Window Boarding in East London (E Postcodes)

A smashed window is stressful—especially at night, in bad weather, or when the property can’t be left open. Our team provides window boarding in East London across the E postcode area (E1–E77), helping you make safe broken glazing and secure property quickly with proven, insurer-friendly methods.

If you need urgent help (including out of hours), go straight to our emergency page or call now:

Emergency help: emergency boarding up
Call: 020 4634 6384
Email: [email protected]

We’ve been trading 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

When do you need window boarding?

Window boarding is the right option when glass is broken, missing, or the frame is insecure and the property needs immediate protection. Customers typically call us to:

Board up a broken window after a break-in attempt
Secure a smashed window caused by vandalism or an accident
Protect a property after storm damage when glazing has popped or cracked
Board up a window where the pane is intact but unsafe (loose beads, damaged sash, rotten frame)
Secure an empty flat/house between tenancies while repairs are arranged
Keep a shop, office, or communal area safe until replacement glazing can be fitted

If you’re unsure whether boarding is needed, ring us. If there’s any risk of injury, weather ingress, or further entry, temporary boarding is usually the safest immediate step.

For event-specific guidance, see:

Emergency window boarding (day, night, and out of hours)

When you call for emergency window boarding East London, we prioritise making the property safe and secure first—then talk you through next steps.

What we mean by “make safe”

Making safe generally includes:

Removing or stabilising loose shards (where safe and accessible)
Checking the frame and surrounding area for hazards
Boarding the opening to prevent entry and reduce weather exposure
Advising if the frame is too unstable for a clean fit (and what options you have)

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, access and workload vary—but we will give you a realistic ETA on the phone and keep the focus on urgent cases.

Need someone tonight? Use our 24/7 boarding up page or call 020 4634 6384.

How our window boarding works (step-by-step)

Every job is different—bay windows, upper-floor sash windows, communal entrances and shopfront-style glazing all require slightly different handling. In most cases, our process looks like this:

Quick assessment on arrival
We check the window type (uPVC, timber sash, aluminium, crittall-style metal frames, etc.), the extent of damage, and whether there are any risks (loose glass, weak surround, alarms, internal shutters).
Agree the approach before fixing
We’ll explain the method we recommend—especially if there’s significant frame damage. If non-destructive fixing isn’t possible, we’ll tell you why before proceeding.
Measure and cut boards to suit the opening
We cut boards on site for a close fit, reducing gaps and rattling in wind.
Secure with the right fixings for the situation
We choose fixings based on access, frame condition, and whether the property is occupied or vacant.
Final safety check and documentation
We take time-stamped photos (where possible), provide a clear work statement, and can issue an itemised invoice—useful for landlords, managing agents and insurance.

If you’re a facilities manager or managing agent and need specific site requirements (access windows, permits, RAMS), tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what we can provide.

Materials we use (and why)

Good boarding is about more than “putting a sheet over it”. The board thickness, board type, and fixing method all affect security, weather resistance, and how easily it can be removed later for glazing repairs.

Plywood (common for emergency window boarding)

For many emergency jobs we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and screw-holding. Plywood is a solid choice when:

The opening is large or at street level
The property may be unattended
You need a more rigid, durable board

OSB (often suitable for smaller or lower-risk windows)

For smaller windows or where a lighter board is appropriate, we may use 12mm OSB. It can be a practical option for:

Smaller domestic openings
Short-term securing where the frame is sound
Internal or lower-risk positions (case-by-case)

We’ll choose the right material based on the risk level and the condition of the surrounding frame—if you have a preference, mention it.

Fixing methods: how we secure windows properly

We use fixing methods designed to resist tampering from the outside and to keep the board stable in wind and rain.

Anti-tamper fixings (where security matters most)

For many street-facing or accessible windows, anti-tamper fixings help prevent the board being unscrewed from outside—important if the property is empty or in a vulnerable spot.

Reveals, battens and through-fixing (depending on frame condition)

Where appropriate, we fix into the window reveal or use battening to improve stability and spread load. The method depends on:

The material around the window (timber, brick, render, uPVC)
Whether we can achieve a secure fixing without causing unnecessary damage
Whether the opening is irregular (common after impact damage)

If the frame is badly damaged

Sometimes the window frame (or surrounding masonry) is too compromised to take a secure fixing. In those cases we’ll explain options—this might include a different fixing approach, additional stabilisation, or discussing whether door security is also needed if there’s a wider vulnerability.

