Shopfront Boarding in Romford (Emergency & Planned Security)

A smashed shop window is stressful — and it can put your staff, stock and premises at risk within minutes. Our shopfront boarding in Romford is designed to make safe, secure the opening, and help you get back to trading or safely close up while repairs are arranged.

For urgent help, call 01708 973 306. If it’s out of hours, we’ll prioritise emergency call-outs across Romford and the wider RM postcode area and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

When you might need shopfront boarding (and why it matters)

Shopfront glazing and entrance systems are often large, exposed, and highly visible — which means damage can quickly attract further attempts or create a hazard for passers-by. We commonly attend for:

• Smashed window or cracked shop glazing after vandalism or impact
• Forced entry attempts where the glazing, frame or door has been compromised
• Shopfront boarded up requirements after police attendance (to prevent re-entry)
• Storm-related damage where the opening needs temporary boarding to keep weather out
• Vacant or temporarily closed premises that need to secure property until permanent works happen

If you’re dealing with a break-in, see our guidance on burglary repairs and post-incident boarding and keep hold of any police reference number for your insurer.

Emergency shopfront boarding: what we do on arrival

Our first job is to reduce risk quickly and sensibly. That means focusing on safety, preventing further damage, and securing the site in a way that suits the opening.

Typical steps include:

1. Make safe the immediate area
   We’ll assess sharp glass, unstable frames, and any risk to the public. If there are hazards outside the building, we’ll talk through practical next steps with you (and where relevant, your site manager).

2. Assess the opening and fixing points
   Shopfronts vary: aluminium frames, timber surrounds, recessed doorways, side panels, transoms. We check what’s sound enough to take fixings and whether a non-destructive method is possible.

3. Install boarding to the right spec for the job
   We choose the most appropriate sheet material and fitting method (details below), then fit it with security in mind — not just “covering a hole”.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.

Materials we use (and how we choose them)

Shopfront openings are often bigger than domestic windows, so material choice matters for strength, handling, and security.

18mm exterior-grade plywood (common for shopfronts)

For many retail glazing openings, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is a reliable choice because it’s strong, resists splitting better than thinner board, and holds fixings securely.

Best for:

• Larger glass panels and door-side glazing
• Higher-risk locations where the property may be unattended
• Situations where you need a robust board-up that stays put

OSB (typically for smaller sections or lower-risk openings)

OSB can be suitable for smaller panels or where the opening is modest and the risk profile is lower. We’ll always match the board type to the job rather than forcing a one-size approach.

Best for:

• Smaller side windows/panels
• Short-duration make-safe work where appropriate

Fixings that are designed to resist tampering

A shopfront is often targeted precisely because it’s accessible from the pavement. We typically use anti-tamper fixings where suitable, because they make removal from outside far harder — particularly important when the premises will be closed overnight or longer.

We also consider:

• Fixing into sound structure (not weakened trims)
• Spreading load to reduce further frame damage
• Avoiding unnecessary damage where a later glazing repair is planned

If you’re comparing options for other openings, you may also want to read about window boarding in Romford and door boarding in Romford.

Methods: how we board up shopfront glazing properly

Every frontage is different. The goal is always the same: secure property and reduce risk — without creating extra problems for the repair team later.

Internal board-up vs external board-up

• Internal boarding can look neater from the street and may reduce exposure to weather, but it depends on access and the condition of the internal reveals.
• External boarding is often the quickest route to make safe when glass has failed outward or the opening can’t be safely accessed from inside.

We’ll talk you through what’s feasible when we arrive.

Large openings and multi-panel shopfronts

Retail frontages often need:

• Multiple board sheets joined cleanly and securely
• Consideration for door operation (where the door itself is still usable)
• A plan for partial board-up if only one section is damaged but the rest must remain accessible

If it’s not possible or safe to keep an entrance in service, we’ll explain alternatives — including whether a more secure temporary solution is appropriate.

If doors are damaged too

Where the entry door is compromised as well as the glazing, shopfront boarding may be paired with stronger measures. In some cases, a temporary steel door is the better answer for security and access control (particularly for repeated targeting or longer periods before repair).

For more on securing entrances, see door boarding in Romford. For vacant units, vacant property boarding and security may be more suitable.

