Property Types We Board Up in Ilford (Residential, Commercial & Vacant)

If you need boarding up in Ilford, the first question is often: “Do you handle my kind of building?” Yes—our team secures residential, commercial, and vacant/void properties across Ilford and the wider IG postcode area (IG1–IG11). Whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door after a break-in, or a shopfront that needs to be made safe out of hours, we’ll talk you through the safest and most sensible way to secure the opening.

For urgent help, use our emergency service: emergency boarding up is available for immediate make-safe work across the IG area.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk

Which property types do we cover?

We’re set up to deal with the realities of Ilford’s mix of housing, high-street premises, and managed buildings. That includes everything from flats above shops to family homes, offices, and empty properties between tenants.

We commonly attend call-outs for:

Residential properties: houses, flats, maisonettes, HMOs
Commercial properties: shops, offices, restaurants, light industrial units
Vacant/void properties: empty homes, probate properties, buildings awaiting refurbishment, closed retail units

If you’re unsure what you need, start with: what is boarding up? — it explains the basics and when it’s the right option.

How we choose the right method (not one-size-fits-all)

Boarding up isn’t just “put a sheet over it”. The right approach depends on the risk, the opening, and how long you need it secure for.

We’ll consider:

The opening type: window, door, shopfront glazing, rooflight/skylight
Condition of the frame: sound enough for secure fixings, or too damaged for non-destructive methods
Risk level: occupied vs unoccupied, visible frontage, repeat targeting concerns
Duration: overnight make-safe vs medium-term securing while repairs are arranged
Access: upper floors, rear access, shared entrances, delivery bays, shuttered shopfronts

Materials and fixings will vary. For example, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is common for robust make-safe work, while 12mm OSB may be appropriate for smaller or lower-risk openings. We’ll explain what we’re using and why—especially if the property will be unattended and needs anti-tamper considerations.

To explore specific solutions, see our service pages such as window boarding in Ilford and door boarding.

Residential boarding up in Ilford

When something goes wrong at home—burglary damage, an accident, or storm breakage—it’s stressful and often time-sensitive. Our priority is to secure the property and reduce the chance of further damage (weather ingress, repeat entry, or harm to occupants).

Common residential call-outs

Board up broken window after impact damage or a break-in
Ground-floor smashed window panels that leave the home exposed
Damaged external doors that won’t lock (temporary securing until replacement)
Vulnerable side/rear access points in gardens and alleyways
Upper-floor windows where safe access and correct fixings matter

What you can expect

Practical advice on the phone so you can stay safe until we arrive
A make-safe approach that balances security with minimising further damage
Documentation you can use if you’re claiming via insurance (details below)

If the incident was criminal damage, you may also find these situation pages helpful:

For a deeper breakdown tailored to homes, visit: residential boarding up.

Commercial boarding up (shops, offices & managed sites)

Commercial jobs often come with added pressures: public-facing frontage, safety obligations, and the need to protect stock or sensitive areas. If a shopfront is damaged, you may need the area made safe quickly to prevent injury and reduce disruption.

Typical commercial scenarios

Shopfront boarded up after broken glazing or attempted entry
Out-of-hours damage requiring immediate temporary security
Boarding to secure a unit while glaziers or shopfitters schedule repairs
Shared access and landlord/tenant coordination in mixed-use buildings
Site rules, permits, or method statements for managed properties (where required)

Options for stronger medium-term security

If the property will be empty overnight or longer, you may want more than basic timber boarding. We can discuss more robust options depending on the opening and risk level (for example, secure door solutions or screened systems for voids).

Learn more here:

If you’re a facilities manager or landlord, we can provide clear paperwork and practical site communication—without overpromising fixed arrival times. When you call, we’ll give a realistic ETA based on workload and access.

Vacant / void property boarding up (empty buildings & between tenancies)

Empty properties can become targets quickly—especially if the damage is visible from the street. If the building is between tenants, under refurbishment, or awaiting sale/probate, the goal is usually secure, tamper-resistant protection that lasts.

Common reasons void properties need securing

Forced entry attempts through rear doors or ground-floor windows
Repeated vandalism, opportunistic entry, or fly-tipping access
Openings left after strip-outs or planned works
Weather exposure when glazing/frames are removed during renovations

A more considered approach

For vacant buildings, we’ll often recommend solutions designed to resist removal from outside, and we’ll talk through how long you need the building secured for. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

For more on this, see: vacant property boarding up.

Situations we handle across all property types

No matter the property, the trigger is usually the same: an opening that creates risk—security, safety, or weather.

We’re often called after:

storm damage (wind, debris impact, loosened panels)
fire damage (we secure the property; smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope)
flood damage (swollen frames, compromised doors/windows—balancing security with drying/ventilation)
accident damage (impact to doors, windows, shopfronts)

If you’re dealing with an urgent incident, go straight to: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Ilford.

What happens when you call us (simple, clear, practical)

Whether it’s a home, shop, or empty property, the process is straightforward:

Call and explain what’s happened
If it’s safe, tell us what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof opening), whether the property is occupied, and any access issues.
We give a realistic ETA and talk through immediate safety steps
We don’t quote fixed arrival times—traffic, access, and job priority affect timing—but we’ll be honest about what’s achievable.
Make-safe and secure the opening
We install the most suitable boarding method and provide the documentation you need for your records or insurer.

If you already know what you need, you can go straight to our services hub: boarding up services.

Make-safe documentation for landlords, tenants & insurers

After we secure the property, we can provide the kind of paperwork insurers typically request. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t advise on policy outcomes, but we help you document what was done and why.

You can request:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
Itemised invoice showing materials and labour
Work statement describing the make-safe measures taken

For practical guidance on next steps, see: insurance claims support.

Coverage: Ilford and the IG postcode area

We cover Ilford and surrounding districts across IG1–IG11. If you’re just outside Ilford, it’s still worth calling—many jobs are close to the borders between areas.

Nearby local pages include:

You can also browse: areas we cover.

FAQs (Property Types & Boarding Up)

Do you board up flats and maisonettes in Ilford?

Yes. We regularly secure flats and maisonettes across Ilford and the IG area, including ground-floor and upper-floor windows where safe access and the right fixing method are important.

Can you board up a shopfront out of hours?

Yes—commercial call-outs are common out of hours, especially where there’s a safety risk to the public. For details, see shopfront boarding or call us to discuss what’s happened.

What if the door frame is too damaged to secure properly?

We’ll assess it on arrival. If the frame is too compromised for a secure fix, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. In some cases, a stronger temporary solution may be more appropriate than standard boarding.

Do you secure vacant properties between tenants?

Yes. Void properties often need more tamper-resistant security, especially if they’ll be unattended. Start here: vacant property boarding up.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, but it depends on your policy and the circumstances. Keep any crime reference number (if relevant), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. We can provide documentation—see insurance claims support.

How quickly can you attend in an emergency?

We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t promise fixed response times. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and location.

Do you work on both homes and business premises?

Yes. We handle residential and commercial properties across IG1–IG11. For more detail, visit residential boarding up and commercial property boarding up.

Can you help after a burglary or vandalism?

Yes—our role is to make safe and secure the damaged openings, then provide documentation for your records/insurer. See burglary repairs and vandalism repair.

Next steps: tell us what property you need secured

If you’re dealing with a broken window, damaged door, or exposed shopfront, we’ll help you secure it and reduce the risk of further loss.