Door Boarding in North West London (NW1–NW26)
When a door has been forced, split, or left insecure after an incident, it’s rarely just “a broken door” — it’s an immediate security risk. Our door boarding in North West London service is designed to make your property safe quickly, whether you’re dealing with a front-door break-in, a damaged communal entrance, or a back door that won’t lock after storm or impact damage.
If you need urgent help tonight or out of hours, use our emergency line first: emergency boarding up.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7794 for immediate assistance.
When door boarding is the right option (and when it isn’t)
Door boarding (sometimes searched as “board up NW” or “door boarding near me North West London”) is ideal when the existing door/lock can’t be secured and you need a robust temporary barrier.
Typical emergency use-cases we attend across NW postcodes include:
- Burglary / forced entry where the door slab is split, the frame is damaged, or the lock has been ripped out
(see also: securing property after burglary) - Vandalism to entrance doors, side gates, or shared access doors on blocks of flats
(see: vandalism repairs and boarding) - Accidental impact damage (door kicked in during an incident, vehicle impact near an entrance, or a failed forced opening)
(see: accident damage securing) - Fire service entry where a door has been forced for access and can’t be re-secured afterwards
(see: post-fire securing) - Flood damage where timber doors have swollen and won’t close or latch properly
(see: post-flood boarding and securing)
When door boarding might not be the best solution:
- If the door is intact and only the lock is faulty, a locksmith may be the most appropriate first call.
- If the property will be empty for weeks (void or probate), you may be better served by a more durable option such as a temporary steel door or security screens. We’ll explain what’s realistic once we’ve seen the opening and your access requirements.
What “door boarding” actually means
Door boarding is the process of securing a door opening using sheet material and appropriate fixings so the entry point cannot be easily forced or removed from outside.
Because doors are a primary attack point, we treat them differently from window boarding:
- the fixing approach is chosen to resist levering and tampering
- we check the surrounding frame and masonry for movement or cracking
- we aim for a secure, tidy finish that doesn’t create additional hazards (sharp edges, protruding screws, trip points)
If you need window protection as well, you may also want window boarding in North West London.
Our emergency door boarding approach (what happens when you call)
If you’re stressed, tired, or standing in the cold with a damaged door, you don’t need a lecture — you need a clear plan. Here’s what typically happens.
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You call and tell us what’s happened
We’ll ask a few practical questions: property type (flat/house/shop), whether the door opens onto the street, and whether you have police/insurer involvement. -
We advise immediate safety steps (if relevant)
If there’s ongoing risk, we’ll suggest waiting somewhere safe and not attempting to hold a door shut yourself. If safe to do so, take quick photos for your insurer before anything is moved. -
On arrival, we assess the opening and the frame
If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive method, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. -
We install the boarding using the correct fixings for the situation
The goal is secure, stable coverage that can’t simply be unscrewed or prised away from the outside. -
You receive documentation
We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear work statement, and an itemised invoice—useful for property management records and insurers.
For urgent attendance, go straight to our 24 hour emergency boarding up in North West London page.
Materials we use (and why)
We use materials appropriate to the security risk, the door type, and how long you need the opening secured.
Exterior-grade plywood (typical for doors)
For most door openings we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it offers strong impact resistance and holds fixings well.
Why it’s used:
- better resistance to splitting under force than thinner boards
- suitable for higher-risk entry points (front and rear doors)
- performs well in wet weather when correctly installed
OSB (oriented strand board) (where appropriate)
For lower-risk or smaller door-related panels (for example, side access panels or internal common-area openings), 12mm OSB can be suitable.
Why it’s used:
- cost-effective and quick to cut/fit
- useful where the risk level is lower or the opening is temporary while repairs are arranged
Fixings: anti-tamper where it matters
A door is a target. Where the property will be unattended, we prioritise anti-tamper fixings and methods that prevent removal from outside.
We choose fixings based on:
- whether we can fix into solid timber, masonry, or steel
- whether access allows us to use through-fixing safely
- the condition of the frame (split, rotten, burnt, swollen, loose)
If you need a medium-term solution after forced entry, talk to us about options beyond boarding. Our broader boarding up services in North West London overview explains what we can do.
