Property Securing & Boarding Up Situations in Bromley (BR1–BR8)
When something goes wrong with a property, it rarely happens at a “convenient” time. A smashed window after a break-in, a cracked shopfront panel on the High Street, or roof damage after high winds can leave your home or premises exposed within minutes.
This page is a guide to the most common situations we attend across Bromley and the wider BR postcode area — and what we do next to secure the building, reduce further risk, and help you get the site back under control. If you need urgent help, start here: emergency boarding up.
When do you actually need boarding up?
Boarding up isn’t only for “completely smashed” openings. In Bromley we’re often called out where glazing is cracked but still in place, frames are splintered, or doors won’t lock after impact. Even small vulnerabilities can become a bigger problem overnight — especially if the property will be unattended.
You’ll usually need boarding up if:
- The opening can be accessed from outside (broken window, damaged door, forced lock)
- The glass is unstable and could fall (shopfront glazing, large panes, bay windows)
- Weather is getting in (wind-driven rain after storm damage, rooflight/skylight failures)
- The property is empty or between tenancies and has been targeted
- You’ve been advised by police, a fire officer, or building management to secure the site
If you’re unsure, call and describe what’s happened. We’ll talk through options and explain the likely next steps without pushing you into work you don’t need.
What happens when you call us (and what you’ll get)
People usually ring us when they’re stressed, tired, and trying to make decisions quickly. We keep the process straightforward.
- We take the key details: location (BR postcode), type of property, what’s damaged, and whether it’s safe to access.
- We advise on immediate safety: for example, staying clear of loose glass or unstable frames.
- We secure the opening using a method that suits the risk and expected timescale:
- Plywood/OSB boarding for short-term securing
- Temporary steel doors for damaged entrances
- Steel security screens for longer-term/vacant property protection
- You receive documentation suitable for landlords, managing agents, and insurers: itemised invoice and a clear description of works. Where requested, we can also provide time-stamped photos for your records.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we do know what insurers typically ask for in the first few days after an incident. More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.
Situations we handle across Bromley and the BR postcodes
Below are the most common events that lead to boarding up requests in Bromley — from residential streets of BR1/BR2 through to busy retail areas and industrial units around the wider BR patch.
Burglary & break-in damage (doors and windows)
After a break-in, the priority is to stop a repeat attempt and make the property secure enough to leave — whether that’s overnight or while you wait for glazing and joinery repairs.
Common issues we see:
- Split timber door frames and damaged locks
- Broken double-glazed units (often the outer pane, sometimes both)
- Side/rear access doors forced in
- Ground-floor windows compromised, especially where the frame is loose
Depending on the damage, we may board the opening or fit a more robust solution such as a temporary steel door. See: burglary repairs and boarding up, plus door boarding and window boarding in Bromley.
Practical tips if you’ve just had a burglary:
- Keep your police reference number handy
- Take photos before anything is moved (if it’s safe)
- Don’t attempt to force a damaged door shut — it can worsen frame damage
Vandalism, smashed panes & repeated targeting
Vandalism is one of the most disruptive situations for shopfronts and communal buildings — especially if there’s a pattern of repeat incidents. In parts of Bromley where there’s evening footfall near transport links and town centres, we often see damage happen late in the day when replacement glazing can’t be fitted until later.
We’ll secure the opening so you can close up and prevent:
- further damage from people reaching in
- water ingress overnight
- health and safety risks from loose glass
If you’re managing a commercial unit, we can also discuss medium-term options such as security screens for ongoing protection. Start here: vandalism repair and boarding up and shopfront boarding.
Storm damage (wind, debris impact, tiles and rooflights)
Bromley’s a leafy borough and high winds can bring down branches, fence panels, and garden structures — and it doesn’t take much impact to crack a window or puncture a rooflight. Even if the damage looks “minor”, wind-driven rain can soak plasterboard, floor coverings, and electrical points quickly.
