Accident Damage Boarding Up in Maidstone (ME1–ME20)

Accident damage is one of those problems that happens in seconds and leaves you dealing with the fallout for days. A vehicle clips a wall, a delivery van reverses into a shopfront, a scaffold pole goes through a pane, or a fallen tree branch takes out a window in high winds. Either way, you’re suddenly left with an exposed property, a security risk, and a lot of practical questions.

If you need accident damage boarding up in Maidstone and the ME postcode area, we secure broken windows, damaged doors, and compromised shopfronts so the building is safe, weather-resistant, and harder to access. Where needed, we can also install temporary steel doors or steel security screens for medium-term protection.

For urgent help, use our emergency boarding up service or call now: Call 01622 580 086.

What “accident damage” looks like (and why boarding up matters)

Accident damage is usually sudden and obvious—but the risks aren’t always.

Common scenarios we attend around Maidstone and across ME1–ME20 include:

Vehicle impact into a wall, garage door, or shopfront (even a low-speed bump can shatter glazing or twist frames)
Cracked or blown-in windows after something hits the glass (tools, debris, a stone from a mower)
Door damage after a forced entry attempt that wasn’t a burglary (e.g., someone tried to “help” and made it worse)
Roof/rooflight damage from falling branches or dislodged tiles leaving an opening
Internal accidents such as a broken glass panel in a communal entrance or a smashed fire door vision panel

Even if you’ve already cleaned up broken glass, leaving an opening unsecured can lead to:

Opportunistic access and theft
Further damage from wind and rain (especially overnight)
Complaints or hazards for passers-by if glass is near a public footpath
Issues with insurers if “reasonable steps” weren’t taken to prevent further loss

Boarding up isn’t the final repair—it’s the immediate stabilising and securing step that protects the property until glazing, joinery, or building works can be arranged.

First steps after accident damage (before we arrive)

If you’re dealing with an accident right now, these are practical steps that help:

Make the area safe
- Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames.
- If it’s a shopfront or public-facing opening, consider cordoning off the area.
Contact the right party
- If a vehicle is involved, exchange details and request an incident number where applicable.
- If there’s structural damage (bowed frames, cracked masonry), avoid leaning or forcing anything.
Take photos if it’s safe
- Wide shots (context) and close-ups (damage detail) help insurers and managing agents.
Call us to secure the opening
- Call 01622 580 086 and tell us what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof) and whether the property is occupied.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically need—clear descriptions, itemised invoices, and on-request time-stamped photos.

How we secure properties after accident damage

We tailor the approach to the opening, the condition of the frame, and how long you need the property secured for. Our priority is always: safe, secure, and weather-resistant, without causing unnecessary additional damage.

1) On arrival: assessment and making safe

We start by checking:

The size and type of opening (standard window, bay, patio door, shopfront glazing, rooflight)
Whether the frame is intact enough for non-destructive fixing methods
Public access risks (especially on busy roads or commercial frontages)
Any sharp edges, remaining glass, or loose materials that could fall

If the frame is too damaged to fix boards safely using normal methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) Boarding up windows and glazed panels

For most residential windows and many commercial panes, we use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and better resistance to weather
12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate

Fixings are chosen based on the substrate and risk. Where the property may be unattended, we use anti-tamper fixings where suitable—because the whole point is to prevent removal from outside.

If you specifically need window work, see: window boarding in Maidstone.

3) Securing damaged doors (including forced or misaligned frames)

Accident damage to doors can be deceptive—what looks like “just the lock” can actually be a split jamb or twisted frame that won’t hold a replacement cylinder.

Depending on the situation, we can:

Board up a damaged doorway to prevent access
Reinforce an opening temporarily where safe to do so
Fit a temporary steel door when the property needs a secure, usable entry point (common for vacant properties or when the main door can’t be repaired immediately)

For door-specific details, visit: door boarding in Maidstone.

4) Shopfronts and street-facing commercial units

Shopfront accidents are often urgent because:

The opening is large
It’s visible from the street
The business may need to close until it’s secure

We board and brace larger areas and plan fixings to resist leverage from the outside. If you manage a retail unit, café, or office front in Maidstone, this is where strong materials and correct fixing matter most.

5) Rooflights, skylights, and high-level openings

If accident damage involves overhead glazing or roof openings (falling debris, impact damage), the aim is to prevent:

Water ingress
Wind-driven rain
Further structural deterioration

Roof access and safe working are key considerations—some properties need additional precautions before work can proceed.

See: roof boarding in Maidstone.

What you get from our accident damage boarding service

When we board up after an accident, we keep it practical and well-documented. You can expect:

A clear explanation of the proposed method before we start
Appropriate boarding material (plywood/OSB) sized to the opening
Fixings chosen for security and the condition of the frame
On request, time-stamped photos showing before/after
An itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurance/admin purposes

If you’re coordinating multiple trades (glaziers, builders, insurers), this paperwork usually makes the next steps smoother.

For more on costs and what affects them, see boarding up pricing in Maidstone. (We avoid fixed prices because every opening, access level, and fixing method is different.)

Common Maidstone/ME accident situations we see

Accident damage isn’t limited to one type of property in the ME area:

Town-centre and busy-road incidents: a shopfront or frontage damaged near main routes, leaving an exposed opening that needs immediate securing.
Residential knocks and mishaps: a side window, patio door, or porch panel broken on a driveway or close.
Rural and village properties: branches and debris causing impact damage during storms across the wider ME postcodes.

If the property is a rental, you may also want guidance on who arranges what. Our residential boarding up and commercial boarding up pages explain the typical differences. For empty buildings, see vacant property boarding.

Accident damage and insurance: what to keep handy

If you’re making a claim, try to keep:

Photos of the damage (before boarding if safe)
Any incident reference numbers (police/road incident)
Third-party details if relevant (vehicle registration, insurer)
Notes on what was damaged (frame, glazing, locks)

We’re not here to tell you what your policy covers, but we can provide documentation insurers commonly request. For more guidance, read insurance claims support.

FAQs about accident damage boarding up in Maidstone

How quickly should I board up after an accident?

As soon as it’s safe to do so. If the opening is accessible from the street, at ground level, or the property will be unattended overnight, boarding up reduces the risk of opportunistic access and weather damage. If it’s urgent, use emergency boarding up.

Can you board up a property if the frame is badly damaged?

Often, yes—but the method may change. If the frame won’t safely take fixings, we’ll talk you through alternatives before proceeding. The priority is making the opening secure without creating additional hazards.

Do you board up shopfronts after vehicle impacts?

Yes. Large openings often need stronger boards and careful fixing/bracing. See shopfront boarding in Maidstone for what’s involved.

Can you fit a temporary steel door after accident damage?

If the doorway needs medium-term security or the building still needs a working entrance, a temporary steel door can be the right option. We’ll advise after seeing the damage and access requirements. Start with door boarding in Maidstone.

I’m a landlord or managing agent—can you invoice the company?

We can provide clear, itemised invoices and work statements that suit landlord/agent processes. If you’re managing a void between tenancies, see vacant property boarding.

Next steps: get the property secured

If your home, flat, shop, or site has been damaged in an accident, the most important thing is to secure the opening and prevent further loss.

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

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