Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2)

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, forced door, or damaged shopfront on Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2), the priority is simple: secure the opening quickly and safely so the building isn’t left exposed to theft, weather, or repeat vandalism. We provide 24/7 boarding up in HP2, covering industrial units, trade counters, warehouses, offices, and mixed-use premises across the estate and surrounding business parks.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. When you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions (what’s been damaged, whether the site is safe to access, and whether there are alarms/shutters on site) and then give you a realistic ETA based on current workload and conditions. We don’t promise fixed arrival times—but we prioritise urgent “make safe” jobs, including out of hours call-outs when a unit can’t be left open overnight.

Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 or email info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk.

Why boarding up matters on Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2)

Industrial estates bring a specific set of risks that are different from residential streets. In HP2, we’re often called to premises where the front elevation is mostly glazing, the unit is set back from the road, and there are long stretches that become quiet after trading hours.

Here’s why emergency boarding up is so common in this area:

• Large, vulnerable openings: Trade counters, showroom-style fronts and office pods often have big panes. A single impact can leave a wide opening that can’t be safely “taped up”.
• Busy access routes and vehicle movements: Industrial areas see frequent deliveries, forklifts and HGV traffic. Accidental impacts with doors, roller shutters, and glazing do happen—especially around loading bays and yard entrances.
• Out-of-hours exposure: Many units are unattended overnight. If you’ve got a smashed window or a compromised door at 7pm, waiting until morning can mean weather damage, stock losses, or an invitation for a second attempt.
• Targeting of tools and stock: Industrial units can contain high-value items (tools, metals, appliances, trade materials). A forced entry that leaves the property open is a genuine security risk.
• Mixed construction types: Some buildings have lightweight cladding or older frames where “standard” fixing points aren’t reliable. The boarding method needs to suit the substrate and the condition of the frame.

Boarding up in an industrial setting is about more than covering glass—it’s about reducing opportunity, meeting duty-of-care, and keeping the site safe for staff, customers, and neighbouring units.

You’ll often need boarding in HP2 after:

• A break-in or attempted break-in where the door won’t secure
• A shopfront boarded up requirement after vandalism or impact damage
• A vehicle clip at the entrance leaving a board up door situation
• Storm damage that has popped panels or exposed a vulnerable opening
• Fire service attendance where an opening must be secured once the scene is handed back

How we typically secure industrial units (and why the method matters)

On Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate, “temporary boarding” needs to be strong enough to deter entry and robust enough to cope with wind and rain. The approach will depend on the opening size, the frame condition, and whether the property will be attended or left vacant.

In practice, that usually means:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor openings where security is the priority
• 12mm OSB for smaller or more sheltered openings where appropriate
• Anti-tamper fixings so boards can’t be removed from outside with basic tools—particularly important if the unit will be unattended
• Non-destructive fixing where possible, especially if you’re expecting a glazier/door engineer back quickly
• If frames are too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain options before proceeding (sometimes you need a different securing method to avoid making the damage worse)

If you’re a tenant or facilities manager, we can also provide practical “handover” documentation such as time-stamped photos, a clear work statement, and an itemised invoice—the sort of paperwork insurers and landlords usually ask for.

A typical HP2 call-out (example scenario)

A typical call-out on Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate might involve a trade counter unit discovering damage at the end of the day: a customer-facing glazed section has been hit (or vandalised), leaving sharp glass and a clear access point.

In that situation, the priority is usually:

1. Confirm immediate safety
   If there’s glass on the floor or the frame is unstable, we’ll advise keeping staff away and, if needed, isolating that area until it’s made safe.

2. Rapid “make safe” boarding
   We’ll measure the opening, choose a board thickness suitable for the span, and fit boarding using a method appropriate to the frame/substrate. For commercial fronts, we’ll aim for a secure fit that reduces leverage points.

3. Security and access planning
   If the unit must open the next morning, we can discuss whether a partial board solution maintains basic access while still securing the vulnerable section, or whether full closure is necessary until glazing is replaced.

4. Documentation for insurer/landlord
   We can provide time-stamped photos and a clear description of what was damaged and how it was secured, helping you evidence that reasonable steps were taken to protect the premises.

