Boarding Up Services in Maidstone (ME1–ME20)

When something goes wrong with a property—broken glass, a forced door, storm damage to a rooflight—your priority is simple: make it safe and secure quickly. Our boarding up services in Maidstone are designed to stabilise the situation, prevent further damage, and help you move onto repairs with the right paperwork in place.

We work across Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20), including the town centre, out towards Allington and Larkfield, and down into nearby villages where access can be a little trickier. If you’re dealing with an urgent situation, go straight to our emergency boarding up page and call us.

Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.

What we mean by “boarding up” (and what it achieves)

Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure. It’s used when a window, door, shopfront or roof opening has been damaged or left vulnerable—often after a burglary, vandalism, an accident or extreme weather.

A proper board-up should:

  • Secure the opening against opportunistic entry
  • Make the area safe (particularly where there’s broken glazing)
  • Reduce weather ingress until permanent repairs are arranged
  • Protect liability for landlords and commercial duty holders
  • Support insurance with clear documentation of the make-safe work

If you’re new to the idea, our plain-English guide on what boarding up is explains when it’s used and what “good” looks like.

Our main boarding up services

We don’t treat every job the same. A cracked upstairs sash window in a period terrace off Week Street isn’t approached the same way as a damaged aluminium-framed shopfront on Gabriel’s Hill or a rear door forced on an estate property in Park Wood. Below are the core services we provide across Maidstone and ME postcodes.

Window boarding (domestic and commercial)

Window boarding is one of the most common callouts after accidental breakage, vandalism or burglary. The approach depends on the window type, the opening size, and whether the frame is still structurally sound.

Typical scenarios we board up:

  • Smashed ground-floor panes after attempted entry
  • Cracked double-glazed units that can’t be made safe with tape alone
  • Vulnerable windows on empty properties between tenancies
  • Side windows in communal blocks where security is a concern

We generally use exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm) for stronger security, and OSB (commonly 12mm) for smaller openings where it’s appropriate. Fixing methods vary; where possible we use non-destructive methods (for example, through-frame fixings that can be removed later). If the frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

Related service: window boarding in Maidstone

Door boarding and forced-entry security

A forced door is stressful—especially if it’s your home or a vulnerable access point like a rear alley entrance. Door boarding can be a short-term measure, or part of a more robust plan if the property will be unattended.

Depending on what we find on arrival, we may:

  • Board over the damaged door area (where the frame is compromised)
  • Secure the opening while a locksmith or joiner is arranged
  • Recommend a more secure temporary option if repeated entry is likely

For medium-term security, a temporary steel door is often the better choice than timber boarding alone—particularly for vacant properties, rear access doors, or commercial units.

Related service: door boarding in Maidstone

Shopfront boarding (retail units and commercial glazing)

Maidstone has a busy retail core, and when a shopfront is damaged it’s not just about security—it’s about safety for staff and passers-by, and getting the unit presentable quickly.

We regularly board up:

  • Large glazed shopfront panels
  • Side/rear service doors to retail units
  • Commercial entrances where the glazing has shattered

We take extra care in high-footfall areas (for example around The Mall, King Street and the routes towards Maidstone East station) where you need a clean, safe finish and clear access management.

Related service: shopfront boarding in Maidstone

Roof and skylight boarding (weatherproofing and access challenges)

Roof damage is different: it’s not just security—it’s the weather risk. A broken rooflight or storm-lifted section can quickly lead to water ingress, ceiling collapse, or further internal damage.

Our roof boarding and roof-opening securing typically covers:

  • Broken skylights and roof lanterns
  • Damaged roof hatches on flat roofs
  • Temporary weatherproof boarding where safe access is possible

We’ll be honest about limitations: if roof access isn’t safe without specialist equipment, we won’t put anyone at risk. We’ll explain what can be done immediately from safe positions and what needs a roofing contractor or access platform.

Related service: roof boarding in Maidstone

Temporary steel doors (stronger, medium-term security)

When a property is likely to remain unoccupied—after a break-in, fire damage, probate, or between tenants—boarding alone can be a weak point at the primary entrance. A temporary steel door provides a more durable, access-controlled solution.

Steel doors are commonly used for:

  • Vacant houses and flats awaiting refurbishment
  • Commercial units between occupiers
  • Properties where the original door/frame is too damaged to secure reliably

This option is particularly relevant for landlords and managing agents dealing with repeated attempted entry.

You can also explore security needs by property category on our vacant property boarding page.

Steel security screens (longer-term protection for vulnerable openings)

For longer-term voids or higher-risk locations, steel security screens (often seen on empty shopfronts and ground-floor windows) can be a better alternative to repeated re-boarding.

