Situations We Help With Across Canterbury (CT1–CT50)

When something goes wrong with your property, the priority is simple: make it safe and secure it so you can take the next steps without worrying about further damage or opportunistic entry.

Boarding Up Canterbury provides emergency boarding up and planned securing work across Canterbury and the wider CT area. We help homeowners, landlords, shop owners and facilities teams after incidents like break-ins, vandalism, storms, fires, floods and impacts—anytime you need a broken opening dealt with quickly and professionally.

If you need urgent help tonight or out of hours, use our emergency page or call us now: Call 01227 953 460.
For non-urgent questions, you can also email us.

Useful next step: If this is urgent, go straight to emergency boarding up.

What “Boarding Up” Means After an Incident (And What It Doesn’t)

Boarding up is about securing an opening—typically a window, door, shopfront or rooflight/skylight—after it’s been damaged or removed. The aim is to:

prevent unauthorised access
protect the interior from weather
reduce the risk of further damage while repairs are arranged
provide clear documentation for insurers or landlords

What it doesn’t mean: we’re not general builders and we don’t carry out full remedial works like glazing replacement, frame rebuilding, or smoke/odour remediation after a fire. We’ll secure the property properly and leave it in a condition where permanent repairs can be scheduled.

If you’re unsure which approach is best, the overview on what is boarding up explains the basics in plain English.

When You Should Call Us (Common Signs You Need a “Make Safe”)

People often hesitate because they’re not sure if it’s “bad enough” for an emergency call-out. In our experience, you should consider urgent temporary boarding if:

you need to board up a broken window or a smashed window leaves the property exposed
a door won’t lock, has been forced, or you need to board up a door
your shopfront glass is damaged and you need the shopfront boarded up to prevent further risk
there’s damage to an upstairs window, skylight, or roof opening and the weather is coming in
the building will be empty overnight (or longer), increasing the chance of repeat entry

We cover residential homes, commercial premises and vacant buildings across the CT postcodes—see areas we cover for a full overview.

How We Respond (What to Expect When You Call)

When you call 01227 953 460, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we can turn up prepared:

What’s been damaged? (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
Is the property occupied? If not, security is even more urgent.
Is there glass or debris risk? We’ll advise on safe waiting steps.
Any access constraints? Rear access, shared entrances, upper floors, etc.
Do you need insurer documentation? We can provide photos and paperwork.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, weather and live emergencies vary, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

On-site, our goal is always the same: secure property first, then make it neat, documented, and ready for next-stage repairs.

Materials & Methods We Use (So It Holds Up)

Different situations call for different fixing methods. We’ll explain what we’re doing and why, especially if frames are damaged.

Typical approaches include:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable window and door protection
12mm OSB where suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk internal areas
Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended (important when the board must not be removable from outside)
Temporary steel doors for medium-term security when a doorway is compromised and timber boarding isn’t the most practical option
Security screens for longer-term void property protection where regular access is needed

If the frame is too damaged for a neat, non-destructive fixing method, we’ll explain options before proceeding. You’ll never be left guessing why a particular method was chosen.

You can also read about specific solutions such as window boarding in Canterbury and door boarding up.

The Situations We Handle

Below are the most common events we’re called out to across Canterbury and the CT area. Each situation page includes practical “what to do next” guidance, plus the securing options that tend to work best.

Burglary & Break-Ins

After a break-in, it’s common to see forced doors, broken locks, and shattered panes—often with splintered frames that won’t accept a standard lock until repaired. We can attend to secure the property after burglary, board damaged windows/doors and help you stabilise things for the insurer and follow-on trades.

Vandalism & Deliberate Damage

Vandalism often means a smashed window (sometimes multiple), damaged shopfront glazing, or a door panel kicked through. The key is preventing repeat incidents—especially if the building is quiet overnight.

Storm Damage & Wind-Blown Impacts

Storms can pop windows, tear off panels, and expose rooflights or skylights. Even a small opening can quickly become a big problem when wind-driven rain gets in. We focus on temporary boarding and practical weather protection until repairs can be arranged.

