FAQs — Boarding Up Reading (RG1–RG45)

When you’ve got a broken window, a forced door, or a damaged shopfront, you usually want two things: your property secured quickly, and clear answers without the jargon. These FAQs cover how boarding up in Reading works, what to expect when you call, and how we help across the RG postcode area.

If you need urgent help right now, use our emergency boarding up page.

The questions we get asked most in Reading and the RG area

Reading is a busy town with a real mix of property types—Victorian terraces around Katesgrove and Caversham, 1930s semis across Tilehurst and Woodley, town-centre flats in RG1, plus shopfronts and offices around Broad Street, the Oracle and the A33 corridor. That mix means damage happens in different ways, and the “right” solution isn’t always the same.

Below are the most common questions we hear from homeowners, landlords, shop owners and facilities teams.

Emergency & availability

Do you provide 24/7 emergency boarding up in Reading?

Yes. We handle 24 hour boarding up in Reading and across RG1–RG45, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays. We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, police access and the condition of the opening all affect it), but we prioritise calls where the building is open to the street, vulnerable to repeat entry, or unsafe.

If it’s urgent tonight, go straight to emergency boarding up or Call 01182 308 876.

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe:

  1. Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames.
  2. Take a few photos for your insurer (overall view + close-ups).
  3. If it’s a burglary or vandalism, keep your police reference number handy.
  4. Don’t try to clear every shard—small fragments around frames can cut hands and make fixings harder.

If the Fire Service or Police are on site, follow their instructions first. If we need to wait for a scene to be released, we will.

Can you board up a property the same day?

Often, yes—especially in and around Reading (RG1, RG2, RG4, RG6, RG30, RG41). Same-day depends on the size of the opening, the access (rear gardens, shared corridors, alleyways), and whether the frame is stable enough to fix into.

For planned work (void properties, refurbishment, pre-sale security), see our wider boarding up services in Reading.

Services & methods

What exactly is “boarding up”?

Boarding up is the process of securing a vulnerable opening—typically a window, door, shopfront or rooflight—using strong sheet material and secure fixings so the property is protected while permanent repairs are arranged.

If you want the plain-English overview, see what is boarding up.

What materials do you use—plywood or OSB?

We choose materials based on the opening, exposure to weather and how long it needs to remain secure.

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, reliable window and door boarding where a better finish and durability matter.
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable in certain situations, particularly for temporary, short-term coverage.

We’ll talk you through the options on site. If the frame is too damaged for the non-destructive approach, we’ll explain what’s possible before we proceed.

How do you fix boards so they can’t be removed from outside?

Where appropriate, we use anti-tamper fixings and methods designed to resist outside removal. The exact fixing method depends on:

  • The material of the surround (timber, masonry, uPVC, composite)
  • Whether the reveal is intact
  • The size and position of the opening (ground floor vs upper floor)
  • Whether we need a reversible solution for landlords/agents

The goal is always the same: secure the opening without creating additional damage where we can avoid it.

Do you do window boarding and door boarding separately?

Yes—because the risks are different.

  • window boarding in Reading is focused on glazing failures, cracked panes, smashed units and vulnerable ground-floor windows.
  • door boarding in Reading covers forced entries, damaged locks, split frames and situations where a door can’t be closed or secured.

We can secure both during the same visit if needed.

Can you secure shopfronts and commercial glazing?

Yes. We provide shopfront boarding for retail units, offices and commercial properties. In Reading, we’re often called to:

  • High-footfall areas near the town centre
  • Parades and local shopping areas
  • Units on busy roads where glass is vulnerable to impact

For commercial clients who need ongoing support, we can provide documentation suitable for facilities and insurance processes.

Do you board up rooflights and skylights?

Yes. Roof openings can let in water fast, so weatherproofing is often as important as security. We provide roof boarding for damaged rooflights, skylights and similar openings, with safe access considered as part of the job.

Do you fit temporary steel doors or security screens?

Yes, where boarding isn’t the best medium-term solution.

  • Temporary steel doors are ideal if a door has been forced and the property will be vacant or awaiting a full replacement. They’re designed for repeated access by authorised people.
  • Steel security screens can be a good choice for longer-term void security where repeated attacks are a concern.

If you’re securing an empty house, flat, retail unit or managed property, it’s also worth reading our vacant property boarding page.

Situations we’re called out for

Who do I call if my window is smashed in Reading?

If it’s unsafe or the building is open, you need a boarding-up contractor who can secure the opening and give you proper paperwork afterwards.

Start here: window boarding in Reading
If it’s urgent right now: emergency boarding up or Call 01182 308 876.

What happens after a burglary—do you handle post-burglary boarding?

Yes. We regularly attend break-ins where:

  • a door has been forced and the frame is split,
  • a patio door or ground-floor window has been smashed,
  • locks are damaged and the property can’t be secured normally.

We’ll secure the vulnerable points and provide photos and an itemised invoice for your records. See burglary repairs and boarding.

Do you help after vandalism to shops or homes?

Yes. Vandalism ranges from thrown objects through windows to repeated attacks on the same frontage. The priority is to make the property secure and reduce the chance of escalation. See vandalism repair and boarding.

Can you board up after storm damage?

Yes. High winds can break glazing, damage doors and, in some cases, dislodge roof panels or rooflights. We secure the opening to keep the weather out while you arrange permanent repair. See storm damage boarding.

Do you board up after a fire?

Yes—once the site is safe and access is permitted. We focus on securing the property after fire damage; smoke/odour remediation and clean-up are outside our scope. See fire damage boarding.

Yes. Flooding can swell timber, distort frames and leave doors that won’t close. We can secure openings while you arrange drying and longer-term repairs. See flood damage boarding.

What if a vehicle hits my shopfront or wall?

We can secure broken glazing and exposed openings after accidental impact. If there are signs of structural instability, we may advise you to get a structural professional involved before final repair—our role is to make things safe and secure in the short term. See accident damage boarding.

Costs, paperwork & insurance

How much does boarding up cost in Reading?

Costs vary, and we’re careful not to guess without seeing the job. The price is mainly influenced by:

  • Size and number of openings
  • Height/access (upper floors, rear access, scaffolding needs)
  • Material choice (plywood vs other options)
  • Fixing method and time on site
  • Whether it’s an emergency/out-of-hours call

For a clearer explanation of what affects cost, visit pricing. For a quote, Call 01182 308 876 or email us.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, boarding up can be considered a reasonable “make safe” step after damage—especially following burglary, vandalism, storm or impact. Policies differ, and we’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically request.

See insurance claims support for practical guidance on what to keep and what to send.

What paperwork and evidence do you provide?

Typically, you’ll receive:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
  • An itemised invoice and description of works completed
  • Notes on any access issues or pre-existing damage we observed

If you need something specific for a landlord file or facilities report, tell us when you call.

Can you invoice landlords, managing agents or facilities teams?

Yes. We regularly work with landlords, agents and facilities contacts across Reading and the RG area, including planned security for voids and emergency call-outs. If your process requires a purchase order number or site contact, we can accommodate that—just let us know upfront.

For property-specific guidance, see:

Access, safety & practicalities

Do I need to be on site for you to board up?

Not always. If you’re a landlord/agent and can provide access instructions, we can often attend without you there. We’ll confirm the approach in advance and send photos afterwards.

If access is complex (shared entry systems, rear gates, alarm procedures), it’s usually smoother if someone can meet us.

Will boarding up damage my frames or brickwork?

Our aim is to secure the property with the least disruption possible. In many cases, boards can be fixed in a way that minimises additional damage.

That said, if the frame is already shattered or unstable, there may be limited “clean” fixing points. We’ll explain your options before proceeding.

How long does boarding up take?

A straightforward window can often be secured quickly; multiple openings, awkward access, or unsafe frames can take longer. We’ll give you a realistic expectation once we understand what’s happened and what needs securing.

Will the boarding be weatherproof?

We focus on making the property secure and reducing rain ingress. For many openings, a well-fitted exterior-grade board provides good short-term protection. However, boarding up isn’t the same as a permanent glazed repair—wind-driven rain and existing structural gaps can still be an issue in severe weather.

If weatherproofing is the main concern (particularly with rooflights), tell us when you call so we can plan the right materials and approach.

Can you board up from the inside?

Sometimes. Internal boarding can be useful where external access is restricted, or where you want to reduce the visual impact from the street. It isn’t always appropriate (especially for ground-floor openings that are vulnerable to forced entry), but we’ll advise honestly based on the risks.

Coverage & areas

What areas do you cover?

We cover Reading and the wider RG postcode area (RG1–RG45), including nearby towns and villages. You can check your location on our areas we cover page.

If you’re unsure, Call 01182 308 876 and we’ll confirm.

Do you cover my part of Reading—like Caversham, Tilehurst or Earley?

Yes—those are common call-out areas, along with central Reading and places like Woodley and Shinfield. For local pages, see:

Still got a question?

If you can tell us what’s happened (broken window, forced door, damaged shopfront, rooflight leak), what type of property it is, and whether anyone is on site, we can advise the quickest way to make it safe.

Ready to get started? Call 01182 308 876 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.