Situations We Help With in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

When something goes wrong at a property, the first few hours matter. A smashed window, forced door, or damaged roof opening can quickly lead to theft, weather damage, and stress for anyone responsible for the building.

Boarding Up St Albans provides practical, fully insured emergency boarding up in St Albans and across the AL postcodes. If you need to secure property after an incident, call and we’ll talk you through the safest next steps and give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-stalbans.co.uk

When should you call for boarding up?

You should consider temporary boarding (or a more robust temporary security option) when:

A window has been broken, cracked, or is missing entirely
A door has been forced, kicked in, or the lock/handle area is damaged
A shopfront has been attacked, leaving glazing unsafe or open
A rooflight/skylight has failed, or roofing has been damaged leaving an opening
The property is vacant and you need to reduce the risk of further intrusion
You’ve had police or fire service attendance and the building needs to be made safe

If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary, it’s still worth calling—often we can help you decide the safest option over the phone without overselling anything.

For urgent incidents, see our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

What we do (and what we don’t)

We specialise in making safe and securing damaged openings so the property can be left unattended with lower risk.

What we can help with

Boarding up broken windows and exposed glazing
Boarding up damaged doors and weak access points
Shopfront boarded up solutions for commercial units
Securing roof and skylight openings where safe access is possible
Medium-term options such as temporary steel doors and security screens (where appropriate)

You can learn more about the method itself here: what boarding up is and how it works.

What’s outside our scope

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request.
We don’t carry out full fire restoration (smoke/odour remediation and redecoration), but we can secure the building after a fire.
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions vary. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent risks.

Common situations we attend in St Albans and the AL area

Below are the main situations we cover. Each page explains what to do immediately, what to document for insurance, and which securing option tends to work best.

Burglary and break-ins

After a break-in, speed matters—but so does doing things safely. Doors can be weakened around the lock area, frames can be split, and windows may be left with sharp, unstable glass.

We can board up a door or board up broken window openings using suitable sheet materials and fixings, focusing on preventing easy removal from outside—especially important if the building will be unattended overnight.

Vandalism and smashed windows

Vandalism often means a smashed window at the worst possible time—out of hours, in bad weather, or when the property is empty. On commercial sites, vandalism can also involve repeated attempts, so the goal is to deter a return visit.

We’ll assess whether the opening needs a simple board, stronger anti-tamper fixings, or a more durable solution if you’re waiting for new glass.

Storm damage (wind, debris, roof openings)

High winds can lift roof coverings, dislodge panels, or break skylights. Even a small opening can quickly become a major internal issue if rain gets in, so the priority is usually to secure property and reduce water ingress until permanent repairs are arranged.

Depending on the location and access, we may board a rooflight or protect an opening using a temporary covering method. If it’s not safe to access (or the structure is too unstable), we’ll explain what we can and cannot do before proceeding.

Fire damage (post-fire security)

After a fire, windows and doors can be compromised by heat, impact, or fire service entry. Even if the fire is contained, a property may be left vulnerable—particularly once it’s quiet and unoccupied.

Our role is to make safe: secure openings, reduce unauthorised access, and help you stabilise the site while you work with insurers and restoration contractors.

Flood damage (swollen frames and insecure access)

Flooding can distort timber frames, weaken fixings, and affect how doors and windows close. Sometimes the opening isn’t visibly “broken” but can’t be secured reliably.

In flood-related call-outs, we focus on security and practicality—often you need a temporary solution while drying and repairs are arranged.

Accidents and impacts (vehicles, falls, accidental breakage)

Accidents can cause unpredictable damage: cracked panes, shattered shopfront glazing, or doors that no longer align with the frame. The main concern is safety (sharp edges, unstable glass) and preventing opportunistic entry.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options clearly before work starts.

What to expect when you call us

If you’re dealing with a break-in or damage right now, it helps to know what happens next.

