Door Boarding in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

If your door has been forced, smashed, or won’t close, you need to secure the opening quickly. Our emergency door boarding service in Crawley covers RH10 and RH11 day and night. We make the property safe, weatherproof and secure with properly sized boards or a temporary steel door—then provide the documentation your insurer will expect.

Need urgent help? Call 01293 699 986 now. For out of hours, our emergency boarding up page explains what to expect.

• 10+ years trading locally across Crawley, RH10 and RH11
• Fully insured, DBS-checked technicians
• Residential, commercial and vacant properties

Call 01293 699 986 or info@boarding-up-crawley.co.uk

When Door Boarding Is The Right Choice

Door boarding is used to secure properties where:

• The door has been kicked in or forced during a burglary
• The lock and keep have failed and the leaf won’t latch
• Glass door panels are smashed and unsafe
• Fire or storm damage has left an opening exposed
• A shopfront or roller shutter area needs short-term “make safe”
• You’re awaiting repairs or a replacement door and need a secure temporary solution

If the door frame is beyond repair for boarding alone, we can install a temporary steel door for controlled, lockable access. See temporary steel doors below for details.

What We Do On Arrival

We keep it calm and practical. A typical emergency visit runs like this:

1. Make safe and assess

   • Check for hazards (glass shards, sharp edges, loose masonry).
   • Quick structural check of frame, lintel, and threshold.
   • Photograph damage for your records and insurer (time-stamped).

2. Secure the opening

   • Choose method: boarded closure or temporary steel door.
   • Measure, cut and fit boards tight to frame; or fit steel door frame packers and anchors.
   • Use anti-tamper fixings so panels can’t be removed from outside.

3. Weatherproof and tidy

   • Seal as needed to keep rain and draught out.
   • Sweep up glass and debris from immediate area.
   • Provide a clear handover and guidance on next steps.

4. Documentation

   • Issue an itemised invoice and work statement describing materials, fixings, and photos.
   • If requested, we can send documents directly to your insurer. More on our insurance support.

We don’t make unrealistic promises on arrival times; call us and we’ll give a realistic ETA based on current workload and traffic in RH10 and RH11.

Materials & Methods: How We Secure Damaged Doors

We stock materials sized for typical Crawley properties—houses and flats, shopfronts and light industrial units—so we can “board up door” openings efficiently, including “out of hours”.

• Board materials

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for primary door closures
  • 12mm OSB for small sidelights, fanlights and secondary panes
  • Structural packers/shims to ensure tight, rattle-free fit

• Fixings and anchors

  • Through-bolting with internal spreader plates where frames are compromised
  • Anti-tamper coach screws or carriage bolts with security nuts for external resistance
  • Frame anchors into masonry or timber studs where appropriate

• Temporary steel doors (when boarding isn’t practical)

  • Galvanised steel panels with adjustable frame
  • Integral lockset and keys for controlled access
  • Ideal for repeated entry (void properties, ongoing works)

Why these methods:

• Anti-tamper fixings prevent removal from outside—critical if the property will be unattended.
• 18mm plywood offers robust resistance to forced entry compared to thinner sheets.
• Through-bolting avoids relying on a damaged frame; load spreads to sound structure.
• Steel doors balance security with usable access when a full board-up would trap occupants or hinder contractors.

If we find the frame too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding—no surprises.

Emergency Priorities: Secure First, Replace Later

Door and frame replacement often takes days. Our job is to “make safe” now:

• Secure property after burglary
• Protect stock and equipment in shops and units
• Keep rain and wind out after storm or fire service entry
• Provide a lockable temporary solution where needed

If you have glazing damage to adjacent windows, we also provide window boarding in Crawley and larger shopfront boarding. For roofs or skylights affected by impact or fire, see our roof boarding service.

What You’ll Get From Us

• A secured opening: boarded or fitted with a temporary steel door, square and tight
• Time-stamped photos before and after
• Clear, itemised invoice and written work statement (materials, fixings, location of anchors)
• Practical follow-up advice for insurers and repair contractors
• Respectful service from DBS-checked technicians, fully insured

We’re transparent about limitations: we’re not loss adjusters or locksmiths for long-term lock repairs, and we don’t do smoke/odour remediation after fires. We focus on securing the property safely and correctly.

Door Boarding Options Explained

• Standard board-over
  • Best for smashed glazed doors, kicked-in panels, or when access is not required through that door
  • Typically 18mm ply, cut to fit, with anti-tamper fixings into sound structure
• Over-frame board with spreaders
  • Used when frames are loose or split; spreads load across a wider area
• Through-bolt board (internal plates)
  • High-strength method where external fixings aren’t viable or frame is badly damaged
• Temporary steel door
  • For ongoing access needs, vacant properties, or severe frame damage
  • Lockable, adjustable, and quick to install and remove without relying on a broken frame

Not sure which you need? Call and describe what you’re seeing—smashed glazing, failed hinges, frame split, or door won’t latch. A quick chat helps us load the van with the right kit.

