Door Boarding in Hemel Hempstead (Emergency Door Boarding & Temporary Security)

A damaged or forced door isn’t just inconvenient — it can leave your property wide open to further theft, weather damage, and unwanted entry. If you need door boarding in Hemel Hempstead or anywhere across the HP postcodes, we can help you make safe, secure the opening, and give you breathing space to organise repairs.

For urgent situations (including out of hours), we prioritise emergency call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on where you are in HP1–HP27 and current workload.

Need to board up a door now? Call 01442 502 589
Prefer email for a planned job? info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk

If your situation is happening right now, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.

When do you need a door boarded up?

Door boarding is usually required when the door or frame is damaged enough that it can’t be locked securely — or when it can be locked, but you’ve had a break-in attempt and need immediate additional protection until a joiner or locksmith can carry out permanent repairs.

Common reasons customers call us include:

• After a burglary or attempted break-in (splintered timber, damaged locks, forced frames)
• A kicked-in or smashed door panel (including glazed panels and side-lights)
• Tenant changeovers / voids where a door is insecure and you need to secure property fast
• Fire service access where the door has been forced for safety reasons
• Accidental damage (impacts, dropped items, vehicle knocks to entrances on commercial units)
• Storm damage where doors are no longer closing or latching properly

If you’ve also got broken glazing nearby, you may need window boarding in Hemel Hempstead at the same time.

Emergency door boarding: what we mean by “make safe”

When people search “board up door” after an incident, they usually need three things quickly:

1. Physical security – to stop easy access from outside
2. Safety – to reduce risk from sharp edges, loose panels, or unstable frames
3. Documentation – so insurers/landlords/facilities teams can progress the next steps

Our aim is to stabilise the entrance and secure the property, not to sell you unnecessary work. If a door can be made safe without heavy-handed methods, we’ll do it that way.

For burglary-related incidents, you may also find our guidance useful on burglary repairs and boarding.

How our door boarding service works (step-by-step)

Every property is different, but a typical door-boarding call-out in Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP area runs like this:

1. Quick assessment on arrival
   We check what’s failed: the lock, the door leaf, the hinges, the frame, or the surrounding masonry/timber. We also look for hidden issues (e.g., the frame has shifted and won’t take fixings safely).

2. Make the area safe
   If the door has broken glass, cracked panels, or sharp debris, we’ll reduce hazards as part of the make safe process where practical.

3. Choose the right method: internal brace, face-fix, or temporary door solution
   The fixing method depends on the condition of the frame, whether the property is occupied, and whether you need access maintained.

4. Install boarding with anti-tamper fixings where appropriate
   We prioritise secure fixings that are difficult to remove from outside — especially if the building will be unattended.

5. Photos and paperwork
   We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear statement of what was done, and an itemised invoice—the sort of documentation insurers typically ask for. (We’re not loss adjusters, but we help you present the evidence clearly.)

If the opening is too compromised for non-destructive options, we’ll explain why and talk you through choices before proceeding.

Materials we use (and why it matters)

Not all “boarding” is the same. The board type and thickness affect security, durability, and how well it stands up to repeated attempts to force entry.

Exterior-grade plywood (common choice for door boarding)

For most door openings we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it:

• Resists impact better than thinner sheets
• Holds fixings more reliably
• Performs better in damp conditions than interior-grade boards

This is usually the best option when you need emergency boarding up that will hold until a proper repair is arranged.

OSB (practical for smaller areas or short-term use)

For some smaller infills or low-risk areas, 12mm OSB can be suitable. It’s cost-effective and quick to install, but generally not our first choice for a primary entrance on an unattended property.

Anti-tamper fixings and secure installation

Where the situation calls for it, we use anti-tamper fixings and fitting approaches that make it difficult to remove boards from outside. This is especially important when:

• The property is vacant
• The door is on a quieter elevation
• There has been repeated vandalism or attempted entry

If your building is going to be empty for a while, it may be worth considering longer-term options through our vacant property boarding solutions.

Door boarding methods we use (what’s best for your situation)

We don’t use one “standard” approach, because entrances vary a lot across HP1–HP27 — from older timber frames to modern composite doors and commercial rear access points.

1) Face-fixed boarding to the frame (fast and strong)

This is a common emergency approach when the frame is sound enough to take fixings. The board is fitted over the door area to prevent access.

Best for: forced doors, smashed panels, vacant properties, after-hours incidents
Considerations: if the frame is split or rotten, we may need to bridge to stronger points.

2) Braced/internal-fixed boarding (reduced external tamper access)

Where access allows, we can secure boards using internal bracing so there are fewer exposed fixings outside.

Best for: higher-risk locations, doors prone to repeat attack
Considerations: depends on internal access and safe working conditions.

3) Temporary steel door options (when access must be maintained)

Sometimes you can’t just close off the entrance completely — for example, if trades need to access the building, or if it’s a commercial property that must be locked/unlocked daily.

