Shopfront Boarding in Reading (RG) – Secure Your Premises Fast
When your glass gets smashed or a door is forced, you need shopfront boarding in Reading that’s quick, tidy, and properly fixed—so your business can close up safely, protect stock, and get back to trading.
We provide shopfront boarding across Reading and the RG postcode area (RG1–RG45) for retail units, cafés, offices, industrial units and managed buildings. If it’s urgent, we’ll prioritise the job and talk you through the safest next steps on the phone.
Need urgent help right now? Call 01182 308 876
Prefer email? [email protected]
For out-of-hours support, see emergency boarding up.
When shopfront boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Shopfront boarding is usually needed after:
- A smashed pane (vandalism, attempted theft, late-night incident)
- Forced entry damage to doors/frames
- Impact damage (trolley/vehicle strike)
- Storm damage to glazing or surrounding panels
- Vacant units awaiting repairs or new tenants
If glazing is merely cracked but still seated, we’ll discuss whether immediate boarding is necessary or whether a short-term safety measure (like restricting access and prioritising glazing replacement) is more appropriate. We won’t upsell you into boarding if it’s not required.
If the opening is overhead (e.g., canopy glazing or skylight), it may be better handled as roof boarding in Reading depending on access and weatherproofing needs.
Priority scenarios we handle in Reading’s commercial areas
Reading has a mix of busy retail parades, shopping centres and trading estates, and shopfront incidents can happen anywhere—from the evening economy near Friar Street to units along Oxford Road or the A33 corridor.
We commonly get calls for:
- Shops and kiosks where front glazing has been punched through or hit
- Restaurants/takeaways with vulnerable doors and side panels
- Office receptions where a large pane has cracked or failed
- Managed blocks with damaged communal entrance glazing
- Empty retail units that need securing between tenants
If you’re dealing with a crime-related incident, see our guidance on burglary repairs and boarding or vandalism repair and boarding. If it’s weather-related, storm damage boarding may be more relevant.
How our shopfront boarding works (step by step)
Every frontage is different—aluminium shopfront systems, timber frames, recessed entrances, double doors, or full-height glazing—so we start with a quick assessment and then secure it properly.
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Make safe & assess the opening
- We check what’s failed: glazing only, beading, frame distortion, lock damage, or threshold issues.
- If there are loose shards, we’ll advise on safe clearance and how we’ll contain the area while working.
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Measure and choose the right boarding method
- We decide between internal boarding, external boarding, or a combination—based on access, risk, and whether the property will be left unattended.
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Fit boards with security-focused fixings
- We use fixings designed to resist removal from outside where possible.
- Where frames are fragile or already damaged, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
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Stabilise edges and reduce weather ingress
- Boarding is primarily a security measure, but we take care to reduce draughts and rain penetration as far as practicable.
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Document the work
- You receive clear notes of what was secured, plus time-stamped photos if needed for insurers, landlords, or facilities management.
If your main issue is a damaged window rather than a full shopfront, you may only need window boarding in Reading.
Materials we use (and why)
18mm exterior-grade plywood (our go-to for shopfronts)
For most shopfront boarding, 18mm exterior-grade plywood is the best balance of strength, durability and screw-holding. It’s well-suited to:
- Large openings where rigidity matters
- Premises left empty overnight
- Sites with repeated targeting risk
12mm OSB (for smaller panels or lower-risk openings)
OSB (oriented strand board) can be appropriate for smaller areas, internal boarding, or where the opening is limited and the risk is lower. We’ll recommend plywood where additional strength and resistance to flexing is needed.
Anti-tamper fixings & through-bolting (where appropriate)
Security is about how the board is fixed, not just the board itself. Depending on the substrate and access, we may use:
- Anti-tamper fixings to make removal from the street side far harder
- Through-bolting with penny washers/plates when the surrounding frame is strong enough
- Non-destructive methods where feasible to avoid unnecessary damage
If the frame is too compromised for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the trade-offs first—especially for aluminium shopfront systems where incorrect fixing can cause further distortion.
Temporary steel doors & longer-term protection options
If the entrance door has been destroyed or the unit is likely to remain vacant, a boarded door isn’t always the most practical solution. In those cases we may recommend solutions such as a temporary steel door (discussed under door boarding in Reading) or longer-term security planning via our vacant property approach on vacant property boarding.
External vs internal shopfront boarding: what’s best?
External boarding (street-facing security)
External boarding is often chosen when:
- The opening is directly accessible from the pavement
- The site has high footfall and higher re-entry risk
- You need a clear deterrent while repairs are arranged
We’ll take care to fit boards securely and in a way that doesn’t create additional hazards around entrances.
Internal boarding (cleaner look, sometimes better for trading)
Internal boarding may be suitable when:
- The unit is still trading and you want a tidier external appearance
- There’s a recessed entrance that’s easier to secure from inside
- The building management prefers internal protection (common in managed parades)
We’ll talk through the pros/cons so you can choose what’s right for your premises.
What to do immediately after your shopfront is smashed (Reading & RG)
If you’ve arrived to find damage, it’s normal to feel pressured to “just get it closed up”. A few steps help protect you and your claim:
- If a crime is suspected, call 999 (emergency) or 101, and keep your crime reference number.
- Take photos of damage and any obvious tool marks—only if it’s safe.
- Don’t move glass with bare hands; cordon off if possible.
- Call us to secure the opening and stop further entry.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.
A realistic example: late-night damage near Reading town centre
A small retail unit near the town centre calls after closing: the outer pane of a full-height shopfront has been smashed, leaving a wide opening at pavement level. Stock is visible, and the site can’t be left overnight.
We attend, assess whether the aluminium frame is still stable, then fit 18mm exterior plywood sized to cover the opening. Where the shopfront system allows, we use security-focused fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside. The entrance is left safe and secured, and we provide time-stamped photos and an itemised work statement for the tenant and managing agent to forward to their insurer and glazing contractor.
Commercial sites we board up (and how we work on managed premises)
We regularly secure:
- Independent shops and franchises
- Restaurants, cafés and takeaways
- Offices and reception areas
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Schools/colleges and community buildings (as needed)
- Vacant retail units between tenants
If you’re a facilities manager, letting agent, or part of a planned maintenance team, we can work with your access procedures and provide:
- A clear scope of works before starting (where possible)
- Photos on completion
- An itemised invoice suitable for job-number systems
For broader options, see commercial boarding up.
Why fixing method matters more than people realise
A common issue we see is “boarded” shopfronts that can be removed quickly because the fixings are accessible or the board isn’t properly supported. On a shopfront, the opening is often wide and low, which encourages leverage.
Our focus is to:
- Use the right thickness of board for the span
- Fix into sound structure (not just trim or damaged beading)
- Choose tamper-resistant approaches where the location calls for it
- Keep the site safe for staff, residents and passers-by
FAQs – Shopfront boarding in Reading
How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window in Reading?
We prioritise urgent calls and can often attend the same day, including evenings where possible. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, access and job complexity vary, but we’ll give you a realistic expectation on the phone and keep you updated.
For urgent situations, use emergency boarding up and call 01182 308 876.
Is shopfront boarding covered by insurance?
Often, boarding up as an emergency security measure is covered—but policies differ. The safest approach is to notify your insurer early, keep your crime reference number (if applicable), and retain photos and invoices. We can provide supporting documentation—see insurance claims support.
Will boarding damage my shopfront frame?
We aim to secure openings using methods that minimise additional damage. However, if the frame is already distorted or too weak for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options and likely outcomes before we proceed.
Can you board up double doors or a full entrance area?
Yes. We can secure doors and adjacent glazed panels as part of one frontage. If the door itself is the main issue, you may also want door boarding in Reading.
How long can boards stay in place?
Boarding is intended as a temporary security measure while repairs are arranged. How long it can remain depends on exposure, risk level, and the condition of the surrounding frame. If you need a longer-term solution for an empty unit, see vacant property boarding.
Ready to secure your shopfront?
If your premises has been damaged, the priority is simple: close the opening, protect stock, and reduce the risk of another entry.
Need urgent shopfront boarding in Reading or across the RG area?
Call 01182 308 876 or email us.
