Commercial Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN) – Shops, Offices & Sites Secured

Commercial damage is stressful for any business. A smashed window, forced door, or compromised shopfront isn’t just an eyesore—it can stop trading, invalidate security arrangements, and expose stock and equipment to theft or weather. If you need commercial boarding up in Tonbridge, we provide practical, make-safe solutions across the TN postcode area (TN1–TN40), with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and 10+ years’ trading experience.

If you’re dealing with an urgent break-in or impact damage, start here: emergency boarding up. If it’s planned securing for a void unit or refurbishment, we can help with that too.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178
Non-urgent enquiries: [email protected]

Commercial call-outs we handle (typical scenarios)

Commercial premises tend to have larger openings, higher footfall, and more complex access—so make-safe work needs to be fast, tidy, and secure.

Here are common reasons businesses and facilities teams call us:

Smashed window or smashed shopfront glazing after vandalism (often overnight or out of hours)
Forced entry where locks, frames, or doors have been damaged and the premises can’t be secured normally
Accidental impact damage (e.g., a trolley, vehicle, or fallen sign cracking glazing)
Storm damage lifting or breaking panels, dislodging frames, or exposing back-of-house doors
Fire brigade entry or post-incident access leaving a door or window unsafe to leave unattended
Vacant / void commercial units between tenants needing temporary boarding or longer-term security

If the situation is linked to an incident, our aim is simple: make safe the opening, help you secure property quickly, and provide the documentation you’ll typically need afterwards.

For incident-specific guidance, see:

What “commercial boarding up” usually means (and what it doesn’t)

Commercial boarding up is usually a temporary boarding solution to protect the building until glazing, doors, shutters, or structural repairs can be completed. It can also be used as a planned, medium-term measure for void properties.

What we do:

Board up broken windows and doors to prevent access and reduce risk
Secure larger shopfront boarded up openings using appropriate sheet sizes and fixings
Provide options for temporary steel doors or security screens where longer-term security is needed
Leave the site safe and stable, with fixings designed to resist tampering

What we don’t do:

We don’t replace glazing or perform full building reinstatement (we secure the opening)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide practical documentation insurers usually request
Smoke/odour remediation after fire is outside our scope—we focus on securing the property

How we secure commercial windows, doors and shopfronts

The right method depends on the opening size, the frame condition, and how long you need the premises protected. We’ll talk you through options on site—especially if frames are damaged or there’s a security risk from repeat targeting.

Window boarding (including side/rear elevations)

For most commercial windows, we use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust protection on standard openings
12mm OSB (where suitable) for smaller or less exposed openings

Fixing method depends on frame condition:

Non-destructive fixing where possible (so the opening can be reinstated more easily)
Through-fixing with anti-tamper fixings where higher security is required
Anti-tamper fixings help prevent removal from outside—important if the unit will be unattended.

Related service: window boarding in Tonbridge

Shopfront boarding (large glass panels & high visibility frontage)

Shopfronts are a common target because they’re highly visible and often located on busy routes. Boarding needs to be:

Secure against levering and removal
Neat enough to reduce attention (where practical)
Installed with pedestrian safety in mind (sharp glass and debris risks)

Where access allows, we’ll use larger sheets, correct overlaps, and secure fixing patterns designed for wide openings.

Related service: shopfront boarding

Door boarding and temporary steel doors

If you’ve had a board up door situation due to forced entry, the main issue is often the lock area and frame integrity. If a standard board is appropriate, we’ll fit it securely. If the doorway needs repeat access for trades, surveyors, or insurers, a better option can be a temporary steel door.

A temporary steel door is often used for:

Void units between tenants
Repeated break-in attempts
Premises where staff need controlled access while repairs are arranged

Related service: door boarding in Tonbridge

Rooflights, skylights and overhead openings

Commercial sites sometimes have fragile rooflights, glazed sections, or skylights that become unsafe after storm or impact damage. Roof-level work can require additional access planning and weatherproofing considerations.

Related service: roof boarding

Access, safety and working around your business

Commercial make-safe work is rarely “one size fits all”. We plan around:

Rear access via service yards or alleys (common behind retail and mixed-use units)
Flats above shops and shared entrances (keeping communal areas safe and tidy)
Limited parking/loading restrictions, especially near busy areas
Out-of-hours attendance to reduce disruption where possible

If there’s broken glass, we’ll prioritise immediate hazard reduction and safe boundaries. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

What you get (useful for insurers, landlords, and facilities teams)

When we board up a commercial property, we focus on leaving a clear paper trail so you can move the next steps along.

You can typically expect:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
An itemised invoice suitable for property management/finance approval
A brief work statement describing materials and method used

For practical guidance on what insurers may ask for, see: insurance claims support.

Emergency vs planned commercial boarding: what to expect

If it’s urgent (tonight / out of hours)

When a shopfront is smashed or a door won’t secure, the priority is to make the building safe and reduce the chance of further loss.

We can help with:

emergency boarding up
24/7 boarding up attendance where available (we’ll give a realistic ETA on the phone)
Temporary boarding to keep the premises secure until repairs are arranged

Emergency page: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Tonbridge

If it’s planned (void units, refits, repeat issues)

Planned work allows a more tailored approach:

Choosing the right materials for the likely duration
Considering security screens or steel doors
Arranging access with keyholders, alarm companies, or managing agents

If you’re comparing options, you may find this useful: what is boarding up?

Areas we cover for commercial boarding up (Tonbridge & TN postcodes)

We cover Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40), including commercial sites in town centres, industrial areas, and mixed-use streets.

Start here for local coverage: areas we cover

Popular nearby pages include:

If you’re unsure which page matches your site location, call and we’ll confirm coverage.

Guidance: what to do before we arrive (if it’s safe)

If you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, or impact damage, a few small steps can help:

If there’s a crime in progress or danger, call 999.
If police attend, keep your crime reference number to hand.
Take photos of the damage if it’s safe to do so (useful for insurers and maintenance records).
Keep people away from broken glass; don’t attempt risky cleanup.
If you can, secure valuables and sensitive items from view.

If you need a board up broken window or shopfront boarded up urgently, call and we’ll talk through the next step.

FAQs – Commercial boarding up in Tonbridge (TN)

Can you board up a smashed shopfront out of hours?

Yes—commercial call-outs often happen out of hours. We prioritise urgent make-safe work and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on current workload and travel.

Do you provide emergency boarding up for offices and industrial units as well as shops?

Yes. We secure a wide range of commercial properties, including offices, warehouses, and mixed-use buildings across TN postcodes.

What materials do you use for commercial boarding?

Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability, and 12mm OSB where appropriate for smaller openings. The exact choice depends on exposure, opening size, and security risk.

Can you board up a door that’s been forced?

Yes. We can board up door openings and advise if the frame condition suggests a temporary steel door would be a better, more usable solution while permanent repairs are arranged.

Will boarding damage my frames or cladding?

We aim to use non-destructive methods where the frame condition allows. If the surrounding structure is too compromised, we’ll explain the safest fixing method before proceeding.

Do you cover Tonbridge and the surrounding TN areas?

Yes—Tonbridge and TN1–TN40. If you manage multiple sites, we can also help across the wider TN patch. See areas we cover.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and the cause of damage. We’re not insurers, but we can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. See insurance claims support.

How long does commercial boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access, and whether frames are damaged. When you call, we’ll ask a few questions and set expectations.

Can you secure a vacant commercial unit between tenants?

Yes. For void units, we’ll discuss the best approach—standard boarding for short periods, or more robust options like steel doors/security screens depending on risk and duration.

Helpful Links

Next step: secure your commercial property

If your premises has a smashed window, forced door, or damaged shopfront, we’ll help you make safe the site and secure property until repairs are completed.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]

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