Door Boarding in Maidstone (Emergency & Planned Security)
When a door has been forced, split, or left hanging after a break-in, it’s not just a repair issue—it’s an urgent security problem. Our door boarding in Maidstone service is designed to secure your property quickly and safely across the ME postcode area, so you can protect people, contents, and the building while you arrange permanent repairs.
If you need immediate help, use our emergency team: Call 01622 580 086. If it’s safe to do so, keep the area clear and avoid touching any damaged locks or frames until the police/insurer have what they need.
We often attend jobs in and around Maidstone town centre (near Fremlin Walk and The Mall), along key routes like the A229 and A249, and in residential areas with a mix of newer estates and older housing stock—where timber doors and older frames can be particularly vulnerable after impact or forced entry.
When door boarding is the right choice (and when it isn’t)
Door boarding is most useful when the doorway is compromised and you need short-term to medium-term security without waiting for a carpenter, locksmith, or new door set.
Typical call-outs include:
- Burglary/attempted burglary where the door is split around the lock, the keep has torn out, or the frame has failed
- Vandalism (kicks through panels, damaged letterplates, smashed side panels next to the door)
- Accidental impact (moving heavy items, vehicle bump to an entrance, damage during a police entry)
- Fire incidents where the door/entry is damaged and the property must be secured (we secure—remediation is separate)
- Vacant/void property security between tenants or during probate, refurbishment, or sale
Door boarding may not be the best option if:
- The doorway is structurally unsafe (e.g., major movement/cracking to the surrounding wall). We’ll explain what we can do safely.
- You need regular access multiple times per day—in that case, a temporary steel door is often more practical than boarding.
If your situation is urgent, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or Call 01622 580 086 now.
Emergency door boarding after a break-in: what we do first
After a forced entry, customers are usually dealing with police, a shaken household/staff team, and uncertainty about insurance. Our priority is simple: secure the property, prevent further entry, and leave everything clear and documented.
On arrival, we’ll:
-
Assess the doorway and frame
We check whether the frame can take fixings safely and whether there are hazards (loose glazing, nails, splintered timber, exposed screws, unstable panels). -
Agree the security approach before fixing
If the frame is too damaged for a clean, non-destructive fit, we’ll talk you through options first. We won’t just start drilling without explaining what the doorway can realistically support. -
Board the opening using the correct sheet size and fixings
We cut and fit boards to reduce leverage points and improve security (poorly fitted boards are easy to peel back). -
Document the job
We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear description of what was secured, and an itemised invoice—useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurance claims.
If you’re dealing with a break-in right now, you may also want our guidance on securing property after burglary.
Materials we use (and why it matters)
Not all boarding is equal. Doorways are high-attack points: people can kick, shoulder, pry, or try to remove fixings. We choose materials and methods based on the risk level, the condition of the reveal/frame, and whether the property will be unattended.
Plywood vs OSB for door boarding
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18mm exterior-grade plywood (common choice for doorways)
Stronger, more resistant to splitting, and better suited to high-impact areas like entrances. -
12mm OSB (or thicker where needed)
Sometimes used for lower-risk internal or secondary access points. OSB can be appropriate, but for many damaged entrance doors we’ll recommend plywood due to better overall strength and durability.
We’ll tell you what we’re proposing and why—especially if you’re coordinating with a landlord, insurer, or facilities manager who needs a clear paper trail.
Fixings: security is often won or lost here
Where appropriate, we use anti-tamper fixings designed to prevent removal from the outside. This is particularly important if:
- the property will be empty overnight
- there’s a history of repeat attempts
- the door opens onto an accessible frontage (e.g., alleyways, rear paths, shared access routes)
We also consider the surrounding material—brickwork, timber frames, composite surrounds—because the wrong fixing can fail or cause unnecessary damage.
How we board a door: methods we use in Maidstone properties
Maidstone has a wide mix of property types: Victorian and Edwardian terraces closer to the centre, 1930s semis, modern estates, and flats above shops in busier areas. Doorways vary a lot—timber frames, composite doors, uPVC sets, and older brick reveals—so we adapt the method to suit.
Method 1: Overboarding the door opening (most common after forced entry)
If the door leaf is damaged or missing, we typically cover the entire opening with a single board (or multiple boards where the width/height demands it), fitted to reduce pry points.
