Residential boarding up in North West London (NW)
Residential damage is stressful—especially when it affects your front door or the windows that keep your home secure. We provide residential boarding up across North West London (NW1–NW26) for houses, flats, maisonettes and converted period properties, helping you secure the opening quickly and sensibly while you arrange repairs with a glazier, builder, managing agent or insurer.
If you’re dealing with a break-in, accidental smash, storm damage or fire service entry, we’ll talk you through the safest next step and secure the property using the right method for the opening and the condition of the frame.
For urgent help, see emergency boarding up. For general questions about what “boarding up” actually involves, visit what is boarding up.
The kinds of homes we secure in NW London
North West London’s housing stock is varied, and the right approach depends on the building type and access:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces (common around areas like West Hampstead, Kilburn and Kentish Town) with sash windows, bay fronts and older timber frames.
- 1930s semis and maisonettes (typical in parts of Hendon, Colindale and Kingsbury) where ground-floor windows and side doors are frequent targets after a break-in.
- Purpose-built flats and ex-council blocks (seen across NW postcodes) where we may need to liaise with a concierge, estate office or managing agent for access and permissions.
- High-value homes (e.g., Hampstead, St John’s Wood, Belsize Park) where customers often prefer neater, non-destructive fixing options where possible, plus documentation for insurers.
We’re used to working with tight access, stairs, shared hallways, basement areas and rear gardens—common features in NW London properties.
Typical residential scenarios (and what we do)
1) Burglary or attempted break-in
A forced entry often leaves a door that won’t close, a broken lock area, or glazing smashed near handles. The priority is to secure the opening so the home can be safely left—especially overnight.
What we typically do:
- Board up broken windows or door glazing
- Secure damaged doors (sometimes with a temporary steel door if the frame/leaf is beyond a safe board-up)
- Provide a clear work statement and photos for your insurer
Relevant guidance: burglary repairs and door boarding in North West London.
2) Accidental impact (kids, DIY, keys through glass, etc.)
Accidents happen—patio doors, side return windows, and ground-floor bays are common. If the glass is cracked, missing, or the opening is exposed, boarding prevents injury and stops opportunistic entry.
Relevant guidance: accident damage securing and window boarding in North West London.
3) Storm damage and wind-blown debris
North West London can see gusty conditions that take down fencing, send debris into windows, or lift sections around skylights and flat roof details. Even if you’re waiting on a roofer, securing the opening helps prevent further water ingress and keeps the home safer.
Relevant guidance: storm damage boarding and roof boarding.
4) Fire service entry / post-fire securing
After a fire, doors or windows may be damaged for access, ventilation, or safety. We don’t carry out smoke/odour remediation or building reinstatement, but we do secure exposed openings once the scene is safe and you have clearance to proceed.
Relevant guidance: fire damage securing.
5) Flooding and swollen frames
Flood water can swell timber and distort uPVC frames. Doors may not close properly even after the water recedes. Boarding up can be a practical temporary measure while drying and repairs are organised—often with additional attention to ventilation where appropriate.
Relevant guidance: flood damage securing.
6) Vacant homes between tenancies or probate
If a residential property will be empty, the aim shifts from “overnight safety” to medium-term security. We can advise whether standard boarding is suitable or whether a more robust solution is sensible for the risk level and duration.
For longer-term options, see vacant property boarding.
How residential boarding up works (step by step)
Every home is different, but a typical residential call-out in North West London follows this sequence:
-
Initial details on the phone
We’ll ask what’s damaged (window/door/rooflight), whether the property is occupied, and if the police/fire brigade have attended. If you have an incident number, keep it to hand. -
Arrival and safety check
We’ll assess hazards like loose shards, unstable frames, or compromised locks. If something is unsafe to approach (for example, shattered glass still under tension), we’ll explain what needs to happen next. -
Measure and choose the right material
We commonly use:- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger, longer-lasting protection on larger openings
- OSB (often 12mm) for smaller windows or where appropriate
Material choice depends on opening size, exposure, and how long you need it secured.
-
Fixing method selection (protecting your property where we can)
Depending on frame condition and access, we may use:- Through-bolting with spreader boards/battens (secure and difficult to remove from outside)
- Anti-tamper fixings where external access is a concern
- Non-destructive methods where feasible (particularly important on well-finished frames or managed blocks)
If the frame is too damaged to fix safely without additional work, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
-
Tidy up and documentation
You’ll receive:- Time-stamped photos of the secured opening(s)
- An itemised invoice and clear description of what was done (useful for insurers and landlords)
- Practical next-step advice (e.g., what to ask a glazier, whether you’ll need a locksmith)
If you’re unsure which service fits your situation, start with boarding up services in North West London or check FAQs.
