Residential Boarding Up Twickenham
Residential boarding up in Twickenham is about making your home safe, secure and weatherproof again after damage to your windows, doors or roof. Whether you are a homeowner, tenant or landlord, we provide fast, professional emergency securing across the TW postcode area.
With over 10 years’ experience, fully insured and DBS‑checked technicians, and 24/7 availability, we can board up and secure houses and flats throughout Twickenham and surrounding areas.
When You Need Residential Boarding Up
You might need residential boarding up in Twickenham at very short notice, often after something stressful or unexpected has happened. Typical situations include:
After a burglary or attempted break‑in
- Front or back doors forced or kicked in
- Locks or frames damaged so doors no longer close
- Windows jemmied, smashed or left insecure
In these cases, we provide burglary boarding and reinforcement so you can secure your home after a break‑in while you arrange permanent repairs. Where a door is beyond repair, we can install temporary secure doors to keep you safe.
You can read more about our dedicated post-burglary boarding up service.
Broken or smashed windows
- Accidental impact from a ball, ladder or furniture
- Cracked glazing that is no longer safe
- Smashed glass from vandalism or anti‑social behaviour
Our emergency window boarding service is designed for these situations. We can board up broken windows quickly and safely so that your property is secure, glass hazards are removed and rain is kept out. For more detail on materials and methods, see our dedicated window boarding in Twickenham page.
Storm and weather damage
- High winds blowing windows or doors open or off
- Debris or branches breaking glass
- Roof or skylight damage leading to leaks
In heavy weather, we provide storm damage boarding for windows, doors and roofs. This can include temporary weatherproofing and tarping to prevent further water damage. Our specialist roof & skylight boarding in Twickenham is often used alongside standard boarding.
You can learn more about our wider storm damage boarding services.
Fire or flood damage to your home
- Fire damage leaving windows or doors broken or missing
- Floods causing swollen frames or doors that no longer lock properly
- Properties needing to be left vacant for drying or investigation
We focus on non-destructive securing wherever possible so that remedial works are not made more complicated. We can also help with properties that will be empty for a period after a major incident.
Voids, probate and long‑term empty homes
If a residential property in Twickenham is going to be vacant for longer – for example, during probate, major renovation or an insurance claim – we can provide vacant property boarding and, where appropriate, steel security screens for medium‑term security.
For longer-term empties, see our vacant property boarding in Twickenham page.
How We Secure Your Residential Property
Every home and situation is different, but our approach to residential boarding up in Twickenham follows a clear, safety‑first process.
1. Initial assessment and safety check
When we arrive, we:
- Check for immediate safety hazards, especially loose glass and unstable frames
- Assess whether doors and windows can be secured non‑destructively
- Identify any structural concerns and, if necessary, advise involving other trades (e.g. builders, roofers)
Our priority is to make the property safe and secure without causing unnecessary damage.
2. Choosing the right boarding material
We typically use:
- Plywood or OSB boarding: Usually 11–18mm thick, depending on the size of the opening and the level of risk
- Exterior‑grade panels suitable for short‑ to medium‑term weather exposure
- Where appropriate, temporary steel doors or steel security screens for higher‑risk or longer‑term situations
We will explain the options clearly so you understand what is being fitted and why.
3. Fitting methods and anti‑tamper fixings
We aim for non-destructive securing wherever possible. That usually means:
- Attaching boards to the inside using timber bracing and existing reveals
- Using anti-tamper fixings that cannot easily be undone from the outside
- Avoiding drilling into or damaging uPVC frames unless there is no safe alternative
Sometimes, especially where frames are severely damaged, there is no choice but to screw into surrounding structure for safety. If this is the case, we will explain it clearly before starting.
For doors that cannot be locked or have been forced, we may:
- Fit robust door boarding up panels over or in place of the damaged door, or
- Install a temporary secure door with proper locks for easier access during repairs
Find out more about our dedicated door boarding up service.
4. Roof and skylight securing
For roof lights, skylights and loft windows, we:
- Assess safe access (ladders, towers or with your appointed roofer)
- Fit secure OSB or plywood boarding to cover exposed openings
- Add temporary weatherproofing (such as tarping) where needed to reduce water ingress
We often liaise with roofers to ensure our temporary work supports, not hinders, follow‑up repairs.
5. Tidy, considerate work in your home
We understand that this is your living space, not a building site. Our technicians:
- Sweep or vacuum up accessible broken glass and debris in the work area
- Remove offcuts and packaging from boarding materials
- Leave the boarded areas as neat and unobtrusive as practical
We always aim to respect your home and your privacy.
