Boarding Up Questions in Staines
These are the boarding up questions Staines householders, shop owners, landlords and agents ask us most often. They cover safety, materials, damaged doors and frames, quotes, insurer paperwork and what happens after the boards go up. If your question isn’t here, a person answers our phone 24 hours a day. Call 01784 774 186.
Before we arrive
What should I do first if a window or door is broken?
Keep everyone, including pets, away from broken glass and anything that looks unstable. Don’t try to pull loose glass out of a frame or climb up to reach a damaged upper window or roof. If it’s safe, take a few photographs from a distance. Then call us with your postcode and a description of the opening.
What information do you need on the call?
We need:
- your postcode and the type of property
- which openings are damaged (window, door, shopfront, skylight) and roughly how big they are
- which floor they’re on, and whether there’s easy access or a ladder will be needed
- whether a door or frame has been forced or split
- any glass or debris still in place
Safe photographs sent by email help us agree the scope and quote more accurately.
How soon can you get here?
We work out the arrival time on the call from your postcode, so you’ll get a realistic answer for your address rather than a general promise. We attend at any hour, including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Do you cover places outside Staines?
Yes. We cover Staines and the surrounding area, and you can see the full list on our areas we cover page. We also serve Laleham, Stanwell Moor and Wraysbury, subject to confirming on the call.
Boarding and repairs
Is boarding up a permanent repair?
No. Boarding up is a make-safe. It closes the opening, keeps the weather out and stops anyone getting in while you arrange permanent glazing or a new door. Most people use that time to deal with the insurer and book the permanent repair without rushing.
What materials do you use?
For most windows and doors we use exterior-grade plywood, typically 18mm. For smaller openings, OSB is often suitable. The van carries boarding stock and fixings, and we pick the material based on the size of the opening and what it needs to resist.
Will the fixings damage my window frame?
Where the frame allows, we use non-destructive fixing so the frame can be reused or repaired more easily. Some openings call for security or anti-tamper fixings, especially on ground-floor or rear openings and empty properties. Not every job needs them. We’ll explain the options on the call and on site.
If your property is older and has original timber windows, which is common in parts of Staines with 19th-century housing and older buildings near Church Street, tell us. We’ll talk through how to fix the boards with as little impact on the frame as possible.
Can a damaged door frame be secured?
Often, yes, but it depends on how badly the frame is damaged. After forced entry, a split frame or broken lock may need securing before a board will hold properly. If the frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before starting any work, so there are no surprises. Our door boarding and securing service covers this in more detail.
Can you board upper-floor windows, roofs and skylights?
Yes. Height and access affect how we approach the job, so tell us on the call if the opening is upstairs, on a roof or reached through a skylight. Please don’t go up to look yourself. Distance photographs from the ground are enough.
Do you board shopfronts and commercial premises?
Yes, including shops, offices, restaurants and warehouses. Large glazed panels need more material and planning, so the size of the shopfront and any access issues will be part of the quote conversation.
Can you secure an empty property?
Yes. We board the windows and doors of vacant and void properties for landlords, agents and owners. Let us know how many openings need covering and whether any have already been damaged.
Quotes and costs
How much does boarding up cost?
The quote is given on the call, free and clear, before any work starts. It depends on:
- the number and size of openings
- height and access, such as upper floors, roofs, skylights or ladder work
- the materials and board thickness
- the fixing method, including whether security or anti-tamper fixings are needed
- whether a damaged door or frame has to be secured first
- any glass or debris that needs making safe
Our pricing page explains each of these in more depth.
Do you work out of hours?
Yes. A person answers the phone 24 hours a day, and we attend at night, at weekends and on bank holidays.
Insurance, break-ins and fire
What paperwork do I get for my insurer?
You’ll receive an itemised invoice, time-stamped before and after photographs, and a written statement of the work done. Your insurer decides what’s covered. We aren’t loss adjusters or legal advisers, but our documents give the insurer a clear record. There’s more on our insurance claims guide.
What should I do after a break-in?
Report it to the police and keep the crime reference number. Contact your insurer, and photograph the damage if it’s safe to do so. Then call us to make the property secure.
Can you board up after a fire?
Yes, once the fire service has handed the site back. We secure the openings so the building is closed up. Smoke and odour remediation is outside what we do.
About us
Are you insured and checked?
Yes. We’re fully insured, and we can provide the certificate on request. We’re DBS-checked and have over 10 years’ experience boarding up homes and businesses.
Who will I be dealing with?
Boarding Up Staines is an independent local boarding-up service. The person on the phone will talk you through the job, agree the quote with you and confirm arrival for your postcode.
Still have a question?
Tell us your postcode, the type and size of the opening and how easy it is to reach. Send safe photographs if you can, and we’ll talk through access and give you a clear quote.