Storm Damage Boarding Up in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

Storm damage can be stressful because it’s rarely “tidy” damage. A gust catches a loose pane, a falling branch hits a window, a tile comes down and cracks a skylight, or a door gets blown off-line and won’t close properly. Even when the opening looks small, wind and rain can quickly turn it into a much bigger problem—water ingress, damp, draughts, and security risks.

If you need emergency boarding up in St Albans after storm damage, we can help you make safe and secure property across the AL postcodes. For urgent assistance, call 01727 326 204.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked—useful reassurance when you’re dealing with an out-of-hours call and a vulnerable property.

When storm damage usually happens (and what it looks like)

Storm-related call-outs in St Albans and surrounding AL areas tend to fall into a few predictable patterns. Knowing what you’re looking at helps you decide what to do next.

Common storm damage scenarios we see

• Smashed window from wind-blown debris (branches, roof fragments, loose signage)
• Cracked or missing glazing in older frames where putty has failed
• Doors that won’t shut or lock after swelling, impact, or hinge movement
• Shopfront glass damage from heavy items moving outside retail premises
• Rooflight / skylight damage where water begins entering from above
• Secondary damage: wind-driven rain soaking floors, electrics, or plaster once an opening is exposed

If you’re dealing with a board up broken window situation or a door that won’t secure, it’s worth acting quickly. Temporary boarding won’t “repair” the storm damage, but it can prevent opportunistic entry and limit weather getting inside while you arrange glazing, roofing, or joinery repairs.

Need help right now? For 24/7 boarding up support in St Albans, call 01727 326 204.

First steps: what to do immediately after storm damage

Before thinking about boarding, it’s about safety.

1. Check for immediate hazards

   • Downed cables, unstable masonry, broken glass, or partially detached frames can be dangerous.
   • If there’s any risk to life, call emergency services.

2. Keep people away from damaged areas

   • Glass shards can travel further than you’d expect, especially in windy conditions.

3. If safe, take photos

   • Wide shots showing the opening and close-ups of the damage are helpful for insurance.
   • Don’t climb or attempt roof access in poor weather.

4. Stop further water ingress where you safely can

   • Move valuables away from leaks and place containers/towels down.
   • Avoid makeshift fixes that could blow loose and cause injury.

5. Call us to make safe

   • We’ll ask what’s happened, what’s damaged, whether the property is occupied, and whether there’s internal access.
   • We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions and workloads vary—but we will give you a realistic ETA over the phone and prioritise urgent cases.

For urgent emergency boarding up St Albans, call 01727 326 204.

How we secure storm-damaged properties (our make-safe process)

Storm damage is often messy: wet surfaces, splintered timber, twisted frames, and partial collapse around the opening. Our goal is simple—secure the property and reduce exposure—without making the follow-on repairs harder.

1) Quick assessment on arrival

We’ll confirm:

• Which openings are compromised (front/rear, upstairs, roof level)
• Whether the frame is sound enough for non-destructive fixing
• Whether there’s ongoing water ingress
• Whether any parts are unsafe to approach (particularly at height)

If the surrounding frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes the best “safe” solution is a stronger fix pattern, or an alternative security method, rather than forcing a neat fit that won’t hold in poor weather.

2) Selecting the right boarding materials

We typically use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor windows, doors, and larger openings where strength matters
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings or where a lighter solution is appropriate

The choice depends on:

• Size of opening
• Exposure to wind
• Whether the property will be left unattended
• Access (e.g., upstairs windows may require different handling)

3) Fixing method: secure, tidy, and anti-tamper where appropriate

For storm damage, the risk is not only security—wind can work loose a poorly-fixed board. We use fixings appropriate to the substrate and situation, and where needed we’ll use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside.

Where possible, we aim to:

• Fix through solid structural points rather than fragile, cracked frame edges
• Avoid unnecessary damage to the remaining frame
• Leave the opening stable and weather-resistant (as far as boarding reasonably allows)

4) Finishing up and documenting the job

You’ll typically receive:

• Time-stamped photos of the boarded area(s)
• An itemised invoice
• A short work statement describing what was secured and how

This is often what insurers want to see for emergency works. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers commonly request—see our guidance on insurance claims support.

What we can board after storm damage (windows, doors, shopfronts, roof openings)

Storm damage isn’t always a simple “one window” problem. Here’s how we handle the main opening types.

Storm-damaged windows (broken panes, cracked units, failed frames)

If you’ve got a smashed window or shattered double-glazed unit, we can protect the opening quickly and safely.

This is usually handled via window boarding in St Albans, using exterior-grade boards and secure fixing methods.

