Residential Boarding Up in Romford (RM) – Homes, Flats & Landlord Call‑Outs
When something goes wrong at home — a smashed window, a kicked-in door, storm damage, or fire service entry — it’s not just the glass or timber that’s been damaged. It’s your sense of safety. We provide residential boarding up in Romford and across the RM postcodes to make safe, secure the opening, and help you stabilise the situation.
We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you’re dealing with an urgent issue tonight or out of hours, start here: emergency boarding up.
Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Who This Page Is For
We help:
- Homeowners and tenants needing to board up a broken window or board up a door
- Landlords and letting agents securing a property between tenancies
- Block managers dealing with communal doors, shared entrances, or ground-floor glazing
- Families needing a calm, practical response after burglary, vandalism, or accidental damage
If you’re not sure whether your situation is “urgent enough”, call anyway. We’ll talk it through and give you a realistic ETA based on workload and access.
Typical Residential Call‑Outs We See in Romford & RM Postcodes
Residential boarding is rarely planned. Most calls follow an event where the property is suddenly vulnerable.
Burglary or attempted break-in
Forced doors, damaged locks, splintered frames, and broken panes are common. Our goal is to secure property quickly and reduce the chance of repeat attempts. For event-specific guidance, see: burglary repairs and boarding.
Vandalism and deliberate damage
From stones through a window to repeated targeting of ground-floor flats, we provide temporary boarding using fixings designed to resist tampering. More on what to do next: vandalism repair and boarding.
Storm damage and wind-blown debris
High winds can shift roof tiles and break glazing. We can secure vulnerable openings and help with short-term weather protection. See: storm damage make-safe and roof boarding.
Fire service entry / post-fire security
After a fire, doors and windows may be forced for access, leaving the home exposed. We’re not a fire restoration company, but we can make safe and secure openings so the property can be assessed and repaired. See: fire damage securing.
Accidental impact (DIY mishaps, slips, or vehicle bumps)
Accidents happen—especially with large panes and older frames. We’ll secure the opening and explain options if the frame is too compromised for non-destructive fixing. See: accident damage.
How Residential Boarding Up Works (What We Actually Do)
Every home is different, but our method is consistent: assess, secure, document.
1) Safety and initial assessment
We check for hazards like loose shards, unstable frames, or compromised door edges. If the opening is unsafe to approach (for example, glass hanging or overhead damage), we’ll discuss safe access before starting.
2) Choose the right boarding method for the opening
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most residential windows and doors where robust security is needed
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
We select the sheet size and fixing method to suit:
- The opening dimensions and surrounding frame condition
- Whether the property will be occupied overnight or left empty
- The risk level (visible street-facing elevation vs rear window, ground floor vs upper floors)
For window-specific detail, see: window boarding in Romford.
For door damage, see: door boarding.
3) Fixing methods (security vs minimising damage)
We aim to secure openings firmly while being sensible about the fabric of the building.
Common approaches include:
- Internal timber bracing where accessible, to reduce external fixings
- Anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside (important for vacant or unattended properties)
- Careful positioning to avoid unnecessary damage to intact parts of the frame
If a frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
4) Weather and privacy considerations
Boarding is primarily about security, but it also helps reduce draughts and weather exposure. We’ll fit boards to cover the vulnerable opening and minimise obvious gaps where possible.
5) Documentation for peace of mind and insurers
Where needed, we provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing what was done and why
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the type of documentation insurers typically ask for. More guidance here: insurance claims support.
Residential Security Options Beyond Basic Boarding
Sometimes simple plywood boarding is the right immediate solution; sometimes a longer-term approach makes more sense.
Temporary steel doors (ideal after forced entry)
If a front or rear door has been smashed or the lock area is destroyed, a temporary steel door can be a practical option—especially if the property must be left empty. It provides stronger security than timber boarding for extended periods.
Discuss options via: door boarding.
Security for vacant homes and “between tenants”
Empty homes can attract unwanted attention. If the property will be vacant for weeks rather than days, we can advise on sturdier, longer-duration security. Start here: vacant property boarding.
Residential Properties We Commonly Work On (Romford & Local RM Areas)
Across Havering and the wider RM postcodes, we regularly attend:
- Terraced and semi-detached houses with bay windows and mixed glazing
- Flats and maisonettes (including ground-floor units that face the street)
- Homes above or near small parades where footfall is higher
- Rental properties where access is arranged via agents or family members
Access can be the biggest variable. If it’s a flat, it helps to tell us:
- Which floor the damage is on
- Whether there’s a working lift
- Where we can safely park and unload boards
What To Do Before We Arrive (If It’s Safe)
If you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, or storm damage, these steps often help:
- If a crime is involved, call the police first and keep your reference number.
- Take photos of the damage (only if safe to do so).
- Keep loose glass away from children and pets; avoid handling shards.
- Contact your insurer early if you plan to claim.
- If the door won’t close, stay inside and away from the opening until it’s secured.
For urgent situations at night or out of hours, use our emergency page: 24/7 boarding up.
Areas We Cover for Residential Boarding Up (Romford & RM Postcodes)
We cover Romford and the RM postcode area, including many nearby neighbourhoods within the London Borough of Havering and surrounding districts.
If you’re searching for “boarding up near me” in RM1–RM20 and beyond, we can usually help—call and we’ll confirm attendance and access.
Popular local pages include:
- boarding up Romford RM1
- boarding up Gidea Park RM2
- boarding up Harold Wood RM3
- boarding up Collier Row RM5
- boarding up Hornchurch RM11
- boarding up Upminster RM14
- boarding up Rainham RM13
For the full list, see: areas we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions (Residential Boarding Up)
Can you board up a broken window tonight in Romford?
Yes, we provide emergency boarding up Romford for urgent residential situations. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone. For urgent help, go to: emergency boarding up.
What if my front door has been kicked in — can you board up the door?
Yes. We can board up a door and, where suitable, discuss a temporary steel door for stronger short-term security. Start here: door boarding.
Is boarding up covered by home insurance?
Often it can be, especially where it’s necessary to prevent further loss after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or fire service entry. We provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. More guidance: insurance claims.
How long does boarding up take?
It depends on the size and condition of the opening, access (for example, flats), and whether the frame is still sound enough for straightforward fixing. We’ll explain what we can do once we see the damage and the safest fixing points.
Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?
We aim to minimise additional damage by using appropriate fixings and methods for the structure. If the frame is already compromised (rotted timber, crumbling masonry, severe impact damage), we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
Can you secure a property after burglary in RM1–RM5?
Yes—RM1 to RM5 (including areas like Romford, Gidea Park, Harold Wood, and Collier Row) are within our regular coverage. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm attendance. Situation guidance: burglary repairs.
Do you board up flats and maisonettes, including communal entrances?
Yes. For flats, tell us the floor level and access details. For communal doors or shared entrances, we may ask who is authorising the work (freeholder, block manager, or managing agent).
Can you help after storm damage to windows or roof openings?
Yes. We can secure broken windows and, where accessible and appropriate, board vulnerable roof openings or skylights to reduce water ingress risk. See: storm damage and roof boarding.
Do you provide paperwork for landlords and letting agents?
Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement—useful for landlord records, deposit disputes, and insurance claims.
Related Services for Residential Properties
If you want to understand the specific solution, these pages go deeper:
For event-based guidance, see:
- burglary repairs and boarding
- vandalism repair and boarding
- storm damage make-safe
- fire damage securing
Ready to Secure Your Home?
If you need residential boarding up now—or want to plan security for a vacant or rental property—we’ll talk you through the options and what’s practical for your home.
Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