Tell us what’s happened and what’s exposed
For example: “ground-floor front window smashed”, “rear door forced”, or “shopfront panel broken”.
We’ll ask a few practical questions
Approximate size of the opening, whether the glass is still in place, access notes, and whether anyone is on site.
We’ll give you a realistic ETA
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but attendance varies by time of day and workload.
On arrival, we assess and make safe
We’ll recommend the most sensible method for that opening and situation (including whether a stronger option is warranted).
You receive documentation
Where requested, we can provide itemised invoices and a clear statement of work. We can also take time-stamped photos for your records/insurer.

If you want to understand the different securing methods beforehand, start here: boarding up services in St Albans.

Materials and methods (a straightforward overview)

We choose materials based on the type of opening, the level of risk, and how long you need the property secured.

18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, reliable window and door boarding.
OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable in certain lower-risk or short-term situations.
Anti-tamper fixings help prevent boards being removed from the outside—particularly important for unattended sites.
For higher-risk or longer-term needs, options like temporary steel doors or security screens may be more appropriate than repeated re-boarding.

If you already know the type of service you need, these pages go deeper:

Practical steps to take immediately (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps can reduce risk and help later with insurance.

If a crime is in progress or you feel unsafe, call 999.
If it’s after the event, report it via 101 and keep the reference number.
Don’t touch unstable glass or damaged frames.
Keep people and pets away from the area.
Take photos from a safe distance.
Capture the overall scene, close-ups of damage, and any points of entry. These can help with claims.
Protect valuables and sensitive items (if safe).
Move stock, tools, or personal items away from exposed areas.
Contact your insurer early.
We’re not adjusters, but we can provide the sort of paperwork insurers typically request—see insurance claims guidance.

For urgent attendance, go straight to: 24 hour emergency boarding up St Albans.

Who we work with

We regularly help:

Homeowners and tenants dealing with sudden damage
Landlords and letting agents securing between tenancies
Shop owners who need a shopfront boarded up quickly
Facilities and property managers needing consistent documentation and invoicing

If you’re looking for guidance tailored to your premises, see:

FAQs about emergency situations (St Albans & AL postcodes)

Do you cover my postcode in the AL area?

Yes—our coverage includes AL1 to AL10, including St Albans and surrounding areas. If you’re on the edge of the district, call and we’ll confirm availability and provide a realistic ETA.

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

If you need to board up broken window openings out of hours, call us. We provide 24/7 boarding up support, prioritising urgent risks. We can’t guarantee exact arrival times, but we’ll tell you what’s realistic when you call.

What if the door frame is split and a normal board won’t hold?

We’ll assess the frame condition on arrival. If the structure won’t safely take fixings, we’ll explain options—this may include a different fixing method or a temporary security alternative. We won’t proceed with a solution that’s likely to fail without being upfront about it.

I’ve had a smashed window—do I need boarding if I’m getting it reglazed tomorrow?

Often yes. Even one night with an exposed opening can invite further damage or theft, and weather can make things worse quickly. A short-term board can be the simplest way to secure property until the glazier attends.

Can you make safe a shopfront without causing more damage?

In many cases, yes. We aim to secure openings with appropriate fixings and a sensible approach for commercial glazing. If the surrounding frame is too fragile for non-destructive methods, we’ll talk you through the trade-offs before starting.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

It often can be, depending on your policy and the cause of damage. We recommend keeping your crime reference number (if applicable), taking photos, and contacting your insurer early. We can provide invoices and a work description—see insurance claims for practical guidance.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access, and how damaged the frames are. A single window is usually quicker than a complex shopfront or multiple points of entry. When you call, tell us what’s happened and we’ll give you a realistic expectation.

Do you also replace the glass or repair the door?

Our focus is securing and making safe. We can stabilise the situation so you can arrange permanent repairs with your chosen contractor (or insurer-led contractor). If you’re unsure what you need, start with our overview of boarding up services.

Next steps

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, we can help you secure the property and reduce further risk.

Need help now? Call 01727 326 204 for immediate assistance.
For non-urgent enquiries, you can also email us.

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