Boarding Up Services in Portsmouth (PO1–PO41)

When you need a property secured, you usually need it quickly, and you need to know the job has been done properly. Boarding Up Portsmouth provides professional boarding up services across Portsmouth and the wider PO postcode area (PO1–PO41), helping homeowners, landlords, managing agents and businesses secure property after damage, break-ins, or when a building is left vacant.

We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. Whether you need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or arrange temporary boarding for a larger commercial opening, we’ll talk you through the safest option and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

If you need urgent help tonight or out of hours, go straight to our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

What “boarding up” means (and what it’s for)

Boarding up is a temporary security and safety measure used to protect a building when an opening has been compromised—most commonly a smashed window, damaged door, broken shopfront glazing, or an exposed rooflight/skylight after storm damage.

Done well, boarding up should:

Deter opportunist entry (especially if the property will be unattended)
Reduce risk to the public from sharp glass or unstable frames
Help weatherproof the opening (as much as the situation allows)
Provide a clear “make safe” solution until permanent repairs happen

If you’re unsure whether boarding is appropriate—or if the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods—we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

For a plain-English overview, see: what is boarding up?

Our boarding up services (what we do and when you need each)

Below is how our main services work, with the typical situations they’re used for. If you’re dealing with an urgent incident, we can advise on the phone and help you choose the right approach.

Window boarding (broken or vulnerable windows)

Window boarding is the most common call-out, typically after a break-in, vandalism, or accidental impact. If you’ve had a smashed window or you need to board up broken window openings in a hurry, we’ll assess:

The size and location of the opening (ground floor, upper floor, rear access etc.)
Whether there’s remaining loose glazing that needs making safe
The condition of the frame and surrounding structure

Materials and fixings matter. We commonly use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength on larger windows and exposed locations, and 12mm OSB can be appropriate for smaller openings where the risk is lower. We use fixings that are chosen for the substrate and security level—often anti-tamper fixings where external removal is a risk.

Door boarding and temporary access solutions

If a door has been kicked in, prised, or left insecure after police entry, door boarding is about restoring security quickly. Depending on the damage, we can:

Board across a damaged door opening to secure property
Reinforce weak points where practical
Advise when a temporary steel door is the safer medium-term option (especially for empty properties or repeated targeting)

A key point: we’ll always consider safe exit/entry needs. Some premises need controlled access for residents, staff, or insurers—so we’ll discuss the best way to secure the opening without creating unnecessary complications.

Shopfront boarding for commercial glazing

A broken shopfront isn’t just a security issue—it affects trading, staff safety, and public liability. If you need a shopfront boarded up, we plan for:

Large panes and wider spans (requiring sturdier boards and fixing patterns)
Customer-facing locations where appearance and safety matter
Out-of-hours work so you can reopen or hand over to a glazier smoothly

Where appropriate, we can install boarding in a way that supports your next step—temporary security now, then efficient permanent glazing replacement.

Roof and skylight boarding (storm damage and exposed openings)

Rooflights, skylights, and damaged roof sections create urgent risks: water ingress, further structural deterioration, and internal damage to electrics, ceilings, and stock. Roof boarding is more access-dependent than other work, and we’ll talk through what’s safe and achievable when you call.

Typical reasons people request roof boarding include:

Storm damage lifting or breaking roof components
Exposed rooflights/skylights after impact
Temporary weatherproofing while awaiting roof repairs

We’ll always be clear about limitations: boarding can significantly reduce exposure, but it isn’t the same as a full roof repair.

Temporary fencing (site control and perimeter security)

Sometimes the vulnerability isn’t only the building—it’s the perimeter. Temporary fencing can be the right solution when a property is open, unsafe to enter, or part of a wider incident scene (for example, after impact damage or fire service attendance).

Temporary fencing is commonly used to:

Control access to a damaged frontage
Reduce public risk around debris or unstable areas
Support insurers, loss prevention, or facilities teams while next steps are arranged

Materials and methods: how we make properties safe

People often search “cheap boarding up services Portsmouth” in a panic. We understand the pressure—but the method used matters just as much as speed. Poor boarding can be removed from the outside, can damage frames unnecessarily, or can let in weather overnight.