In those cases, a temporary door solution may be more appropriate than a fully boarded opening. If you’re not sure, call us and we’ll explain the pros/cons based on your situation and timeframe.

For commercial premises, you might also need shopfront boarded up if the incident affected glazing or frontage.

Occupied property vs vacant property: the right balance

If you’re living in the property

We’ll talk through what you need most: immediate security tonight, keeping draughts down, and whether you need a route in/out. In some cases, partial boarding and a temporary securing method can be safer and more practical than blocking a main exit.

If the property will be empty

Security usually takes priority. If a door has been forced once, it’s more vulnerable to repeat attempts—especially if it looks unsecured. We can advise on a medium-term approach, including more robust options depending on risk.

If there’s also perimeter damage (for example, after a vehicle impact), temporary fencing may be useful alongside door boarding.

What you get when we board up a door

We focus on doing the basics properly and leaving you with what you need for the next stage.

You’ll typically receive:

• A properly fitted boarded entrance designed to secure property and deter access
• A clear description of the work carried out (useful for landlords, managing agents, and facilities teams)
• Time-stamped photos on request
• An itemised invoice suitable for insurance administration
• Practical guidance on what to do next (locksmith, joinery repair, glazing, insurer steps)

For insurance-related questions, see our insurance claims guidance.

If your door was forced: practical steps before we arrive

If you’re dealing with a break-in, attempted break-in, or you’ve come home to a damaged entrance in Hemel Hempstead/HP area:

1. If anyone may still be inside, call 999 immediately
2. If it’s safe, take photos of the door, frame, lock area, and any tool marks (don’t touch anything you don’t need to)
3. Keep your crime reference number if the police attend — insurers often ask for it
4. Move valuables away from sight (but don’t put yourself at risk)
5. Call us for emergency door boarding and we’ll advise what to do while you wait

If the incident also involved smashed glass or a broken side panel, it may be quicker and safer to secure everything in one visit with window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Door boarding for landlords, agents & facilities management (HP postcodes)

We regularly help:

• Landlords securing a property between tenancies
• Letting agents needing evidence and fast make safe
• Facilities managers dealing with vandalism or forced access on commercial sites
• Retail and office units needing out of hours securing after an incident

If you need RAMS or specific site processes, tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what we can provide. We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked.

For more on how we work across different building types, see commercial boarding up in Hemel Hempstead and residential boarding.

Door boarding cost: what affects the price?

We don’t publish fixed prices because door openings and damage levels vary widely. The cost is usually affected by:

• Size and type of doorway (single, double, rear access, communal entrance)
• Extent of frame/brickwork damage
• Whether it’s a straightforward board-up or needs bracing/complex fixings
• Access constraints (tight alleyways, shared entrances, height/steps)
• Whether you also need other openings secured at the same time

For a clearer overview of how quotes are worked out, read our pricing information.

FAQs: Door boarding in Hemel Hempstead & HP area

Can you board up my door tonight in Hemel Hempstead?

Yes — we handle emergency door boarding and 24/7 boarding up requests across the HP area. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times because traffic and workload vary, but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic ETA when you ring. If it’s urgent, use our emergency boarding up line.

Do you only cover Hemel Hempstead, or the wider HP postcodes too?

We cover Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode areas (HP1–HP27). If you’re not sure whether you’re inside our service area, call and we’ll confirm.

Will boarding up stop another break-in?

Boarding up is a strong deterrent and helps prevent easy access, especially when installed with appropriate fixings. No security measure is “guaranteed”, but a properly installed board-up makes forced entry slower, noisier, and more visible — which is often enough to stop opportunists.

Can you board up a door if the frame is badly damaged?

Often, yes — but the method may change. If the frame can’t take fixings safely, we’ll look for stronger fixing points or discuss alternatives. If the only safe option is a more involved approach, we’ll explain it before doing anything.

Do you replace doors and locks as well?

Our focus is temporary boarding and securing openings. Permanent door replacement and locksmith work are usually handled by the relevant trades, but we can secure the property immediately and leave it ready for repair.

Is door boarding covered by insurance?

Many policies cover emergency securing (especially after burglary, vandalism, storm or impact damage), but cover varies. We’re not insurance advisors, however we can provide the photos and itemised invoices insurers typically request. See insurance claims guidance for practical next steps.

What if the damage includes broken glass beside the door?

That’s common with sidelights and glazed panels. We can board those areas too, and in many cases it makes sense to treat it as a combined job with window boarding in Hemel Hempstead so everything is secured at once.

Related services and next steps

Door damage is often part of a wider incident. You may also need:

• window boarding in Hemel Hempstead for broken panes and sidelights
• shopfront boarding for commercial glazing and frontage damage
• burglary repairs and boarding if you’ve had forced entry
• pricing information for cost factors and what to expect

Book door boarding now

If your entrance is insecure, don’t wait for the next incident. We’ll help you board up a door, make safe, and secure the property across Hemel Hempstead and the HP postcodes.

Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk