Boarding Up Services in Harrow (HA0–HA9)

When a window’s been smashed, a door has been forced, or a site has to be made safe after an incident, you don’t need a sales pitch—you need a practical plan and a team that can secure the property properly.

Boarding Up Harrow provides boarding up services across Harrow and the wider HA postcode area (HA0–HA9). We work on homes, shops, offices and vacant properties, using the right materials and fixings for the job—so the opening is protected from weather and opportunistic access until permanent repairs can be arranged.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.

What we mean by “boarding up” (and what it’s for)

Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure. The goal is to:

  • prevent unauthorised access after damage or loss of glazing/doors
  • reduce the risk of weather getting in (rain, wind, debris)
  • make a property safe while you arrange glazing, locksmithing, or building repairs
  • help you meet insurer requirements for “reasonable steps” to secure the premises

Depending on the location, opening size and risk level, we may use exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm for standard openings), OSB (often 12mm for smaller/low-risk panels), or recommend temporary steel doors / steel security screens for longer-term protection on vacant buildings.

If you’re unsure what you need, the overview on what boarding up is can help.

Our boarding up services in Harrow

Below are the core services we provide across HA0–HA9. Each one is slightly different in approach, materials and fixing method—so it’s worth choosing the service that matches what’s happened to your property.

Window boarding (homes, flats and commercial glazing)

Broken or missing glazing is one of the most common reasons people call us—especially after a break-in, vandalism, or an accident impact.

With window boarding in Harrow, we’ll assess the frame condition first. Where frames are intact, we’ll board securely using methods that are difficult to remove from outside (anti-tamper fixings where appropriate). If the frame is cracked, rotten or pulled away, we’ll talk you through the safest option before fixing anything—because there’s no point attaching boards to something that won’t hold.

Window boarding is often used for:

  • smashed single panes and modern double-glazed units
  • bay windows and large front elevations (common across parts of Harrow)
  • rear windows where access is easier for intruders
  • ground-floor communal areas on blocks and maisonettes

Door boarding up (including forced entry damage)

If your front door has been kicked in or the lock area has split, the priority is to secure the main access point without making things worse.

Our door boarding service is used for:

  • timber doors that have split around the latch/keep
  • uPVC doors where the panel or frame has fractured
  • rear/side doors to gardens, alleys and service passages
  • communal doors and secondary entrances to flats

Where boarding isn’t the best medium-term option (for example, on a vacant house between tenants), we may recommend a temporary steel door instead. It’s designed to be used like a normal door—so authorised access is easier, while security remains high.

Shopfront boarding (retail units, cafés, forecourts and local parades)

Shopfront damage can’t sit overnight. It affects security, safety, and trading the next day—especially on busy local parades and high-footfall areas.

Our shopfront boarding covers large panes, multiple panels, and awkward openings around frames and returns. We can also help with “make safe” measures where there are sharp edges, loose glazing, or partially hanging panels.

This service is commonly used after:

  • attempted break-ins and smash-and-grab incidents
  • vandalism (including repeated attacks on the same frontage)
  • accidental impact (vehicles, bikes, delivery incidents)
  • storm debris striking commercial glazing

If you’re a facilities manager or landlord covering multiple sites, we can provide consistent paperwork and photos to simplify reporting.

Roof & skylight boarding (weather exposure and hard-to-access openings)

Roof-level damage is a different problem: it’s not just security—it’s water ingress, insulation issues, and sometimes internal ceiling collapse risk.

Our roof boarding service is designed for securing openings such as:

  • damaged skylights and rooflights
  • holes caused by storm debris
  • compromised access hatches
  • vulnerable flat-roof points on extensions and commercial units

We’ll always be straightforward about limitations: if conditions or access make it unsafe (for example, high winds or fragile surfaces), we may advise a safer alternative or schedule when it can be done responsibly.

Temporary steel doors (practical medium-term security)

Temporary steel doors are a strong option when you need the property secured for weeks or months, not just overnight—common for probate properties, long voids, or buildings awaiting major works.