Methods we use in homes (and why)
Plywood boarding for windows
For most residential breakages, plywood gives a strong, stable barrier that can be fixed neatly and safely. It’s also a good choice for bay windows and larger panes where strength matters.
Learn more: window boarding in North West London.
Door boarding and temporary steel doors
If a door is forced and can’t be reliably locked, boarding may be a temporary measure—but in some cases, a temporary steel door is the safer option, especially if:
- the door leaf is split or missing
- the lock area is destroyed
- the property will be left unoccupied
Learn more: door boarding in North West London.
Rooflight and skylight boarding
Skylights and roof openings are easy to overlook until rain starts coming in. Roof boarding often involves careful access planning and weatherproof considerations. We focus on securing the opening and reducing exposure until permanent repairs are arranged.
Learn more: roof boarding.
Security for flats and shared buildings
In mansion blocks and conversions, there can be extra constraints:
- communal areas and noise restrictions
- access via porter/concierge
- requirements from managing agents
We’ll work within those constraints where possible, and if we need authorisation for certain fixings, we’ll flag that early.
Micro case study (residential, North West London)
A homeowner near West Hampstead Thameslink called after an attempted break-in damaged a ground-floor sash window on a Victorian terrace close to West End Lane. The frame was cracked and the lower pane had collapsed inward, leaving a reachable opening to the front room.
We attended, made the area safe, and installed a measured plywood panel with internal battens so it couldn’t be pulled free from outside. We also took clear photos of the damage and the finished boarding for the customer to share with their insurer and a local joiner arranging the sash repair. The property was left secure for the night without the need for further forced work on the surrounding timber.
If you’re in that part of NW London, see boarding up in West Hampstead for local coverage details.
What to do before we arrive (if it’s safe)
- Don’t touch loose shards—especially around double-glazed units under tension.
- If it’s a burglary, call 999 if the intruder may still be nearby; otherwise report via 101 and keep your reference number.
- Take photos of the damage for insurance (only if safe and you’re not compromising evidence).
- If you’re in a flat, tell your concierge/managing agent so access is straightforward.
We can’t provide legal advice or act as loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request—see insurance claims support.
Residential areas we cover across NW postcodes
We cover NW1–NW26, including busy inner areas and quieter suburban streets. If you want a page tailored to your neighbourhood, start here: areas we cover.
A few common residential call-out locations include:
- boarding up in Camden Town (terraces, conversions, busy high streets nearby)
- boarding up in Hampstead (period homes and higher-value properties)
- boarding up in Golders Green (family homes, mansion flats)
- boarding up in Hendon (1930s semis, purpose-built flats)
- boarding up in Colindale (new-build blocks and mixed residential streets)
- boarding up in Queens Park (Victorian terraces and garden flats)
If your area isn’t listed above, check the full list on areas we cover.
FAQs (residential boarding up)
How long can boarding stay on a house window?
It depends on exposure, fixing method and the condition of the surrounding frame. Some customers need a board for a single night; others need it for longer while joinery or glazing is manufactured. We’ll secure it appropriately for the expected duration and talk you through what to monitor (movement, water ingress, access needs).
Is boarding up covered by home insurance in North West London?
Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm or fire service entry—but policies vary. Keep your crime/fire reference number, take photos, and retain invoices. We can provide itemised paperwork and photos to support your claim: insurance claims support.
Can you board up a window in a flat with a managing agent?
Usually, yes—provided we can gain access and the method is permitted. In some blocks around NW postcodes, managing agents prefer particular fixing approaches to protect communal fabric. If you tell us the building type and any rules, we’ll plan accordingly.
What if the window frame is too damaged to fix boards safely?
If the frame is rotten, split, or unstable, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. That may mean a different fixing method, a temporary door solution, or recommending a joiner/builder intervention first. We won’t pretend a weak fixing is “secure”.
Do you cover my area—e.g., Camden Town, West Hampstead or Hendon?
Yes—those are all within our NW coverage. You can view local pages like boarding up in Camden Town, boarding up in West Hampstead and boarding up in Hendon, or browse the full areas we cover.
Ready to secure your home?
If you need residential boarding up—whether it’s a smashed window, a damaged door, or a rooflight that’s letting weather in—we’ll help you stabilise the situation and make the property safe.
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