If your entry point is actually a door or ground-floor access, you may also need door boarding in East London.

Domestic vs commercial window boarding

Residential properties (houses, flats, blocks)

We regularly board up:

Ground-floor windows after a break-in attempt
Upper-floor windows where glass has dropped or the sash is unstable
Communal stairwell windows (often a priority due to safety risk)

If you’re a tenant, it’s usually worth informing the landlord/managing agent straight away, but if the property is unsafe you may still need immediate boarding first.

More on property-specific help: residential boarding

Shops, offices and business premises

For commercial sites, the goal is usually to secure fast and reduce downtime. We can board windows in:

Offices and light industrial units
Restaurants/cafés where glazing is damaged and the premises must be closed
Retail units where side or rear windows have been targeted

If the main frontage is damaged, you may need shopfront boarding in East London. For commercial requirements, see commercial boarding.

What you get from us

We keep things practical and insurer-friendly. Typically you’ll receive:

A clear description of works completed (for your records/landlord/agent)
Time-stamped photos where possible
An itemised invoice and work statement for insurance/admin
Straightforward advice on next steps (glazier, lock changes, longer-term security)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. See our guidance on insurance claims for boarding up.

Helpful guidance while you’re waiting (especially out of hours)

If you’ve got a smashed window right now:

If there’s an intruder or immediate danger, call 999.
If it’s a break-in or attempted burglary, get a crime reference number (useful for claims).
Don’t touch loose glass—and keep children/pets away from the area.
Take photos if it’s safe (wide shot + close-up of damage).
Call us so we can advise and arrange attendance: 020 4634 6384

If weather is coming in, move valuables away from the opening and isolate electrics only if it’s safe to do so.

Can you board up from the outside only?

Often yes—especially for accessible ground-floor windows. For upper floors or rear elevations, we may need internal access, safe ladder positioning, or confirmation that the area is secure.

If access is restricted (communal blocks, gated sites, managed buildings), tell us at the start of the call so we can plan properly.

How long does window boarding last?

Boarding is usually temporary—meant to protect the opening until glazing or frame repairs are completed. How long it can remain in place depends on:

Exposure to wind/rain (higher floors and corners can take more weather)
Whether the building is occupied or vacant
The quality of the surround/frame and the fixing method used

If you need a longer-term solution for an empty property, you may be better served with purpose-made security (we can advise on options during the call). For vacant/void premises considerations, see vacant property boarding.

Window boarding FAQs (East London)

Is window boarding covered by insurance in East London?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact—but policies vary. Keep your reference numbers and photos. We provide invoices and a work statement to support your claim. More help: insurance claims.

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

Yes, we handle emergency boarding up including out of hours across East London’s E postcodes. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA when you ring. For urgent attendance, use 24/7 boarding up.

What board do you use—plywood or OSB?

It depends on the opening size, location and risk. We commonly use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength, and 12mm OSB for certain smaller openings. We’ll recommend what’s appropriate and explain why.

Will boarding damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to secure the opening with the least disruption possible, but a secure fixing sometimes requires fixing into sound material. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before we proceed.

Can you board up double-glazed windows?

Yes. Double-glazing can fail in different ways (shattered outer pane, dropped unit, damaged beads). Boarding secures the opening and prevents access while you arrange a glazing replacement.

I’m a landlord/managing agent—can you provide paperwork?

Yes. We can provide an itemised invoice and a clear work statement, plus photos where possible—helpful for insurance, maintenance logs and tenant communications. If you need a site-specific process, tell us when booking.

Do you also secure doors if the break-in affected the whole entry area?

Yes—if the door is damaged or insecure we can discuss boarding or other temporary measures. See door boarding in East London and burglary repairs.

Ready to book window boarding in East London?

If you need to board up a broken window, deal with a smashed window, or arrange temporary boarding anywhere in the E postcode area, we can help.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance, or email us if it’s not urgent.

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