Door Boarding in Ilford (Emergency Door Boarding & Temporary Security)
A damaged or forced door is more than an inconvenience — it’s an immediate security risk. If you need door boarding in Ilford after a break-in, vandalism, an accident or storm damage, we can help you make safe quickly and professionally across the IG postcode area.
For urgent situations, call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps and give a realistic ETA based on where you are and current workload.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Prefer not to call? Email info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk (we’ll reply as soon as we can).
Internal link: If this is an urgent, out-of-hours call-out, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.
When do you need door boarding?
Door boarding is usually needed when the door or frame can’t be secured normally (or shouldn’t be relied on overnight). Common call-outs we get across Ilford and IG include:
- Forced entry / burglary where the lock is ripped out or the door has been kicked in
- Board up door after attempted break-in (damage but property still occupied)
- Fire service or police entry where the door has been compromised
- Vandalism to communal entrances, side doors, rear access doors and service doors
- Accident/impact damage (for example, a vehicle strike to an entrance area)
- Storm damage causing doors to warp, swell, or come off alignment
If your door is letting in wind and rain, won’t latch, or the frame is split, it’s usually safer to secure it with temporary boarding or install a temporary steel door, especially if the property will be unattended.
Related guidance:
- After a break-in: burglary repairs and boarding
- After vandalism: vandalism repair and boarding
- After storm damage: storm damage make-safe
Emergency door boarding in Ilford: what we actually do (make-safe first)
When you call for emergency door boarding Ilford, our priority is simple: secure property access points so the building is safe to leave (or safe to remain in), while minimising further damage.
Depending on what’s happened, we’ll:
- Assess the door leaf, hinges, lock area, and frame to confirm what will hold securely
- Choose a method that suits the risk (occupied vs vacant, street-facing vs rear access)
- Install boarding with anti-tamper fixings where appropriate
- Keep access in mind (we’ll explain options if you need controlled entry)
We don’t give “guaranteed” arrival times — conditions vary — but if you call, we’ll tell you what’s realistic and prioritise urgent situations.
Out of hours and need a door made safe tonight? Call 020 4634 8292.
Methods & materials: how door boarding works (and why)
Not every damaged door needs the same solution. We match the approach to the opening, the condition of the frame, and whether the property will be used.
Plywood boarding (typical for damaged doors and frames)
For many domestic and light commercial situations, we use exterior-grade plywood, commonly 18mm for door openings where strength matters.
Why plywood:
- Strong and impact resistant
- Takes fixings well (important for solid anchoring)
- Performs better than thinner sheet materials for doorways
Where it works best:
- Split timber doors
- Lock/handle area ripped out
- Door leaf missing panels or badly cracked
- Temporary securing while you arrange door replacement
OSB boarding (sometimes suitable for smaller/low-risk areas)
In some cases we may use OSB, often 12mm for smaller openings or lower-risk areas. For main access doors, plywood is usually the better option.
We’ll explain what we recommend and why — especially if the property is vacant or street-facing.
Anti-tamper fixings & secure installation
A door is a high-risk entry point, so the fixings matter as much as the board.
Where needed, we use:
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of external removal
- Fixing methods that prioritise strength and resistance (not just “covering the hole”)
If the surrounding frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll tell you upfront and talk through the next best option.
Temporary steel doors (medium-term security)
If you’re dealing with repeated risk (vacant property, ongoing repairs, insurance works), a temporary steel door can be a better solution than repeated boarding.
A temporary steel door can be appropriate when:
- The entrance needs to be secure for weeks (not just overnight)
- The building is empty/void between tenants
- You need controlled access for contractors or managing agents
Explore broader property security options here: vacant property boarding and security.
Door boarding vs replacing the door: what should you do?
Boarding is a make-safe step — not a cosmetic repair. You should usually consider replacement/repair when:
- The frame is split and won’t hold new locks properly
- The door leaf is structurally compromised
- There’s fire-door compliance to consider in communal areas
What we can do is secure the site, reduce the risk of further theft or damage, and leave the opening stable while you arrange the next trade.
If you’re also dealing with broken glass at the property, you may need window boarding in Ilford as well.
What to expect when you call (simple 3-step process)
-
Call and tell us what’s happened
Let us know the property type (house/flat/shop), whether it’s occupied, and what’s damaged (door leaf, lock, frame). If it’s safe, a photo helps. -
We confirm the best make-safe option and ETA
We’ll give a realistic attendance estimate and explain whether boarding or a temporary steel door is likely. -
We arrive, secure the door, and document the work
Once the site is secure, we provide the paperwork and images that insurers and landlords typically need.
