Residential Boarding Up in Ilford (IG) – Houses, Flats & Maisonettes

When something goes wrong at home—a smashed window, a door that won’t lock after a break-in, or storm damage that’s left an opening—you need the property made safe quickly and properly. We provide residential boarding up in Ilford and across the IG postcodes (IG1–IG11), helping homeowners, tenants, landlords and managing agents to secure property and reduce further risk.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need urgent help (including out of hours), start here:

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.

Who this page is for

Residential call-outs are different from commercial ones. The priorities are usually personal safety, preventing further damage, and keeping the home liveable where possible. We regularly help:

Homeowners after a smashed window or forced entry
Tenants who need a board up broken window to keep the property secure overnight
Landlords securing a property between tenancies
Managing agents dealing with communal doors/windows or flats above shops
Families needing immediate temporary boarding while repairs are arranged

If your situation is urgent, our emergency boarding up page explains what to do next and what to expect.

Typical residential situations we’re called out to in Ilford & IG

Every job is different, but these are the most common scenarios where residential customers need emergency boarding up.

Break-ins and attempted break-ins

A forced door or damaged frame can leave you unable to lock up properly—even if the intruder didn’t get in. We can board up door openings or install a more secure temporary option depending on what’s damaged. If you’re dealing with this right now, see boarding up after a burglary.

Practical tip: keep your police reference number and take photos of the damage if it’s safe to do so before anything is moved.

Vandalism and stone damage to windows

From a single cracked pane to a fully smashed window, glass damage can happen suddenly and often at the worst time (evening, weekends, or when you’re away). We attend to make safe the opening and help you prevent a repeat incident. Related guidance is on vandalism repair and boarding.

Storm damage and wind-blown debris

Strong wind can loosen panes, damage frames, or bring down branches onto glazing and conservatory sections. Boarding up is often a fast way to stabilise the situation and protect against rain while longer-term repairs are arranged. Read more on storm damage boarding.

Accidental impacts (DIY, kids, furniture, vehicles)

Accidental breakages happen—especially in ground-floor bays, patio doors, and side windows near driveways. When the glass is compromised, the priority is safety and security until a glazier can replace it. See accident damage boarding.

Fire or flood aftermath (securing, not remediation)

After a fire or flood, insurers and emergency services may require the building to be secured. We can board vulnerable openings and reduce the risk of trespass. Note: smoke/odour remediation and drying is outside our scope—our role is to secure the property. See fire damage boarding and flood damage boarding.

How residential boarding up works (what we do on site)

When someone calls us for boarding up services in Ilford, they usually want to know two things: “Will this stop anyone getting in?” and “Will it cause more damage?” Our approach is to make the property secure using the right fixing method for the surface and condition of the frame.

1) Quick assessment and safe working

We’ll look at:

The size and type of opening (window, door, fanlight, patio, skylight)
Frame condition (sound, cracked, swollen from water, or loose)
Access (floor level, rear access, shared entryways, tight parking)
Immediate risks (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable boards, weather)

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) Materials we typically use (and why)

We choose materials based on the opening size, exposure, and how long it needs to stay in place:

18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, reliable security on larger openings
12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller windows or short-term needs where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings help prevent removal from outside—especially important if the property will be unattended
Where a door opening needs a more usable, medium-term solution, a temporary steel door can be a safer alternative than repeated boarding

If you want a deeper explanation of methods and when boarding is appropriate, see what boarding up is and when it’s used.

3) Fixing methods (keeping security high and damage low)

Residential properties vary a lot—Victorian terraces, semis, purpose-built flats and newer developments—so the fixing approach matters.

Common methods include:

Reveals and internal fixing where possible (reduces external tampering risk)
Through-bolting with spreader plates or timber bracing for larger openings (strong and stable)
Face-fixing where the frame condition or structure requires it (we’ll discuss this first)

Our goal is always to leave the property secure and stable, while avoiding unnecessary damage.

Windows, doors and other vulnerable points in residential properties

Boarding up broken or smashed windows

A broken window isn’t just a security issue—it’s also a safety and weather problem. We can board up broken window openings on ground floors, upper floors (where access is safe), bays, and side windows.

