FAQs: Boarding Up in Maidstone (ME1–ME20)

If you’re searching for boarding up in Maidstone, it’s usually because something has gone wrong—broken glass, a forced door, storm damage, or a property left vulnerable after a fire or flood. This page answers the most common questions we’re asked across Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area, with practical guidance on what happens next and what you can do immediately.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call us now on Call 01622 580 086.

Quick help before we arrive (safe, practical steps)

If you’ve had a break-in or smashed window, a few simple steps can make the situation safer:

  • If there’s a crime in progress or immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police assistance, call 101.
  • Don’t touch broken glass with bare hands. Keep children and pets away from the area.
  • Take photos (if safe) of damage and any entry points—useful for insurers and landlords.
  • Keep your police reference number if it’s a burglary or vandalism.
  • Avoid temporary DIY boarding from outside if you’re not confident—incorrect fixing can make the opening easier to force or can crack remaining glass.
  • If water is getting in, move valuables away from the opening and place towels/buckets inside where possible—our job is to secure and weatherproof the opening, but we can’t reverse damage already done.

For event-specific guidance, see our situation pages like help after a burglary or storm damage boarding.

FAQs (Maidstone & ME postcodes)

Do you cover my area, or only Maidstone town centre?

We cover Maidstone and the ME postcode area ME1–ME20, including nearby towns and villages. That includes places like Allington, Bearsted, Downswood, Loose, Park Wood, Aylesford, Larkfield, West Malling, Snodland, Sittingbourne, Chatham, Rochester and the Isle of Sheppey.

If you want to check your specific location, start with our areas we cover page or browse a nearby area page such as boarding up Maidstone ME14 or boarding up Allington ME16.

Is boarding up available 24/7 in Maidstone?

Yes—if you have an urgent security issue (broken glazing, forced entry, unsafe doors), we provide out-of-hours support via our 24 hour emergency boarding up Maidstone service.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times, because call volumes, road conditions, and the nature of the job can vary. What we do is prioritise risk: exposed shopfronts, ground-floor break-ins, and properties that can’t be locked are treated as urgent.

What types of properties do you board up?

We secure:

  • Homes and flats (including ground-floor windows and vulnerable rear access)
  • Shops and shopfronts (including large glazing panels and retail entrances)
  • Offices and industrial units
  • Empty/void properties between tenants or during probate

If you’re unsure where your property fits, these pages explain the differences: residential boarding up, commercial boarding up, and vacant property boarding.

What’s the difference between window boarding and shopfront boarding?

Window boarding usually means securing one or more domestic-style openings—often smaller panes, frames, and sometimes awkward access (rear gardens, side alleys, or upstairs windows).

Shopfront boarding is typically larger-format glazing on a public-facing frontage. It often needs:

  • Larger sheets and stronger fixing patterns
  • A cleaner finish (especially if you’re trading)
  • Consideration for alarms, shutters, and signage
  • Safer working methods when glass is shattered across a pavement

Read more about both services here: window boarding in Maidstone and shopfront boarding in Maidstone.

What materials do you use—plywood or OSB?

We choose materials based on the opening size, the risk level, and how long the property needs securing.

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, reliable protection—particularly for ground-floor windows, doors, and larger openings.
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable in lower-risk situations or where a lighter sheet is appropriate.

We’ll explain what we’re proposing on arrival. If there are constraints—like fragile surrounding glass, crumbling masonry, or a damaged frame—we’ll talk you through the safest option before fixing anything.

How is the boarding fixed in place?

We use fixing methods suited to the surface and the condition of the frame. Typical approaches include:

  • Non-destructive fixing where possible (for example, using existing frames and internal fixing methods to avoid unnecessary damage)
  • Anti-tamper fixings when a property is likely to be unattended or at higher risk of repeat targeting
  • Fixing patterns designed to resist levering and reduce flexing

If the surrounding frame is too damaged for a non-destructive method, we’ll explain the options and the trade-offs before proceeding.

Can you board up a door, not just windows?

Yes. Door security is one of the most common call-outs after forced entry. Depending on the damage, we can:

  • Board and brace the opening securely
  • Fit a temporary steel door for stronger medium-term security (useful for vacant properties or when a timber frame is splintered)

See: door boarding in Maidstone.

Do you install temporary steel doors or security screens?

Yes—where appropriate. Temporary steel doors are a good option when you need repeated access (for trades, insurers, or property managers) but still need strong security.

