Boarding-Up Services in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

Your property needs to be safe, secure, and weather-tight—fast. We provide professional boarding-up services across Crawley and the RH10 and RH11 postcode districts, available 24/7 for emergencies and planned works. With 10+ years trading, fully insured cover, and DBS-checked technicians, we handle everything from a single smashed pane to full shopfront protection and temporary steel doors.

If you need urgent help now, call 01293 699 986. For immediate response details, see our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

What This Page Covers

  • The boarding services we provide and when each is appropriate
  • Materials and methods we use (and why)
  • What to expect when you call us—step by step
  • Documentation for insurers and property managers
  • Where we operate in Crawley and RH10/RH11

For the basics of what boarding up is and why it’s used, read: What is boarding up?

Our Boarding-Up Services

We secure residential, commercial, and vacant properties across Crawley using methods appropriate to the risk, duration, and opening size. Explore detailed service pages to see exactly how each works.

Window Boarding

Best for: broken or vulnerable glazing in homes, flats, shops, and offices.

  • We typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or ground-floor windows and 12mm OSB for smaller or internal openings.
  • Fixings depend on frame condition: through-frame with timber packers, frame-to-masonry, or non-invasive clamp systems where suitable.
  • Edges are checked for weathering; we can add temporary seals to help keep out rain where practical.

Learn more: window boarding in Crawley

Door Boarding Up

Best for: forced entry, damaged hinges/locks, or when a door won’t secure.

  • Options include solid timber boarding to cover the opening or fitting a temporary steel door for controlled access.
  • We’ll assess frame integrity first; where the frame is unsafe, we’ll explain reinforcement options before proceeding.
  • Anti-tamper fixings are used on street-facing openings.

Learn more: door boarding in Crawley

Shopfront Boarding

Best for: retail and commercial glazing, including wide panes and curtain walling.

  • We carry oversize boards and can stitch multiple sheets with backing to span large openings.
  • Discrete access panels can be added for staff entry if required.
  • We liaise with alarms and FM teams and can provide RAMS on request.

Learn more: shopfront boarding in Crawley

Roof & Skylight Boarding

Best for: storm-damaged roofs, broken skylights, or where weather ingress is the priority.

  • Methods range from over-boarding skylight apertures to temporary sheeting with timber framing.
  • Safety-first access planning: we assess from ground where possible and use appropriate access equipment.
  • Temporary weatherproofing is prioritised to prevent further damage.

Learn more: roof boarding in Crawley

Temporary Steel Doors

Best for: medium-term security after a break-in or for vacant properties.

  • Galvanised steel doors with adjustable frames and high-security locks.
  • Ideal when you need controlled key access for contractors or viewings.
  • Anti-jam, anti-tamper fixings to deter removal.

Learn more via our property solutions:

Steel Security Screens

Best for: void properties or repeat-victim sites needing longer-term protection.

  • Sitex-style perforated steel screens allow light and airflow while securing windows and doors.
  • Installed with internal anti-tamper fixings; removal requires specialist tools.
  • Often paired with a temporary steel door for access control.

Discuss options: contact us

Materials & Methods We Trust

We choose methods based on risk, duration, and fabric condition—explained clearly before work starts.

  • Board types:
    • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and tamper resistance on external openings
    • 12mm OSB for smaller, internal, or short-duration openings
  • Fixings:
    • Anti-tamper screws/bolts to prevent removal from outside—critical when the property will be unattended
    • Through-frame fixings with internal spreader plates/timber packers to avoid crushing weak frames
    • Clamp systems where drilling is not appropriate, subject to frame condition
  • Weathering:
    • Edge sealing and temporary flashing where practical for exposed openings
    • Priority is to make safe and keep water out until permanent repairs are arranged

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options, likely impacts, and get your approval first.

When You Might Need Us

  • Burglary or forced entry: door split, lock torn out, smashed glazing
  • Vandalism or accidental impact: “smashed window”, brick through pane, vehicle strike
  • Storm or fire damage: broken skylights, blown-out glazing, unsafe frames
  • Securing vacant or between-tenancy properties

See situation-specific guidance:

What You Get With Our Service

  • Clear ETA on the phone based on conditions (we don’t promise fixed times, but we prioritise urgent calls)
  • Make-safe first: remove hazards, “secure property”, and “make safe” the opening
  • Appropriate materials for your scenario, explained on site
  • Time-stamped photos on request (before/after)
  • Itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurers
  • Guidance on next steps for permanent repair (we’re not loss adjusters, but we know what insurers usually ask for)

For claims support, see: insurance claims guidance and common queries in our FAQs.

How Our Process Works

  1. Call us on 01293 699 986 or email us. Tell us what happened and the opening size if known.
  2. We assess urgency, discuss access, and give a realistic ETA. Out of hours, we focus on “temporary boarding” to secure the site swiftly.
  3. On arrival, we risk-assess, clear hazards, and protect the opening using the agreed method and materials.
  4. We confirm the result with you (and your site contact if commercial), provide photos if requested, and issue documentation for insurance.
  5. If further works are needed (e.g., “temporary steel doors” or security screens), we’ll outline options and timescales.

Honest Notes on Time and Cost

  • Attendance times vary by time of day, workload, and location in RH10/RH11. We’ll be straight with you on the phone.
  • Costs depend on board size/thickness, access, fixings, and whether a “temporary steel door” or “security screens” are required.
  • We never quote fixed prices online. For a realistic estimate, call us or see our pricing page for cost factors.

Local Coverage

We’re local to Crawley and cover both RH10 and RH11 postcodes—homes, shops, offices, industrial units, and vacant properties. Typical call-outs include domestic windows in RH10 neighbourhoods and shopfronts in busier RH11 areas. We also attend planned works during business hours for facilities and property managers.

Explore area pages to understand local risks and examples:

Who We Work With

  • Homeowners and tenants needing to “board up broken window” issues tonight
  • Landlords and letting agents between tenancies
  • Shop managers needing “shopfront boarded up” out of hours
  • Facilities managers needing RAMS and documented “make safe” works
  • Insurers and adjusters needing clear, itemised documentation

For property-specific considerations, see:

FAQs About Our Services

Do you provide 24/7 boarding up in Crawley?

Yes. We offer “24/7 boarding up” across RH10 and RH11. For immediate assistance, visit emergency boarding up or call 01293 699 986.

Can you attend out of hours to secure a shopfront?

Yes. We regularly handle “out of hours” retail call-outs and can secure large panes and entrances. See shopfront boarding.

Will the boards damage my frames?

We choose the least invasive method available. If non-destructive clamping won’t hold due to damage, we’ll explain alternatives and get your go-ahead first.

What documentation do you provide for insurance?

Time-stamped photos on request, an itemised invoice, and a work statement. Read more: insurance claims.

How long will the temporary boarding stay in place?

Until your permanent repair is ready. For longer periods or vacant sites, we may recommend a temporary steel door solution or vacant property measures like security screens.

Can you make a door usable after a break-in?

Often yes, via a temporary steel door or reinforced boarding with an access panel, depending on damage. We’ll advise on site.

Next Steps