We’re typically asked to:
- board broken windows to stabilise the opening
- secure damaged doors that no longer close properly
- board rooflights/skylights and other overhead openings where safe access is possible
More on this scenario: storm damage boarding up and roof boarding.
Honesty point: if access is unsafe (for example, unstable roof edges or severe structural movement), we’ll tell you and recommend the correct next step before work proceeds.
Fire damage (post-fire securing — not cleanup)
After a fire, even a small one, properties are often left vulnerable due to:
- broken glazing from heat and rapid cooling
- doors removed or forced by emergency entry
- compromised frames, locks, and surrounding structure
Our role is security and weather protection, not smoke/odour remediation or full reinstatement. We’ll board openings, fit temporary doors where needed, and help you secure the site while you arrange follow-on works through your insurer or contractor network.
See: fire damage boarding up.
Flood damage and swollen frames
Flooding and leaks can cause doors and windows to swell and stop locking properly — which leaves homes, basements, and ground-floor premises vulnerable even when the glass itself isn’t broken.
In these cases, securing might involve:
- boarding vulnerable windows if locking is unreliable
- temporary door solutions where the entrance can’t be properly secured
- advice on ventilation and access (so the building can dry without being left open)
More detail here: flood damage boarding up.
Accident/impact damage (vehicles, skips, accidental breakage)
Accidents happen — a reversing vehicle into a low wall and window, a cracked pane during refurbishment, or a damaged door after a fall. In commercial settings, even a “clean” break can create an immediate safety issue with sharp glass and an open frontage.
We’ll secure the opening quickly and sensibly, with fixings and board thickness matched to the size and risk level. Read more: accident damage boarding up.
Choosing the right securing method for the situation
The “best” solution depends on how long you need the property secured and how exposed the opening is.
-
Plywood boarding (often 18mm exterior-grade)
Strong, versatile, ideal for most domestic windows/doors and many shopfronts where a solid panel is suitable. -
OSB boarding (often 12mm for smaller openings)
A practical option for some internal or lower-risk apertures, or where a lighter board is appropriate. -
Temporary steel doors
Used when a doorway is compromised and needs a secure, lockable solution for the medium term. Particularly useful after forced entry. -
Steel security screens
Better suited to vacant properties and repeated targeting, where you need a more robust deterrent and non-porous protection.
If you’d like a simple overview without the stress of an incident, see what boarding up is and how it works. For longer-term perimeters, we also provide temporary fencing where appropriate.
Residential, commercial and vacant properties — what changes?
Different property types call for different decisions:
- Residential homes and flats: you often need quick, tidy securing and clear paperwork for insurers. See residential boarding up.
- Commercial sites: priority is safety, protecting stock, and getting you closed up properly (often outside trading hours). See commercial boarding up.
- Vacant/void properties: the focus is preventing repeated entry and long-term deterioration. See vacant property boarding up.
FAQs about boarding up situations in Bromley
Is boarding up covered by insurance in Bromley?
Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, fire or impact — but policies vary. We’re not insurers, but we provide the kind of paperwork insurers typically request (description of works, date/time, itemised invoice). See insurance claims.
How long does boarding up take?
It depends on the number of openings, their size, access, and how damaged the frame is. A single window is usually quicker than a full shopfront or multiple points of entry. If the surrounding frame is unstable, we may need to use a different fixing method to keep the board secure.
Can you board up a property if the frame is badly damaged?
Usually yes, but the method may change. We’ll always try non-destructive and secure fixings first; if the structure is too compromised, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
What should I do before you arrive?
If it’s safe:
- keep people away from loose glass
- take photos for your records
- locate keys/access details for side gates, rear doors, meters and alarm panels If police or fire service are involved, keep any reference numbers.
Do you cover all BR postcodes?
Yes — we cover Bromley and the BR postcode districts (BR1–BR8). You can also check areas we cover for specific local pages.
Next steps
If you’re dealing with an incident right now, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed — but securing the property is a practical first step that helps everything else fall into place.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Or email details (photos help if you have them) to [email protected].
