Fire Damage Boarding Up in Hemel Hempstead (HP1–HP27)

A fire is traumatic—even when it’s “contained”, the damage often leaves a property exposed. Doors get forced by emergency services, windows crack from heat, frames twist, and smoke residue can make already-weak glazing fail later. If your home, shop, office or vacant unit has suffered fire damage in Hemel Hempstead or across the wider HP area, the priority is simple: secure the property and make it safe so you can take the next steps without worrying about opportunistic entry or weather getting in.

Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead provides emergency boarding up and planned securing works across HP1–HP27. We’re fully insured, have 10+ years’ trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need urgent help—day or out of hours—call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 or email us.

When fire-damage boarding up is needed (common scenarios)

Fire damage boarding up is usually required when the building envelope has been compromised—meaning there are openings where someone can enter, or water and weather can get in.

Typical reasons people call us include:

• Windows broken or heat-damaged (a “smashed window” may be obvious, but heat-stressed glass can also crack later)
• Doors forced or removed by emergency services to gain access (you may need us to board up door openings temporarily, or secure them with a stronger option)
• Shopfront glazing damaged from heat, impact, or firefighting operations (often needs shopfront boarded up the same day)
• Roof or skylight damage from flames, falling debris, or firefighting access (making the property vulnerable to rain)
• Vacant properties after a fire—especially if the site will be unattended during surveys, drying, or repairs

Even if the fire itself is out, the risk can increase overnight. A ground-floor opening, a broken rear door, or a weakened shopfront panel can quickly turn into a security incident.

If you’re in immediate danger or the fire is ongoing, call emergency services first. Once the site is handed back and it’s safe to attend, we can help you secure property and keep it protected while the next stages (insurer inspections, repairs, reinstatement) are arranged.

What “make safe” means after a fire

After a fire, “make safe” is about preventing further loss and reducing hazards. In practice, that usually means:

1. Securing access points so the building can’t be entered easily
2. Weatherproofing exposed openings to limit rain and wind damage
3. Reducing immediate hazards around broken glass and unstable frames (where safe and appropriate)

We’re not a fire restoration company and we don’t claim to remove smoke odours or carry out full remediation. Our role is to stabilise and secure the damaged openings so the property is protected while specialist works and repairs are planned.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes fire warps timber and uPVC so badly that the safest fix is different from what you’d do after a straightforward burglary.

How we secure a fire-damaged property (step-by-step)

Every fire scene is different, but our approach is consistent: assess, secure, document.

1) Initial call: the essentials we’ll ask

When you call, we’ll take a few practical details so we can bring the right materials:

• Property type (house/flat, shop, office, vacant unit)
• What’s damaged (front window, back door, shopfront, roof opening)
• Any access restrictions (keys available, shutters, shared entry, managed site)
• Whether the building is likely to be unattended overnight
• Whether emergency services are still on scene (we only attend when it’s safe)

For urgent cases, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

2) On-site assessment: safety first

On arrival we’ll identify:

• Which openings present the biggest security risk
• Whether the surrounding frame is sound enough for standard fixings
• Any signs the area is unsafe to work (loose masonry, unstable glazing, overhead hazards)

If conditions are unsafe, we’ll be honest—sometimes we must wait until the site is stabilised. We’ll still advise on next steps and what can be secured immediately.

3) Choosing the right method and materials

For fire-damaged openings, we commonly use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure boarding on most door and window openings
• 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk temporary boarding where appropriate
• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of boards being removed from outside—particularly important if the property will be empty
• Temporary steel doors where repeated access is needed by insurers, surveyors, or contractors (more practical than removing and refitting timber boarding)

The goal is to secure quickly without creating unnecessary additional damage. Where possible, we use fixings that suit the substrate and the condition of the frame.

If you know you’ll need regular access (loss adjuster visits, drying equipment, trades), ask about a temporary steel door solution rather than repeatedly unboarding a doorway.

4) Installation: securing windows, doors, and shopfronts

Depending on what’s affected:

• We can board up broken window openings with correctly sized sheets and strong fixings.
• We can secure damaged entrances with door boarding and, where appropriate, upgrade to a temporary steel door.
• We can secure commercial glazing with shopfront boarding, usually using larger panels, stronger fixings, and a method that’s suited to high-footfall or public-facing locations.

Relevant service pages:

• window boarding in Hemel Hempstead
• door boarding in Hemel Hempstead
• shopfront boarding in Hemel Hempstead

5) Documentation for insurers (what you receive)

We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

• Time-stamped photos of the boarded areas
• A clear description of the works completed (what was secured and how)
• An itemised invoice suitable for submitting with an insurance claim

If you’re making a claim, see: insurance claims support.

Windows after fire: why boarding is often urgent

Windows don’t just break from impact. Heat can weaken glass and frames, and water from firefighting can make timber swell and distort. That’s why it’s common for a window that “looks mostly intact” to fail later—especially overnight when temperatures drop.

