Boarding Up Services in Hemel Hempstead (HP1–HP27)

When a window’s been smashed, a door has been forced, or a shopfront has taken a hit, you don’t just need “someone with a board” — you need a proper make safe solution that protects people, property, and paperwork.

Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead provides boarding up services across Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27). We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need emergency boarding up, we prioritise urgent call-outs and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

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

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, you may also find the 24 hour emergency boarding up in Hemel Hempstead page helpful.

What our boarding up service actually includes (and what it doesn’t)

Boarding up should do more than cover a hole. Done properly, it should secure the opening, reduce risk of further damage, and stand up to tampering until permanent repairs can happen.

In practical terms, we help you:

Board up broken window openings safely (including awkward sizes and upper floors where access allows)
Secure smashed window and damaged frames to reduce the risk of entry
Board up door openings after forced entry or impact damage
Get a shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent repeat incidents
Provide temporary boarding for vacant or at-risk properties
Carry out a professional make safe so the building can be left unattended more safely

What we don’t do:

We’re not glaziers doing final glass replacement (we can secure first, then you arrange permanent repairs).
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors — but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for.
Post-fire cleaning/odour remediation is outside our scope — after a fire, our role is to secure property and protect access points.

If you want a clear overview of what boarding up is and when it’s used, see: what is boarding up?

How the process works (from first call to sign-off)

Most people call us at a stressful moment. The goal is to keep it simple and get you safe, quickly.

Call and explain what’s happened
Tell us what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), the property type, and whether it’s occupied. If police are attending or have attended, keep your incident reference number.
We assess the safest, most secure method
We’ll talk through access, the size of the opening, and whether non-destructive fixing is feasible. If frames are too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
We attend and make safe
We’ll remove immediate hazards where possible (loose shards, unstable sections), then install boarding/screening using the most suitable materials and fixings.
You get paperwork and evidence for your records
Where requested, we provide time-stamped photos, a work statement, and an itemised invoice — useful for landlords, facilities teams, and insurance claims.

For insurance-related guidance, see: insurance claims support

Materials and fixings we use (and why it matters)

Not all boarding is equal. The right approach depends on the opening, the level of risk, and how long you need it secured for.

Plywood vs OSB (typical use cases)

18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for larger or higher-risk openings because it’s strong, stable, and holds fixings well.
OSB (often 12mm) can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk situations where the goal is short-term weathering and basic security.

We choose based on:

Opening size and shape
Condition of the frame/substrate
Whether the property will be left unattended
Exposure to wind and rain (especially for elevated openings)

Anti-tamper fixings and non-destructive methods

Where possible, we use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of boards being removed from outside — particularly important for empty properties or buildings that will be unattended overnight.

For many window openings, we can use non-destructive fixing methods (for example, sandwiching boards with bolts through the reveal) to avoid unnecessary damage. Where frames are split, rotten, or already compromised, we may need to fix into sound material — and we’ll explain that before we do it.

Our boarding up services in Hemel Hempstead (choose the right solution)

This page is a practical overview of our core services. If you already know what you need, use the links below for full details.

Window boarding (residential and commercial)

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, cracked pane, or missing glazing, we can secure the opening quickly to reduce risk of injury, theft, and weather damage. We regularly board up:

Ground-floor windows after break-ins
Side/rear windows that are out of view
Internal communal areas (where access/permissions allow)
Commercial windows where stock is exposed

Door boarding and forced-entry securing

A kicked-in or prised-open door isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s an immediate security risk. Door boarding is often needed after burglary, vandalism, or impact damage.

Depending on the situation, we can:

Board and brace damaged door openings
Improve short-term resistance using anti-tamper methods
Advise when a temporary steel door is the safer option for medium-term security

Shopfront boarding (retail and high-footfall locations)

For shops, cafés and other street-facing premises, speed and presentation matter — but security matters more. If you need a shopfront boarded up, we can secure large glazed panels and vulnerable access points to reduce the chance of repeat incidents, especially out of hours.

We’re used to working with:

Large panes and multiple-bay shopfronts
Mixed glazing and frame damage
Rear access doors and side windows that are often targeted next

Roof boarding and skylight/overhead openings

Roof and skylight damage is a common headache after storms, falling debris, or vandalism — and it can cause rapid internal damage if rain gets in. Roof boarding is about weatherproofing and safety as much as security.

We’ll consider:

Safe access and working position
Wind uplift risk and fixing method
Temporary water shedding until permanent roof repairs take place

Temporary steel doors (medium-term security)

If a doorway has been compromised and the property will be vacant (or repeatedly targeted), a temporary steel door can be a better option than plywood alone. It provides stronger access control while you wait for permanent replacement doors/frames.