They’re designed to:

  • Resist removal from the outside
  • Allow airflow/light where appropriate (screen style dependent)
  • Reduce repeat vandalism costs over time

If you’re unsure whether timber boarding or screens make more sense, we’ll talk it through based on how long the property will be empty and the local risk profile.

Temporary fencing (site and perimeter security)

Sometimes the problem isn’t just an opening—it’s the boundary. After an impact, fire, or when a site has become unsafe, temporary fencing helps control access and reduce liability.

We can help secure:

  • Damaged boundary sections after vehicle impact
  • Unsafe garden access points on vacant homes
  • Commercial yard areas awaiting repairs

Related service: temporary fencing in Maidstone

Situations we’re commonly called out for in Maidstone

Many customers don’t search for a “service” first—they search for what just happened. If any of these apply, you’ll find practical next steps on the relevant page:

If it’s urgent right now, use our 24 hour emergency boarding up in Maidstone page.

How our boarding up process works (what to expect)

Every job is slightly different, but the process is consistent and straightforward:

  1. You call and explain what’s happened
    We’ll ask a few practical questions: what’s damaged, whether the property is occupied, and if any emergency services are involved.

  2. We prioritise based on risk
    We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic around the A229, A20 and town centre routes can change quickly—but urgent, exposed, or vulnerable openings are prioritised.

  3. On-site assessment
    We check the opening, the condition of the frame, and any hazards (loose glass, unstable panels, overhead risks). If we can use a non-destructive method, we will.

  4. Boarding and securing
    We measure, cut, fit and fix the board/screen/door using appropriate methods, including anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended.

  5. Documentation for your records
    You receive clear notes of what was done and where, plus time-stamped photos where appropriate and an itemised invoice—useful for insurers and landlords.

For claim-related guidance, see insurance claims support. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for.

Materials and fixings: what we use and why

We choose materials for security and practicality, not just speed.

  • Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm): strong, reliable for larger or higher-risk openings
  • OSB (often 12mm): suitable for smaller windows where heavy board isn’t necessary
  • Anti-tamper fixings: helps prevent removal from outside—important for empty properties
  • Temporary steel doors / steel screens: better for medium to long-term protection where repeat entry is a concern

If you have requirements (for example, a facilities manager needing specific RAMS or an agent needing consistent photo documentation across multiple sites), tell us when you call—these are normal requests in commercial work.

Residential, commercial and vacant properties (we secure all three)

Different properties need different approaches:

  • Residential homes and flats: priority is safety, privacy, and quick securing so you can sleep safely
    More detail: residential boarding

  • Commercial premises: focus on public safety, access control, and reducing downtime for trading
    More detail: commercial boarding up

  • Vacant/void properties: focus on preventing repeat entry, squatting risk, and ongoing site security
    More detail: vacant property security

Maidstone & ME coverage (where we work)

We cover Maidstone and the surrounding ME postcode area (ME1–ME20). That includes town-centre and suburban areas, as well as nearby villages where properties can be more isolated and therefore more vulnerable after damage.

If you’re looking for a local page, start with areas we cover or see a few common locations here:

FAQs about boarding up services in Maidstone

How much does boarding up cost in Maidstone?

Costs depend on the opening size, access, materials (plywood/OSB/steel), and whether it’s a straightforward make-safe or a more complex security setup. We don’t publish fixed prices because two “broken windows” can be completely different jobs. See our transparent overview on pricing.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, emergency make-safe work is covered as part of a buildings insurance claim—especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or impact. Cover varies by policy and excess. Keep any police reference number and take photos (if safe) before work begins. More guidance is on our insurance claims page.

How long does boarding up take?

Many jobs are completed within a single visit, but timing depends on how many openings are affected, whether there’s extensive glass removal needed, and access (upper floors, tight rear alleys, or shared entrances). If the frame is too damaged for safe fixing, we’ll discuss options before proceeding.

Can you board up a property that’s empty or between tenants?

Yes. In fact, void properties are one of the most common reasons for boarding up—particularly where there’s been repeated vandalism or attempted entry. In these cases we may recommend anti-tamper fixings, steel screens, or a temporary steel door rather than basic timber alone. See vacant property boarding.

Do you provide documentation for landlords and managing agents?

Yes. We can provide itemised invoices, descriptions of works, and time-stamped photos where appropriate—useful for agent records and insurance submissions. If you manage multiple properties across ME postcodes, let us know; we can keep documentation consistent.

Ready to arrange boarding up in Maidstone?

If you’re dealing with damage right now, the priority is to secure the property safely and prevent it getting worse.

Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]