Residential Boarding Up in Hemel Hempstead (HP1–HP27)
When your home is damaged or left insecure, it rarely happens at a convenient time. A smashed window, a forced door, or storm damage can make you feel exposed straight away—especially if the property is occupied, you’ve got children in the house, or you’re trying to keep things safe overnight.
We provide residential boarding up in Hemel Hempstead and across the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27). Our job is to make safe and secure property quickly and sensibly, using materials and fixings that are appropriate for domestic doors, windows, and other openings. We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.
If you need urgent help now, use our emergency line: Call 01442 502 589. If it’s not urgent, we can still help with planned temporary boarding, vacant periods between tenancies, and security upgrades after repairs.
For out-of-hours call-outs, see: emergency boarding up.
When do residential properties need boarding up?
Residential boarding up is usually required after an incident where the home can no longer be locked properly, weather-proofed, or protected against opportunistic entry. In the HP area, a lot of call-outs come down to straightforward but urgent situations—one broken pane can become a bigger problem within hours if rain gets in, temperatures drop, or someone tries the opening again.
Typical scenarios include:
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Burglary or attempted break-in
A forced front/back door, damaged locks, or a broken side window can mean the property is vulnerable straight away. If you’ve had an intruder, you may want the opening secured before you can settle back in. (More on what to do next here: burglary repairs.) -
Vandalism and smashed windows
It might be a single smashed window at the side of the house, or multiple panes. Either way, you’ll often need to board up broken window openings the same day to prevent further damage and keep the home secure. See: vandalism repair. -
Storm damage
Strong winds can dislodge panels, damage frames, or break glazing. If a window is cracked or a roof opening is exposed, temporary boarding can help prevent water ingress until a glazier or roofer completes the permanent repair. See: storm damage. -
Accidental impact damage
A football through a window, a slip with a garden tool, or a vehicle bumping a boundary structure can all leave unsafe glazing. When there’s broken glass, boarding up is often the safest short-term step. See: accident damage. -
Fire damage (property securing, not remediation)
After a fire, the priority is to secure the openings once the fire service confirms it’s safe to do so. We’re not fire restoration specialists, but we can board up and secure access points to prevent unauthorised entry. See: fire damage. -
Flood damage affecting doors/frames
Water can swell timber and distort uPVC frames, leaving doors that won’t close and windows that no longer seal properly. Temporary boarding can secure a property while it dries and repairs are arranged. See: flood damage.
If you’re reading this after an incident tonight, you’re not overreacting—acting early is often what prevents a bad situation getting worse. Temporary boarding is about stabilising things and giving you breathing space.
How we board up homes (methods that suit domestic properties)
Residential boarding up isn’t “one size fits all”. A ground-floor bay window is different to a small bathroom window; a timber front door is different to a uPVC patio set. We choose methods that secure the opening without creating unnecessary additional damage—while still being robust enough to deter removal from outside.
Window boarding for houses and flats
For a smashed window or broken glazing, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most domestic window openings (strong, durable, and good for security)
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
Fixing methods depend on the frame condition and access:
- Non-destructive fixings where possible (using existing frame structure to avoid unnecessary damage)
- Through-bolting with anti-tamper fixings when higher security is needed—important if the property will be unattended
- Internal baton bracing on certain window types to spread load and improve resistance
We also take care to leave the opening as neat as possible—flush edges, correct overlap, and safe handling of broken glass.
If you specifically need help with windows, see: window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.
Door boarding and temporary security for forced entries
When a door has been forced or the lock area has splintered, boarding the doorway can be a sensible short-term option—especially if you’re waiting for a replacement door/lock set or the frame is compromised.
Depending on what we find on arrival, we may recommend:
- Door boarding up (plywood fixed to secure the doorway and prevent entry)
- A temporary steel door for medium-term security (ideal if the property will be vacant, or if repeated access by trades is required)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The goal is always: secure the property, keep it safe, and help you move on to the next step (locksmith, glazier, insurer, landlord, etc.).
More detail here: door boarding.
Rooflights, skylights, and vulnerable overhead openings
Domestic roof openings can be overlooked after a storm—until water starts coming in. If a rooflight, skylight, or upper opening is damaged, boarding can act as a temporary weather barrier while repairs are arranged.
This is more access-dependent than windows/doors, and safety comes first. We may advise alternative measures if access is unsafe or if the structure needs a roofer’s assessment.
See: roof boarding.
