Commercial Boarding Up in Medway

When a shopfront is smashed, a warehouse door is forced, or office glazing fails after a storm, you need a fast, safe way to secure the site and keep operations moving. Boarding Up Medway provides commercial boarding up across Medway’s ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8 postcode districts. We’re fully insured, our technicians are DBS-checked, and we’ve spent 10+ years helping businesses make safe, deter further damage, and meet insurer requirements—day or night.

If you need urgent help to board up a broken window or door now, call 01634 980 080. We handle emergency and planned works for single units, multi-site portfolios, and facilities management teams.

Who We Help

We secure a wide range of commercial premises in Medway, including:

• Retail units and shopfronts on busy high streets and local parades
• Hospitality: cafés, pubs, takeaways and restaurants with late trading hours
• Offices and co-working spaces with curtain wall glazing or atriums
• Industrial units, yards and warehouses, including roller shutter interfaces
• Healthcare and education settings needing DBS-checked attendance
• Estate and letting agents managing vacant or part-occupied stock

For an immediate response out of hours, visit our emergency boarding up page or call 01634 980 080.

Typical Commercial Scenarios We Attend

• Smashed shopfront glazing after attempted burglary or vandalism
• Forced rear door to a restaurant or small unit—locks and frame compromised
• Curtain wall or large pane cracked by impact; temporary boarding required pending reglaze
• Storm-damaged windows, skylights or roof lights allowing water ingress
• Vehicle strike to a façade or roller shutter, needing structural make safe and secure access
• Vacant unit handover—secure windows and install a temporary steel door for key control
• Fire-damaged entrance where glass has blown; perimeter must be secured for investigators
• Flood-swollen frames that won’t close; temporary security while drying/repairs proceed

If your situation is post-incident, see our guidance for burglary repairs, vandalism repair, or storm damage.

How We Secure Commercial Properties

Commercial work often involves larger spans of glass, higher footfall areas, and insurer or landlord requirements. Our approach balances safety, security and business continuity.

1. Initial assessment and make safe

• We check for loose glass, compromised frames, trip hazards and overhead risks.
• Dangerous shards are removed with glazing tools and PPE; debris is contained and cleared to keep trading areas safe.

2. Board specification and sizing

• For most shopfronts and doors, we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stiffness and security.
• For smaller internal panes or office side lights, 12mm OSB may be suitable if risk is lower.
• Every opening is measured and cut to fit; edges are bevelled to sit flush without snag points.

3. Fixing methods

• Anti-tamper fixings are used externally to deter removal from the street—crucial if the unit will be unattended.
• Where frames permit non-destructive fixing, we’ll span the opening with internal battens and through-bolts to protect the frame.
• If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options and obtain approval before proceeding.

4. Temporary doors and controlled access

• If a main door is compromised, we can install a temporary steel door set for secure, key-controlled access. See door boarding and temporary solutions on our emergency page.
• For rear service yards, we can provide robust temporary boarding with internal bracing to resist levering.

5. Weatherproofing and interfaces

• For roof lights and skylights, we use weatherproof boarding with perimeter sealing to reduce water ingress. Learn more about our roof boarding.
• Gaps are sealed to limit draughts and rain; we always leave the site tidy and walk you through the result.

6. Documentation you can use

• Time-stamped photos of damage and completed works
• Itemised invoice with materials and labour split
• Work statement describing cause (as observed), actions taken, and any limitations—suitable for insurers. See our insurance claims guide.

Materials and Methods: Why They Matter for Businesses

• Exterior-grade plywood vs OSB: We select based on span, exposure and risk. 18mm ply provides better rigidity for larger shopfronts; 12mm OSB can be appropriate for smaller internal areas.
• Anti-tamper fixings: Prevent removal from the outside, reducing the chance of re-entry while the property is vacant overnight.
• Internal battening: When possible, spreads load and avoids damaging delicate commercial frames or mullions—useful for curtain wall systems.
• Temporary steel doors: Best for medium-term security, void periods, or when repeated access is required for contractors or stock control.

If you’re unsure which approach fits your site, we can advise on the call and confirm on arrival. For planned works or risk assessments, contact us via pricing or contact.

Our Commercial Process: What to Expect When You Call

• Call triage

  • We’ll ask for the address (ME1–ME8), photos if available, access limitations, and any immediate hazards.
  • We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. On the phone, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on conditions and workload.