Security screens can be suitable for longer-term protection in some vacant or high-risk situations. If you’re dealing with a void property and want a more robust approach than plywood alone, look at vacant property boarding and speak to us about the best setup for the site.

Can you board up a roof opening or skylight?

Yes. Roof damage and skylight issues are common after storms, fallen branches, or accidental impact. Roof-level work needs extra care—access, weather conditions, and safe fixing all matter.

Our roof service is here: roof boarding in Maidstone.

What if the opening is upstairs or hard to reach?

This is common around Maidstone’s mix of property types—Victorian terraces near the centre, 1930s semis, and newer estates across ME15/ME16. We’ll assess access on arrival and use safe methods to reach upper floors where required.

If access isn’t safe (for example, high winds after a storm or unsafe ground conditions), we’ll tell you straight and discuss alternatives.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on:

  • The number and size of openings
  • The condition of frames and surrounding brickwork
  • Whether glass is still loose and needs careful handling
  • Access (rear gardens, alleyways, height, shopfronts on busy streets)

A single domestic window can often be secured quickly, while a large commercial shopfront or multiple openings will take longer. When you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we can set expectations.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, yes—especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental impact—but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, and we can’t tell you what your insurer will approve. What we can do is provide the documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

  • Itemised invoice and work statement
  • Time-stamped photos before and after
  • Details of materials used and what was secured

For guidance, see insurance claims support.

What information should I have when I call?

If you can, please tell us:

  • The address and postcode (ME1–ME20)
  • What happened (burglary, storm, vandalism, accident, fire, flood)
  • Which openings are affected (front window, rear door, shopfront panel, etc.)
  • Whether the site is safe to approach (police presence, loose glass, structural concerns)
  • If it’s a shop: whether you need a temporary solution to trade safely

If you’re calling after a crime, keep your police reference number handy.

Do I need to wait at the property?

Usually, yes—someone needs to provide access and confirm what’s being secured. For landlords, managing agents and facilities teams, we can often work with keyholders or agreed access arrangements where appropriate.

For planned works, you can also contact us via our contact page.

Can you help after a burglary or attempted break-in?

Yes. The priority after a burglary is to secure the entry point and reduce the chance of repeat targeting. We commonly attend to:

  • Splintered door frames and damaged locks (to secure the opening until a locksmith or joiner completes repairs)
  • Smashed windows and patio doors
  • Rear access points and side gates that were forced

Read: burglary repairs and boarding.

What about vandalism—smashed windows or repeated targeting?

Vandalism often affects street-facing windows, side panels, or shopfronts. If it’s a repeat issue, we’ll discuss stronger fixing options (including anti-tamper methods) and whether a more robust temporary solution makes sense while you arrange permanent glazing.

Read: vandalism repair and boarding.

Do you provide fire or flood clean-up?

No—smoke/odour remediation and flood drying are outside our scope. What we do after fire or flood is secure the building where windows, doors, or other openings are compromised, helping to prevent further loss and unauthorised access.

See: fire damage boarding and flood damage boarding.

Can you board up after a vehicle impact or accident?

Yes. Vehicle strikes can cause unpredictable damage—shattered shopfront glazing, bent frames, or compromised masonry. We can secure the opening, but if we believe the structure is unsafe, we’ll tell you and may recommend you involve a structural professional before anyone works inside.

Read: accident damage boarding.

Do you offer temporary fencing as well?

Yes—temporary fencing can be useful when a site perimeter is compromised (for example after impact damage, fire, or when a vacant property becomes accessible). Learn more here: temporary fencing.

Are your technicians insured and DBS-checked?

We operate as a professional boarding-up service with appropriate insurance in place, and we can provide documentation for site requirements where needed (common for schools, councils, or facilities management).

If you have specific compliance requirements (RAMS, sign-in procedures, out-of-hours access), mention it when you call so we can plan properly.

How much does boarding up cost in Maidstone?

Costs depend on the size and number of openings, materials required, access, and whether the job is urgent/out of hours. We avoid guessing without details because it’s rarely accurate—and nobody wants surprises.

For a clear explanation of what affects price, visit our pricing page.

Still not sure what you need?

If you’re trying to understand the basics—what boarding up is, when it’s used, and what “good” looks like—we’ve put together a plain-English guide here: what is boarding up?.

If it’s urgent, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

Ready to get started? Call 01622 580 086 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.