Shopfront Boarding in Kingston
Shopfront boarding in Kingston is a fast, reliable way to secure your business after a smashed window, break-in, vandalism or accident. We provide 24/7 retail and commercial boarding up across KT postcodes, securing your frontage quickly with robust materials and anti‑tamper fixings so you can protect stock, staff and premises until permanent repairs are arranged. If you need urgent help, call now for immediate assistance on 020 4572 1601.
We understand downtime costs money. Our trained, DBS‑checked technicians arrive with the right materials to make your shop, café, restaurant or office safe and secure—day or night.
- 24/7 callouts, including out‑of‑hours and weekends
- Non‑destructive securing wherever possible
- Insurer‑friendly paperwork, time‑stamped photos, and tidy workmanship
- Options for temporary steel doors and steel security screens when needed
Need help right now? Call 020 4572 1601 for rapid dispatch.
When You Need This
Shopfronts are high-visibility and high-risk. Call us for retail boarding up whenever you experience:
- Shop window smashed repair needs after impact, vandalism or attempted burglary
- Glazing damage or bowing frames compromising security
- Roller shutters jammed open after a fault or damage
- Door glass shattered or a kick‑in requiring temporary secure door solutions
- Storm damage boarding to blown-out glazing or signage
- Fire/flood aftermath where glass has cracked, delaminated or fallen out
- Accidental damage (e.g., stock cage or trolley strike; vehicular impact to frontage)
Common triggers for commercial boarding up include broken shopfront glass, double‑height curtain walling damage, mullion or transom movement, side door glazing breaks, and glazing beads popped by force. We also help after anti‑social behaviour such as etching, thrown objects and forced entry at service entrances.
If you’ve been targeted overnight or during trading hours, we can attend discreetly, clear loose glass and secure quickly so you can resume operations safely. For targeted attacks or persistent issues, we can discuss medium‑term options such as steel security screens.
For wider remedial support after a smash or graffiti, see our focused page on vandalism repair.
How We Secure Your Property
Every site is different, so we combine speed with a measured, safety‑first approach that protects your people, stock and brand.
- Initial assessment and safety cordon
- We isolate hazards, create a safe working area, and implement a simple on‑site RAMS (Risk Assessment & Method Statement) for safe working.
- Loose glass is removed and bagged; we use signage and, where needed, temporary barriers to guide pedestrians away.
- Non‑destructive securing wherever possible
- We aim to use existing frames, reveals or building fabric to secure boards without drilling into visible shopfront elements.
- Where fixings are required, we target mortar joints or hidden structural points to reduce cosmetic impact.
- Exceptions: if frames are cracked, mullions displaced, or the structure is compromised, minimal drilling or bracing may be required for safety. We’ll explain clearly and get your approval.
- Materials suitable for commercial frontages
- Board grade: exterior‑grade plywood or OSB/3, cut to fit neatly.
- Typical thickness: 11–12 mm OSB/3 for small panes; 18 mm plywood or OSB for larger spans, high footfall, or high‑risk exposures.
- Reinforcement: battening or internal bracing for very wide glass bays; cross‑bracing where wind loading is a concern.
- Fixings: anti‑tamper fixings designed so they can’t be easily removed from the outside. We use security screws, shield anchors or through‑bolts as appropriate, with washers to distribute load.
- Edge protection and weather: we seal or tape edges if required to limit water ingress and draughts, and ensure a tidy, professional finish.
- Doors, shutters and access
- We coordinate with existing shutters and roller doors so your overnight security remains functional.
- If a door is damaged or glass is lost, we can install a temporary steel door set or boarded door panel with an internal lock so you retain secure access for staff.
- Where fire exits are affected, we maintain safe egress while keeping unauthorised entry out.
- Clean, safe handover
- We sweep and remove glass fragments from immediate areas (inside and out) and leave a clear, safe floor.
- We label any temporary operable elements and confirm what’s secured and where.
- Optional steel security screens and temporary steel doors
- For repeat‑risk sites, vacant units, or where glass replacement will be delayed, we can fit steel security screens (sometimes called Sitex‑style) and temporary steel doors. These provide a higher deterrent and durability than timber boarding.
- Board & glaze coordination
- We’re a boarding‑first company. If you need glazing quickly, we can coordinate with your chosen glazier or recommend partners for “board & glaze” follow‑up, including laminated or toughened shopfront glass replacements.
Throughout, we aim to keep your frontage presentable, avoid damage, and maintain trading where possible. For larger commercial estates, FM teams and managing agents, we can provide a simple RAMS and method for approval before works commence.
If your premises is one of several under your portfolio, our commercial specialists can support rollout and reporting—learn more on our commercial boarding up page.
Why Choose Us
- Local Kingston presence, KT coverage: We operate across Kingston upon Thames and the KT1–KT24 postcodes—Kingston town centre, Norbiton, Surbiton, Tolworth, New Malden, Chessington, Thames Ditton, Esher, Epsom and beyond.
- 10+ years’ experience: Specialists in shopfront boarding, commercial boarding up and out‑of‑hours retail work.
- Public liability insured and DBS‑checked: You’re in safe hands. We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS‑checked for peace of mind.
- Non‑destructive securing: We protect your brand assets and frontage finish wherever possible, only drilling where safety demands it.
- Tidy, insurer‑ready documentation: We provide time‑stamped before/after photos, an itemised invoice, and a simple work statement—helpful for insurers and landlords. Remember to keep any police reference number if applicable.
- Clear communication: You get an ETA window, updates on arrival, and a walk‑through before we leave.
- Quality materials and workmanship warranty: We use robust exterior‑grade boards and security fixings, with a workmanship guarantee on our boarding installation.
- 24/7 availability without hard ETAs: We don’t promise the impossible, but we do run a mobile team across KT to get to you promptly, day or night.
If you’re unsure whether you need full boarding or a partial solution to trade safely, we’ll explain your options clearly and help you choose the most practical, cost‑effective approach.
What Happens Next
- Call us: Tell us what happened, your location, access details and any risks (live electrics, unstable structures, broken shutters).
- Dispatch: We allocate the nearest technician with the right materials.
- On‑site: We assess, make safe, remove loose glass and secure with boards, fixings and bracing as needed. If access is required, we install a temporary secure door.
- Handover: We tidy, photograph works, and email your invoice and a simple work statement for your records/insurer.
If your situation is urgent, use our dedicated line for 24/7 emergency boarding up.
- Managing multiple sites or need FM‑style reporting? See our commercial boarding up service.
- Need help with paperwork? We provide insurer‑friendly documentation—see our insurance support.
- For break‑ins and smashed glass after vandalism, our rapid vandalism repair guidance may help.
FAQs
Can you work out of hours so I don’t disrupt trading?
Yes. We specialise in out‑of‑hours boarding up and after‑hours works so we can secure your shopfront before opening or once you close. We can also operate discreetly during trading if safety allows.
How long does it take to board up a shopfront?
Most single‑bay shopfronts are boarded within 60–120 minutes from arrival. Larger curtain walling, high‑level panes or complex frames can take longer, especially if towers or additional bracing are required. We’ll advise on arrival.
Will the boards damage my frames or cladding?
Our approach is non‑destructive wherever possible. We aim to fix into reveals, mortar joints or hidden structural points. If structural issues mean drilling is unavoidable, we’ll explain, minimise visibility and use appropriate fixings.
Do you provide steel security screens or temporary steel doors?
Yes. For higher risk, longer‑term securing, we can install steel security screens and temporary steel doors with lockable access. These options are ideal for vacant units or where glass replacement is delayed.
Can you coordinate with our roller shutters and alarm company?
We regularly board behind shutters and will keep shutter operation usable if possible. We can liaise with your alarm provider to maintain detection where practicable.
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Many commercial policies cover emergency securing after insured perils (e.g., vandalism, storm, burglary). Check your policy or broker. We provide time‑stamped photos, itemised invoices and a work statement to support claims. Keep any police reference number if you have one.
What materials do you use, and why?
We use exterior‑grade plywood or OSB/3. Thickness ranges from 11–12 mm for small panes to 18 mm for large shopfronts or high‑risk scenarios. Anti‑tamper fixings prevent removal from outside, and we brace wide spans for rigidity.
Can you help if the frame or structure looks unstable?
Yes—safety comes first. If we suspect structural compromise, we’ll stabilise temporarily and may recommend follow‑up by a glazier, shutter engineer or builder. In rare cases we’ll suggest steel screens or arrange for a structural check.
Areas We Cover in KT
We operate across Kingston upon Thames and the wider KT area, including KT1 Kingston town centre and riverside, KT2 Norbiton and Canbury, KT3 New Malden and Motspur Park, KT4 Old Malden, KT5 Berrylands, KT6 Surbiton and Tolworth, KT9 Chessington and Hook, as well as Thames Ditton, Esher, Epsom, Ewell, Walton‑on‑Thames, Weybridge, Cobham and more. Mobile teams help us reach you efficiently, 24/7.
Keep Trading, Keep Secure
A smashed shop window doesn’t have to put your business on hold. With fast boarding up, clear advice and insurer‑ready paperwork, we’ll get you secure and back on your feet.
Need help now? Call 020 4572 1601 or Email us.
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