Commercial, Residential and Vacant Properties

• Residential (houses, flats, maisonettes)

  • Common issues: forced entry, fire service access, accidental impact
  • Discreet, tidy finish; we protect flooring and door surrounds while we work
  • See more on residential properties

• Commercial (shops, offices, restaurants, light industrial)

  • Shopfront doors, aluminium systems, roller shutter failures
  • RAMS available on request; we liaise with centre/security teams
  • See more on commercial properties

• Vacant / void properties

  • Medium-term security: steel security options or reinforced boarding
  • Coordination with agents and facilities teams; key-holder protocols
  • See more on vacant property security

After a Break-In: Practical Steps

• If intruders may still be present, wait at a safe distance and call police on 101 (999 in an emergency).
• Note your police reference number—insurers will ask for it.
• Take photos (if safe) before tidying. Don’t touch obvious evidence.
• Call us to “board up door” openings or fit a temporary steel door: 01293 699 986.
• Contact your insurer early. We provide itemised invoices, time-stamped photos and a work statement. More guidance on our insurance claims page.

Our Coverage in Crawley

We operate across Crawley and the RH10 and RH11 postcode districts, including town centre areas, residential neighbourhoods and business parks. Typical attendance varies by time of day and workload; we prioritise urgent calls and will give a realistic ETA on the phone.

If you’re elsewhere in Crawley, our area pages can help:

• Town centre and retail: boarding up Crawley Town Centre RH10
• Industrial and offices: boarding up Manor Royal RH10
• Residential hotspots nearby: boarding up Three Bridges RH10

FAQs: Door Boarding in Crawley

Can you board my broken door tonight in Crawley?

Yes—we offer 24/7 boarding up across RH10 and RH11. Call for a realistic ETA. For immediate advice, see our emergency boarding up.

Do you install temporary steel doors or only wooden boards?

Both. If the frame is badly damaged or you need controlled access, we can fit a temporary steel door with a lockset. Otherwise, 18mm plywood boarding with anti-tamper fixings is often sufficient.

My shop door has smashed glazing—can you secure the whole shopfront?

Yes. We can board the door area and any adjacent sidelights or panes. If the damage is extensive, our shopfront boarding covers wider commercial glazing.

Will boarding damage my door frame?

We use the least invasive secure method available. If the frame is sound, we fix into structural members with appropriate anchors. Where the frame is compromised, we may use through-bolts with internal spreaders to avoid further splitting. We’ll explain options first.

How long does door boarding take?

Most door board-ups take 60–120 minutes on site, depending on damage, size, and access. Complex commercial systems or steel door installations can take longer. We’ll advise on arrival.

Is this covered by insurance?

Often yes, but policies vary. Keep your police reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and call your insurer early. We provide itemised invoices, time-stamped photos and a work statement. See our insurance guidance.

Can you secure fire-damaged doors?

We secure openings after fire incidents, liaising with the fire service if needed. We don’t handle smoke/odour remediation. See post-fire securing.

What if the weather is bad and the doorway is exposed?

We carry sheeting, sealants and weather-resistant boards to keep the interior dry and draught-free while the opening is secured.

Related Situations We Handle

• Burglary or forced entry: post-burglary securing
• Vandalism and smashed glazing: vandalism repair
• Storm or impact damage: storm damage and accident damage
• Fire service access damage: fire damage securing

If adjacent windows are affected, go to window boarding in Crawley. For larger premises, see shopfront boarding and, where access must be maintained, our temporary steel door option as part of this service.

What To Expect When You Call

• We’ll ask a few quick questions: property type, what’s damaged, access issues (gates, upper floors), and whether you need a usable door or a sealed board.
• We confirm availability and give a realistic ETA for RH10 or RH11.
• We arrive with materials to “secure property” immediately—plywood/OSB, anti-tamper fixings, steel door kit if needed.
• You receive photos and an itemised invoice on completion.

Ready To Secure Your Door?

Need urgent door boarding, “shopfront boarded up”, or a temporary steel door tonight? We’re here 24/7 to “make safe” and “secure property” across Crawley.

• Call 01293 699 986 for immediate assistance
• Or email info@boarding-up-crawley.co.uk

Prefer a callback? Leave your details when you ring and we’ll call back as soon as we’re free between jobs.