Boarding up services in North West London (NW1–NW26)

If you’re looking for boarding up services in North West London, you’re usually dealing with something urgent: a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage, or a vacant property that can’t be left exposed overnight. We secure homes, shops and sites across the NW postcodes with practical, insurer-friendly temporary protection—using the right materials and fixings for the opening, the risk level, and how long you need it secured.

We cover NW1 through to NW26, including busy commercial stretches around Camden and Euston, mixed residential areas in NW2/NW6, and larger properties and estates in NW9/NW11. If you need urgent help, see emergency boarding up or call 020 4634 7794.

When people in North West London usually need boarding up

Boarding up is rarely “planned”, but it’s often time-critical. We’re commonly called out after:

If you’re not sure which category you fall into, that’s normal—tell us what’s happened and what’s currently open or unsafe, and we’ll talk you through options.

Our core boarding up services (what we do)

We focus on securing openings properly, not “covering it over”. The right approach depends on whether the property will be occupied, whether you need light/ventilation, and how long the opening needs to remain secure.

Window boarding (homes, flats, communal areas)

We use boarded protection to secure broken or vulnerable windows, including ground-floor openings, side returns, rear extensions and communal stairwell glazing.

Typical uses in North West London include:

  • Smashed sash windows on Victorian terraces
  • Broken uPVC panes on 1930s semis
  • Communal glazing damage in mansion blocks and converted flats

Learn more about window boarding in North West London.

Door boarding up (including forced entries)

If a door has been forced or is no longer closing safely, we can board and secure the opening to prevent access. Where appropriate, we’ll advise whether a stronger temporary solution is needed, especially if the property will be unattended.

Learn more about door boarding in North West London.

Shopfront boarding (retail & commercial glazing)

Shopfronts often involve larger spans, higher footfall, and greater urgency—especially along busy parades where an exposed unit becomes a magnet for further damage. We board up shopfront glazing to reduce risk while you arrange replacement glass.

Learn more about shopfront boarding in North West London.

Roof & skylight boarding (weatherproofing and security)

Rooflights, skylights and damaged roof openings are a common weak point after storms or attempted access from above. Roof-level work is about two things: keeping water out and keeping people out, while working safely with appropriate access.

Learn more about roof boarding in North West London.

Temporary steel doors (for vacant or high-risk properties)

When a doorway has been compromised—or a building is vacant—plywood may not be the best option. Temporary steel doors provide a more robust, medium-term security solution, particularly for empty properties, repeated targeting, or where you need controlled access for contractors.

If you’re securing an empty building between tenancies, see vacant property boarding up.

Steel security screens (longer-term security)

For void properties, rear access points, or repeated incidents, steel security screens (often used on windows and vulnerable openings) can be a better fit than timber—especially when the property may be unattended for weeks rather than days. We’ll recommend what’s proportionate for the risk and the building.

Materials & methods (and why they matter)

A good board-up is as much about how it’s fixed as what it’s made from. We select materials and fixings based on opening size, substrate, and whether we can fix without causing unnecessary damage.

Common approaches include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable protection on larger openings
  • OSB (often 12mm) for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside (important for unattended properties)
  • Non-destructive fixing methods where the frame and surrounding structure allow (particularly helpful for occupied homes)
  • Internal bracing or pattressing on certain openings to spread load and improve security

If the surrounding frame is already rotten, cracked, or blown, we’ll explain the practical options before proceeding. Sometimes the safest secure fix requires going into solid masonry; sometimes a lighter-touch approach is possible. We won’t pretend there’s a one-size-fits-all answer.

For a plain-English explanation of what boarding up involves, see what is boarding up?

What to expect when you call us

When you contact us, we’ll keep it straightforward. We’ll ask a few practical questions so we bring the right materials first time.

  1. Tell us what’s happened (break-in, storm, accident) and what’s currently exposed
  2. Confirm the address and access (occupied vs vacant, keys, safe entry, parking/loading constraints)
  3. We agree the right securing method (plywood/OSB vs stronger options like steel)
  4. We secure the opening and check for other obvious vulnerabilities you may have missed
  5. We provide documentation suitable for landlords, managing agents, and insurers

We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, access and job complexity vary across North West London—but we prioritise genuinely urgent situations, especially where a property cannot be left open or unsafe.

What you get (useful for insurers and property managers)

People often need paperwork quickly after an incident. Where requested, we can provide:

  • Itemised invoice and a clear statement of work completed
  • Time-stamped photos of damage and boarded areas (helpful for insurance)
  • Notes on any access constraints or follow-on risks we observed
  • A record of materials used (e.g., board thickness) and fixing method

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but our documentation usually covers what insurers and managing agents ask for. For guidance, see insurance claims support.

Residential, commercial and vacant properties (we tailor the approach)

Boarding up isn’t the same for every building. A ground-floor flat off a busy street needs a different solution than an empty warehouse-style unit or a family home.

Areas we cover across NW postcodes

We operate across NW1–NW26. That includes inner areas with dense footfall (where exposed openings attract attention quickly) and quieter residential streets where you may need discreet, secure boarding while you wait on glazing.

You can browse areas we cover or jump straight to a local page such as:

FAQs about boarding up services in North West London

How much does boarding up cost in North West London?

It depends on the size and number of openings, access (ground floor vs upper floor/roof level), materials needed (plywood/OSB/steel), and the fixing method. If you want a clearer idea of what drives the cost, see pricing.

Can you board up tonight or out of hours?

Yes, we handle urgent and out-of-hours requests where needed. If it’s time-sensitive, use our emergency boarding up page and call 020 4634 7794.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

Sometimes it can be done using non-destructive methods, especially where frames and reveals are sound. If the frame is already damaged, or the opening is irregular, secure fixing may require anchoring into solid material. We’ll explain options and the trade-offs before we proceed.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it’s covered as part of making the property safe after an incident, but policies vary. Keep your crime reference number (if relevant), take photos if safe, and notify your insurer early. We can provide photos and an invoice for your claim—see insurance claims support.

Do you also do permanent repairs and replacement glazing?

Our focus is on making the property secure. We can advise on what typically comes next, but follow-on repairs (like replacement glass, joinery, or smoke/odour remediation after fire) may need other specialist trades. If you’re unsure, ask when you call and we’ll be transparent about what we can and can’t do.

Ready to get started?

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.