Situations We Handle — Boarding Up in Sevenoaks (TN13–TN15)

When something goes wrong—a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage—you need to make the property safe quickly and know what happens next. We help homeowners, landlords, shop owners and facilities teams across Sevenoaks and the TN13–TN15 postcode districts secure properties fast with professional, documented boarding up. We’ve been trading for 10+ years, are fully insured, and all technicians are DBS-checked.

If you need urgent help now, please call 01732 900 519. For true emergencies and out-of-hours incidents, see our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

The Problems We’re Called To — And How We Help

Below you’ll find the most common situations we attend in Sevenoaks and nearby TN13, TN14 and TN15, plus what to do first and how we’ll secure your property. If you’re unsure which applies, call us and we’ll talk it through.

Burglary or Break-In

A burglary often leaves windows or doors damaged, locks compromised, and frames split. The priority is to secure the opening and protect what’s inside.

  • What we do:

    • Make-safe and board damaged glazing (typically using 18mm exterior-grade plywood or 12mm OSB for smaller panels)
    • Reinforce or board forced doors; fit a temporary steel door where needed
    • Use anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside—vital if the property may be unattended
    • Provide time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice for insurers

  • Your first steps:

    • If a crime is ongoing or recent, call 999/101 and obtain a police reference number
    • Take photos if safe; don’t touch broken locks or frames more than necessary
    • Call us to secure the property after burglary

Vandalism and Criminal Damage

Shopfronts and residential windows can be smashed without entry being gained. We board up quickly to restore security and reduce visual impact.

  • What we do:

    • Board up smashed window panes and damaged shopfronts (“shopfront boarded up” same day where possible)
    • Use neat, flush boarding with packers and protective edging to preserve frames for reglazing
    • Provide a work statement noting visible damage and board locations

  • Your first steps:

    • Photograph all damage and keep any CCTV clips
    • Report to police for a reference; notify your insurer early
    • Learn more: vandalism repair and boarding

Storm or Weather Damage

High winds and flying debris can break panes, shift roof tiles, and damage skylights. Our priority is to make safe and weatherproof.

  • What we do:

    • Temporary boarding for windows and doors
    • Roof and skylight boarding where access allows; we may use ladder access or arrange a platform for larger spans
    • Weatherproofing with breathable membranes or taping where appropriate

  • Your first steps:

Fire Damage (Post-Fire Securing)

After the fire service leaves, openings may be broken and doors compromised. We secure the perimeter while respecting ongoing investigations.

  • What we do:

    • Rapid make-safe and temporary boarding for windows, doors, and any panelled fire exits
    • Fit temporary steel doors if frames are too damaged for safe timber boarding
    • Provide documentation for your insurer

  • Note: We don’t handle smoke or odour remediation—our role is securing and weatherproofing only.

  • Next steps: post-fire securing and boarding

Flood Damage

Swollen frames, weakened fixings, and soft plaster can make openings insecure after flooding.

  • What we do:

    • Assess frames for load-bearing strength before boarding
    • Use fix-through methods into sound substrates; if not possible, we’ll explain structural limitations and agree a plan
    • Ventilation considerations where appropriate to help drying

  • Learn more: post-flood boarding and securing

Accidental or Impact Damage

From a mis-thrown object to a vehicle strike, accidents happen. The key is fast “make safe” and a clear plan.

  • What we do:

    • Board up broken window glass and damaged shopfronts
    • For vehicle strikes or suspected structural movement, we’ll pause and advise on calling a structural engineer before boarding load-bearing areas
    • Provide insurers with photos and notes on temporary measures

  • More info: accident damage securing

What To Expect When You Call

  • We listen first: What happened, where you are (TN13, TN14, or TN15), and any safety risks.
  • Realistic attendance: We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t promise fixed arrival times; on the phone we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on conditions.
  • On-site assessment: We measure each opening and decide the best method—plywood or OSB boarding, temporary steel doors, or security screens for longer-term needs.
  • Methods that protect your property:
    • Exterior-grade 18mm plywood for most doors and larger windows
    • 12mm OSB for smaller openings and internal boarding
    • Anti-tamper fixings and through-bolting into solid substrates
    • Packers and edge protection to avoid frame damage
  • Clear handover:
    • Time-stamped photos of all work
    • Itemised invoice and work statement (location of boards, fixings used)
    • Notes for your insurer and any recommendations for follow-on repairs

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options and costs before proceeding. For medium-term security (void properties or repeat risks), ask about temporary steel doors and steel security screens.

Insurance and Documentation

We deal with post-incident boarding every day and understand what insurers typically want to see. While we’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, we can help you navigate first steps.

  • Keep your police reference number (for burglary/vandalism)
  • Take your own photos before we attend, if safe
  • Contact your insurer early and ask if they require an inspection before boarding
  • We supply:
    • Time-stamped photos
    • Itemised invoice and work statement
    • Notes on cause as reported and actions taken

For more, see our dedicated guide: insurance claims support for boarding up.

Property Types We Secure

We work across residential, commercial and vacant properties in Sevenoaks:

Each property type has different access, safety and security considerations. We’ll advise on the right approach, from neat, reglaze-ready window boarding to heavier-duty solutions for repeated risk.

Materials & Methods: Why They Matter

Choosing the right materials helps protect both security and future repairs.

  • Exterior-grade 18mm plywood: Strong, stable, good screw-hold for doors and large panes
  • 12mm OSB: Cost-effective for smaller internal or secondary boards
  • Anti-tamper fixings: Prevent outside removal—important for unattended properties
  • Temporary steel doors: For forced entries or very weak frames; provide lockable, controlled access
  • Security screens: For void properties or longer-term protection where glazing has been removed

We’ll recommend the safest, most appropriate option on site and explain the trade-offs in cost, security, and impact on future reglazing.

Staying Safe Before We Arrive

While you wait for us to attend, please consider:

  • Keep people and pets away from broken glass and unstable frames
  • Don’t attempt to remove large shards yourself
  • If the door won’t secure, wait in a safe room or with a neighbour
  • For shops, move stock away from the opening if safe
  • Turn off electrics if there’s water ingress near sockets or lighting

For urgent call-outs and out-of-hours incidents, go straight to: 24/7 emergency boarding up in Sevenoaks.

Local Coverage Across TN13–TN15

We’re local to Sevenoaks and regularly attend incidents across TN13, TN14 and TN15. Typical areas include central Sevenoaks, Riverhead, Dunton Green, Kemsing, Otford, and surrounding villages. We prioritise urgent calls and will give a realistic ETA when you ring.

Explore nearby area pages:

See all locations: areas we cover

FAQs — Situations and Next Steps

Can you board up my smashed window tonight in Sevenoaks?

Yes—use our emergency boarding up line and we’ll prioritise your call. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload and location (TN13–TN15).

I’ve had a break-in in TN13. Should I call the police or you first?

If the intruder may still be present or it’s just happened, call 999/101 first and obtain a reference number. Then call us to secure the property after burglary. If it’s clearly safe and no one is inside, you can call us while you wait for the police.

Do you provide documentation insurers accept?

Yes. We provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a simple work statement detailing actions taken, materials used, and board locations. See: insurance claims.

Our shopfront was vandalised in TN14. Can you make it safe out of hours?

Absolutely. We regularly handle “shopfront boarded up” requests out of hours. Call the emergency line and we’ll secure the opening with anti-tamper fixings so you can reopen safely. Learn more: vandalism repair and shopfront boarding.

There’s storm damage to a skylight in TN15. Can you board at height?

In many cases, yes. We’ll assess safe access (ladders or temporary platforms). If specialist access is required, we’ll explain options and timescales. More: roof boarding and storm damage.

Will boarding up damage my window frames?

We use packers, correct screw lengths, and through-fixing into solid substrates to minimise damage and allow for straightforward reglazing. If frames are too compromised, we’ll explain alternatives like temporary steel doors before proceeding.

How long should I keep the boards on?

For short-term security until reglazing: typically a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on your glazier’s lead time. For vacant properties or repeat-risk sites, consider medium-term options like security screens. See: vacant property security.

Can you help if a vehicle has hit a wall or shopfront?

Yes for make-safe and temporary boarding. If we suspect structural compromise, we’ll pause and advise that a structural engineer or insurer-appointed contractor assesses it first. See: accident damage.

Helpful Services If You’re Comparing Options

Next Steps

  • Need help now? Call 01732 900 519 for immediate assistance.
  • Not urgent? Email us with photos and your postcode (TN13, TN14 or TN15), and we’ll advise the best approach.