What Is Boarding Up? A Practical Guide for Portsmouth & the PO Area

Boarding up is the process of securing a damaged, vulnerable, or open part of a property—most commonly a window, door, shopfront, or rooflight—using robust temporary materials and fixings. The goal is simple: make the building safe and secure until permanent repairs can be completed.

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage, or a vacant property that needs securing, boarding up can prevent further loss, deter opportunistic entry, and protect the inside from wind and rain. At Boarding Up Portsmouth, we provide boarding-up services across PO postcodes (PO1–PO41), with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and 10+ years’ trading experience.

If you need help urgently, go straight to emergency boarding up or call 023 8272 0371.

What boarding up is (and what it isn’t)

Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure. It’s designed to stabilise a situation quickly—especially when glazing is broken, a door has been forced, or a building is exposed.

What it is:

  • A method to secure property after damage or forced entry
  • A way to reduce risk of theft, vandalism, and weather ingress
  • A practical “make safe” solution while you arrange repairs or wait for parts/contractors
  • Often the first step after incidents like burglary, vandalism, impact damage, or storms

What it isn’t:

  • A substitute for proper repairs (new glazing, door replacement, frame repairs)
  • A guarantee that nothing else will happen (it’s a deterrent, not a force field)
  • A complete fire/flood restoration service (we can secure the building, but remediation is separate)

If you’re unsure whether boarding is the right call, you can describe what’s happened and we’ll talk you through options on the phone.

When you might need boarding up in Portsmouth and the PO postcodes

People usually search for boarding up when something has just gone wrong and they need a clear next step. Common reasons include:

  • Board up broken window after a break-in or accident
  • Smashed window from vandalism or a thrown object
  • Board up door after forced entry or a damaged lock/hinge area
  • Shopfront boarded up after out-of-hours damage to commercial glazing
  • Temporary boarding while waiting for replacement glass, frames, or specialist parts
  • Securing a property after a fire (once emergency services deem it safe)
  • Roof damage or missing panels where water ingress is a risk

For incident-specific guidance, see:

How boarding up works (step-by-step)

Boarding up done properly is more than just screwing a sheet over a hole. The right approach depends on the opening, the material around it, and whether the property will be occupied or left unattended.

A typical job looks like this:

  1. Initial safety check

    • We confirm what’s been damaged (glass, frame, brickwork, door leaf, hinges).
    • If there’s loose glass or sharp debris, we take precautions before working.

  2. Measure and choose the right material

    • Openings are measured properly so the board covers the vulnerable area with safe overlap.
    • We select board thickness and type based on size, exposure, and risk level.

  3. Fixing method chosen to suit the situation

    • Where possible, we use methods that are secure and minimise unnecessary damage.
    • For higher-risk or unattended sites, anti-tamper fixings are often appropriate to reduce the chance of removal from outside.

  4. Fit, secure, and check

    • Boards are fitted square, pulled tight, and checked for movement.
    • We aim for a secure finish that deters entry and reduces weather ingress.

  5. Documentation for your records/insurer

    • You can request time-stamped photos and a clear work statement and invoice—useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurance claims.

If the surrounding frame or structure is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain what’s possible before proceeding.

Materials we use (and why they matter)

Not all “boarding” is equal. Using the wrong board or weak fixings can create a false sense of security—especially if a property is empty overnight or a shopfront has been targeted.

We commonly use:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood
    Strong, stable, and reliable for larger openings and higher-security requirements. It’s typically the go-to for serious forced entry damage, commercial shopfronts, and exposed locations.

  • OSB (Oriented Strand Board), often 12mm for smaller openings
    A practical option for certain window sizes and short-term situations, depending on risk and exposure. It’s important it’s fitted properly with appropriate fixings—especially in wind-exposed areas.

We’ll recommend what’s appropriate based on what we can see, the risk level, and how long you expect the building to be secured.

What can be boarded up?

Boarding up applies to more than just ground-floor windows. In Portsmouth and the wider PO area, we regularly secure a range of openings, including:

For certain situations—especially vacant buildings—boarding may be only one part of the security picture. We’ll talk through whether additional measures are sensible for the risk level.

Boarding up vs temporary steel doors vs security screens

“Boarding up” is often the fastest first response, but sometimes you need a more robust, longer-term option—particularly for repeated targeting, void properties, or badly damaged entrances.

Boarding up (plywood/OSB)

Best for:

  • A quick make-safe after a smashed window or forced entry
  • Short-term security while repairs are arranged
  • Most residential break-ins and accidental damage

Considerations:

  • It’s temporary and needs proper fixing to be effective
  • Not always ideal for longer-term void security on its own

Temporary steel doors

Best for:

  • Forced entry where the doorway is compromised
  • Properties that will be unoccupied
  • Medium-term security while door/frame repairs are arranged

Temporary steel doors provide a more door-like solution for access control and security compared to a boarded entrance.

Security screens

Best for:

  • Vacant/void properties needing longer-term protection
  • Locations with a higher likelihood of repeat vandalism or break-ins
  • Situations where visibility/ventilation may be important (depending on screen type)

If you’re not sure which is best, we can advise based on how long the property will be vulnerable and whether access is required.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, boarding up is considered a necessary mitigation step after an insured event (such as burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact). Coverage depends on your policy wording and excess, so we can’t confirm what your insurer will pay—but we can help you present what they typically need.

Practical tips:

  • Keep any crime reference number if police attended
  • Take photos (if safe) before anything is moved
  • Notify your insurer as early as possible
  • Ask what documentation they need for emergency works

For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

What you can do right now if your property is damaged

If you’re dealing with a smashed window or forced door in Portsmouth or the PO area, these steps help you stay safe and protect your claim:

  1. Check for immediate danger

    • If there’s ongoing threat, call police first.
    • Avoid handling broken glass without protection.

  2. Prevent access if safe

    • Keep people away from the opening.
    • Move valuables out of sight if you can do so safely.

  3. Document the damage

    • Photos of the opening, the wider scene, and any points of entry help.

  4. Call for boarding up

    • If it’s out of hours, don’t wait until morning—properties are most vulnerable right after an incident.
    • For urgent help, use 24/7 boarding up or call 023 8272 0371.

How long does boarding up last?

Boarding up is designed to last long enough for you to arrange permanent repairs—but the real answer depends on:

  • The level of exposure to wind and rain
  • How secure the fixings are and whether anti-tamper fixings are used
  • Whether the building is occupied or vacant
  • The size and location of the opening (ground floor vs upper storey, rear access, etc.)

If you expect repairs to take longer (for example, waiting on bespoke glazing or structural work), tell us. We can recommend a more suitable medium-term approach.

Why people in Portsmouth choose professional boarding up (instead of DIY)

DIY boarding can be tempting—especially late at night—but problems often arise when boards are too thin, poorly fixed, or cut without proper overlap. That can lead to:

  • Boards working loose in wind
  • Gaps that allow hands/tools to get behind fixings
  • More damage to frames than necessary
  • An insecure finish that actually signals vulnerability

A professional approach aims to make the property safe, secure, and defensible, while keeping the situation straightforward for you—especially if you’re also dealing with police, neighbours, tenants, or an insurer.

You can also see answers to common questions on our FAQs page.

What areas do you cover?

We cover Portsmouth and the full PO postcode area (PO1–PO41), including the mainland and surrounding locations within the PO region. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

For a Portsmouth-specific local page, see boarding up in Portsmouth (PO1).

Ready to secure your property?

If you need temporary boarding, a shopfront boarded up, or urgent help to make safe after a break-in or smashed window, we’re here to help.

Ready to get started? Call 023 8272 0371 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.