Need urgent door boarding now? Call 020 4634 8292.
Make-safe documentation for landlords & insurance
After break-ins and damage, the admin matters almost as much as the boarding. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide documentation insurers commonly request.
You can ask us for:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing what was done and why
If you’re making a claim, keep your crime reference number (if police attended) and contact your insurer early.
More detail here: insurance claims support.
Residential, commercial & communal doors (Ilford and IG)
Door boarding needs differ depending on the building:
- Residential properties (houses/flats/maisonettes): prioritise secure, tidy boarding and advice on next steps. See residential boarding services.
- Commercial premises: risk is often higher for street-facing entrances and rear service doors; we focus on robust fixings and clear documentation. See commercial boarding up.
- Communal entrances: access and safety matter — we’ll discuss how residents will enter/exit while the door is secured.
If a shopfront entrance is affected (not just the door), you may need shopfront boarding instead of (or alongside) door boarding.
Coverage: Ilford and the IG postcodes
We provide door boarding IG coverage across Ilford and surrounding areas, including IG1–IG11, within the local authority area (Redbridge and nearby districts depending on location).
Nearby areas we commonly cover include:
- Ilford (IG1)
- Gants Hill (IG2)
- Newbury Park (IG2)
- Seven Kings (IG3)
- Redbridge (IG4)
- Clayhall (IG5)
- Barkingside / Hainault area (IG6)
- Chigwell (IG7)
- Woodford Bridge / Woodford Green (IG8)
- Buckhurst Hill (IG9)
- Loughton / High Beach area (IG10)
- Barking (IG11)
Looking for a local landing page? Start here: areas we cover.
Typical emergency scenarios (what we see most often)
Every job is different, but these are common reasons people call for emergency door boarding up around Ilford:
- A front or rear door has been forced and won’t lock
- A communal entrance has been damaged and residents are worried about security overnight
- A vacant property has been targeted and needs stronger temporary protection
- A ground-floor door has been damaged alongside a smashed window
- A shop has had an attempted break-in and needs to be made safe out of hours
If you’re unsure whether boarding is appropriate, call — we’ll talk it through and won’t push you into unnecessary work.
FAQs: Door boarding in Ilford
Can you board up a door tonight (out of hours)?
Yes — we handle out of hours call-outs. We can’t promise a fixed arrival time, but we’ll prioritise urgent jobs and give you a realistic ETA over the phone. For urgent help, use our 24/7 emergency boarding up page.
What if the door frame is too damaged to fix boards to?
If the frame is too compromised for a secure, non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain that before proceeding and discuss alternatives (which may include a different fixing approach or a temporary steel door depending on the situation).
Will boarding damage my door or brickwork?
Boarding sometimes requires fixings into a stable surrounding structure to be secure. We aim to minimise additional damage and will explain how we plan to fix before we start.
Can you secure both the door and a broken window at the same time?
Often yes. If there’s glazing damage too, we can combine door boarding with window boarding in Ilford so the whole property is secure.
Is door boarding covered by insurance?
It can be, depending on your policy and the circumstances (burglary, vandalism, storm damage, etc.). We provide photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement to support your claim. See insurance claims support.
How long does door boarding take?
It depends on access, the size of the opening, and how damaged the door/frame is. Once on site, we work efficiently to make safe first, then tidy up and document the work.
Do you board communal doors for flats and maisonettes?
Yes. Communal entrances need extra care around access and safety. Tell us how many households are affected and whether anyone has keys/fobs — we’ll advise the best way to secure the entrance temporarily.
I’m in Ilford — what information should I have ready when I call?
If it’s safe, have:
- What’s damaged (door, frame, lock area)
- Whether the property is occupied or empty
- Any police incident or crime reference number (if applicable)
- Photos (optional but helpful)
Can you help after a burglary if the police have just left?
Yes. We often attend after police entry or once the scene is released. If you’re dealing with a break-in, read what to do after a burglary and call when you’re ready.
Next steps: get your door secured
A compromised door is a “don’t leave it overnight” issue. If you need a board up service in Ilford for a damaged entrance, we’ll help you secure the property and provide the documentation you need afterwards.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Or email info@boarding-up-ilford.co.uk.
