Shopfront Boarding in Tonbridge (Emergency & Planned Security)
A smashed or cracked shopfront can’t wait—especially if you’re responsible for staff safety, stock, and keeping the premises secure overnight. Our shopfront boarding service in Tonbridge is designed to make safe damaged glazing quickly and protect your property until repairs can be completed.
For urgent help, call Call 01732 900 178. If you’re dealing with an incident out of hours, see our dedicated page for emergency boarding up.
We cover Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40) with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and 10+ years’ trading experience.
When shopfront boarding is the right option
Shopfront boarding is usually needed when the glass is broken, unsafe, or the opening is vulnerable. Common call-outs include:
- Smashed window after vandalism or attempted theft
- Shopfront boarded up after a break-in where the lock/door has been compromised
- Accidental impact (trolleys, deliveries, vehicle strikes)
- Storm damage where glazing has failed and the opening needs temporary boarding
- Vacant or refit periods when you need to secure property until contractors return
If you’re unsure whether boarding is necessary (or whether you need a different solution), we’ll talk it through and give you a realistic recommendation. In some situations, a temporary steel door or longer-term screen may be more appropriate—particularly if access doors have been forced. (See: door boarding in Tonbridge and what is boarding up?.)
Emergency shopfront boarding: what we prioritise first
In an emergency, the goal is always the same: make safe, then secure the opening.
We prioritise:
- Public safety – sharp glass, unstable frames, loose beading, and hazards to staff/customers
- Security – preventing easy access from street level, especially if the property will be unattended
- Weather protection – reducing wind/rain ingress where possible
- Clear documentation – photos and paperwork that insurers typically request
If police are attending or have attended, keep your crime reference number. If safe to do so, take a few photos of the damage before any clean-up—your insurer may ask for them later.
Need urgent help now? Call 01732 900 178.
Materials we use (and why)
Shopfront openings are often larger than domestic windows and more exposed, so material choice matters. We select boards and fixings based on the size of the opening, the frame condition, and whether the site is high risk.
Typical materials include:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most shopfront panels
- Strong, reliable, and suited to larger openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller sections or where appropriate
- Useful for certain sizes, but plywood is often preferred for bigger shopfront spans
- Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a risk of removal from the outside
- Important if the premises will be empty or the opening is in a public-facing location
- Battens, packers, and edge protection as needed
- Helps achieve a tighter, more stable fit and reduces movement/rattle
If the surrounding frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain what’s possible before we proceed. We won’t pretend a compromised frame is “as good as new”—we’ll focus on safe, secure, temporary protection until repairs can be arranged.
How we board up a shopfront (methods we use)
Every shopfront is slightly different: aluminium systems, timber frames, recessed entrances, double-door layouts, and glazed side panels all change how boarding should be installed.
Depending on the site, we may use:
- Revealed/internal fixings (where accessible)
- Reduces the chance of boards being levered off from outside
- Through-bolting with internal bracing (where suitable)
- Helps distribute load and improves security on larger panels
- Sectional boarding for wide shopfronts
- Easier to handle and can provide a more stable fit than one oversized sheet
- Doorway security solutions where entry doors are damaged
- If you need to board up door access points as well, we’ll advise whether standard boarding is sufficient or if a more robust option is required (see door boarding in Tonbridge)
We aim to leave your premises in a condition that is:
- Safe for anyone who needs to enter
- Properly secured from street-level access
- Documented for insurance/admin purposes
What happens when you call us
When you’re under pressure, you need a simple process and clear communication.
- Tell us what’s happened
We’ll ask what’s been damaged (front glazing, door, side panel), whether glass is still falling, and if the premises is occupied. - Get a realistic ETA
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—workload and conditions vary—but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic expectation on the phone. - Make safe, board up, and document
We secure the opening, then provide the paperwork and photos you may need for insurers or facilities records.
For urgent incidents, use our emergency boarding up page for what to do straight away and what to prepare.