• On-site

  • Safety assessment, isolation of hazards, and make safe steps come first.
  • We agree the boarding plan, including any temporary door requirements and access arrangements for staff.

• Completion

  • Boards fitted, edges sealed as appropriate, area cleaned down.
  • Handover with photos and documentation for your records and insurer.

• Aftercare

  • We can liaise with your glazier or contractor to leave fixings that simplify reglazing.
  • If a steel door or security screens are needed for a longer period, we’ll schedule installation and removal to suit.

For immediate attendance, see emergency boarding up in Medway.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• DBS-checked technicians suitable for sensitive sites
• Full public liability insurance; RAMS can be provided for planned works
• Safe systems of work for glass removal, ladder use and working near public footways
• We coordinate with centre management, security teams and contractors where required

Note: We’re not loss adjusters or structural engineers. Where structural damage is suspected (e.g., a vehicle strike compromising the façade), we’ll make safe within our scope and recommend further specialist assessment.

Planning for Vacant or High-Risk Units

If you manage a vacant retail unit, forecourt building, or back-of-house area:

• We can board windows and install a temporary steel door for key-controlled access.
• For medium-term voids, we can specify security screens for improved durability and ventilation.
• We provide documentation for handovers, letting agents and insurer audits. See vacant property boarding.

If the site needs perimeter control in addition to boarding, ask about temporary measures; start with our situations overview and call to discuss.

Medway Coverage for Commercial Clients

We attend businesses across ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8—industrial estates, local parades, town centres and retail parks included. Whether you’re in Rochester ME1, Strood ME2, Chatham ME4, Lordswood ME5, Gillingham ME7 or Rainham ME8, we’ll provide a realistic ETA on the phone and prioritise urgent risks. View nearby area pages, for example:

• Boarding up in Rochester ME1
• Boarding up in Strood ME2
• Boarding up in Chatham ME4

See the full list on areas we cover.

Commercial FAQs (Medway)

Can you board up a shopfront tonight in Medway if the glass is smashed?

Yes. We offer 24/7 boarding up. Call 01634 980 080 for an ETA. We’ll make safe, board the opening with 18mm exterior-grade ply, and provide documentation for your insurer.

We trade on a high street in ME7—can you keep the entrance usable while we secure the window?

Often, yes. We can board the glazing while maintaining a clear, safe entrance if the door itself is undamaged. If the door is compromised, a temporary steel door can provide secure, key-controlled access.

Our office has a cracked curtain wall pane—will boarding damage the frame?

We aim for non-destructive methods using internal battening and through-bolting that clamps to structure rather than the visible frame. If the frame is too damaged for this approach, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

Do you provide receipts and photos for insurance claims?

Yes. You’ll receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement describing the incident as observed. For claim tips, see our insurance claims guide.

We manage multiple units across ME1–ME8—can you coordinate access out of hours?

Yes. We regularly work out of hours. Provide site contacts, key safe details or security desk instructions when you call. We can also liaise with centre management.

What materials do you use for large retail windows?

Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood, fixed with anti-tamper screws. For very large openings, we may brace boards or split into panels for safe handling. Where weather is a risk, we’ll seal edges to reduce ingress.

After a burglary at our ME2 warehouse, the rear fire door won’t close. Can you secure it?

We can board the opening and, where appropriate, fit a temporary steel door for secure access while you arrange a replacement. See door boarding.

Is boarding up covered by insurance for businesses in Medway?

Many policies cover emergency make-safe after insured events like burglary, vandalism or storm damage. Check your policy and call your insurer promptly. We’ll provide the paperwork they typically request.

When to Choose Each Commercial Service

• Shopfronts and display windows: shopfront boarding
• Internal/secondary glazing or small panes: window boarding
• Forced or damaged doors, including temporary steel doors: door boarding
• Damaged skylights and roof openings: roof boarding
• If you’re dealing with a specific incident: burglary repairs, vandalism repair, storm damage, fire damage, flood damage, or accident damage.

What You Get with Boarding Up Medway

• 10+ years trading in Medway, fully insured, DBS-checked technicians
• Practical, insurer-friendly documentation and clear communication
• Methods matched to commercial frames, access needs, and business continuity
• Honest guidance on limitations and next steps—no overpromising on arrival times, just a realistic ETA on the phone

Need help now? Call 01634 980 080. If it’s not urgent, you can also email us for a no-obligation quote or to plan works outside trading hours.