Situations We Help With in Ilford (IG) — Emergency Boarding Up & Make-Safe

When something goes wrong at a property, it rarely happens at a convenient time. If you need boarding up in Ilford after a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, our role is simple: make the building safe, secure the opening, and help you move forward with clear documentation for your insurer or landlord.

We cover Ilford and the wider IG postcode area (IG1–IG11). If it’s urgent—smashed window, a door that won’t lock, or a shopfront boarded up requirement—use our emergency page for the fastest route to help: emergency boarding up.

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

What we mean by “make-safe” after an incident

After an incident, the priority is to secure property and reduce risk—weather ingress, unauthorised access, and further damage. “Make-safe” usually includes:

  • Boarding up broken glazing (often with 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings, or OSB for smaller/low-risk areas when appropriate)
  • Securing damaged doors with boarding, or fitting temporary steel doors where a door can’t be reliably repaired immediately
  • Extra protection for vulnerable sites (vacant properties, repeated targeting) using steel security screens where a longer-term solution is needed
  • Practical steps to keep the site safe for occupants, neighbours, and passers-by

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged to use non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. We’re here to secure—structural repairs and specialist remediation are handled by the relevant trades.

For a plain-English overview of what boarding up involves, see: what is boarding up?

The situations we’re called out for most in Ilford & across IG

These pages focus on the event—what to do next, what we can secure, and what paperwork helps. If you already know the method you need (window, door, shopfront, roof), you can jump to our boarding up services.

Burglary & break-ins (forced doors, smashed windows, insecure frames)

A break-in is stressful, even if the theft is minor. Typical problems we see include splintered door frames, punched-through panels, and board up broken window requests where glazing is shattered.

What we usually do:

  • Secure the access point (door or window) so it can’t be removed from outside
  • Use anti-tamper fixings where the property may be unattended
  • Advise on temporary options (e.g., a temporary steel door) if the doorway is too compromised

Read more: boarding up after burglary repairs
Related service: door boarding in Ilford

Vandalism (smashed panes, repeated targeting, shopfront damage)

Vandalism ranges from a single smashed window to repeated attacks on the same elevation. For retail and commercial sites, it can also mean urgent work to prevent further loss and keep the frontage safe.

What matters most:

  • Fast temporary boarding to deter repeat incidents
  • Stronger fixings and thicker boards for exposed shopfronts
  • Options for medium-term protection on void properties

Read more: vandalism repair and boarding up
Related service: shopfront boarding in Ilford

Storm damage (blown-in panels, broken glazing, dislodged roof sections)

High winds and flying debris can break windows, damage doors, and open up rooflines. Storm jobs are often about preventing weather from turning a small breach into a major internal loss.

Our approach:

  • Board and weatherproof openings where safe access allows
  • Prioritise vulnerable areas (ground-floor openings, exposed elevations)
  • Explain what we can secure immediately versus what needs roofers/builders

Read more: storm damage make-safe
Related service: roof boarding in Ilford

Fire damage (post-fire securing, unsafe openings, missing glazing/doors)

After a fire, the building can be left open to the street—doors removed, windows failed, frames distorted. Our focus is post-fire boarding to prevent entry and reduce further damage while the next steps are arranged.

Important note: we secure the property, but smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope. We can, however, provide the documentation insurers typically need for emergency works.

Read more: fire damage boarding and securing

Flood damage (swollen frames, doors not closing, ground-floor vulnerability)

Flooding can warp timber frames and stop doors from latching. Even once water recedes, you may be left with openings that won’t secure properly.

What we consider:

  • Whether doors/windows can be secured without causing extra damage
  • Ventilation needs (to avoid trapping moisture) while still keeping the site safe
  • Temporary solutions until drying and repairs are underway

Read more: flood damage make-safe

Accident/impact damage (vehicle strikes, accidental breakage, unsafe openings)

Accidental damage—impact to a shopfront, a cracked pane, a broken door—still needs urgent attention, especially where sharp glazing or exposed edges create a hazard.