This kind of response is designed to stabilise the situation quickly so you can arrange permanent repairs without leaving the property exposed overnight.

What to do in an emergency on Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2)

When something happens at an industrial unit, it’s easy to lose time deciding what to do first. These steps are the safest, most practical way to protect people and the property.

1. If there’s a crime in progress or immediate danger, call 999
   If the intruder has gone but you need to report a break-in, call 101 and ask for a crime reference number.

2. Make the area safe (without taking risks)

   • Keep staff away from broken glass and damaged frames
   • Don’t touch anything that could be evidence after a burglary
   • If there’s exposed wiring, water ingress near electrics, or structural movement, wait for the appropriate emergency support

3. Prevent further loss where you can
   If it’s safe, move high-value items away from the opening and out of sight. Close internal doors and lock any secondary access points—industrial units often have more than one vulnerable entry.

4. Take clear photos before anything is moved (if safe)
   Capture:

   • The damaged opening from inside and outside
   • Any tool marks, broken lock areas, or impact points
   • A wide shot showing the location on the building
     This helps with insurance, landlords, and internal incident reporting.

5. Call us to secure the property
   For a board up broken window, board up door, or urgent emergency boarding up, call 01442 502 589. We’ll ask what’s happened, what needs securing, and whether the site has any access restrictions or on-site security procedures.

6. Notify your insurer/landlord/facilities contact early
   We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request. Early notification also helps avoid delays in authorising permanent repairs.

Our local coverage around HP2

This page is for Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2)—including surrounding commercial and industrial pockets where units, yards, and trade premises need fast security after damage. If you’re just outside the estate boundary but still within HP2, call anyway and we’ll confirm coverage on the phone.

Nearby areas we regularly attend include:

• boarding up Adeyfield (HP2)
• boarding up Grovehill (HP2)
• boarding up Felden (HP3)

Local FAQs: Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate boarding up (HP2)

How quickly can you attend a boarding up job in HP2?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as we can, including out of hours. Workload, traffic, and site access rules can affect timing—when you call, we’ll give a realistic ETA based on where our team is and what’s already booked in.

We’ve had a smashed window at a trade counter—can we still open tomorrow?

Often yes, but it depends on the damage location and whether the opening affects public access routes. If the broken area is customer-facing, boarding may need to fully close that section for safety. Tell us your opening hours and we’ll talk through options that help you secure property while planning for glazing replacement.

Can you board up large commercial glazing panels on industrial units?

Yes—industrial units frequently have wider openings than domestic properties. The key is using the right board thickness and fixing method so the panel doesn’t flex or become a leverage point. If the surrounding frame is cracked or the substrate is weak, we’ll explain the most secure approach before starting.

What if the door frame is damaged and won’t take fixings?

That’s common after forced entry. If we can secure using non-destructive methods, we will. If the frame is too compromised, we’ll explain the options and any implications before proceeding—sometimes a different type of temporary closure is safer than forcing fixings into failing timber or thin metal.

Do you provide paperwork for facilities management and insurance claims?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear description of what was done to make the site safe. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable) and any incident report details for your insurer and landlord.

We have shutters—do we still need boarding?

Sometimes. If shutters are damaged, can’t fully close, or the opening behind them is compromised, boarding adds a second layer. Also, if glazing is shattered behind a shutter, you may need boarding to control access and reduce the risk of glass falling when the shutter is raised.

Can you work around site rules like security gates or key-holder access?

Yes—HP2 sites often have barriers, timed gates, or a requirement for a named key-holder. When you call, tell us the access arrangements and any restrictions (parking in loading bays, one-way systems, or overnight security) so we can arrive prepared and avoid delays.

Who is responsible for arranging boarding up—tenant, landlord, or managing agent?

It depends on the lease and repair obligations. In practice, many tenants arrange emergency boarding up immediately to prevent further loss, then pass documentation to the landlord/managing agent. If you’re unsure, we can still secure the opening first and provide paperwork to support whichever party is responsible.

Need boarding up on Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate (HP2)?

If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or arrange temporary boarding to make your industrial unit safe, call us now.

Need help now? Call 01442 502 589.
Prefer a callback? Phone through and we’ll confirm a realistic ETA and take details, or email info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk.