Property Types We Secure in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

When something goes wrong—burglary, a smashed window, storm damage—you need a boarding-up team that understands your type of property and what “make safe” truly means. We secure homes, shops, offices and vacant buildings across Crawley and the RH10 and RH11 postcode districts with practical, insurance-ready work. We’re fully insured, DBS-checked, and have 10+ years trading locally.

If you need urgent help out of hours, call us now: Call 01293 699 986 or see our emergency boarding up.

How We Tailor Boarding Up by Property Type

Different properties need different approaches. We carry a range of materials and fixings so we can secure openings safely and appropriately, first time:

  • Residential: tidy, protective methods to avoid further damage; priority on weatherproofing and security
  • Commercial: larger spans, laminated shopfronts, RAMS if needed, and anti-tamper fixings for unattended premises
  • Vacant/void: medium-to-longer term security options such as temporary steel doors and security screens

Across all property types, we use the right materials for the job—typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for main openings, 12mm OSB for smaller apertures, and anti-tamper fixings that prevent removal from outside. Where frames are sound, we favour non-destructive bracing; if the frame is compromised, we’ll explain options before fixing through the substrate.

You’ll receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a short work statement—useful for insurers. For questions about cover and documentation, see our page on insurance claims.

Residential Boarding Up in Crawley

We regularly board up homes and flats across RH10 and RH11—typical call-outs include smashed patio doors, cracked bay windows, and bedroom casements after attempted entry.

What we focus on for homes:

  • Make safe quickly and cleanly, with dust sheets and careful handling to protect interiors
  • Weatherproofing to prevent rain ingress and drafts, especially important for overnight jobs
  • Security-first fixings so you can sleep easier while permanent glazing is arranged
  • Tenant/landlord communication where needed, with photos and attendance notes

Common residential scenarios:

  • Post-burglary patio door boarding, with optional temporary steel doors where locks are beyond repair
  • Broken single panes in upstairs rooms—usually window boarding with internal bracing
  • Storm-damaged conservatory panels—[temporary boarding] using exterior plywood to shed water until re-glazing

If your home has been targeted, keep your police reference handy and take photos if safe. For guidance on next steps after incidents, visit our burglary repairs and storm damage pages.

Commercial & Retail Boarding Up

From small shopfronts to larger retail units in Crawley’s town centre and business estates, commercial premises demand secure, tamper-resistant solutions—particularly if the property will be unattended overnight.

What we provide for businesses:

  • Scalable boarding for large panes and double-height shopfronts
  • Anti-tamper fixings and internal bracing to resist removal
  • Temporary steel doors for compromised entrances, allowing controlled access for staff and contractors
  • RAMS and coordination with facilities teams as required

Typical commercial scenarios:

  • Shopfront boarding after an impact or vandalism, with out-of-hours attendance
  • Rear service-door breaches requiring door boarding or a steel door insert
  • Office glazing cracks due to storm-borne debris—window boarding to secure and make safe

If you manage multiple sites, we can coordinate with your FM helpdesk and provide consolidated documentation. See our property types > commercial for more detail.

Vacant & Void Properties

Empty properties in RH10 and RH11—between tenancies, pending sale, or under refurbishment—benefit from medium-term security that deters entry and protects the interior from weather.

Options we use:

  • Plywood/OSB boarding for short-term or selective openings
  • Temporary steel security doors with robust multi-point locking for controlled access
  • Steel security screens (Sitex-style) for longer-term, void-property security

What to expect:

  • A site assessment to balance cost, risk, and duration
  • Fixing methods that protect masonry and frames where possible
  • Clear documentation for landlords, agents, and insurers

Learn more about solutions for empty properties on our vacant property page.

Materials & Methods That Fit the Building

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our technicians will choose the right method for your property:

  • Materials we carry: 18mm exterior plywood, 12mm OSB, batten stock, anti-tamper screws, through-bolt systems, weatherproof tape, and flashing where needed
  • Non-destructive where practical: internal bracing bars to avoid drilling frames
  • When frames are compromised: we’ll discuss fixing through the frame/substrate and explain implications before proceeding
  • Overhead risks: for skylights or roof openings, we may use additional bracing and weatherproofing—see roof boarding

We won’t quote fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give a realistic ETA when you ring. For immediate issues—smashed window, need to “board up door” or “shopfront boarded up”—call us now or visit our 24/7 boarding up page.

What You Get as Standard

  • A calm, professional team—DBS-checked and fully insured
  • Practical, tidy workmanship aimed to secure property and make safe
  • Time-stamped photos and a work statement for your insurer
  • Itemised invoice with materials and labour separated
  • Honest advice on permanent repairs and next steps

We’re transparent about limitations:

  • We don’t guarantee specific response times; attendance varies by time and workload
  • We secure post-fire scenes, but smoke/odour remediation is outside scope—see fire damage
  • We’re not loss adjusters, but our documentation aligns with what insurers typically request

Our Process: From Call to Sign-Off

  1. Call us on 01293 699 986 and explain the situation and property type
  2. We provide an ETA and outline the likely approach (e.g., window boarding vs. temporary steel door)
  3. On arrival, we assess, take photos, and agree the method with you
  4. We secure the opening(s) using suitable materials and fixings
  5. We share time-stamped photos and provide an invoice and work statement
  6. If needed, we can liaise with your glazier or contractor for follow-up

For pricing transparency, see what affects costs on our pricing page. We don’t publish fixed prices—every job is different—but we’ll explain factors clearly on the phone.

FAQs: Property-Specific Questions

Do you handle flats where access is restricted or managed?

Yes. We work within block rules, coordinate with building managers, and use methods that minimise disruption to neighbours and common areas.

Can you board large retail shopfronts safely out of hours?

Yes. We attend out of hours, carry oversized sheets, and use internal bracing and anti-tamper fixings suitable for wide spans. See shopfront boarding.

My tenant reported a smashed patio door—can you meet them on site?

We regularly meet tenants, neighbours or site contacts. We’ll confirm ID and obtain your authorisation before proceeding. Photos and documentation are sent to the landlord or agent.

How do you secure vacant properties for more than a few weeks?

We recommend a mix of robust boarding and, where appropriate, temporary steel doors or steel security screens for longer-term deterrence.

Can you provide paperwork for an insurance claim on a residential job?

Yes—time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a short work statement. For guidance, see insurance claims.

We’ve had repeated vandalism at a commercial unit—are anti-tamper fixings enough?

They’re essential, but we may also suggest steel doors or screens depending on risk and duration. We’ll explain options and costs on site.

Do you work across all of RH10 and RH11?

Yes—Crawley and surrounding neighbourhoods across RH10 and RH11. For urgent needs like “board up broken window” or “make safe” tonight, call us and we’ll provide a realistic ETA. You can also explore our areas we cover.

Helpful Service & Situation Links

Next Steps

Ready to secure your property? Call 01293 699 986 or email us for clear advice and a no-obligation quote. If it’s urgent or out of hours, head straight to our emergency boarding up page.