If you’ve had a smashed window or even a heat-damaged pane, temporary boarding prevents:

• Further cracking and falling glass
• Drafts and rain getting into already-damaged areas
• Easy access for intruders

If you need emergency window protection, we can arrange temporary boarding and make the property safe until glazing can be replaced.

Learn more: window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Doors and access after fire: boarding vs temporary steel doors

After a fire, doors are often damaged in ways that make simple boarding less practical:

• Locking points fail
• Frames twist
• Hinges pull out
• The door leaf is removed entirely

We can board up door openings for short-term security. If the building needs controlled access for multiple people over several days, a temporary steel door can be a better fit—stronger than timber boarding, and easier for authorised entry without repeatedly disturbing fixings.

To discuss options, call 01442 502 589 or visit: door boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Shopfronts and commercial sites: keeping trading areas secure

For shops, offices, cafés, and other customer-facing properties, a fire often creates two pressures at once:

1. You need the site secured quickly (public safety and security)
2. You need the frontage protected while insurers and contractors assess damage

Shopfront boarding is typically larger-format, higher-risk work. We use strong materials and fixing methods designed to resist removal and to protect the opening properly.

If you’ve had a damaged or missing panel and need the shopfront boarded up, we can help you secure the premises and support your next steps with clear documentation.

Read more: shopfront boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Roof openings and skylights after fire

Fire damage sometimes affects the roof structure, skylights, or upper openings. Even a small overhead gap can let in a surprising amount of water, quickly worsening internal damage.

We can advise on temporary protection and, where safe access and conditions allow, carry out securing works for roof-level openings.

Learn more: roof boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

What to do straight after a fire (practical checklist)

If you’re dealing with fire damage in Hemel Hempstead or the surrounding HP areas, these steps usually help:

1. Confirm the property is safe to enter (follow guidance from emergency services).
2. Take photos of visible damage if it’s safe—especially broken windows/doors and any forced entry points.
3. Contact your insurer early and ask what they need for the claim.
4. Keep key details handy: incident number, insurer claim reference, site contact, and any access info.
5. If there’s a security risk, arrange emergency boarding up to secure property before nightfall.
6. Avoid touching damaged electrics, unstable frames, or hanging glass—wait for professionals.

If you need someone to make safe a broken opening now (including out of hours), call: Call 01442 502 589.

Costs and insurance: what you should know

Fire damage often involves multiple parties—insurers, surveyors, managing agents, and restoration contractors. Boarding up is usually classed as an emergency mitigation step to prevent further loss.

We don’t publish fixed prices because costs depend on:

• Size and number of openings
• Height/access requirements
• Condition of frames (fire damage can make fixings more complex)
• Whether a temporary steel door or longer-term system is needed

You can read more about cost factors here: pricing.
For claims guidance and documentation: insurance claims support.

Related help after a fire

Sometimes a fire also results in other types of damage or security issues. These pages may be useful depending on what happened:

• If forced entry occurred around the incident: burglary repairs and boarding
• If the property was targeted afterwards: vandalism repair and boarding
• If weather worsens existing damage: storm damage boarding

If you’re not sure which applies, call and explain what you can see—we’ll advise the most sensible way to secure it.

FAQs: fire damage boarding up in Hemel Hempstead (HP area)

Can you board up a fire-damaged property the same day in Hemel Hempstead?

Often, yes—especially for urgent openings like a smashed window or exposed door. We prioritise emergency calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on demand and travel across the HP area.

Is it worth boarding up if the window isn’t fully broken?

It can be. Heat damage can weaken glazing and frames so they fail later. If the property will be unattended, boarding is a straightforward way to reduce risk and protect against weather.

What if the door frame is burnt or too weak to fix boards safely?

We’ll assess on site. If the frame is too compromised for standard fixings, we’ll explain alternatives (for example, adjusting fixing points, using a different method, or recommending a temporary steel door option where suitable) before doing anything that could make damage worse.

Do you provide “make safe” documentation for insurers?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice describing the works completed. We’re not loss adjusters, but we supply documentation insurers commonly request.

Will boarding up stop rain getting in completely?

Boarding up significantly reduces exposure, but it’s not the same as a permanent repair. We aim to protect the opening effectively and reduce weather ingress, but the overall outcome depends on the condition of the surrounding structure after the fire.

Can you secure commercial premises after a fire, including shopfronts?

Yes. We board up shopfronts and commercial openings across Hemel Hempstead and HP postcodes. If you need a shopfront boarded up quickly, call and we’ll talk through access, safety, and the most secure option.

Do you cover the whole HP area or only Hemel Hempstead?

We cover Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27). If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, call and we’ll confirm.

I need help out of hours tonight—what should I do?

If the fire service has released the scene and it’s safe to attend, call us. We provide 24/7 boarding up support and will give you a realistic ETA. If there’s any immediate danger, contact emergency services first.

Next step: secure the property and regain control

Fire damage is hard enough without worrying about an open door, a broken window, or an exposed shopfront. We’ll help you secure property quickly, professionally, and with clear documentation.

Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 for emergency boarding up in Hemel Hempstead and across HP1–HP27.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk.