Boarding Up Forest Gate (E7) – Emergency Property Security in East London
If you’ve got a smashed window, a forced door, or an exposed shopfront in Forest Gate, you usually need one thing first: to secure the property and stop the situation getting worse. We provide boarding up in Forest Gate (E7) for homes, flats, shops and empty buildings—helping you make safe after break-ins, vandalism, accidents and storm damage.
We cover Forest Gate across E7 and the surrounding East London area. We’re available 24/7 for emergency boarding up, including out of hours call-outs, but we won’t promise a fixed arrival time online—traffic, access and existing emergencies can affect attendance. When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions and give you a realistic ETA, then prioritise urgent jobs where a property is open to the street or unsafe.
We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked—useful peace of mind when you’re dealing with an already stressful situation.
Why boarding up matters in Forest Gate (E7)
Forest Gate is a busy residential and high-footfall area, with a mix of traditional housing and retail frontages. That combination tends to create the same repeat problems we’re called for across E7:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces with larger window openings and older timber frames. If a pane goes, the opening can be wide, and damaged frames don’t always take standard fixings cleanly.
- Converted flats and maisonettes where communal entry doors, rear access routes, and shared hallways can complicate access and responsibility (landlord vs. managing agent vs. tenant).
- Retail and mixed-use units along main roads and parades. A smashed window on a shopfront is high risk: it’s visible, it attracts attention, and weather can ruin stock and electrics overnight.
- Empty or between-tenancy properties, which can become targets once a window is broken and the building looks “open”.
Local factors also matter. Forest Gate sits close to major routes and commuter flow—so damage isn’t always from crime alone. We often attend jobs where the cause is:
- Accidental impact (a fall, a thrown object, a delivery mishap, or an argument that turns into a broken pane)
- Storm damage (loosened panes, blown-in sections, and lifted roof edges around older extensions)
- Forced entry attempts that bend uPVC door panels or crack double glazing near locks
If a property is left exposed—even for a few hours—you risk:
- a second break-in attempt,
- water ingress and swelling frames,
- increased insurance complications if “reasonable steps” weren’t taken to secure the opening.
Boarding up is the immediate, practical step: it buys time while you arrange glazing, locksmiths, or longer repairs, and it helps restore a sense of control.
A typical Forest Gate call-out (what it can look like)
A typical call-out in Forest Gate might involve a late-evening call from a resident near Forest Gate station after a break-in attempt. The police may have attended, a statement may have been taken, and the immediate issue is a board up broken window in a front room or ground-floor flat.
On arrival, we’d normally:
- Assess the opening and the frame – checking whether the frame will take fixings safely. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
- Remove immediate hazards – loose shards, unstable glazing, or sharp edges (where safe to do so without disturbing evidence).
- Measure and select the right material – commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or street-facing openings, or 12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk gaps where appropriate.
- Fix with security in mind – using anti-tamper fixings and appropriate spacing. The aim is that it cannot be removed from outside without tools and time.
- Check for secondary vulnerabilities – for example, if the lock side of a door has been attacked, or if an adjacent window is cracked and likely to go next.
- Provide documentation – we can supply an itemised invoice and a clear work statement. If you need it for your insurer or landlord, we can also provide time-stamped photos of the secured opening.
If the property is likely to be vacant for a while, we may discuss a stronger, longer-term option (without pushing it). Sometimes boarding is enough; sometimes you need more than temporary boarding—especially for repeated targeting.
What to do in an emergency in Forest Gate (E7)
When something has happened and you’re staring at broken glass or an open doorway, it’s hard to think straight. These steps help you stay safe and protect your claim.
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If someone is or may still be inside, step away and call 999.
Don’t go in to “check” if you suspect a burglar is present. -
If the situation is safe but damage has occurred, call the police (101) and get a reference number.
Insurers often ask for this after a break-in or vandalism. Keep it written down. -
Take photos before anything changes (if safe).
Capture:- the damaged window/door from inside and outside,
- close-ups of impact points,
- any damage to frames, locks, or surrounding brickwork,
- any mess left behind (without touching it).
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Prevent further loss where you can—without risking injury.
- Keep people and pets away from glass.
- If weather is coming in, move valuables and soft furnishings away from the opening.
- Don’t try to tape shattered double glazing from the outside on a busy street—it’s not worth the risk.
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Call us to make safe and secure the opening.
Explain what’s happened and what’s exposed: smashed window, board up door, or shopfront boarded up requirement. If access is tricky (rear alley, shared entrance, upper floor), tell us—this helps us plan. -
Contact your insurer/landlord early.
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically request (invoice, work notes, photos). If you’re a tenant, tell your landlord or managing agent promptly and keep everything in writing.
Our local coverage around Forest Gate
We provide boarding up across Forest Gate (E7) and the immediate East London surroundings. If you’re just outside Forest Gate, we may still be your closest option—call and we’ll advise.
Nearby areas we regularly attend include:
We prioritise urgent calls where the property is open, unsafe, or at immediate risk. We’ll always be honest about attendance expectations and talk you through what to do while you’re waiting.
Forest Gate boarding up FAQs (E7)
How quickly can you attend a boarding up job in Forest Gate (E7)?
Attendance depends on the time of day, traffic, and existing emergencies. We don’t publish guaranteed response times. If you call, we’ll ask what’s happened (e.g., smashed window vs. unsecured door), confirm you’re in E7, and give a realistic ETA.
Can you board up a shopfront on a busy road in Forest Gate?
Yes. Shopfronts need a slightly different approach: larger sheets, stronger fixings, and careful positioning so the frontage is secure and stable. If the unit is on a high-footfall stretch (for example near Woodgrange Road), we’ll focus on a secure, tidy fit that reduces risk of tampering and keeps the opening weather-resistant.
I’m near Wanstead Flats—does wind damage change what you do?
It can. Exposed areas and older roofs/skylights can suffer uplift and rain ingress after heavy weather. Our aim is to make safe quickly, board or sheet the vulnerable area, and reduce further water entry until a roofer or glazier completes permanent repairs.
Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?
We use methods intended to be secure and proportionate. Where possible, we’ll fix into sound structural points and use anti-tamper fixings that provide strong hold. If the frame is already rotten, split, or crumbling, we’ll explain the safest option before proceeding because a weak frame may not support standard boarding without additional measures.
Can you board up from the inside if I’m worried about people interfering outside?
Often, yes—especially for ground-floor residential windows where external access is risky or the street is busy. The best method depends on the reveal depth, frame condition and the size of the opening. Tell us your concern on the phone and we’ll advise what’s realistic.
What should I do if the police have asked me not to touch anything?
Follow the police instructions. In many cases, securing an opening can still go ahead without disturbing key evidence, but it depends on the circumstances. Tell us what the police said, and if needed we can wait until you’re cleared to proceed—security is important, but so is your investigation.
Is boarding up covered by insurance for E7 properties?
Many policies cover reasonable emergency measures after a break-in, vandalism or storm damage, but cover varies. Keep your police reference number (if applicable), take photos, and keep invoices. We can provide clear documentation to support your claim, but we can’t confirm policy cover—that’s down to your insurer.
I’m a landlord with a vacant flat in Forest Gate—can you secure it until repairs are arranged?
Yes. Vacant properties are a common target once an opening is visible. We can install temporary boarding to reduce repeat access and help you stabilise the situation while you line up glazing, door replacement or longer-term security.
Need boarding up in Forest Gate (E7) now?
If you need to secure your property tonight—whether it’s a board up broken window, a board up door, or you need a shopfront boarded up—we’re here to help.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384. If you can’t get through immediately, leave details and request a callback, and we’ll come back to you as soon as possible. You can also email: [email protected].
