Boarding Up Naphill (HP14) – Emergency Property Security, 24/7
If you’ve arrived here searching for boarding up Naphill or boarding up HP14, it’s usually because something has just happened — a smashed window, a forced door, or damage that’s left your property exposed. The priority is simple: make safe, secure the property, and reduce the chance of further loss while you sort repairs and insurance.
Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead covers Naphill and the HP14 postcode district with 24/7 boarding up for homes, shops, and commercial units. We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, access and the type of damage all matter), but we do prioritise urgent jobs and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone. Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years — which matters when you need the job done properly and documented clearly.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 — if it’s an emergency, tell us what’s happened and what’s been damaged, and we’ll advise what to do while you wait.
Naphill (HP14): why boarding up matters here
Naphill is largely residential, with a mix of older houses, family homes and smaller local amenities. That brings a particular set of risks: when an opening is damaged, the property can look “easy” to re-enter, especially if it’s quiet overnight or the building is left unattended.
A few local factors often make temporary boarding the sensible first step:
- Residential streets and driveways: If a window is broken at the side or rear, it’s not always visible from the road. That can increase the risk of a second attempt if the property is left insecure.
- Weather exposure: The Chilterns area can catch wind and driving rain. A broken pane isn’t just a security issue — it can quickly become water damage to floors, electrics and furnishings.
- Commuter routines: If you’re out early or returning late (or the property is a rental between tenants), a board up broken window job often needs doing out of hours so the building isn’t left open until morning.
- Mixed glazing types: Many homes have a combination of older frames and modern sealed units. When frames are weakened by impact, it may not be possible (or safe) to “just tape it up” and wait.
Common calls we get in HP14 include:
- Smashed window after attempted entry (often a small rear window or ground-floor side window)
- Board up door needs after a forced lock or split door frame
- Damage after DIY accidents or an impact (fallen branches, ladders, garden items in high wind)
- Vacant or temporarily empty properties that need to secure property quickly
Boarding up isn’t about making it look pretty — it’s about making it hard to remove from outside, deterring opportunists, and protecting the inside from weather while you arrange permanent repairs.
How we typically board up in HP14 (materials and method)
For most domestic windows and smaller commercial openings in Naphill, we use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable protection on larger or higher-risk openings
- 12mm OSB can be appropriate for smaller panes or lower-risk areas, depending on location and fixing options
We choose fixings based on what’s safest for the building and most secure against tampering:
- Anti-tamper fixings where an opening is accessible from the outside (important if the property will be unattended)
- Fixing methods that suit the frame type (timber, uPVC, metal) and the condition of the surrounding structure
If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The goal is to secure the opening properly without causing unnecessary extra damage.
A typical Naphill call-out (example scenario)
A typical call-out in Naphill might involve a homeowner discovering a smashed window late evening — often a rear or side window where the noise may not have been heard by neighbours.
On the phone we’ll usually ask:
- Is anyone hurt or is there any immediate danger (glass on the floor, suspected intruder, exposed electrics)?
- Which opening is damaged (window/door), and roughly how big?
- Is the property currently occupied, and can the area be safely accessed?
When we arrive, the job often looks like this:
- Initial safety check: confirm the area is safe to work around (sharp glass, unstable frame, alarms)
- Measure and prepare: we measure the opening and cut board to fit on-site for a tight, secure cover
- Secure fixing: we fix the board with suitable fixings and positioning to reduce leverage points, using anti-tamper methods where appropriate
- Make safe and tidy: we’ll remove immediate hazards we can safely deal with (loose shards) and leave the opening weather-resistant where possible
- Documentation: we can provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement, which is often what insurers want to see
If the damage suggests the frame itself has failed (for example, the surrounding timber has split or brickwork is cracked), we’ll tell you straight away so you can get the right follow-on trades involved.
What to do right now in an emergency in Naphill (HP14)
If you need emergency boarding up in Naphill, these steps help protect you, your property, and your insurance position.
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If there’s any threat or a break-in is in progress, call 999 first.
Don’t confront anyone. Move to safety. -
If the intruder has gone, call 101 and get a crime reference number.
Insurers often ask for this when you claim for burglary or malicious damage. -
Take photos if it’s safe.
Wide shot of the opening, close-up of the damage, and any tool marks or disturbed locks. Don’t touch anything you don’t need to. -
Keep people and pets away from glass.
Close internal doors, block access to the room, and if you have to move through the area, wear shoes with thick soles. -
Cover what you can (without putting yourself at risk).
If weather is coming in, you can place a temporary sheet or tarp inside the room — but avoid going outside to fix anything from the exterior if it’s dark or unsafe. -
Call us for a make-safe.
Tell us if you need to board up broken window, board up door, or if it’s a larger commercial opening needing shopfront boarded up style protection. We’ll advise what to do while you wait and give an ETA. -
Contact your insurer early (once secure).
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the clear paperwork and photos insurers typically request.
For urgent help: Call 01442 502 589 or email info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk.
Our coverage around Naphill
We cover Naphill and the HP14 postcode district for 24/7 boarding up and planned securing works.
If you’re nearby, we also cover surrounding areas such as:
If you’re not sure whether your location falls under HP14, call and we’ll confirm on the phone.
Local FAQs – boarding up in Naphill (HP14)
How quickly can you attend a boarding up job in Naphill (HP14)?
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. We don’t guarantee fixed times, because workload and access can change quickly — but when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on where our team is and the type of job.
I’ve got a smashed window — should I wait until morning?
If the opening is accessible or the property will be unattended, waiting can increase the risk of a second attempt and weather damage. Even a small smashed window can be enough for someone to reach in and unlock a door or widen the opening. Boarding up is often the safest way to secure property until glazing is replaced.
Do you board up doors as well as windows in HP14?
Yes. If you need to board up door damage after a forced entry or failed lock, we can secure it to prevent re-entry. If the frame is badly compromised, we’ll explain what’s achievable as a temporary solution and what repairs you’ll likely need next.
Can you help if the frame is cracked or the surrounding area is damaged?
Yes — and this is common after impact. We can often still fit secure boarding, but the method depends on what’s structurally sound to fix into. If the frame or surrounding structure isn’t stable enough, we’ll talk you through options before doing anything that could worsen the damage.
Will boarding up make the property weatherproof?
Boarding up is primarily security-focused, but we also aim to reduce weather ingress. Where possible we fit boards tight and secure to help keep wind and rain out. If the opening is irregular (for example, shattered glass with a distorted frame), we’ll do what we can as part of the make-safe and advise on next steps.
What do I need for insurance if I’m claiming in HP14?
Insurers commonly ask for: photos of the damage, a clear description of what happened, and an invoice/work statement for emergency works. If it’s burglary or vandalism, a crime reference number is often required. We can provide itemised paperwork and time-stamped photos to support your claim.
I’m worried the boards will damage my window frames — can you board up without ruining them?
We use fixing methods appropriate to the frame type and condition. Where non-destructive options are practical and secure, we’ll use them. If the frame is already badly damaged, we’ll be transparent about the safest way to secure the opening and what impact that may have.
Can you board up a property that’s empty or between tenants in Naphill?
Yes. Empty properties can attract attention quickly once there’s visible damage. We can secure openings so the building is harder to access, and we can discuss sturdier short-term options if you expect the property to remain vacant for a while.
Need boarding up in Naphill (HP14)?
If you need emergency boarding up, temporary boarding, or urgent help to make safe after damage, call us now.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589. If you can’t get through immediately, leave a message and request a callback — we’ll come back to you as soon as we can.