For more detail, visit window boarding in Ilford.

Boarding up damaged doors (front, back, communal)

If the lock side is split, hinges are pulled, or the frame is compromised, you may need more than a quick lock change. We can board up door openings and advise on whether a temporary steel door is a better option if the building will be vacant.

See door boarding in Ilford.

Rooflights and skylights

Roof openings are high risk for water ingress and harder to secure safely without the right access and fixings. If you have a damaged skylight or rooflight, we can provide temporary security and weather protection as part of a make-safe.

See roof boarding in Ilford.

What you receive (useful for landlords and insurance)

If you’re making a claim, documentation matters. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide paperwork insurers typically ask for, including:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
An itemised invoice
A work statement describing what was done and what materials/fixings were used

If you’re unsure what your insurer will want, our insurance claims guidance page explains the usual next steps.

Residential access considerations in Ilford & IG (what can affect the job)

Residential jobs are often straightforward—but a few common issues can affect how we work or what we recommend:

Flats and maisonettes: shared entrances, restricted access, and internal corridors can limit board size and handling
Rear access: some gardens/side passages are tight, affecting how large panels can be moved into position
Upper floors: safe access is essential; if external access isn’t safe, we’ll discuss alternatives
Bay windows and feature frames: irregular shapes may require careful boarding to maintain strength and fit
Keeping the home liveable: where possible, we’ll discuss ventilation and practical access (especially for longer-term temporary security)

If you’re a tenant, landlord, or managing agent

We regularly handle residential calls where responsibility is split (tenant/landlord/freeholder/managing agent). We can work with whoever needs to authorise access and payment, and we can provide clear documentation for your records.

For vacant or void homes between tenancies, you may want a more robust medium-term option. The vacant property boarding up page explains how security screens and temporary doors can reduce repeat incidents.

Areas we cover for residential boarding up (IG1–IG11)

We cover Ilford and surrounding IG areas. If you’re searching for boarding up near me within the IG postcodes, these local pages may help:

You can also browse all locations on our areas we cover page.

What happens when you call (especially for emergency boarding up)

If you need 24/7 boarding up support, we keep the process simple:

Call and explain what’s happened (window/door/roof, size if known, and whether the property is occupied)
We give a realistic ETA based on workload and time of day (we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times)
We attend, make safe, and secure the opening, then provide photos and documentation for your records

For urgent situations tonight, use the dedicated 24 hour emergency boarding up in Ilford page.

FAQs – Residential boarding up in Ilford

How quickly can you board up a broken window?

Attendance varies by time of day and current jobs. We prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you call. If it’s unsafe to stay in the property, tell us so we can advise on immediate next steps.

Can you board up a smashed window out of hours?

Yes—out of hours call-outs are common for residential incidents. If you need emergency boarding up, call and we’ll advise the best approach for your opening.

Do I need to remove broken glass before you arrive?

Only if it’s safe. Avoid handling large shards or unstable panes. If glass is hanging or the frame is damaged, keep people away from the area and wait for assistance.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We use fixing methods suited to the surface and condition. Where non-destructive options are possible, we’ll use them. If the frame is already compromised and stronger fixing is required, we’ll explain why before proceeding.

Is boarding up covered by home insurance?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, impact or storm damage—but policies vary. We can provide the itemised invoice, time-stamped photos, and a work statement insurers typically request. More guidance is on our insurance claims page.

Can you secure a door that’s been kicked in?

Yes. Depending on the damage, we may recommend door boarding or a temporary steel door if you need a safer, more usable medium-term solution. See door boarding in Ilford.

Can you board up windows in flats and maisonettes?

Yes, provided we can get safe access. In some cases, building access rules or the location of the opening can affect the method used. If you’re in a managed building, it helps to have any access instructions ready.

How long can temporary boarding stay in place?

It depends on exposure, fixing method and the condition of the surrounding frame. Boarding is usually a short-to-medium-term measure while repairs are arranged. If the property will be vacant for longer, consider vacant property security options.

Next steps

If you need residential boarding up in Ilford or anywhere across IG1–IG11, we’ll help you make safe and secure your property with a clear, practical approach.

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

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