Why Choose Us for Residential Boarding Up in Twickenham?
Local, reliable and experienced
- 10+ years’ experience providing boarding up services in Twickenham and across SW postcodes
- Regular work on homes and flats around Twickenham Green, St Margarets, Whitton, Teddington and Richmond
- Fast, mobile response 24/7 for emergency boarding up Twickenham and nearby areas
We know the local housing stock well – from Victorian terraces and period conversions to modern apartments.
Fully insured and DBS‑checked
- Public liability insurance for your protection
- All technicians DBS‑checked – important where children, vulnerable adults or shared entrances are involved
- Method statements and simple risk assessments available on request
Non‑destructive securing wherever possible
We place a strong emphasis on:
- Non-destructive securing methods that protect your existing frames and structure
- Clear explanation where more invasive methods are unavoidable (e.g. heavily damaged frames, severe fire damage)
- Using appropriate thicknesses of plywood boarding or OSB boarding to balance safety, security and cost
Insurer‑friendly paperwork
Most residential boarding up follows an incident that may be part of an insurance claim. To support this, we provide:
- Time‑stamped photos of the damage and our boarding work
- An itemised invoice showing labour, materials and any emergency call‑out
- A simple written statement of the work carried out
You can also read about our dedicated insurance support for boarding up in Twickenham.
We are not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we understand what most insurers expect when you board up and secure a property.
What Happens Next?
We aim to keep things simple and clear during a stressful time.
Step 1 – Contact us
Call us any time to discuss your situation. We will ask for:
- Your address and contact details
- A brief description of the damage (windows, doors, roof, number of openings)
- Any safety concerns (e.g. exposed electrics, ongoing leaks, unsafe structures)
If you are in an active emergency situation, you can also see our dedicated 24/7 emergency boarding up in Twickenham page.
Step 2 – Attendance and on‑site plan
Once on site, we:
- Assess the damage and discuss options with you
- Agree which openings will be boarded and how
- Confirm any access arrangements if you are not staying in the property overnight
If you manage multiple homes or blocks, our broader boarding up services in Twickenham page may also be useful.
Step 3 – Boarding up and securing
We complete the agreed works:
- Boarding up windows, doors or roofs
- Fitting temporary secure doors if needed
- Making sure you can still enter and exit the home safely
We test any new locks and confirm how to operate them before we leave.
Step 4 – Paperwork and follow‑up
Before we leave you will receive:
- A simple written description of the work done
- Details suitable for insurers, including time and date of attendance
- Advice on any recommended follow‑up trades (glaziers, locksmiths, roofers, builders)
If your property is likely to be empty for a while, you may wish to look at our vacant property boarding in Twickenham or see the areas we cover around TW.
Residential Boarding Up FAQs
How long does it take to board up a typical house?
Most standard homes can be boarded and secured in a single visit, often within a couple of hours depending on the number and size of openings. Larger properties, roof work or complex access may take longer, but we will explain expected timings on site.
Will boarding up damage my window or door frames?
We use non-destructive securing methods wherever possible, fixing boards to the inside using bracing and anti‑tamper fixings. If frames are already badly damaged and need to be replaced, some additional fixings into the structure may be required; we will always explain this first.
Is residential boarding up covered by insurance?
Many home insurance policies do cover reasonable emergency measures to secure the property, such as emergency window boarding. You should check your own policy or ask your insurer directly. We provide insurance‑ready paperwork including photos and itemised invoices to help with your claim.
For more detailed guidance, see our page on insurance support for boarding up in Twickenham.
Can you help if I live in a flat or shared building?
Yes. We regularly work in maisonettes, converted houses and purpose‑built flats. We are careful about shared entrances, communal hallways and fire‑escape routes, and can liaise with building managers or landlords if required.
How secure is plywood or OSB boarding?
Correctly fitted plywood boarding or OSB boarding using internal bracing and anti‑tamper fixings is very robust and can be more resistant to forced entry than standard residential glazing. For higher‑risk or longer‑term situations, we may recommend temporary steel doors or security screens.
Do I need to stay at the property after it’s boarded up?
Not necessarily. Once your home is boarded and secured, you may choose to stay elsewhere while permanent repairs are arranged, especially after major incidents like fire or flood. We can discuss access options, including temporary secure doors, so trades or insurers can visit safely.
Need help now? Call 020 3772 7375 or Email us for fast, professional residential boarding up in Twickenham and across the TW postcode area.
Helpful links