Best for:
- smashed panels
- split doors
- failed locks/keeps
- missing door leaf after police entry or severe damage
Method 2: Reinforcing around the lock area (when the door is present but compromised)
If the door is still in place but weak around the lock, we may reinforce to stabilise and deter further attack—provided it’s safe and effective. In many cases, full boarding is still the better option for unattended properties.
Best for:
- lock-side splits
- damaged keeps
- minor frame compromise where full replacement is pending
Method 3: Temporary steel doors (for repeated access or longer-term void security)
For properties that need ongoing access (trades, surveyors, managing agents) or are likely to be vacant for a while, a temporary steel door can be a smarter solution than repeatedly removing and re-fitting boards.
This is especially common for:
- probate properties
- empty flats awaiting sale
- commercial refurbishments
- social housing voids between tenancies
If you’re securing an empty building, our vacant property boarding up page explains the pros/cons of medium-term options.
Door boarding for homes, flats and rentals
A damaged front door is stressful—particularly at night, in cold weather, or when children are in the home. We secure:
- Houses and maisonettes (front, side and rear doors)
- Flats (communal-entry considerations; we’ll work with building management where required)
- Rental properties (supporting landlords and letting agents with documentation and access arrangements)
See: residential boarding up.
Door boarding for shops, offices and managed sites
Commercial doorways can be more complex: roller shutters, aluminium frames, access control, and fire exit compliance. Our focus is always secure and safe, while helping you get back to trading or keep the site protected until repairs are arranged.
Common scenarios include:
- forced entry at staff entrances
- attempted break-ins at rear service doors
- damaged double doors at small industrial units
- vandalism affecting door glazing/side panels
Related: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding if glazing is involved.
A realistic local example (micro case study)
A letting agent called us about a forced front door on a rental terrace near Maidstone East station, with the lock area split and the frame starting to pull away. The police had attended and the tenant had been moved out for the night.
We secured the doorway using exterior-grade plywood cut to minimise leverage points, with tamper-resistant fixings suitable for the surrounding reveal. We provided time-stamped photos and a clear work description for the agent’s file and the landlord’s insurer, leaving the property secure until a replacement door set could be fitted.
What to do before we arrive (especially after a burglary)
If you’ve just had an incident, a few simple steps can help:
- If there’s any immediate danger, call 999 first.
- If safe, take photos of the damage for your insurer before anything is moved.
- Keep any crime reference number and officer details.
- Avoid touching broken lock parts or splintered areas—police may want to inspect.
- If you can, move valuables away from the entry point and keep the area clear.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the kind of job documentation insurers typically request. See insurance claims support.
How long does door boarding take?
It depends on:
- the size of the doorway and whether there are side panels
- access and parking
- how damaged the frame/reveal is
- whether we’re also securing nearby windows
Most straightforward jobs are completed quickly once on site, but we won’t promise a fixed time because every property (and every incident) is different—especially after impact damage or where the frame has failed.
If you need urgent help tonight, use 24-hour emergency boarding up Maidstone or Call 01622 580 086.
Door boarding FAQs (Maidstone & ME postcodes)
Do you cover my area outside Maidstone town centre?
Yes—our coverage includes Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
Can you board a back door or side entrance as well?
Absolutely. Rear and side doors are common targets because they’re less visible from the road. We can secure multiple entry points on the same visit if needed.
Is door boarding covered by insurance?
Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm, or impact damage—but policies differ. We can provide photos and an invoice description to support a claim. More guidance is on insurance claims.
Will boarding damage my door frame or brickwork?
We aim for secure, sensible fixing points and we’ll explain the approach before we start. If the surrounding structure is already compromised, we’ll be honest about what’s possible and what the risks are.
Can you secure the property if the door is completely missing?
Yes. If the door leaf is missing or beyond saving, we can board the opening and advise whether a temporary steel door would be better if ongoing access is needed.
Related services that are often needed at the same time
Door damage rarely happens in isolation. You might also need:
- window boarding in Maidstone if glazing or nearby windows were smashed
- roof boarding after storm damage or missing tiles creating an entry point
- Help after specific events like vandalism repair or accident damage
Ready to secure a damaged door in Maidstone?
If your door has been forced or you’re worried about an insecure entrance, we’ll talk you through the safest option and get your property protected.
Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
