Commercial Boarding Up in Hemel Hempstead (HP Postcodes)

A smashed shop window, a forced door, or damage after a break-in can’t sit open until morning—not when you’ve got stock, confidential documents, alarms, and public liability to think about. We provide commercial boarding up across Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27), helping businesses, landlords, managing agents and facilities teams make safe damaged premises quickly and professionally.

Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. Whether you need a one-off emergency boarding up after a smashed window, or planned security for a vacant unit, we’ll talk you through the options and the likely costs before work starts. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA—response times vary with traffic, access and workload, but urgent jobs are prioritised.

For urgent help, see: emergency boarding up or call 01442 502 589.

When commercial boarding up is needed (typical scenarios)

Commercial sites get damaged in different ways to homes. It’s not just about stopping the weather getting in—often it’s about reducing the risk of repeat entry, safeguarding staff, and keeping the site compliant and insurable.

Common call-outs we handle in Hemel Hempstead and across HP include:

Smashed window or smashed shopfront glazing (impact damage, vandalism, attempted theft)
You need to board up broken window openings quickly to deter further attacks and protect stock.
Forced entry at doors (splintered timber, broken locks, prised frames)
This is where a straightforward board up door may be enough short-term—or a stronger temporary solution may be needed.
Out of hours incidents
Late-night damage happens. We regularly attend out of hours to secure property until permanent repairs can be arranged.
Vacant or changing occupancy
Units between tenants can be targeted. Temporary boarding or screened security can help reduce nuisance entry.
Storm damage
Wind-damaged glazing, dislodged panels, and failed fixings can leave openings exposed. Boarding is often the quickest way to stabilise and weatherproof.
Vehicle impact (car into a shutter, delivery incident, accidental collision)
We can make safe broken glazing and vulnerable openings while you arrange contractors for rebuilding.

If the frame or surrounding structure is too compromised for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain what we can do safely, what would need a builder or glazier, and what we recommend in the interim.

Related guidance if this has just happened:

What “commercial boarding up” actually involves

Commercial premises vary hugely—from small high-street units to warehouses, offices, pubs, restaurants and industrial sites—so the method must match the risk and the building construction.

In practice, commercial boarding up usually means one (or a combination) of the following:

Temporary boarding to windows and glazed screens

For many jobs, the fastest safe option is external boarding to cover the opening and remove the temptation of an easy re-entry.

18mm exterior-grade plywood is our go-to where higher impact resistance is needed.
12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk areas, depending on the site.

Fixing method depends on what’s been damaged:

If the surrounding substrate is solid and suitable, we use secure fixings designed to resist removal from outside.
Where possible, we use anti-tamper fixings—particularly important for sites likely to be unattended overnight.
If we need to fix internally (for example, where external access is unsafe), we’ll tell you why and agree the approach.

More detail here: window boarding in Hemel Hempstead

Door security: boarding vs stronger temporary options

A “boarded door” can work as a short-term measure, but commercial doors are often the main target—especially if the lock area has been attacked.

Depending on the situation, we may recommend:

Boarding to the door opening (short-term temporary boarding when the frame is serviceable)
A temporary steel door for medium-term security, especially for:
- repeated forced-entry risk
- vacant commercial units
- rear or side access points out of public view

We’ll assess how damaged the frame is and whether you can still safely lock up. If not, we’ll help you secure the opening properly rather than leaving you with a patch that fails the next night.

See: door boarding in Hemel Hempstead

Shopfront boarding for larger openings and public-facing sites

Shopfronts bring extra complications: large glazed areas, public pavements, brand signage, and higher footfall. The priority is to make safe the area and reduce risk to passers-by, then secure the premises.

Shopfront boarding is typically more material-heavy and may require:

larger sheets and stronger fixing patterns
careful edge protection around frames
consideration for alarms, shutters, and emergency exits

If you need your shopfront boarded up after a break-in or vandalism, we can usually implement a secure temporary solution quickly while you arrange glass replacement.

See: shopfront boarding in Hemel Hempstead

Rooflights and overhead openings (where weather gets in fast)

If the damage is overhead—rooflight panels, skylights, or wind-lifted sections—boarding has to be planned around safe access and weatherproofing.

We can secure certain overhead openings and vulnerable rooflight areas where it’s safe to do so, but we’ll always be honest about limitations (for example, if the roof structure is unstable or access equipment is required).

See: roof boarding in Hemel Hempstead

How we approach commercial call-outs (step by step)

When you’re dealing with a smashed window or forced entry, you need a process you can rely on—especially if you’re responsible for staff safety, building security, or reporting to a landlord or insurer.

