adjusted the fixing strategy to keep the panel tight and reduce leverage points. The customer received time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice to support their insurer and landlord communication.

What you’ll get from us

Whether it’s a one-off emergency or you manage multiple units, you can expect:

• Clear explanation of what we’re securing and how
• Appropriate materials (plywood/OSB) selected for the opening and exposure
• Time-stamped photos of the completed boarding
• Itemised invoice and a brief work statement (useful for insurers and property managers)
• Practical advice on next steps (glazing replacement, longer-term security options)

For insurance-related documentation and what to keep, see insurance claims support. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the evidence insurers typically ask for.

Shopfront boarding FAQs (West London)

How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window in West London?

We prioritise urgent, street-facing exposures and security risks, including out-of-hours where needed. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access, and the nature of the damage vary — but if you call with the postcode, photos (if safe), and the situation, we’ll tell you what we can do and how we’ll approach it.

What’s better for shopfront boarding — plywood or OSB?

For many shopfronts, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is preferred because it’s stronger and more resistant to flexing on large spans. OSB can be suitable for smaller or short-term applications. We’ll choose the material based on opening size, exposure, and how long you need it secured.

Will boarding damage my shopfront frame?

We aim to secure the property without unnecessary damage, but the safest fixing method depends on what’s left intact. If the frame is already compromised (common after impact or repeated attacks), we’ll explain the trade-offs before fixing.

Can you board up a shopfront door as well as the windows?

Yes. If the entrance door glazing or the door itself is damaged, we can secure it as part of the same visit. In some cases, a dedicated door boarding service is the best route, especially after forced entry.

Do you cover my area in the W postcodes?

Yes — we cover West London across W2–W14. If you’re not sure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

What to do right now if your shopfront is damaged

1. If there’s immediate danger, call 999 (injury risk, aggressive intruder, or unsafe structural situation).
2. Don’t touch loose glass — keep staff and the public away from the opening.
3. Take photos if safe, including the full frontage and close-ups of damage.
4. Keep any police incident number and contact your insurer early.
5. Call us on 020 4634 8072 and tell us:
   • Your postcode and access details
   • Whether the site is trading, closed, or vacant
   • What’s damaged (fixed pane, door, side panel, frame)

If you’d rather send details by email: [email protected].

Related services that often go with shopfront boarding

Depending on what’s happened, these pages may help:

• emergency boarding up for urgent, out-of-hours situations
• window boarding in West London for upper floors, side windows, and residential glazing
• door boarding in West London for forced entry and damaged entrances
• what is boarding up? for a clear overview of methods and expectations

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• insurance claims support
• window boarding in West London
• door boarding in West London
• situations we handle
• areas we cover

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8072 for immediate assistance.