Vandalism Repair Boarding Up in Reading (RG1–RG45)
Vandalism is upsetting because it feels personal — and it often leaves your property exposed. If you’re dealing with smashed glass, kicked-in panels, or a damaged shopfront, we provide vandalism repair boarding up in Reading and across the RG postcodes to secure the building quickly and safely, so you can sort the longer-term repairs without worrying about another incident overnight.
If you need urgent help, use our emergency boarding up service.
Need to secure a property now? Call 01182 308 876 or email [email protected].
When vandalism typically happens in Reading
Vandalism can happen anywhere, but in Reading we often get calls relating to:
- Shopfront glazing hit on busy routes and parade units near the town centre, around places like Broad Street, Friar Street, and the roads feeding in and out of town
- Residential windows and communal entrances in blocks of flats and terraces — especially where there’s rear access or dimly lit side paths
- Void or in-between-tenancy properties where it’s obvious nobody is home (curtains gone, post building up, construction materials outside)
- Schools, community buildings, and small offices with accessible ground-floor windows
Sometimes it’s deliberate damage (stones, bottles, tools). Other times it’s opportunistic — a panel cracked after an argument, or a door forced when someone tries handles.
Whatever the cause, the immediate risk is usually the same: an opening that invites weather, theft, or further vandalism.
If you’re also dealing with a break-in, see our guidance on securing property after a burglary.
First steps to take after vandalism (before we arrive)
If you’re reading this right after an incident, here’s what to do:
- Make sure everyone is safe. Don’t step over broken glass or try to force a jammed door.
- If there’s an active threat or criminal damage in progress, call 999. Otherwise report it via 101 and keep your crime reference number.
- Take photos if it’s safe (wide shots and close-ups). These are helpful for insurers and landlords.
- Prevent access if you can do so safely — keep people away from the damaged area and don’t touch loose shards.
- Call us to secure the opening so the property isn’t left vulnerable.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for (photos, a statement of work, and an itemised invoice).
What “vandalism repair” means (and what it doesn’t)
Vandalism repair, in the context of boarding up, is about making the property safe and secure after damage.
It usually includes:
- Boarding broken windows and glazed panels
- Securing damaged doors and frames
- Boarding shopfronts and large commercial panes
- Securing rooflights/skylights if they’ve been attacked or broken
It doesn’t usually include:
- Re-glazing, joinery replacement, or locksmith work (we can advise what’s needed next)
- Cleaning graffiti or replacing signage
- Smoke/odour remediation (if there’s also been fire damage, we focus on securing the site — see after fire damage)
Our goal is simple: close the vulnerability properly so you can move on to permanent repairs.
How we secure vandalised properties in Reading
Every job is slightly different, but our approach stays consistent: assess the damage, choose the right materials, and fix them in a way that prevents removal from the outside.
Step 1: Assess the opening and any frame damage
We’ll check:
- Whether the frame is intact enough for secure boarding
- If there are hazards (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable panels)
- Whether access is straightforward (rear lanes, shared stairwells, service yards)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
Step 2: Choose the right boarding method (plywood/OSB, screens, or steel doors)
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure window and door boarding
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate
- Anti-tamper fixings where the property may be unattended or is at higher risk of repeat targeting
For higher-risk or longer-term needs, we may recommend:
- Temporary steel doors where a door has been kicked in or a vacant property needs a robust entry point
(See door boarding in Reading and options for secure access.) - Security screens for vulnerable or repeat-targeted windows (especially on empty properties)
For retail and commercial glazing, see shopfront boarding in Reading — it’s a different kind of job to a standard domestic window, and it needs the right fixings and panel sizing.
Step 3: Fit and secure — with safety and appearance in mind
We work to:
- Cover the full vulnerable area (not just the broken section)
- Fix boards so they can’t be removed from outside
- Reduce rattling, gaps, and obvious weak points
- Keep entrances usable where possible (for example, by securing a damaged side window while leaving a safe access door)
We’re careful around alarm contacts, shutters, and frames — especially on shopfronts and managed buildings.