Initial call and triage
Tell us what’s happened, the property type, and whether there’s any ongoing risk. If you can, share photos. We’ll give you a realistic ETA and talk through immediate safety steps.
Site arrival and safety check
We assess hazards: hanging glass, unstable frames, exposed wiring, public access points, and whether the area needs isolating.
Agree the method before fixing
We’ll explain whether we recommend plywood/OSB, anti-tamper fixings, door boarding, or a stronger temporary door solution.
Secure the opening and make safe
We install the boarding to a robust standard aimed at preventing opportunistic removal and reducing repeat entry.
Documentation for your records/insurer
You receive clear job notes and an invoice. Where requested, we can provide time-stamped photos of the secured areas and a short work statement.

If you’re coordinating multiple stakeholders (store manager, security contractor, building owner), we can communicate with a nominated contact to keep things simple.

Commercial sites we commonly secure

Commercial boarding up isn’t only for retail. We regularly help with:

Shops and shop units (including larger glazed shopfronts)
Offices (front doors, side access, ground-floor windows)
Warehouses and industrial units
Restaurants, cafés and pubs
Schools, nurseries and community buildings (where responsibility and safeguarding are critical)
Facilities management portfolios across multiple HP locations

If you also manage empty units, you may find our guidance on void security useful: vacant property boarding

Keeping your business compliant and insurable (without the sales talk)

After an incident, most commercial policies require you to take “reasonable steps” to prevent further loss. Boarding up is often part of that, but insurers may also expect good documentation and prompt notification.

Practical steps we suggest:

If there’s a crime in progress or you feel unsafe, call the police first.
Take photos of damage (only if safe) before anything is moved or covered.
Keep your police reference number and any incident report details.
Notify your insurer early. You’re not expected to know the perfect wording—just report it promptly.
Ask for an itemised invoice and evidence of works done.

We’re not loss adjusters and can’t approve claims, but we can provide the paperwork insurers typically ask for. More guidance here: insurance claims support and cost factors on our pricing page.

Why method matters on commercial premises

Not all boarding is equal. On commercial sites, poor boarding can create avoidable problems:

Repeat entry if the board can be removed from outside
Anti-tamper fixings and correct fixing patterns reduce this risk.
Damage to frames if the wrong fixing method is used
We aim to secure without causing unnecessary additional damage.
Blocked exits if boarding is fitted without considering fire routes
We will not knowingly board over required escape routes without agreement on safe alternatives.
Signage and customer-facing impact
For some businesses, a temporary secure solution that looks tidy matters—especially if you’re reopening soon.

If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for your premises, talk to us. We’ll give you straightforward options and explain the trade-offs.

Commercial coverage across Hemel Hempstead and the HP area

We cover Hemel Hempstead and surrounding HP postcodes (HP1–HP27). That includes local neighbourhoods and nearby towns and villages where commercial units, industrial estates and retail sites need the same fast, secure response.

For local pages, you may find these helpful:

You can also view the wider list here: areas we cover

If you’re calling from elsewhere in the HP patch, we’ll confirm availability and a realistic ETA on the phone.

FAQs: commercial boarding up in Hemel Hempstead and HP postcodes

How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window in Hemel Hempstead?

We prioritise urgent incidents and can often attend the same day, including out of hours. Exact attendance depends on workload, time of day, and access. Call 01442 502 589 and we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

Can you make safe a commercial property without closing the business completely?

Often, yes. If only part of the frontage is damaged, we can sometimes secure property areas while you keep staff away from the hazard zone. Every site is different—public access and fire exits must be considered.

What’s the difference between shopfront boarding and standard window boarding?

Shopfront glazing is usually larger, more public-facing, and often part of a framed frontage system. Shopfront boarded up jobs typically require stronger sheets, careful fixing, and a focus on pedestrian safety and presentation. See shopfront boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Do you board up doors after a break-in, or should we fit a temporary steel door?

If the door and frame can be secured safely, a board up door solution may work short-term. If the frame is compromised, the site will be vacant, or repeat attempts are likely, a temporary steel door can be a better medium-term option. Start with door boarding in Hemel Hempstead and we’ll advise based on what we see.

Will your boarding damage the existing frames or cladding?

We aim to secure openings with the least destructive method that still provides proper security. If the surrounding materials are already weak or fractured, we’ll explain the safest fixing approach before proceeding.

Can you provide photos and paperwork for facilities managers and insurers?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos on request, along with an invoice and a clear description of works completed. For claim guidance, see insurance claims support.

Do you cover industrial and business areas as well as town-centre units?

Yes—commercial boarding up covers everything from retail units to warehouses and offices across Hemel Hempstead and the HP postcode area. If you manage multiple sites, we can help you standardise how incidents are handled and documented.

What if the damage is on the roof or a rooflight?

We can secure certain roof and skylight openings where it’s safe to access and appropriate to board. If access equipment or additional contractors are required, we’ll tell you upfront and focus on what we can do immediately to make safe and reduce weather ingress. See roof boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Next steps

If you need commercial emergency boarding up—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or you need a shopfront boarded up—we’re here to help across Hemel Hempstead and HP postcodes.

Ready to get started? Call 01442 502 589 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.

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