Shopfront Boarding in Medway

When a shop window smashes or a door is forced, trading stops and security becomes your number one priority. Our shopfront boarding service secures damaged glazing and entrances for retailers and commercial premises across Medway—ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME7 and ME8—day and night. We specialise in emergency boarding up for shops, cafés, takeaways, salons, offices and showrooms, with practical, insurer-friendly documentation and a clear process from the first call.

Need urgent help now? Call 01634 980 080. We’re local, fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. We prioritise emergencies and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

• 10+ years trading in Medway
• Emergency shopfront boarding, temporary steel doors and security screens
• Anti-tamper fixings and commercial-grade materials
• Itemised invoices, time-stamped photos, and work statements for insurers
• Covering ME1 Rochester, ME2 Strood/Frindsbury/Cuxton, ME3 Hoo Peninsula, ME4 Chatham/Brompton, ME5 Walderslade/Lordswood/Princes Park, ME7 Gillingham/Hempstead, and ME8 Rainham/Twydall/Wigmore

When You Need Shopfront Boarding—Common Scenarios

• Smashed laminated or toughened shop glass after a break-in or attempted burglary
• Ram-raid or impact damage leaving the frontage open to the pavement
• Vandalism causing spidered glass or holes that can’t be safely left
• Accidental damage during deliveries or fit-out work
• Fire or storm damage requiring immediate make safe and weather protection
• Temporary void periods where a shopfront needs securing while glazing is on order

If this is you and you need to make safe, secure the property and get trading back on track, call us now: 01634 980 080. For urgent information, see our dedicated emergency boarding up page.

How Our Shopfront Boarding Works (Step by Step)

1. Call and triage

   • We’ll ask for postcode, frontage size, nature of damage (full break vs. cracked), access constraints, and any risks inside.
   • You’ll receive a realistic ETA based on location and workload. We prioritise urgent calls.

2. On-site assessment and make safe

   • We isolate hazards, remove loose shards from frames and pavement, and cordon the area where needed.
   • For laminated glass, we cut back safe sections; for toughened glass, we clear broken pellets from sills and frames.

3. Measure, cut, and prepare boards

   • We measure each opening and cut boards to size on-site: typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for primary spans; 12mm OSB may be used for smaller apertures or internal partitions.
   • Edges are chamfered where appropriate to reduce pry points; weather edges can be taped for short-term weathering.

4. Fixing to frames or structure

   • Preferred method: screw-through boarding into sound timber or metal frames using anti-tamper fixings and penny washers for load spread.
   • Over-spanning: for large shopfronts with mullions/transoms, we stitch boards together and brace joints with battens to prevent flexing.
   • Through-frame clamping: where frames are compromised, we can use internal bearer timbers, creating a clamp so fixings are not exposed outside.
   • If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options and obtain approval before proceeding.

5. Access solutions

   • If the entrance door is damaged, we can install a temporary steel door set for secure, lockable access.
   • For wide shopfronts, we can create a service hatch or controlled access panel if trading must continue while glazing is arranged.

6. Final checks and documentation

   • We check fixings from the outside (tamper resistance) and inside (no sharp protrusions).
   • You’ll receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear work statement to support insurance claims.

For related solutions, see door boarding for forced-entry doors and temporary fencing if you need to segregate areas outside the shop.

Materials and Methods—What We Use and Why

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood: Strong, stiff, and water-resistant—suitable for wide glazing spans common on shopfronts.
• 12mm OSB: Cost-effective for smaller panes, internal partitions, or where weight is a concern.
• Anti-tamper fixings: One-way or security-head screws prevent removal from the outside—vital if the property will be unattended.
• Penny washers and spreader plates: Distribute load to reduce pull-through on larger openings.
• Timber battens and internal bearers: Used to clamp boards where frames are weak or compromised, avoiding further damage.
• Temporary steel doors: Lockable, robust access for medium-term security while replacements are arranged.
• Security screens (Sitex-style): For void or high-risk premises requiring ventilation and longer-term protection.

Why it matters:

• Large panes flex—correct bracing stops rattling, bowing, and water ingress.
• Anti-tamper fixings deter opportunists who may try to “back out” screws.
• Clamped systems protect fragile frames and allow re-glazing without costly joinery repairs.

Safety, Access, and Trading Considerations

• Public pavement safety: We use barriers and signage while working, clearing all glass from the footpath and threshold.
• Out of hours: We regularly attend at night and weekends to minimise trading disruption.
• Partial boarding for continuity: Where safe, we can board only the damaged bay and keep roller shutters or secondary doors operational.
• RAMS available: Risk Assessments and Method Statements supplied on request for managed sites and shopping parades.

We’re fully insured and our technicians are DBS-checked. For urgent “out of hours” support, call 01634 980 080.

What You Get With Our Service

• Rapid make-safe and secure property measures
• Boards sized to fit, correctly braced and weather-considered
• Anti-tamper external fixings or internal clamp systems as required
• Lockable access solution if the main door is compromised
• Time-stamped before/after photos
• Itemised invoice and work statement for insurers
• Honest advice on re-glazing and next steps
• Clear, realistic ETAs and updates

Learn how we support claims on our insurance guidance page and see feedback from other Medway businesses on our reviews page.

