Situations We Handle – Boarding Up in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)

When something goes wrong—a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage—you need the property made safe fast and with minimum fuss. We help homeowners, tenants, landlords, shop owners and facility managers across Crawley and the RH10 and RH11 postcode districts secure properties after incidents, 24/7. We’re local, fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

On this page you’ll find what to do next, how our boarding-up works for different events, and how we support insurance claims. If you need immediate help, call 01293 699 986. For urgent, out-of-hours call-outs, see our emergency boarding up.

When You Need Boarding Up in Crawley

Boarding up is about making safe after damage. Typical triggers include:

  • Burglary or attempted break-in
  • Vandalism and smashed glazing
  • Storm or weather damage to windows, doors, or roofs
  • Fire damage where openings need securing
  • Flood damage causing frames to swell or fail
  • Accidents and impacts (e.g., a vehicle strike or fallen tree)

If any opening is compromised—glazing cracked or missing, a door won’t lock, a skylight blown out—temporary security and weather protection are the priority. We cover homes, shops, offices, industrial units and vacant properties across RH10 and RH11.

For a quick overview of materials and methods, see What is boarding up? and our service guides: window boarding, door boarding, shopfront boarding, and roof boarding.

Our Approach: Make Safe, Secure, Document

Here’s what to expect when you call:

  1. Phone triage and realistic ETA

    • We’ll ask what happened, the opening size, height, access (ladders vs. MEWP), and whether power is available.
    • We won’t promise fixed times here—workload and traffic vary—but we prioritise emergencies and give a realistic ETA.

  2. On-site assessment

    • We measure apertures, check frames for integrity and identify fixing points.
    • Where possible, we use non-destructive methods that preserve the frame for future repair.

  3. Materials and fixings

    • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for doors and larger shopfronts; 12mm OSB can be used on smaller residential openings.
    • Anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside if the property will be unattended.
    • Temporary steel doors available when a door leaf is missing or won’t secure.

  4. Installation

    • Cut-to-size boards with edge protection where required.
    • Packers used to avoid point loads on damaged frames.
    • For roofs/skylights, weatherproofing and safe access methods (harnesses/guarding) as appropriate.

  5. Handover and documentation

    • Time-stamped photos of before/after if you need them.
    • Itemised invoice and a brief work statement—useful for insurers. See our insurance claims guidance.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive boarding, we’ll explain options before proceeding. We’re not adjusters or structural engineers; if we spot structural risk, we’ll advise you to contact the relevant professional.

Burglary or Break-In

A burglary leaves more than broken glass—locks, keeps and frames can be forced, and doors may not latch.

  • Typical issues: split timber frames, bent hinges, prised sash windows, patio doors off track.
  • Our solution: secure openings with plywood and anti-tamper fixings; fit a temporary steel door if the door set can’t be made to lock; cover sidelights and fanlights.
  • Why it matters: temporary security deters a return visit while permanent repairs are arranged.

Next steps and insurer tips are on our dedicated page: post-burglary boarding and repairs.

Vandalism and Smashed Glazing

Shopfronts and communal entrances are frequent targets.

  • Typical issues: single large pane smashed, mullions intact; repeated attempts to re-enter overnight.
  • Our solution: large-format shopfront boarding with bracing; internal boarding where frames are delicate; signage preserved if possible.
  • Documentation: photos and itemised notes for police/insurer records.

Learn more: vandalism repair and make-safe.

Storm and Weather Damage

High winds and flying debris don’t wait for business hours.

  • Typical issues: blown-out skylights, cracked roof lights, failed casements, damaged fascias exposing voids.
  • Our solution: roof and window boarding with weatherproofing; controlled access and fall protection; temporary sealing to limit water ingress.
  • Considerations: ventilation vs. sealing after weather events—especially after prolonged rain.

More detail: storm damage make-safe.

Fire Damage Securing

After the fire service leaves, properties are often exposed and vulnerable.

  • Typical issues: heat-shattered glass, weakened frames, doors cut for hose access, and unsecured openings used for ventilation.
  • Our solution: board up windows, doors and roof apertures; temporary steel doors for controlled access; liaise with you on fire investigation access needs.
  • Scope: we secure and make safe; smoke/odour remediation is outside our service.

