Commercial Boarding Up in Ilford (IG1–IG11)

When a commercial property is damaged or left insecure, it doesn’t just risk stock and equipment — it risks staff safety, trading hours, and your insurance position. If you need commercial boarding up in Ilford, we help shop owners, landlords, managing agents and facilities teams make safe premises after break-ins, vandalism, impact damage or storms.

We cover Ilford and the wider IG postcode area (IG1–IG11) with an emergency-first approach, and we’re set up for planned security too (for refurbishments, void periods, or repeated incidents). We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

Need urgent help now? Call 020 4634 8292 or email us.

Who this page is for

This page is aimed at:

Retail and high-street units (including shops with flats above)
Offices and serviced office spaces
Restaurants, cafés and takeaways
Warehouses and light industrial units
Schools, community buildings and places of worship
Facilities managers and property management companies
Landlords and commercial letting agents dealing with void premises

If your situation is urgent, start here: emergency boarding up. If you want background first, see: what is boarding up?.

Typical commercial call-outs we handle in Ilford and the IG area

Commercial incidents are often time-sensitive. These are the most common reasons clients call us for emergency boarding up and temporary security:

Smashed shopfront glazing after an attempted break-in (or a successful one)
Board up broken window after vandalism, stone damage, or impact
Board up door after a forced entry or a failed lock
Shopfront boarded up overnight to secure stock and prevent repeat entry
Out of hours make-safe after a vehicle strike or accidental damage
Temporary boarding during refits, shutter repairs, or glazing lead times
Rooflight or skylight damage allowing water ingress and unauthorised access

If the incident was caused by a specific event, you may also find these helpful:

What makes commercial boarding up different?

Commercial sites have extra pressures compared to domestic work:

Higher footfall and visibility (your frontage is on display)
Larger openings (shopfront panes, double doors, loading access)
Stricter security expectations (especially for vacant retail and offices)
Operational constraints (trade hours, staff access, alarm systems)
Site rules (handover, key holding, permit-to-work, contractor sign-in)

Our job is to secure the property quickly and sensibly, with minimal disruption — and to leave you with documentation that’s useful for building management and insurance.

How we secure commercial properties (methods and materials)

The right method depends on the type of opening, the risk level, and how long you need the premises secured. We’ll talk you through options on the phone and confirm on site once we can see the damage.

Boarding up commercial windows and glazing

For many commercial windows (including side/rear windows and internal glazed areas), plywood or OSB boarding is the fastest way to secure the opening.

18mm exterior-grade plywood is typically used for larger or higher-risk openings where strength matters.
12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller, lower-risk openings or internal areas, depending on the frame and fixing points.

We use anti-tamper fixings where appropriate — particularly if the premises will be unattended. The goal is simple: prevent removal from outside and restore a secure envelope while you arrange glazing or repairs.

Related service: window boarding in Ilford

Door and entrance security (including forced entry)

If a door has been attacked, it’s rarely just “a broken lock”. Frames can be split, hinges pulled, and the surrounding masonry damaged.

Depending on the situation, we may:

Board the opening to prevent access until the door is repaired/replaced
Fit a temporary steel door for more robust medium-term security (especially for vacant or repeatedly targeted properties)
Use fixings designed to resist external removal

Related service: door boarding in Ilford

Shopfront boarding for retail units

Shopfronts are a common problem area because damage is visible and tempting for opportunists. We can provide shopfront boarding to secure glazing quickly and reduce risk of further loss, especially overnight or when the shop is closed.

We’ll consider:

The width/height of the opening (often requires multiple boards and careful jointing)
Fixing points that avoid making the surrounding frame worse
Maintaining safe access routes if you need to collect stock or isolate utilities

Related service: shopfront boarding in Ilford

Rooflights, skylights and overhead openings

If a skylight is smashed, it’s both a security risk and a weather risk. Roof access also adds complexity (safe access, ladder positioning, and weather conditions).

We can provide temporary boarding for:

Rooflights
Skylights
Overhead openings caused by storm damage or vandalism

Related service: roof boarding in Ilford

Longer-term protection for vacant commercial premises

If a unit is empty between tenants or awaiting refurbishment, basic timber boarding may not be the best long-term solution. In those cases, we can discuss more robust options such as security screens (where suitable) and other measures designed for extended periods.