Fire Damage (Post-Fire Securing)

After a fire, the priority is usually access control and weather protection—especially if windows have failed from heat or the fire service has forced entry. We can board openings and help prevent further damage or entry while your insurer and contractors take over. We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation, but we will make safe and secure.

Flood Damage & Water Ingress

Flooding can swell timber frames and distort doors so they won’t close properly. Sometimes you need securing plus sensible ventilation to reduce secondary damage—done safely and with a clear plan for re-entry.

Accident & Impact Damage (Vehicle Strikes / Misadventure)

Impacts to doors, shopfronts and ground-floor windows can create larger openings and unstable frames. We’ll secure the site, board up safely, and help you gather the documentation insurers typically ask for.

Which Service Is Usually Needed? (A Practical Guide)

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, this is a quick way to match the event to the likely solution:

Broken or vulnerable windows: window boarding in Canterbury
Forced or unsecured doors: door boarding up (or a temporary steel door if appropriate)
Damaged commercial glazing / large panels: shopfront boarding
Skylights, roof openings, overhead damage: roof boarding

If you’re dealing with an immediate risk, start here: emergency boarding up.

What You Get From Us (Paperwork, Photos, and Clear Communication)

When you’re dealing with an insurer, landlord, managing agent, or facilities team, documentation matters. Where requested, we can provide:

time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
an itemised invoice and a clear statement of work
notes about fixing method and materials used (useful for insurers and follow-on contractors)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on the legal side of claims, but we’ll support you with the practical evidence insurers typically ask for. If you’re navigating a claim, the guidance on insurance claims can help you prepare.

What To Do Right Now (Before We Arrive)

If you’re reading this in a panic, keep it simple:

If there’s a threat or someone has forced entry, call 999. If the danger has passed, report via 101 and keep your reference number.
Don’t touch broken glass with bare hands. Keep people and pets away from the area.
Take photos if safe—of the opening, damage, and any signs of forced entry. This helps insurance later.
Move valuables away from the exposed area if you can do so safely.
Call us to secure property and stop the situation getting worse: Call 01227 953 460.

If it’s a commercial site, consider temporarily restricting access and letting staff know not to approach unstable glazing.

Why People Choose Boarding Up Canterbury

You don’t need a sales pitch when you’ve just had a break-in or storm damage—you need competent help.

10+ years trading in boarding and property security work
Fully insured
DBS-checked technicians
Coverage across CT1–CT50, including Canterbury and surrounding areas
Clear, practical communication and sensible options for short-term and medium-term security

For general questions, visit our FAQs. To see what customers say about our approach, read reviews.

FAQs About Boarding Up After Incidents

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm or impact damage—but policies vary. Keep your crime reference number (if relevant), take photos, and notify your insurer early. We can provide the documentation insurers commonly request—see insurance claims.

Can you board up tonight or out of hours?

Yes—this is exactly when people need emergency boarding up. We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you call. Start here: 24/7 emergency boarding up in Canterbury.

Do you only work in Canterbury city centre?

No. We cover Canterbury and the wider CT postcodes (CT1–CT50). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

What’s the difference between plywood boarding and a temporary steel door?

Plywood boarding is usually the quickest way to secure a damaged opening, particularly windows. A temporary steel door can be better for doorways where access is needed, the property is vacant, or timber boarding would be repeatedly removed and refitted. We’ll recommend what’s suitable on-site.

Can you board up a shopfront without causing more damage?

In many cases, yes. For commercial glazing, we use appropriate fixings and methods to secure large openings. If frames are already damaged or unstable, we’ll explain the safest option before proceeding. For more detail, see shopfront boarding.

How long does temporary boarding stay in place?

It depends on exposure, risk, and the fixing method used. Some clients need a short hold of a few days while glazing is measured; others need a longer period for vacant properties. If you need a longer-term option, we can discuss screens or other measures once the immediate risk is controlled.

Ready for Help?

If you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or get a property made safe after an incident, we’re here to help across Canterbury and CT postcodes.

Need help now? Call 01227 953 460 for immediate assistance.
Or send details and photos to [email protected].

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