Common emergency call-outs for shops in Romford & RM postcodes

We cover Romford and the wider RM area (RM1–RM50), including mixed-use parades and town-centre retail where footfall and visibility are higher. Typical urgent requests include:

• “Can you board up broken window tonight?”
• “We’ve got a smashed window and need to make safe before morning.”
• “The front door glass is gone — can you board up door and side panel?”
• “We need the shopfront boarded up after vandalism.”
• “Can you secure property out of hours so we can deal with glazing tomorrow?”

If you’re in a nearby RM district and unsure if you’re covered, start here: areas we cover.

What you get (useful for insurance and property management)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide documentation insurers and managing agents typically ask for:

• Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible)
• Itemised invoice that clearly states the works carried out
• Work statement describing the make-safe action, materials used, and method

If you’re making a claim, our insurance claims guidance explains what to keep and what to ask for.

Planned shopfront boarding (not just emergencies)

Not every job is a panic call. Planned shopfront boarding can be useful when:

• A unit is being refitted and glazing will be removed temporarily
• A shop is closing for a period and needs additional protection
• A site is awaiting replacement glass with a known lead time
• Facilities managers need a consistent method across multiple frontages

For longer-term perimeter control around sites, we also provide temporary fencing where appropriate.

Access, neighbours and practical considerations (especially on busy frontages)

Shopfront work is rarely “simple” in real life. We regularly factor in:

• Limited loading/parking on busier roads and parades
• Flats above shops where access routes must be kept clear
• Rear access through service yards (or the lack of it)
• Keeping the area safe for pedestrians while works are carried out
• Reducing nuisance where possible (noise, dust, time on site)

If you’re calling from a managed site, tell us what you know about access, shutters, or any on-site rules. We’ll work with it.

Typical scenario (what this looks like in practice)

If your shopfront glass is broken late evening, you may have police attendance and need to close quickly. Once it’s safe, we’ll confirm the size and condition of the opening, then install appropriately sized boarding with security-focused fixings to reduce the risk of a second incident. You’ll receive photos and an invoice you can forward to your insurer or property manager, and you can arrange glazing replacement when suppliers reopen.

FAQs – Shopfront boarding in Romford

How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window in Romford?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times because traffic, workload and site conditions vary — but when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

Can you make the area safe if there’s broken glass everywhere?

Yes — making the site safe is a key part of what we do. If there are hazards outside the premises, we’ll advise on practical steps and proceed safely. If anything requires specialist cleaning or remediation, we’ll be upfront about that.

Do you board up shop doors as well as windows?

Yes. We can board up door openings and side panels, and we can advise when a stronger option is more suitable. See door boarding in Romford for details.

What boarding material do you use for shopfronts?

Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and security, with OSB used in suitable situations (often smaller or lower-risk openings). We select the right material for the size of the opening and the risk profile.

Will boarding damage my frames or shopfront system?

We aim to use methods that secure the premises without unnecessary damage. However, if the frame is already compromised or there’s no sound fixing point, some additional fixing may be unavoidable. We’ll explain options before proceeding.

Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and the cause of damage. We’ll provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

Can you board up a shopfront in other RM postcodes outside Romford town centre?

Yes — we cover RM postcodes across Havering and surrounding areas. Use our areas we cover page to find your nearest local page.

Do you offer 24/7 boarding up for retail units?

We offer emergency boarding up including evenings and weekends. If you need 24/7 boarding up, call 01708 973 306 and we’ll confirm availability and a realistic ETA.

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe:

• Keep people away from the broken area
• Take photos for your insurer
• Keep any police incident/reference number
• Avoid touching broken glass or unstable frames
  Then call 01708 973 306 so we can get you booked in.

Related services that may help

Depending on the damage, you may also need:

• emergency boarding up for urgent, out-of-hours help
• window boarding in Romford for domestic and smaller commercial glazing
• roof boarding if skylights or rooflights are damaged
• vandalism repair support if the incident involved repeated targeting
• commercial property boarding for managed and multi-site premises

Helpful Links

• 24 hour emergency boarding up in Romford
• Insurance claims support
• Pricing and cost factors
• FAQs
• Contact us
• What is boarding up?

Call now to get your shopfront secured

If your shop window has been broken or your frontage is vulnerable, we can help you make safe and secure property quickly and professionally.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]