Step 4: Provide clear handover and documentation
After boarding up, you’ll receive:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured areas (useful for insurers/landlords)
- An itemised invoice
- A brief statement of work describing what we secured and how
If you need to discuss costs and what affects them, our pricing information explains it plainly (without vague “from” figures).
Common vandalism scenarios we deal with
Smashed residential window or bay glass
Reading has plenty of family homes and terraces across RG1–RG6 where vandalism can mean a front window cracked or smashed. In these cases, we’ll board the opening securely and advise on next steps for glazing replacement.
This is usually handled via window boarding in Reading.
Damaged shopfront glazing or door panel
A retail unit with a smashed pane can’t safely trade, and leaving it open invites more trouble. We board shopfronts with properly sized panels and fixings suitable for larger spans and higher footfall areas.
If the door is damaged too, we can look at combined solutions using shopfront boarding in Reading and door boarding in Reading.
Repeated targeting of a vacant property
Void properties can get hit more than once — especially if the first “repair” is a quick patch or a poorly fixed board. Where appropriate, we’ll discuss stronger options suited to medium-term security, including doors and screening.
For this scenario, it’s also worth reading vacant property boarding.
Micro case study: vandalised shopfront near the town centre
A small takeaway operator called us after finding their front glazing smashed early in the morning, with glass across the entrance and the opening exposed to the street. They needed the premises secured quickly so stock and equipment weren’t at risk and so they could speak to their insurer and glazier during business hours.
We attended, cleared loose hazards enough to work safely, then installed a full-height plywood board across the damaged section using anti-tamper fixings. We provided photos and an itemised invoice for the claim, and advised on a follow-up plan for re-glazing and checking the door alignment after impact.
Vandalism and insurance: what helps your claim
Most insurers want evidence and clear paperwork. Practical tips:
- Keep your crime reference number (or incident number)
- Take photos before boarding if safe, and keep ours for your records
- Don’t throw away broken parts until the insurer confirms (where practical)
- Notify your insurer early — they may require “reasonable steps” to prevent further loss, which boarding up helps demonstrate
More detail is on our insurance claims guidance.
How quickly can you board up after vandalism?
We prioritise urgent calls, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times — traffic, access, and existing emergency jobs change what’s possible.
If you need help tonight or out of hours, go straight to emergency boarding up or call 01182 308 876. Tell us:
- What’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
- Whether the property is occupied
- Whether there’s immediate exposure (street-facing opening, ground floor, accessible rear)
FAQs about vandalism repair boarding up in Reading
Do you cover vandalism boarding up across the RG postcodes?
Yes — we cover Reading and the wider RG area (RG1–RG45). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.
Can you board up a shopfront without closing the whole business?
Often, yes. If there’s a safe alternative entrance or only part of the frontage is affected, we’ll talk through the options on arrival. Safety comes first — if the structure is unstable, we’ll secure it properly before anything else.
What if the frame is damaged, not just the glass?
That’s common with kicked panels and forced entry attempts. We’ll assess whether the frame can take secure fixings. If it can’t, we’ll explain what can be done immediately to secure the site and what needs a follow-on trade (glazier, joiner, or locksmith).
Is boarding up covered by insurance after vandalism?
It often can be, but policies vary. We’re not your insurer, but we provide the documentation insurers typically request. See our insurance claims page for practical guidance.
How long can boards stay in place?
It depends on exposure, risk, and the type of boarding installed. Some people need a short-term solution for a few days until re-glazing; others need longer-term security for a void property. If you tell us your situation, we’ll recommend the most appropriate method.
Next steps: secure the property and reduce further risk
If you’ve had vandalism damage, the most important thing is not leaving the property exposed. We’ll secure the opening properly, provide clear documentation, and help you stabilise the situation so you can arrange permanent repairs.
Ready to get started? Call 01182 308 876 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