We can help by:

  • Boarding and stabilising openings to remove immediate risk
  • Working around access issues (shared entrances, flats above shops, rear service yards)
  • Providing a clear work statement for facilities teams or insurers

Read more: accident damage boarding

Not sure what you need? Here’s how to choose the right solution

If you’re unsure whether it’s “window boarding” or “door boarding”, think in terms of what’s exposed:

If the property will be empty for a while, you may also want a more robust option—see: vacant property boarding and security

What to do immediately after an incident (practical checklist)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps help everything go smoother:

  1. Make sure everyone is safe and move away from broken glass or unstable areas.
  2. Call the police for suspected crime, and keep the reference number.
  3. Take a few photos of the damage before anything is moved (only if safe).
  4. Prevent access—keep people away from openings and broken glass.
  5. Call for emergency boarding up if the property can’t be secured.

For urgent attendance, go here: 24/7 boarding up in Ilford

Insurance & documentation (what we provide)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we can provide the paperwork that insurers and property managers typically ask for after emergency works.

You can usually expect:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
  • An itemised invoice (clear labour/material breakdown)
  • A brief work statement describing what was done and why
  • Notes where damage prevents a straightforward fix (e.g., frame too compromised)

More guidance: insurance claims for boarding up
Cost factors explained (no fixed prices): pricing

Who we help (and what’s different for each)

Different properties in Ilford and across the IG area come with different access and security considerations.

  • Residential homes and flats: occupant safety, quick make-safe, discreet work where possible — residential boarding up
  • Commercial sites: out-of-hours call-outs, shopfront risks, clear documentation for managers — commercial boarding up
  • Vacant/void properties: higher risk of repeat entry; consider screens/steel doors — vacant property security

Areas we cover (Ilford & IG postcodes)

We operate across Ilford and IG1–IG11, including nearby areas such as Barking, Seven Kings, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Clayhall, Chigwell, Loughton, Woodford and Buckhurst Hill.

Explore local pages here: areas we cover
Ilford page: boarding up Ilford IG1

FAQs about incident boarding up in Ilford

How quickly can you come out for emergency boarding up in Ilford?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, access, and ongoing emergencies vary—when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

For urgent help: emergency boarding up

Can you board up a smashed window tonight (out of hours)?

Yes—out of hours call-outs are available for emergency boarding up when a property can’t be secured. If it’s safe, take a couple of photos first and keep any police reference number handy.

Do you board up doors as well as windows?

Yes. We can board up a door after forced entry and, where appropriate, fit a temporary steel door for stronger medium-term security. See: door boarding in Ilford

Will boarding up stop further break-ins?

Boarding up is designed to deter access and remove easy entry points, especially when installed with anti-tamper fixings. No temporary measure can guarantee prevention, but proper boarding significantly reduces opportunity and buys time for permanent repairs.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it is, particularly as an emergency measure to prevent further loss, but it depends on your policy and excess. We can supply photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement to support your claim. More info: insurance claims

Can you secure a shopfront after vandalism or impact damage?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial openings with larger boards and suitable fixings, focusing on safety for the public and preventing further entry. See: shopfront boarding in Ilford

What if the frame is too damaged to board securely?

If the surrounding frame or structure won’t safely take fixings, we’ll talk you through options before proceeding. In some cases, a temporary steel door or alternative method is more appropriate than forcing a poor-quality board-up.

Do you provide receipts and documentation for landlords or facilities managers?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a concise work statement—useful for landlords, agents, and facilities teams managing multiple properties.

Can you help with roof openings after storm damage?

We can help with roof and skylight boarding where access is safe and appropriate, focusing on weatherproofing and preventing entry. See: roof boarding in Ilford

Next step

If your property has been damaged and you need to secure the building—whether it’s a broken window, a forced door, or a shopfront risk—contact us and we’ll talk you through the safest, most practical option.

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