Storm Damage Boarding Up in Canterbury (CT) — Secure Your Property Fast

Storm damage is stressful. Whether it’s a smashed window, a door that’s been blown in, or tiles that have come loose and left an opening, your priority is simple: make the property safe and secure before weather, thieves, or further structural damage make things worse.

Boarding Up Canterbury provides emergency boarding up across Canterbury and the wider CT postcode area (CT1–CT50). We’re fully insured, have been trading 10+ years, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need temporary boarding, we’ll talk you through the safest next step and give you a realistic ETA on the phone (we don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary in storms).

Need help now? Call 01227 953 460 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email for planned work? [email protected]

When storm damage boarding up is needed (and why it shouldn’t wait)

Storm damage can happen in minutes — and the knock-on effects often cost more than the initial break. You typically need emergency boarding up when you have any exposed opening to the outside, including:

• A board up broken window situation after wind-blown debris or a failing frame
• A smashed window or cracked pane that could collapse fully
• A door that won’t close or lock (you may need us to board up door openings)
• Damage to a shopfront where glazing has failed and you need the shopfront boarded up
• Roof or skylight openings caused by dislodged tiles, punctures, or impact

Even if the property is occupied, exposed openings can quickly lead to:

• Water ingress and swelling frames (making later repairs harder)
• Heat loss and unsafe internal conditions
• Increased risk of opportunistic entry — especially overnight or if the property is temporarily unattended

If it’s out of hours, the goal is rarely “repair everything tonight”. It’s to secure property and make safe until the proper repair trades can attend.

If you need urgent assistance, see our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

What we do first: make safe, secure, and weather-resistant (as much as possible)

Storm call-outs are often messy: wet frames, sharp glass, compromised fixings, and limited access. Our approach is practical and safety-led.

1) We assess the opening and the surrounding structure

Before fixing boards, we check whether the surrounding frame can actually take fixings safely. For example:

• Timber frames may be split or saturated
• uPVC may be too weak to screw into reliably
• Masonry reveals might be crumbling after impact

If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive method, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) We choose the right boarding method for the risk

We commonly use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure window/door boarding
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate

We use anti-tamper fixings where the situation calls for it. That matters because boards that can be removed from outside defeat the purpose — especially if the building will be unattended overnight.

For window-specific methods, see: window boarding in Canterbury.
For doors and entrances, see: door boarding in Canterbury.

3) We secure access points and reduce immediate risk

On storm jobs, it’s common to deal with more than one weak point: a broken window plus a door that no longer aligns, or a shopfront panel plus a side access door.

Where needed, we can also advise on medium-term security such as temporary steel doors or security screens for vacant premises. The right option depends on how long the property will be exposed and whether you’re waiting for builders, glaziers, or insurers to inspect.

If the issue is commercial glazing, read: shopfront boarding.
If the opening is above head height (rooflight/skylight), read: roof boarding.

4) We document the work for insurers and landlords

We’re not loss adjusters, but we do provide documentation insurers typically ask for, including:

• Time-stamped photos (before/after where safe)
• An itemised invoice
• A brief work statement describing what was secured and how

For claim-related guidance, see: insurance claims support.

Typical storm damage scenarios we see across Canterbury and the CT area

Storm damage varies, but a few patterns come up repeatedly:

• Wind-blown debris through glazing: A small impact becomes a full break when the wind loads the glass.
• Frames pulled out of square: Doors and windows may “look intact” but no longer lock, leaving a security risk.
• Shopfront failure: Large panes and exposed frontages can’t be left open — boarding is often the safest immediate option.
• Roof and skylight openings: Even a small rooflight break can soak insulation and ceilings quickly.

If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary, ask yourself: Is there any way someone could reach in, climb in, or could rain get in? If yes, it’s worth securing.

Need to secure the building tonight? Call 01227 953 460.

What to do right now after storm damage (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps help reduce risk and make the call-out smoother:

1. Keep people away from the damaged area
   Broken glass and unstable frames can shift suddenly, especially in wind.

2. If there’s active danger or a crime in progress, call 999
   If you’ve had a break-in related to storm damage, call the police and keep your reference number.

3. Take photos from a safe distance
   Insurers often want initial condition evidence. Don’t step on wet roofs or unstable surfaces.

4. Move valuables away from exposed openings
   Close internal doors, move stock away from shopfronts, and keep items out of line-of-sight.

5. Call us with clear details
   Tell us: property type, number of openings, floor level, and whether access is clear. We’ll give you a realistic ETA and talk through the best “make safe” approach.

For urgent help, use: emergency boarding up.

How our storm damage boarding differs from “just covering it up”

A sheet of thin board and a handful of screws might look like a quick fix, but storm-damaged properties often fail again if the boarding method isn’t right.

We focus on:

• Correct board thickness for the opening size and risk level
• Fixings that hold in poor weather, not just calm conditions
• Anti-tamper considerations if the property will be empty
• Safe access planning, especially for upper floors or awkward rear access

If you need more background on what “boarding up” actually involves, see: what is boarding up?.

If the property is vacant after the storm

Storms can expose weaknesses in empty properties that aren’t checked daily. If a building is between tenants or awaiting sale, you may need a more robust temporary solution than standard plywood.

In those cases we’ll discuss options such as:

• Upgrading fixings and coverage to deter entry
• Securing multiple access points in one visit
• Medium-term security measures (depending on condition and duration)

If you manage empty buildings, this may help: vacant property boarding up.

Common questions about storm damage boarding up in Canterbury (CT)

How quickly can you attend storm damage call-outs?

We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t guarantee fixed arrival times during storms. Road conditions, demand, and safety constraints can affect attendance. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need help now? Call 01227 953 460.

Can you board up a smashed window the same day?

Often, yes — especially for ground-floor windows, doors, and shopfronts. The key is making the opening safe and secure. If the frame is badly damaged, we’ll explain what can be secured immediately and what may need follow-on repairs by a builder or glazier.

Do you cover all CT postcodes for storm damage boarding?

Yes — we cover Canterbury and the wider CT postcode area (CT1–CT50). If you’re unsure, call us and we’ll confirm coverage and advise the best next step.

What if the wind keeps pulling the board loose?

If boarding is installed with the right thickness, fixings, and method for the substrate, it should remain secure under typical conditions. Extremely severe weather can still cause complications. If conditions are unsafe (e.g., flying debris), we may need to wait until it’s safe to work, but we’ll be transparent about what’s possible.

Is storm damage boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially where boarding is required to prevent further loss. Cover depends on your policy and excess. Keep photos, notes, and any reference numbers. We can supply invoices and a work statement to support your claim. See: insurance claims support.

Will you repair the window or roof as well?

We specialise in securing and making safe — boarding up openings and helping prevent further damage. Full repairs (glazing replacement, roofing repairs, smoke/odour remediation after fire, etc.) are typically handled by the relevant trade. We can secure the property while you arrange repairs.

Can you board up a shopfront after storm damage?

Yes. Commercial glazing often requires larger panels and careful fixing due to footfall and visibility. If you need a shopfront boarded up, we’ll secure it in a way that reduces the risk of tampering and helps you protect stock. Learn more: shopfront boarding.

What information should I have ready when I call?

Helpful details include:

• Address and postcode (CT area)
• What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
• How many openings need securing
• Whether it’s ground floor or upper floor
• Whether the site is occupied and if access is safe

Get help with storm damage boarding up in Canterbury today

Storm damage doesn’t wait — and neither should securing your property.

Need help now? Call 01227 953 460 for immediate assistance.
For non-urgent enquiries, you can also email us.