Emergency Use-Cases We Handle Every Week

• Ram-raid into a convenience store leaving the entire frontage open
• Smashed toughened pane in a salon with glass beads still shedding
• Takeaway counter window “punched out” by impact—need to trade same evening
• Office entrance sidelights cracked, frame unstable after forced entry
• Weather-blown signage striking a window during a storm—urgent weatherproofing needed

For immediate “board up shopfront” help, call 01634 980 080 or visit emergency boarding up.

Our Process for Large and Complex Shopfronts

• Multi-bay glazing: We board bay by bay, tying sheets with battens across mullions to create a continuous, rigid face.
• Curve or angled fronts: We step boards and seal joints to follow the line, bracing behind to prevent bowing.
• Roller shutters present: We’ll board behind or in front depending on shutter state; if shutters are damaged, we secure the opening and advise on specialist shutter repairs.
• High-level transoms: Our teams carry suitable access equipment. Where MEWPs are needed, we’ll arrange or coordinate with centre management.
• Listed/heritage shopfronts: We use non-destructive methods where possible and protect mouldings—expect a conversation on fix points before we proceed.

If structural damage is suspected (e.g., frame racked after impact), we’ll make safe and may recommend a follow-up by a glazier or joiner before permanent works.

Pricing, Time on Site and What Affects Cost

We don’t publish fixed prices because every shopfront differs. Costs typically reflect:

• Number and size of panes to board
• Access challenges (heights, restricted pavements)
• Out-of-hours attendance
• Need for temporary steel door or security screens
• Extent of glass clearing and debris removal

Most straightforward shopfronts are made safe in a single visit. Larger or complex frontages may take longer. For transparent guidance on cost factors, see our pricing page or call 01634 980 080 for a realistic estimate.

Documentation for Insurance Claims

We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide what insurers usually request:

• Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
• Itemised invoice listing materials (e.g., 18mm ply, anti-tamper fixings), labour, and attendance timing
• Brief work statement outlining cause of attendance (e.g., burglary, vandalism, storm)
• Technician details and company insurance info on request

Keep your crime reference number if police attended, and take your own photos before we clear debris—if safe to do so. More help here: insurance guidance.

Coverage Across Medway

We cover shopfront boarding throughout:

• ME1 (Rochester, Borstal)
• ME2 (Strood, Frindsbury, Cuxton)
• ME3 (Hoo St Werburgh, High Halstow, Isle of Grain, Cliffe)
• ME4 (Chatham, Brompton, St Mary’s Island)
• ME5 (Walderslade, Lordswood, Princes Park)
• ME7 (Gillingham, Hempstead)
• ME8 (Rainham, Twydall, Wigmore)

Looking for local context? See our area pages such as boarding up Rochester, boarding up Strood, and boarding up Rainham.

FAQs—Shopfront Boarding in Medway

Can you board up a large shop window the same night?

Often yes. We carry full-size boards and bracing to deal with wide panes. Call us on 01634 980 080 and we’ll confirm availability and a realistic ETA.

Will the boarding stop people getting in if the frame is damaged?

We use anti-tamper fixings and, if needed, internal bearers to clamp the boards. If the door is compromised, a temporary steel door provides secure, lockable access.

Can I keep trading with the frontage boarded?

In many cases, yes. We can create an access panel or leave shutters operational. We’ll discuss what’s safe and practical for your layout and the pavement.

Do you remove all broken glass and make the pavement safe?

Yes, we clear loose glass from frames and sweep the immediate area. For extensive debris fields after ram-raids, we’ll make safe and can arrange further clean-up if required.

What materials do you use for shopfronts?

Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for main spans, 12mm OSB for smaller apertures, with anti-tamper fixings and bracing. For medium-term security we can fit temporary steel doors or security screens.

Is this suitable for insurance claims?

Yes. We provide time-stamped photos, itemised invoices and a work statement to support your claim. Keep your police reference number if it was a break-in. See our insurance guidance.

Can you attend out of hours and at weekends?

Yes. We handle “out of hours” and 24/7 boarding up across Medway. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and give realistic ETAs.

How long does boarding stay in place?

It’s a temporary measure until re-glazing. Some clients keep boards a few days; others choose longer-term options like security screens for void units. We can advise based on lead times from your glazier.

Related Services You Might Need

• If your main door is damaged: Door boarding
• For other broken glazing: Window boarding
• When weather has caused damage: Storm damage support
• For immediate help anytime: 24-hour emergency boarding up in Medway

What To Expect When You Call

• A calm, practical conversation to understand the situation
• Clear advice on safety and next steps while you wait
• Realistic ETA based on where you are in ME1–ME8
• A technician who turns up prepared for shopfront scale
• Transparent paperwork to help you secure your claim

Ready To Secure Your Shopfront?

Need help now? Call 01634 980 080 for immediate assistance. Prefer email? info@boarding-up-medway.co.uk. We cover all Medway postcodes and prioritise urgent, out-of-hours “shopfront boarded up” requests to make safe and secure your property quickly.