What “make safe” means in a residential call-out
People often ask for “boarding up”, but what they really need is to make safe the home after damage. In practice, that can include:
- Checking the opening and surrounding frame for stability
- Removing immediate hazards (loose shards where safe to do so)
- Fitting boarding that:
- prevents easy access from outside
- reduces weather ingress as much as possible for a temporary fix
- is appropriate to the opening type and occupancy
- Advising on next steps (glazier/locksmith/repairs) and what to document for insurers
If you’re dealing with an urgent incident, this is exactly what our emergency boarding up service is designed for—calm, practical help when you need it.
What you’ll receive (useful for landlords and insurance)
Residential customers often need paperwork quickly—especially if the property is tenanted, part of a managed portfolio, or you’re submitting an insurance claim.
Typically, we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed temporary boarding
- An itemised invoice and clear work description (what was secured and how)
- Notes on any access issues or frame condition we observed (useful for follow-on repairs)
We’re not loss adjusters and can’t tell you what your policy will cover, but we can help you gather the documentation insurers usually request. Guidance is here: insurance claims.
For pricing factors (without unrealistic fixed quotes), see: pricing.
Common residential questions we’ll ask (and why)
When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions so we can arrive prepared with the right board sizes and fixings:
- Which part of the property is damaged? (front window, back door, side access, etc.)
- How big is the opening (roughly)?
Even a rough estimate helps us load the correct sheet sizes. - Is the property currently occupied?
This affects the best solution and how we manage access/ventilation. - Are there any immediate hazards? (loose glass, unsafe frame, suspected structural issues)
- Do you need a temporary solution just overnight, or for longer?
This helps decide whether basic boarding is appropriate or whether a stronger option is needed.
If it’s safe to do so, take a couple of photos before we arrive—especially if you may need to show the damage to your insurer later.
Residential boarding up across Hemel Hempstead and the HP area
We cover Hemel Hempstead and surrounding HP1–HP27 postcode districts. That includes a mix of residential streets, estates, and villages—each with different property styles and access challenges (tight driveways, rear alleys, multi-storey flats, and so on).
If you’re looking for something more local, you may find these area pages useful:
You can also view: areas we cover.
Typical residential scenarios (and what we usually do)
Every job is different, but these examples reflect the kinds of call-outs we see regularly in domestic properties.
1) “We’ve got a smashed window and we can’t leave it like this”
A common evening call is a smashed window on the ground floor—sometimes after attempted entry, sometimes accidental. The priority is to secure property without leaving sharp edges or a weak fixing that could be pulled off.
Typical approach:
- Assess the frame and identify the safest fixing points
- Measure the opening and prepare board with appropriate overlap
- Fit boarding using anti-tamper fixings if the property may be left unattended
- Provide photos and an invoice for your records/insurance
If you need this type of help, the relevant service is window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.
2) “The back door has been forced and the frame is split”
A forced door can leave the property technically “closed” but not secure—especially if the latch area is broken. If it can’t be reliably locked, boarding may be the safest stop-gap.
Typical approach:
- Inspect whether the door can be temporarily stabilised or needs boarding immediately
- If longer-term security is required (for example, you’re going to be away), discuss a stronger temporary security option
- Fit a secure solution and confirm you can still access the property safely (where required)
This falls under: door boarding.
3) “We’ve had storm damage and water is getting in”
Storm damage often creates awkward openings—cracked panes, shifted frames, or exposed rooflights. With residential properties, we balance security and weather resistance as best as possible for a temporary fix.
Typical approach:
- Make safe any immediate hazards
- Board the opening in a way that reduces water ingress
- Explain what follow-on repairs are likely needed (glazier/roofer)
This is often linked to: roof boarding and storm damage.
Safety and next steps (especially if this just happened)
If you’re dealing with an incident right now, these steps help protect you and strengthen any insurance claim later:
- If there’s a crime in progress or anyone is inside, call 999.
- If it’s a break-in, call the police and keep your reference number.
- If safe, take photos of the damage before anything is moved or covered.
- Keep people away from broken glass and don’t attempt to clear shards with bare hands.
- Call us to make safe and board up the opening.
- Contact your insurer early and ask what documentation they need.
If you’re unsure what to do first after a burglary or vandalism, start here:
Why residential customers choose us
You don’t need a sales pitch when your home is exposed—you need competence and clear communication.
- 10+ years trading securing properties across Hemel Hempstead and HP postcodes
- Fully insured work
- DBS-checked technicians (important when working around occupied homes)
- Practical, security-first methods using the right materials (plywood/OSB, anti-tamper fixings, appropriate bracing)
- Clear documentation: photos and itemised invoices where needed
If you’d like to see customer feedback, visit: reviews.
Ready to secure your home?
If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or get temporary boarding after an incident, we can help across Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP area.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk
