Roof Boarding in Reading (RG) – Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding Up
Roof damage has a nasty habit of getting worse quickly. A slipped tile, smashed skylight, or storm-torn roof felt can turn into water ingress, collapsed plaster, and a wide-open access point for opportunist thieves.
Our roof boarding in Reading focuses on one thing: securing the opening and reducing further damage until permanent repairs can be arranged. We cover Reading and the wider RG postcode area (RG1–RG45) and prioritise urgent situations where the property can’t be left exposed.
Need urgent help with a damaged roof tonight? Call 01182 308 876 or email [email protected]. If you’re in immediate danger or there are downed cables/structural risks, step away and call 999 first.
If you need out-of-hours help, go straight to emergency boarding up.
When roof boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Roof boarding is usually the most sensible short-term option when:
- A skylight/rooflight has shattered (common on rear extensions and loft conversions)
- Storms have ripped felt/battening or lifted tiles leaving a visible gap
- A tree limb or debris has punctured the roof
- Fire service entry has left holes/openings after an incident
- You’ve had an attempted break-in through a roof/flat roof access point
- A vacant property has a roof opening that needs making secure quickly
Roof boarding is not a substitute for roofing repairs. It’s a temporary security and weathering measure—designed to buy you time, prevent further ingress where possible, and reduce risk.
If the roof structure is unstable, access is unsafe, or there’s significant collapse risk, we may need to delay works until the area is made safe. We’ll talk you through options on site—no surprises.
For incident-specific guidance, see:
Emergency roof boarding in Reading: typical call-outs we see
Reading’s mix of housing and commercial buildings means roof openings come in all shapes:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces around areas like Katesgrove and West Reading often have older rooflines and slate/tile details—wind can lift sections, and water finds the quickest route into loft spaces.
- 1930s semis in Tilehurst, Caversham, and Woodley commonly have rear extensions with flat roofs and rooflights—skylight glazing is vulnerable to storm debris and vandalism.
- Commercial units and warehouses near the A33 corridor and business parks can have larger roof apertures, roof hatches, and brittle rooflight panels.
Roof boarding in these situations is about fast, practical containment—secure the opening, document the work, and leave you with something insurers and facilities teams can action.
What we mean by “roof boarding” (and what you get)
Roof boarding up typically includes:
- Safe access planning (and a site assessment on arrival)
- Measuring and preparing boards to suit the opening
- Fixing boards in a way that resists tampering from outside
- Reducing weather exposure where feasible (without claiming a guaranteed “watertight” repair)
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice and work statement for your records/insurer
If your issue is ground-level glazing rather than roof-level, you may want window boarding in Reading instead.
Materials we use for roof & skylight boarding (and why)
We choose materials based on the opening size, height, and whether the property will be occupied or vacant.
18mm exterior-grade plywood (our go-to for roof boarding)
For most roof openings and rooflight apertures, 18mm exterior-grade plywood offers strong impact resistance and reliable fixings. It’s less prone to flex than thinner sheet material—important when wind load is a factor.
OSB (typically 12mm for smaller or sheltered apertures)
OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or where the board is not taking much load. We’ll recommend plywood where security and stiffness are more important.
Fixings: anti-tamper approach where possible
Roof openings are particularly attractive to intruders when a property is empty. Where the frame/structure allows, we use anti-tamper fixings and fitting methods designed to make removal from the outside significantly harder.
If the surrounding timber/uPVC frame is too damaged to accept fixings safely, we’ll explain what’s possible before we proceed. In some cases, we may recommend longer-term solutions such as screens for repeated incidents on vacant buildings (see vacant property boarding).
How we board a roof opening: method and process
Every roof is different, but our approach is consistent: assess risk, secure the opening, and leave the site stable and documented.
1) Safety and access assessment
Before anything goes up, we check:
- Signs of structural instability or rotten timbers
- Loose tiles/slates and fragile rooflight surrounds
- Access constraints (tight alleys, conservatories, rear extensions, shared driveways)
- Weather conditions—wind and rain affect what can be done safely
We don’t give fixed arrival-time guarantees, and we won’t put people on a roof if it’s unsafe. We’ll prioritise urgent calls and keep you updated.
2) Measure, cut, and prepare the board
We measure the aperture accurately and cut boards to suit. For rooflights and skylights, the key is to bridge onto sound material, not just the broken frame.
3) Fixing the board securely
Depending on the roof type and damage, we may:
- Fix into sound timber members around the opening
- Use a braced method to distribute load and reduce flex
- Add additional fixings where wind uplift risk is higher
We aim to secure the opening without causing unnecessary extra damage—however, if the surrounding structure is already compromised, non-destructive methods may not be possible. We’ll always explain your options first.
4) Check stability and leave the site tidy
Once fixed, we check for movement, exposed sharp edges, and obvious gaps. We’ll also advise on immediate next steps—such as contacting a roofer for permanent repair and notifying your insurer.
If you also need ground-floor access points secured, we can combine roof works with door boarding or shopfront boarding for commercial premises.
Common roof types we work on across Reading & the RG area
Pitched roofs (tile/slate)
Often involves gaps where tiles have slipped or where impact has broken through. Boarding is focused on the opening itself, fixed to sound supports.
Flat roofs and extensions
Frequent issues include torn coverings and damaged rooflights. Boarding can help secure the opening and reduce exposure, but it’s not a replacement for re-felting or a GRP repair.
Skylights, rooflights, and loft conversion windows
These are common on rear extensions and renovated terraces across Reading. When the glazing is smashed, boarding prevents access and reduces the risk of water getting straight into the property.
What to do before we arrive (if it’s safe)
If your roof is damaged, a few practical steps can help—but only if you can do them safely from the ground:
- Keep people away from the affected rooms (falling glass and water-damaged ceilings are risks).
- Take photos from a safe position for your records/insurer.
- If there’s active water ingress, move valuables and place containers to catch drips.
- If you suspect a break-in, call the police first and keep your reference number.
- Call us with the basics: property type, height, access restrictions, and what’s been damaged.
For urgent attendance, use emergency boarding up.
Roof boarding for commercial and managed sites
If you’re a facilities manager, landlord, or letting agent, we can support with:
- Clear job summaries suitable for maintenance logs
- Photos for your insurer and internal reporting
- Sensible, transparent recommendations when follow-on trades are needed
For commercial properties, see commercial boarding up in Reading.
Insurance and documentation (what we can and can’t do)
Roof damage often ends up as an insurance claim—storm events, impact damage, break-ins, and post-fire securing are common.
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we do provide documentation insurers typically ask for:
- Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
- A description of the opening secured and materials used
- An itemised invoice and work statement
More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.
FAQs – Roof & skylight boarding in Reading
How quickly can you board up a damaged roof in Reading?
We prioritise urgent calls, including out-of-hours, but we don’t promise fixed arrival times. Access, weather, and safety conditions affect what’s possible. If it’s urgent, call now and we’ll advise the quickest safe route: Call 01182 308 876.
Will roof boarding make it completely watertight?
Boarding is a temporary securing method, not a full roof repair. It can significantly reduce exposure, especially with well-fitted boards over a rooflight opening, but we don’t claim it’s a guaranteed permanent watertight solution. We’ll tell you honestly what to expect on your roof type.
Can you board up a skylight or rooflight on an extension?
Yes—this is one of the most common roof boarding jobs we do. We’ll measure the rooflight aperture, bridge onto sound material, and fix the board securely to resist tampering.
Do you cover areas outside central Reading?
Yes. We cover Reading and the wider RG postcode area (RG1–RG45). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
I’ve had storm damage—what should I do first?
If there’s danger (loose tiles falling, power lines down), keep away and call emergency services. Otherwise, document the damage from a safe place, contact your insurer early, and arrange temporary securing. See storm damage boarding for practical steps.
Ready to secure your roof opening?
Roof damage is stressful—especially when it’s late, raining, or you’re dealing with a break-in or fire aftermath. We’ll keep it straightforward: assess, secure, document, and help you stabilise the situation so you can plan proper repairs.
Need help now? Call 01182 308 876 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