Doors that won’t close or lock (forced open by wind or impact)

Doors can twist, swell, or pull away from hinges during storms—especially if they were already worn.

We can board up door openings or advise if a more robust option is appropriate, including door boarding. For properties that will be empty for a while, a stronger temporary security solution can be discussed on-site.

Shopfronts and commercial glazing

Retail and commercial premises often need a faster, more robust approach because a damaged frontage is obvious, accessible, and vulnerable.

We can provide shopfront boarded up solutions designed to withstand attention until glazing contractors can attend. If you’re a site manager and need documentation for compliance or handover, tell us when you call so we can support your process.

Rooflights and skylights (water ingress from above)

Roof-level storm damage can be especially disruptive because it introduces water quickly and is harder to access safely.

Where suitable, we can secure roof openings via roof boarding. Access and safety come first—if conditions are unsafe, we will tell you and agree the safest next step.

Emergency boarding up vs planned security after the storm

Not every storm issue is an immediate emergency—but many are time-sensitive.

You likely need emergency boarding up if:

• The opening is accessible from outside (ground floor, flat roof, alley access)
• The property will be unoccupied overnight
• Rain is getting in and causing ongoing damage
• A door cannot be locked or a window is missing entirely

Planned/next-day attendance may be suitable if:

• The opening is minor and not accessible
• The property is occupied and can be supervised
• Temporary internal measures are safe and stable (e.g., keeping people away from the area)

If you’re not sure, call and describe what’s happened. We’ll give practical guidance and a realistic expectation of what we can do.

Need out of hours support? Call 01727 326 204 for emergency boarding up in St Albans.

Insurance notes after storm damage (what to keep and what to record)

Storm damage claims often depend on clear documentation. If it’s safe to do so:

• Keep damaged parts where reasonable (e.g., broken locks or hardware), unless they’re hazardous
• Photograph the scene before boarding (and after, once secured)
• Record what happened: approximate time, weather conditions, what was damaged first
• Keep any reference numbers if you’ve spoken to building management or emergency services

You can also review our insurance claims guidance—it explains the kind of paperwork insurers commonly expect for emergency make-safe works.

What it’s like when you call us (so you know what to expect)

When you ring 01727 326 204, we’ll keep it straightforward and practical. We’ll usually ask:

• Your postcode (we cover AL1–AL10)
• What’s damaged: window/door/shopfront/rooflight
• Whether the property is occupied
• Any access notes (rear access, side gates, height, shared entrances)
• Whether police or fire service have attended (if relevant)

Then we’ll confirm an ETA as best we can and what you can do safely while waiting. We don’t overpromise—storms create unpredictable conditions—but we do prioritise urgent calls and focus on securing the property properly.

FAQs – Storm damage boarding up in St Albans

Can you board up my window tonight in St Albans?

If you need out of hours help, call 01727 326 204. We provide 24/7 boarding up across St Albans and the wider AL area, prioritising urgent openings that pose security or weather risks.

Do you only cover central St Albans, or the whole AL area?

We cover St Albans and surrounding postcode districts across AL1–AL10. If you’re not sure, call with your postcode and we’ll confirm.

What if the window frame is damaged, not just the glass?

That’s common after storms. We’ll assess whether we can use non-destructive fixings. If the frame is too compromised, we’ll explain options and the most stable way to make safe—we won’t force a method that’s likely to fail in wind or rain.

Is boarding up a permanent repair?

No. Boarding is a temporary security and weather-resistance measure. It’s designed to secure property and reduce exposure until a glazier, roofer, or joiner can complete the repair.

Can you board up a shopfront without blocking the whole frontage?

Often, yes—depending on the damage pattern and how the frame is built. For commercial premises, we’ll aim for a safe, secure solution that matches the site’s risk level. See shopfront boarding for more detail.

Will my insurer cover emergency boarding up after storm damage?

Many policies allow for reasonable emergency make-safe costs, but cover varies. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. More guidance is on our insurance claims page.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the size and number of openings, access, and how damaged the surrounding structure is. When you call, we’ll talk through what you’ve got and set expectations. On site, we work efficiently but won’t rush fixings that need to withstand weather and potential tampering.

Can you secure a property that’s going to be vacant after storm damage?

Yes. If the property will be empty for a period (for example, while awaiting repairs), tell us. We can discuss more robust solutions and the best approach for longer-term security, depending on the opening type and risk.

Need storm damage boarding up in St Albans?

If wind, debris, or heavy rain has left your property exposed, we can help you secure the property and make safe the opening with professional temporary boarding.

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