Read more: post-fire securing.

Flood Damage and Swollen Frames

Moisture can make doors and windows impossible to lock or close.

  • Typical issues: swollen timber preventing closure, failed glazing beads, softened sills.
  • Our solution: judicious trimming where appropriate to allow closure, or temporary boarding if closure isn’t safe; maintain ventilation where advised by your insurer or contractor.
  • Safety: electrics and slip hazards—take care on wet floors and near sockets.

Guidance here: post-flood boarding.

Accidents and Impact Damage

From a delivery vehicle nudging a roller shutter to internal accidents breaking a pane.

  • Typical issues: partial collapse of glazing, twisted frames, broken internal partitions.
  • Our solution: make safe broken edges, board internally/externally as required, and ensure access routes remain usable.

See: accident damage make-safe.

Materials, Methods and Why They Matter

  • Plywood vs OSB: We typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and screw retention on larger openings; 12mm OSB is appropriate for smaller residential windows where weight and aesthetics matter.
  • Anti-tamper fixings: Help prevent removal from outside—critical for unattended sites and vacant properties.
  • Temporary steel doors: Best when a door is missing or can’t be locked; allows keyed access during repairs.
  • Security screens: For longer-term void security, we can supply steel screens—see vacant property.

For service breakdowns, visit our services.

What You Get From Us

  • Rapid, prioritised attendance across RH10 and RH11 (no fixed guarantees; we give a realistic ETA on the phone)
  • Clear pricing explanations before we start; see our pricing page
  • Time-stamped photos on request
  • Itemised invoices and brief work statements for insurance
  • DBS-checked, fully insured technicians with 10+ years trading experience
  • Advice on next steps and permanent repair options

Insurance and Documentation

We work with what insurers typically require:

  • Keep your police reference number (for burglary/vandalism)
  • Photograph the damage if safe to do so before we arrive
  • We can provide time-stamped before/after photos on request
  • You’ll receive an itemised invoice and a brief work description
  • We’re not loss adjusters, but our documents support most claims

More help: Insurance claims guidance.

Property Types We Secure

If you’re in Crawley Town Centre, Manor Royal, or the wider RH10 and RH11 areas, we handle both one-off emergencies and planned securing.

Local Coverage in RH10 and RH11

We cover Crawley and the surrounding neighbourhoods across RH10 and RH11, including areas like Crawley Town Centre, Three Bridges, Maidenbower, Pound Hill, Ifield, Bewbush, Broadfield, Tilgate, Langley Green, and more. For nearby area specifics and examples, explore our local pages from areas we cover, such as:

We prioritise emergencies and give a realistic ETA when you call.

FAQs: Situations in Crawley

Can you board up a smashed shopfront out of hours in Crawley?

Yes. We handle shopfront boarding 24/7 across RH10 and RH11. Call us, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and location.

I’ve had a break-in in RH10—should I call you or the police first?

If you suspect intruders are still inside, call the police first and stay safe. Once the scene is clear, call us to secure the property after burglary. Keep your police reference number for your insurer.

Do you provide temporary steel doors in Crawley?

Yes. Where a door won’t secure or is missing, we can install a temporary steel door so you can lock up and still access the site. See door boarding.

How do you handle storm-damaged skylights in RH11?

We provide roof and skylight boarding with weatherproofing. Safe access is planned on arrival; we’ll advise if specialist access is required.

Will boarding up affect my insurance claim?

Insurers typically expect you to mitigate further loss. Boarding up helps demonstrate you acted promptly. We supply photos, itemised invoices and a work statement—see insurance claims.

Can you make safe tonight and return tomorrow if more work is needed?

Yes. We can provide emergency make-safe and return for further works by arrangement. For immediate help, see our 24/7 emergency boarding up.

Do you cover residential flats in Crawley Town Centre?

We do. From single panes to communal entrances, we secure flats and entrances in RH10 and RH11. See residential boarding.

What if the frame is too damaged to fix boards without causing more harm?

We’ll explain options before proceeding—sometimes internal bracing or a temporary steel door is safer. If the structure is compromised, we’ll advise contacting a contractor or surveyor.

Next Steps