Methods we use to secure doors (without unnecessary damage)
Every doorway is different. North West London has everything from Victorian terraces with original timber frames to purpose-built blocks with metal communal doors and modern multi-point locks. We adapt the method to suit the opening and the surface we’re fixing into.
Common approaches include:
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Over-boarding the door leaf (when the frame is sound)
Secures the door and prevents further forced opening attempts. -
Boarding the full opening (when the door is missing, shattered, or unusable)
Creates a solid barrier across the entire doorway. -
Internal bracing where possible
Adds resistance against kicking/shouldering without relying on a single fixing line. -
Temporary access planning
If occupants need to come and go, we’ll discuss practical next steps. In some cases, a boarded doorway means that entrance can’t be used until a replacement door or temporary steel door is fitted.
We won’t pretend boarding is “pretty”, but it should be secure, safe, and explained clearly so you know what you can and can’t do next.
Door boarding for homes, flats, and commercial premises
Residential doors (houses, flats, maisonettes)
After a break-in, many customers want two things: security and reassurance. We can secure:
- front doors and back doors
- side entrances and utility doors
- communal access doors (where you have authority to instruct works)
More on domestic contexts: residential boarding up.
Commercial doors and entrances
For shops, offices, and mixed-use buildings, we consider footfall, shutters, and building management requirements. If your premises also has glazing damage, you may need shopfront boarding in North West London.
More on business properties: commercial boarding up.
Vacant and void properties
If the building is going to be empty, door boarding may be the first step—followed by a more durable security option depending on the risk level and how long it will be vacant.
More on securing empty buildings: vacant property boarding.
What you get from us (so you can move forward)
After we secure your doorway, you should be able to hand over a clear record to whoever needs it—insurer, landlord, managing agent, facilities team, or local authority.
Typically you receive:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
- A clear description of works carried out and materials used
- An itemised invoice for your records
- Practical guidance on next steps (repairs, replacement doors, longer-term security)
If you’re dealing with an insurer, our guidance page can help you prepare: insurance claims support. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers commonly request.
Safety and access notes (important)
- If there’s broken glass nearby (often the case with adjacent panels), keep people and pets away until the area is safe.
- If police have attended, keep your crime reference number—it’s often requested by insurers.
- If the frame or surrounding brickwork looks unstable after impact, we’ll secure what we can and flag what may require a builder or structural assessment.
FAQs: Door boarding in North West London
How fast can you board up a door in an emergency?
We prioritise urgent jobs, including out-of-hours calls, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access, and job complexity vary across NW1–NW26. If you need urgent help, contact us via emergency boarding up and we’ll advise the best next step.
Is door boarding covered by insurance?
Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or fire service entry. Cover depends on your policy and excess. We can provide photos and documentation to support your claim—see insurance claims help.
Will boarding damage my door frame or brickwork?
We aim to use the least destructive method that still provides real security. If the frame is already split or too weak to hold fixings, we’ll explain alternatives before proceeding.
Can you board up a communal entrance door?
Yes—provided you have the authority to instruct the work (for example, managing agent, freeholder, or facilities manager). If you’re unsure, call and we’ll talk through the situation.
Do you also replace the door or fix the lock?
Our focus is securing the property. We can advise what typically happens next, but door replacement and locksmith work are separate trades. Many customers use boarding as the immediate step, then arrange permanent repairs once the situation is calmer.
Related services that may be needed alongside door boarding
Depending on what’s happened, you may also require:
- window boarding in North West London for broken glazing near the entry point
- shopfront boarding if your commercial frontage is damaged
- roof boarding if there’s an overhead opening after storm or impact
- Situation guidance if you’re working through the incident:
Ready to book door boarding in North West London?
If your door won’t secure, don’t leave it overnight hoping it’ll be fine. We’ll talk you through options and secure the opening properly.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7794 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-north-west-london.co.uk