In most jobs, we select materials based on the opening size, exposure, and the security risk:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength, durability and larger openings
12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk openings where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings when the property will be unattended or targeted
Fixing methods that suit the substrate (brick, timber frame, UPVC surrounds, masonry reveals)

We aim to use the least destructive method that still achieves a secure result. If the surrounding frame is too compromised, we’ll explain what we can do immediately and what will need follow-on repairs.

What to expect when you call us

If you’re dealing with damage, the unknowns can be as stressful as the incident itself. Here’s what usually happens once you get in touch:

We ask a few quick questions to understand the risk (location, size of opening, ground floor/upper floor, whether the building is occupied).
We give a realistic ETA based on workload and conditions. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls.
We attend and assess safely, including whether there’s loose glass, unsafe frames, or access constraints.
We install the boarding/make safe, using suitable board thickness and fixings for the situation.
You receive documentation such as itemised invoices and a clear work statement. We can also provide time-stamped photos if helpful for insurers or property managers.

If you need immediate help (especially out of hours), use: emergency boarding up

Boarding up for different property types

Boarding up isn’t one-size-fits-all. A ground-floor flat has different needs to a retail unit, and a vacant building has different risks to an occupied family home. If you’d like details tailored to your situation, these pages help:

Common situations we’re called out for (and how we help)

People rarely plan to book boarding up—it usually follows an incident. If you’re trying to work out what to do next, these guides cover practical steps and what securing work typically involves:

After a break-in: burglary repairs and securing
After vandalism: vandalism repair and boarding
After bad weather: storm damage make safe
After a fire: fire damage securing
After flooding: flood damage securing
After an impact or accident: accident damage make safe

Insurance, reporting, and documentation (practical guidance)

If you’re boarding up after a break-in, vandalism, or storm damage, insurers often want clear evidence of what happened and what was done to prevent further loss.

A few practical tips that usually help:

If a crime is involved, report it and keep your police reference number
Take photos of the damage before boarding up if it’s safe to do so
Don’t clear away evidence until you’ve been advised (where relevant)
Contact your insurer early—many prefer you to act quickly to prevent further damage

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the kind of paperwork insurers typically ask for.

More detail here: insurance claims support

Coverage: Portsmouth and the PO postcode area

We provide boarding up services across Portsmouth and throughout the PO postcodes (PO1–PO41). That includes residential streets, managed blocks, retail areas, industrial estates, and coastal locations where wind-driven rain can worsen damage quickly.

If you’re not sure whether your postcode is included, check: areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

FAQs about our boarding up services

Do you offer 24/7 boarding up in Portsmouth?

Yes—if you need 24/7 boarding up due to a break-in, a smashed window, or a damaged door, contact us via emergency boarding up. We prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Can you board up a broken window the same day?

Often, yes—especially for urgent security risks. Attendance varies with time of day and workload, but if you call we’ll let you know what’s achievable and how quickly we can make safe.

What board do you use—plywood or OSB?

It depends on the opening and security needs. We commonly use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger, more secure coverage, and 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings. We’ll explain the choice on-site if you’d like.

Will boarding up damage my window or door frame?

We aim to use the least destructive method that still secures the property properly. Some frames (especially after forced entry) are already too compromised for a “clean” fix—if so, we’ll talk you through options before proceeding.

Can you secure a shopfront without blocking the whole entrance?

In some cases, yes. It depends on the layout and what’s been damaged. For shops, we consider security, public safety, and how you’ll access the premises for stock, clean-up, or glazier visits.

Do you provide photos and paperwork for insurers or landlords?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear description of the work completed—useful for insurers, housing providers, and facilities teams. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

I’m a landlord or managing agent—can you work with tenants on-site?

Yes, with the right permissions. We regularly help landlords and agents secure properties between tenancies or after incidents. If access is via tenants or building management, we’ll coordinate sensibly and document the work.

How much does boarding up cost in Portsmouth?

Costs vary based on opening size, access (ground floor vs upper floor), materials used, and whether the job is out of hours. We don’t publish fixed prices because each situation is different—see pricing for the factors that affect cost.

Ready to secure your property?

If you need professional boarding up services in Portsmouth or anywhere in the PO postcode area, we can help—whether it’s planned temporary boarding or an urgent emergency boarding up situation.

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

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