FAQs — Boarding Up Windsor (SL4)
If you’re dealing with a smashed window, forced door, or need to secure a vacant property in Windsor, the questions below will help you understand what happens next and how we work. If you need urgent help now, please call 01753 968 594.
General questions about boarding up in Windsor
Do you offer 24/7 emergency boarding up in Windsor?
Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up across Windsor and the wider SL4 area. We prioritise urgent and out of hours calls, including overnight and weekends. We don’t promise exact arrival times, but when you call we’ll give a realistic ETA based on traffic and workload.
What areas do you cover in SL4?
We cover the whole of SL4, including Windsor, Old Windsor, Eton, Eton Wick, Dedworth, Clewer, Spital, Boveney, Cranbourne, Dorney, Fifield, Oakley Green, Winkfield, and Woodside. For location-specific guidance, see our areas we cover pages, for example boarding up in Windsor SL4 or boarding up in Old Windsor.
What types of properties do you secure?
We board up residential homes and flats, commercial premises (shops, offices, pubs, restaurants), and vacant properties. See our property guides for residential and commercial security considerations.
How quickly can you attend?
Attendance varies by time of day, location, and workload. We aim to attend as quickly as possible for emergencies. If you call 01753 968 594, we’ll confirm priority and give a realistic ETA.
Are you insured and DBS checked?
Yes. We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked. We’ve been trading for 10+ years and operate across SL4 with documented processes and safe working methods.
What happens when you board up?
What materials do you use?
Typically 18mm exterior‑grade plywood for doors and larger shopfronts, and 12–18mm OSB or plywood for smaller openings. We use anti‑tamper fixings and, where suitable, non-destructive methods that grip the internal frame to avoid additional damage. For longer-term security, we can fit temporary steel doors and steel security screens.
Will boarding up damage my frames?
Our first approach is non-destructive bracing where the frame condition allows. If the frame is too damaged to support that method, we’ll explain options before proceeding and minimise additional impact. You’ll get photos before and after for your records.
Can you board up shopfronts and large panes?
Yes. We carry larger sheets and fixings for commercial glazing and shopfront boarding. We can also make safe mullions, signage zones and roller‑shutter interfaces.
Do you fit temporary steel doors?
Yes. After a forced entry or if a property will be vacant, a temporary steel door provides better medium-term security than timber. We can install keyed access for owners or contractors. See door boarding for options.
Do you provide roof or skylight boarding?
We handle roof and skylight boarding where access is safe and appropriate, often after storm or impact damage. We may use weatherproof membranes to keep water out while permanent repairs are arranged.
Costs, quotes and payments
How much does boarding up cost in Windsor?
Costs depend on opening size, access, materials, time of day, and location in SL4. We don’t publish fixed prices because every job differs. Our pricing page explains the factors. Call for an estimate and we’ll be transparent about likely costs before work starts.
Do you charge more out of hours?
There can be an out of hours uplift for late night, weekend or bank holiday call-outs due to staffing and access challenges. We’ll explain any additional charges on the phone before you agree to proceed.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major cards and bank transfer. Commercial clients can request an invoice with a purchase order where applicable.
Insurance and documentation
Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance in Windsor?
Many home and commercial policies cover emergency making-safe after burglary, vandalism, storm or fire. Call your insurer early to log a claim. We provide time‑stamped photos, itemised invoices and a work statement. See our insurance claims guide for what insurers typically need. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t advise on policy decisions.
Can you liaise with my insurer or landlord?
We’ll supply documentation promptly and, if needed, speak with your insurer or property manager about the scope of emergency works. You remain the contracting party and authoriser of works on site.
What should I record before you arrive?
If safe: take clear photos of damage, keep the police reference number (if burglary/vandalism), and note any witness details. Don’t handle broken glass. This evidence helps with claims. Our team will also photograph before and after.
Situations we commonly attend
What should I do after a burglary or break-in?
Prioritise safety. Leave the property if you feel unsafe and call the police on 101 (999 in an emergency). Once the scene is released, call us for burglary repairs and boarding. Keep your crime reference number for the insurer.
Can you help with vandalism or a smashed shop window tonight?
Yes—this is typical emergency boarding up. We’ll clear broken glass, make safe, and secure the opening. For businesses, we can provide a work statement for your incident log and insurer. See vandalism repair.
Do you board up after storm damage or fallen branches?
We do. We’ll make safe, board openings and apply weatherproofing where appropriate. See storm damage. For structural concerns, we may advise a builder or structural engineer before we proceed.
What about fire or flood‑affected properties?
We secure doors, windows and openings after fire or flood to prevent unauthorised access and weather ingress. We don’t handle smoke, odour or water remediation. See fire damage and flood damage.
Can you attend accidental damage or vehicle impact?
Yes. We frequently attend accident damage to shopfronts and residential walls. If there’s any sign of structural instability, we’ll pause and advise next steps before boarding.
Process and on‑site specifics
What happens when I call?
We’ll ask about location, damage type, size of opening, access, and safety concerns. We’ll outline likely methods (e.g., 18mm plywood, anti‑tamper fixings, temporary steel door), give an ETA window, and confirm costs before dispatch.
How long does the boarding up take?
Most residential windows take 45–90 minutes once on site; shopfronts and multi‑pane glass can take longer. Complex access (upper floors, restricted rear alleys) adds time. We’ll keep you updated throughout.
Will you remove broken glass and clean up?
We bag loose shards and vacuum accessible floor areas to make safe. For large-scale glazing spills, we focus on immediate safety; specialist glass clean-up or replacement glazing can be arranged separately.
Do I need to be on site?
Ideally yes, but for landlords, agents or facility managers we can coordinate with a keyholder, contractor or security company. We can also fit a temporary steel door and provide keys if you’ll attend later.
Can you return to remove boards?
Yes. We can schedule board removal once permanent repairs are ready, or replace timber with a temporary steel door if the property will remain vacant.
Local and practical concerns
Are there any SL4-specific considerations I should know?
In Windsor and nearby SL4 areas, night-time activity near the town centre and riverfront can increase the risk of smashed windows and late calls. Parking and access restrictions can affect timing—please share any entry codes or loading bay details when you call.
Can you help me decide between window boarding and immediate replacement?
We don’t fit permanent glazing, but we’ll explain boarding options and what a glazier will likely need. Our role is to make safe and secure the property so you can arrange permanent repairs without further risk.
Do you work with building managers and RAMS?
Yes. For commercial sites, we can provide a basic RAMS pack and proof of insurance on request. Tell us if permits or inductions are required so we can plan the visit.
Service-specific FAQs
What’s the difference between temporary boarding and a temporary steel door?
- Temporary boarding: Fast, cost‑effective, suitable for most windows/doors.
- Temporary steel door: Better access control and tamper resistance for forced entries or void properties. See door boarding.
Do you install security screens for void properties?
Yes, we offer medium‑term options including steel screens and doors for vacant properties, ideal for insurance compliance and preventing unauthorised entry.
Can you board upper-floor windows?
Yes. We carry access equipment for typical two-storey properties. For taller buildings or complex access over conservatories/structures, we may recommend alternative access methods or coordinate with a specialist.
Need urgent help?
If you need to board up a broken window, secure a door, or get a shopfront boarded up tonight, call now. We’ll talk you through the next steps and give a realistic ETA.
Need help now? Call 01753 968 594 or email us.