Shopfront Boarding in Maidstone (Emergency & Planned Security)
A smashed shop window or damaged frontage is more than an inconvenience — it’s an open invitation to further theft, weather damage, and costly downtime. If you need shopfront boarding in Maidstone or anywhere across the ME postcode area, we can secure your premises quickly and professionally, with materials and fixings chosen for busy public-facing locations.
For urgent help, use our emergency line first: Call 01622 580 086. If it’s safe to do so, take a few photos for your insurer and keep any police incident number to hand.
If your situation is immediate and out of hours, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.
When you typically need shopfront boarding (and why it matters)
Shopfronts get damaged in ways that don’t always look “major” at first glance, but still leave your property exposed. We’re often called out for:
- Smash-and-grab attempts where glazing is broken and the frame is weakened
- Vandalism, including repeated attacks on the same frontage (especially if it’s left open overnight)
- Accidental impact (trolleys, vehicles, fallen signage) causing cracks or panel failure
- Storm damage, where wind and debris compromise glass or surrounding trims
- Fire service access after an incident, leaving openings that must be secured
A boarded shopfront reduces the chance of re-entry and helps you demonstrate to your insurer that you’ve taken reasonable steps to mitigate further loss. If the incident relates to a break-in or damage event, see our guidance on burglary repairs or vandalism repair.
Emergency shopfront boarding: what happens when you call
If your shopfront has been damaged and you’re dealing with staff, customers, police, or a shuttered premises, you need a clear process.
When you call 01622 580 086 we’ll ask a few practical questions so we bring the right kit first time:
- Where is the property? (Town/area and postcode across ME1–ME20)
- What’s damaged? Single pane, double glazing, full frontage, door glass, side panel, fanlight
- Is the opening accessible from outside? (Mall unit, street frontage, recessed doorway)
- Any immediate hazards? Loose glass, alarms sounding, police on scene, structural concerns
- Do you need entry maintained? (Sometimes you need a safe temporary access solution)
Once on site, we prioritise:
- Making the area safe (where feasible) and reducing sharp/loose hazards
- Securing the opening against entry and weather
- Using fixings that are hard to remove from the outside
- Leaving the site in a condition suitable for handover to glazing contractors or your insurer
If you’re a facilities manager, landlord, or managing agent and need documentation for multiple sites, we can provide itemised paperwork and photos to support your internal process and any insurance claims.
Our materials for shopfront boarding (and why we choose them)
Shopfronts are different from domestic windows. Openings are often larger, closer to the public, and more likely to face repeat attempts. We select materials based on the size of the opening, expected risk, and how long the board is likely to remain in place.
Exterior-grade plywood (common choice for shopfronts)
For most commercial frontages we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it offers strong impact resistance and good screw-holding strength, especially across larger spans. It also performs well in wet weather compared with lightweight sheet materials.
Where the opening is very large, we may use:
- Multiple sheets with joined seams and reinforced fixings
- Additional bracing to reduce flex
- A layout that avoids weak points around handles, locks, and frame edges
OSB (practical for smaller panels)
For smaller side panels or less exposed areas, 12mm OSB can be appropriate. It’s cost-effective and quick to install, but we’ll recommend plywood for higher-risk street-facing shopfronts.
Temporary steel doors and security screens (for higher-risk sites)
If the damage affects access doors or you’re securing a vacant retail unit, boarding alone isn’t always the best medium-term option. Depending on the site, we may recommend:
- Temporary steel doors for reliable, lockable access where the original door is compromised
- Steel security screens for longer-term protection on void properties or repeat-target locations
If you think you’ll need a stronger medium-term solution, read about door boarding and security options via vacant property boarding.
How we board up shopfronts (methods that suit commercial glazing)
Every shopfront is different — aluminium frames, timber surrounds, curtain wall systems, recessed entrances, and mixed glazing panels all need slightly different approaches.
Fixing methods: protecting the site while keeping it secure
Where possible, we use non-destructive fixing methods that secure the board without unnecessarily damaging frames. However, if the surrounding frame is already shattered, swollen (after flooding), or too weak to take safe fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
Common methods include:
- Revealed or frame-fixed boarding, using the structure around the opening for strength
- Anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from the outside — particularly important when the premises will be unattended
- Correct sizing and edge coverage so boards don’t “spring” under pressure
- Consideration for alarm sensors, shutters, and access control where present
Weatherproofing and site safety
Shopfront damage often lets rain drive straight into the premises — especially in exposed street locations or where wind funnels along the frontage. While boarding up is not a full waterproof rebuilding service, we aim to reduce water ingress and draughts as part of a sensible temporary secure.
We’ll also keep an eye out for:
- Loose signage or canopies affected by impact
- Unsafe glass remaining in frames
- Trip hazards at thresholds and recessed entrances
For damage caused by weather, see our advice on storm damage.
Maidstone & ME coverage for shopfront boarding
We’re based locally and cover Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20). That includes town-centre retail, parades, business parks, and neighbourhood shopping rows.
We commonly attend call-outs across:
- Central Maidstone and surrounding areas (ME14/ME15/ME16)
- Aylesford and Larkfield corridors (ME20)
- Villages and commuter towns where small parades and high-street units still face vandalism or impact damage
If you’re not sure whether you’re in our service area, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm quickly.
What you get from us (useful for insurers and facilities teams)
When you’re under pressure, you don’t want vague paperwork. Where requested, we can provide:
- A clear description of what was secured and how it was fixed
- Time-stamped photos of the boarded openings (before/after where possible)
- Itemised invoice and a work statement suitable for insurer submission
- Practical notes if the frame is too damaged for standard non-destructive boarding
We’re not loss adjusters and can’t approve claims — but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. More details here: insurance claims support.
Shopfront boarding for different property types
Retail units and high-street premises
For street-facing retail, the priority is preventing repeat entry. We’ll usually recommend stronger sheet material, secure fixings, and robust edge coverage, especially for corner units and recessed doorways.
Offices and commercial blocks
Office glazing can include side panels and internal atriums. If access is controlled and the break is in a less public area, we’ll still secure it properly but may adjust the method to suit building management requirements.
For commercial premises generally, see commercial boarding up.
Vacant shops and void units
If the unit will be empty for weeks or months, we’ll talk you through longer-term options beyond standard boarding — including screens and temporary steel doors — to reduce repeated call-outs.
FAQs about shopfront boarding in Maidstone
How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window?
We prioritise urgent situations, especially where the premises is open to the street or there’s a risk of repeat entry. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, active incidents, and access constraints vary — but if it’s urgent, tell us and we’ll triage accordingly. For out-of-hours help, use 24-hour emergency boarding up.
Can you board up without damaging my shopfront frame?
Often, yes — we use methods designed to secure boards without unnecessary damage. That said, if frames are already bent, cracked, or too weak to take fixings safely, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
What thickness board do you use for shopfronts?
Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger, street-facing openings. 12mm OSB may be suitable for smaller panels or lower-risk areas. We choose based on opening size, risk, and how long it needs to stay secure.
Is shopfront boarding covered by insurance?
It’s frequently covered as an emergency mitigation measure, but policies vary. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. We can provide documentation to support your insurance claim.
Can you secure the door as well as the shop window?
Yes. If the entrance is compromised, we can provide door boarding or discuss a temporary steel door where a lockable, more durable option is needed.
Next steps: secure your shopfront now
If your premises is exposed, the priority is to stop re-entry and further damage. Speak to us and we’ll advise the quickest, safest way to secure it.
Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or, if it’s not urgent: email us.