Insurance support (documentation you can hand over)
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t make decisions for your insurer—but we do provide the documentation insurers typically ask for after a break-in, vandalism, or accident.
You can expect:
- Time-stamped photos of the opening before/after boarding (where possible)
- An itemised invoice
- A short work statement describing what was secured and how
More guidance is available here: insurance claims help.
Common shopfront scenarios we handle in Tonbridge and across TN
Shopfront damage doesn’t always happen at convenient times. Typical situations include:
- Out of hours call after an attempted break-in
- Security needed while you wait for a glazier or landlord approval
- Vulnerable corner units where access is easier from side alleys/rear approaches
- Flats above shops where access and parking can be tight, and work needs to be planned safely
- Retail units where you need to protect stock and limit visibility from the street
If the issue is connected to a specific event, these guides may help:
- After a break-in: burglary repairs and boarding
- After vandalism: vandalism repair and boarding
- After impact damage: accident damage boarding
- After severe weather: storm damage boarding
Shopfront boarding vs other options (what to choose)
Boarding is often the quickest way to stabilise and secure a broken shopfront, but it’s not the only option.
Consider these alternatives depending on risk and timescale:
- Temporary steel doors (recommended if the door itself has been forced or will be a repeat target)
- Security screens (better for longer void periods in some situations)
- If you’re securing a unit between tenants, see: vacant property boarding
- Window boarding (for non-shopfront glazing)
If you tell us how long you need the site secured and whether there have been repeat incidents, we’ll help you choose a sensible approach without over-specifying.
FAQs: Shopfront boarding in Tonbridge
How quickly can you board up a smashed shop window?
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours where needed. We don’t guarantee fixed response times—traffic and workload vary—but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone. For urgent help, Call 01732 900 178.
Can you make safe immediately if glass is dangerous?
Yes. Making the area safe is the first priority. If there are sharp edges, unstable panes, or a risk to staff and the public, we focus on make safe measures before securing the opening with boarding.
Do you board up just the glass, or the whole entrance?
It depends on what’s damaged. If only one glazed panel is broken, we can board that section. If the entry is compromised, we may need to board up door areas too, or recommend a stronger temporary solution. See door boarding in Tonbridge.
Will boarding stop people seeing inside the shop?
Boarding can reduce visibility and deter opportunistic entry. However, visibility depends on the shape of the opening and how the boards must be fixed safely. Tell us your concern and we’ll advise what’s practical.
Is shopfront boarding covered by insurance?
Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental impact—but it depends on your policy. We provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support a claim. See insurance claims help.
What if the shopfront frame is damaged as well as the glass?
If the frame is compromised, some fixing methods may not be suitable. We’ll explain the options before proceeding and focus on a safe, secure temporary solution while you arrange repairs.
Can you board up commercial units across the TN postcodes?
Yes. We cover Tonbridge and TN districts across TN1–TN40. If you manage multiple sites, we can also help you plan consistent temporary security and documentation.
I need a shopfront boarded up tonight—what should I do first?
If it’s safe, keep people away from the damaged area and take a couple of photos for your records. If police have attended, keep your reference number. Then call us so we can arrange attendance: Call 01732 900 178.
Do you work with landlords, managing agents, and facilities teams?
Yes. We regularly help landlords and commercial property contacts who need fast temporary boarding and clear paperwork for internal reporting or insurance.
Related services for commercial properties
Shopfront incidents often involve more than one vulnerable point. You may also need:
- window boarding in Tonbridge for side windows and upper glazing
- door boarding in Tonbridge for damaged entrances and forced doors
- roof boarding in Tonbridge if rooflights or skylights are damaged
- commercial property boarding for planned or multi-site needs
Helpful Links
- emergency boarding up
- insurance claims help
- pricing information
- frequently asked questions
- areas we cover
- contact us
Ready to secure your shopfront?
If you need emergency shopfront boarding in Tonbridge, or you’re planning ahead for a refit or vacant unit, we’ll talk you through the safest option and provide clear documentation afterwards.
Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]