If you’re managing a void: vacant property boarding up

Our commercial make-safe process (what to expect)

When you’re stressed and trying to protect a business, clarity helps. Here’s how it typically works:

Call us and describe what’s happened
Tell us what’s damaged (front window, rear door, shutter, rooflight), whether anyone is on site, and whether police/insurer are involved. If it’s safe, a quick photo can help us plan materials.
We attend and assess the opening
We look at frame condition, access, and whether we can use non-destructive fixing methods. If the frame is too damaged for the usual approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
We secure the property and provide documentation
We board up and make safe the area, aiming to leave it tidy and secure. You’ll receive:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured opening(s)
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing what we did and why

For urgent attendance, use: 24/7 emergency boarding up in Ilford

Insurance, compliance and documentation (commercial realities)

Many commercial clients call us because they need the site secured and properly documented.

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording — but we can provide the practical proof insurers and property managers typically ask for:

A description of the damage and the make-safe actions taken
Photos before/after (where safe and available)
Itemised costs and materials
Notes on access constraints (e.g., out-of-hours attendance, rear access only)

If you’re planning to claim, keep any police reference number and notify your insurer early.

More guidance: insurance claims support and pricing information

Access and operational considerations we plan for

Commercial sites across Ilford and the IG districts often involve practical constraints. When you call, it helps to mention:

Whether the unit is on a busy frontage and if loading/parking is restricted
If there are flats above and shared access points
Whether there are roller shutters (working or jammed)
If the opening is at height or involves roof access
If a keyholder needs to attend, or if security/police are holding the site

We don’t promise fixed arrival times — conditions and workload vary — but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA over the phone.

Commercial properties we work on (examples)

We regularly secure:

Retail units (including corner units and parades)
Offices (ground-floor and upper-floor, communal entrances)
Food premises (where there may be additional urgency to secure doors and windows)
Storage and industrial units (larger doorways and vulnerable side windows)
Community buildings (often needing careful access coordination)

If you’re unsure whether your premises counts as “commercial” for the job, call us — it’s more about the type of opening and the security requirement than the label.

Areas we cover for commercial boarding up (Ilford + IG postcodes)

We’re based for call-outs across Ilford and the IG postcode area, including Redbridge and surrounding districts. For local landing pages, see:

You can also browse the full list here: areas we cover.

Typical scenario (commercial)

If a shopfront is smashed in the evening, the priority is usually to secure property fast so stock and equipment aren’t exposed overnight. If the glazing contractor can’t attend until the next day, temporary boarding is often the most practical step. Where the door or frame has taken a heavy impact and standard boarding won’t be secure enough, we’ll discuss stronger options (including a temporary steel door) and explain the trade-offs before we start.

FAQs — Commercial Boarding Up in Ilford

Do you do out-of-hours commercial boarding up?

Yes. Commercial damage often happens out of hours, and we prioritise urgent make-safe work. For the fastest response, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

Can you board up a smashed window the same day?

Often, yes — especially for urgent “smashed window” situations. Attendance depends on workload and time of day. Call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

What’s the difference between shopfront boarding and window boarding?

Shopfront boarding usually involves larger panes and public-facing frontages, often requiring wider coverage and stronger fixing considerations. Window boarding is commonly for smaller commercial windows or side/rear elevations. See: shopfront boarding and window boarding.

Will boarding damage the frames or facade?

We aim to use the least invasive secure method that works for the situation. If frames are already compromised, some fixing methods may be unavoidable to achieve safety. If we think an approach may worsen damage, we’ll explain your options before we proceed.

Do you provide paperwork suitable for insurance claims?

We provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement describing what was done. We can’t advise on policy coverage, but our documentation is designed to help. See: insurance claims.

Can you secure a commercial property that’s vacant between tenants?

Yes. Vacant units can attract repeated attempts, so it’s important to choose the right security level. In some cases, longer-term options are better than basic boarding. See: vacant property boarding.

Can you board up a door after a break-in?

Yes — if you need to board up door access after forced entry, we can secure it, and we can also advise if a temporary steel door is more suitable for medium-term protection. Start here: door boarding or burglary repairs.

Do you handle rooflights and skylights on commercial buildings?

Yes, where safe access is available and conditions allow. Roof openings can be both a security and weather risk. See: roof boarding.

I’m in the IG area but not in Ilford itself — can you still attend?

Yes. We cover the IG postcode districts (IG1–IG11). Choose your nearest page from areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm coverage.

Helpful links

Get commercial boarding up help in Ilford

If your premises has been damaged, you don’t have to decide everything at once. We’ll ask a few practical questions, recommend the safest way to make safe, and secure the opening so you can plan the next steps.

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

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