They’re particularly useful where:

  • the original door and frame are badly damaged
  • the building will be unoccupied
  • you need secure access for authorised entry (keys rather than removing boards)

If you’re securing a vacant building, it’s also worth reading our vacant property boarding up guidance.

Steel security screens (void properties and repeated risk locations)

Steel security screens (Sitex-style) are designed for longer-term protection, especially where there’s a pattern of repeated attempts or the building is attracting attention.

They are often used on:

  • empty houses and flats between tenancies
  • commercial units awaiting lease or refurbishment
  • rear windows and vulnerable side elevations
  • properties with a history of repeated vandalism

For context on when screens beat standard boards, see boarding up services in Harrow (this page) and the property-type notes for commercial properties.

What to expect when you call us

People usually contact us at a stressful moment—after a break-in, a loud bang, or a call from a neighbour or alarm company. We keep the process straightforward.

  1. You tell us what’s happened and where (area/postcode, type of property, and what’s damaged).
  2. We ask a few practical questions (size of opening, ground floor/upper floor, access, any immediate hazards).
  3. We explain the likely approach (plywood/OSB, door solution, roof approach) and what we need from you (access, permission if you’re a tenant, etc.).
  4. We secure the opening using appropriate fixings and a method suited to the frame and risk level.
  5. You receive documentation such as an itemised invoice and time-stamped photos on request—useful for landlords, facilities teams and insurance claims support.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times, because traffic, access issues and the nature of emergency jobs vary. What we do promise is clear communication and a sensible, secure outcome.

Materials and fixing methods (why they matter)

Not all “board ups” are equal. The material and fixing method determines how secure the result is, how well it stands up to wind and rain, and how easy it is to remove later for glazing repairs.

We typically consider:

  • Material choice: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength; OSB for smaller openings where appropriate
  • Fixing method: anti-tamper fixings where external removal risk is high
  • Frame condition: we avoid “fixing into nothing”—if the substrate is compromised we’ll discuss options first
  • Internal vs external boarding: chosen based on access, security needs, and whether you must maintain a certain appearance on the frontage
  • Ventilation considerations: particularly after flood events or where a building needs airflow to reduce further damage

If the property has suffered a specific incident, you may find it easier to start from the situation pages and work back to the right service—e.g. burglary repairs or storm damage.

Residential, commercial and vacant properties — tailored to the building

Harrow and the HA postcodes cover everything from 1930s semis and mansion blocks to busy retail parades and light industrial units. We adapt how we secure openings based on how the building is used.

  • Residential: privacy, family safety, and getting doors/windows secured without unnecessary disruption. See residential boarding up.
  • Commercial: reducing downtime and protecting stock, tills and equipment—often with large glazing runs. See commercial boarding up.
  • Vacant/void: preventing repeated entry and keeping a site secure while it’s unoccupied. See vacant property boarding up.

Common situations we’re called out for

Boarding up is usually a response to an event. If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone—and there are sensible next steps.

FAQs about boarding up services in Harrow

How much does boarding up cost in Harrow?

Costs depend on the size and number of openings, the material needed (plywood vs OSB vs steel solutions), access (ground floor vs upper levels), and whether the frame is sound. For a clearer idea of what affects price, see boarding up pricing. We’re happy to explain options before work starts.

Can you board up a property and still allow access?

Yes, in many cases. For doors, a temporary steel door is often the best option for medium-term security with controlled entry. For windows, we can discuss the safest way to maintain ventilation or internal access where appropriate—without compromising security.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the sort of documentation insurers typically request (photos, description of works, itemised invoice). Start here: insurance claims for boarding up.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the opening size, whether it’s a straightforward window panel or a complex shopfront/door frame, and whether there are hazards to manage. We’ll give you a realistic expectation once we understand the damage and access.

Do you cover my area in HA0–HA9?

Yes—our coverage spans the HA postcodes. If you want the most local page for your area, use our areas we cover page to find your neighbourhood.

Ready to arrange boarding up in Harrow?

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 5472 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.