This is commonly used for:

Void properties between tenancies
Fire-damaged entrances (once declared safe to secure)
Repeated forced-entry sites

Explore options via: door boarding in Hemel Hempstead

Security screens for vacant or high-risk properties

Where a property needs to be secured for longer (weeks/months), steel security screens can be more durable and less disruptive than repeated re-boarding. They’re often chosen by landlords, housing teams, and facilities managers.

If you’re securing an empty building, start here: vacant property boarding up

Common situations we’re called out to (and what to do next)

If you’re reading this after something has happened, you’re not alone — and there are a few steps that make the next 24 hours easier.

We’re frequently called for:

Burglary / forced entry (door frames split, locks damaged, glazing broken)
Guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up
Vandalism (smashed glass, repeated targeting, visible street-facing damage)
Guidance: vandalism repair and boarding up
Storm damage (broken windows, damaged rooflights, fencing and debris impacts)
Guidance: storm damage boarding up
Accidental impact (vehicle strikes, fallen branches, construction accidents)
Guidance: accident damage make safe and boarding
Fire damage (once emergency services have finished, access points often need securing)
Guidance: fire damage securing
Flood damage (swollen frames and insecure openings after water ingress)
Guidance: flood damage securing

If it’s urgent right now, go straight to: emergency boarding up

Residential, commercial, and vacant properties (what changes?)

Different buildings need different solutions — not because the boards change, but because the risks and responsibilities do.

Residential: safety, privacy, and keeping the home liveable matter. We can often focus on the minimum necessary to secure the opening so you can rest safely.
More: residential boarding up
Commercial: you may need to protect stock, reduce downtime, and document everything for landlords/insurers. Out-of-hours work is common for shops and offices.
More: commercial boarding up
Vacant/void: the key is preventing repeated entry. We’ll discuss whether boarding is enough, or whether steel doors/screens are more appropriate for the period the building will be empty.
More: vacant property security

What you’ll receive after we secure the property

Where requested (and where safe/appropriate), we can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
A clear work summary for your records
An itemised invoice suitable for insurers/landlords
Notes on access constraints or pre-existing damage (useful if multiple contractors are involved)

If you’re dealing with an insurer, keep:

Your police incident number (if applicable)
Photos of damage (take them before we arrive if it’s safe)
Any written instruction from the landlord/managing agent

More guidance: insurance claims and pricing information

Where we work: Hemel Hempstead and the HP postcode area

We cover Hemel Hempstead and surrounding HP districts including HP1, HP2, HP3, HP4, HP5, HP6, HP7, HP8, HP9 and beyond up to HP27. That includes local neighbourhoods as well as nearby towns and villages across the wider HP area.

If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, check: areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.

Examples of local pages:

FAQs about our boarding up services

Do you offer 24/7 boarding up in Hemel Hempstead?

Yes — we provide 24/7 boarding up for urgent situations, including out of hours call-outs. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary, but we prioritise emergencies and we’ll give you a realistic ETA when you call.

For urgent help, use: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Hemel Hempstead

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

In many cases, yes. If you need to board up broken window damage tonight, call us with the location (postcode), approximate size of the opening, and whether it’s ground floor or upper floor. If access is unsafe (for example, unstable glass high up), we’ll talk through safer alternatives.

What’s the difference between boarding and a temporary steel door?

Boarding is typically the quickest way to secure a damaged opening. A temporary steel door is a stronger, medium-term option when:

The property will be left empty
The doorway is repeatedly targeted
The frame is too compromised for a reliable board-only solution

Door-related options are explained here: door boarding in Hemel Hempstead

Will boarding up prevent another break-in?

It significantly reduces opportunity, especially when installed with anti-tamper fixings and the right thickness of board. No temporary solution can guarantee prevention, but boarding up is an effective way to secure property while permanent repairs are arranged.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, particularly when it’s necessary to prevent further loss after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact. Cover varies by policy, and we can’t make the decision for the insurer — but we can provide the documentation they typically request.

More guidance: insurance claims support

How much does boarding up cost in Hemel Hempstead?

Costs depend on the size/number of openings, access, material choice (plywood vs OSB), and whether anti-tamper fixings or steel options are needed. We don’t publish fixed prices because every job is different, but we’ll explain costs clearly when you call.

See: pricing

Can you board up a shopfront without closing the whole premises?

Sometimes, yes — it depends on the damage and whether the opening affects safe public access. We can often make safe and secure the damaged bay while you organise glazing, but if the structure is unsafe we may advise closing the affected area until it’s secured.

Do you work with landlords and managing agents?

Yes. We regularly support landlords, housing teams, and facilities managers with temporary boarding, void security, and clear documentation. If you need photos, work statements, or a specific format invoice, tell us when booking.

Next step: tell us what’s happened and we’ll advise the best option

Whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or you need a shopfront boarded up, we’ll talk you through the safest way to make the property secure.

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

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