Window Boarding in Uxbridge (UB Area)

When a window is smashed, cracked, or won’t close after a break-in or storm, it needs securing quickly. Our window boarding service in Uxbridge covers all UB postcodes (UB1–UB18) and is available 24/7 for emergencies. We make damaged glazing safe, secure the opening with the right materials, and provide the documentation you’ll need for insurers.

Need urgent help tonight or out of hours? Call 01895 696 176 now. We won’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise emergencies and give realistic ETAs on the phone.

• 10+ years trading across Uxbridge and the UB area
• Fully insured, DBS-checked technicians
• Residential, commercial, and vacant property specialists
• Emergency and planned window boarding

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, go to our emergency boarding up page or Call 01895 696 176.

When You Need Emergency Window Boarding

A damaged window compromises security and weatherproofing. Boarding up is the quickest way to make safe and secure property while you arrange permanent repairs. Common scenarios in Uxbridge and the wider UB area include:

• Burglary or attempted entry: forced sash windows, levered casements, broken patio door glazing
• Vandalism: smashed ground-floor panes or shopfront glass
• Storm damage: flying debris or wind pressure shattering glazing
• Accident/impact: ball strikes, ladder knocks, vehicle or trolley impact near shopfronts
• Fire or flood incidents: fragile, heat-cracked, or water-loosened glass needing containment

If the frame is intact, we board to the substrate with anti-tamper fixings so boards can’t be removed from outside. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding and only drill into robust structural points as agreed.

For urgent cases, see emergency boarding up.

How Our Window Boarding Works (Step by Step)

1. Make safe: We clear loose shards, remove dangerous fragments, and cordon off the immediate area. We wear cut-resistant gloves and eye protection and work methodically to prevent further damage to sashes or beads.
2. Assess and measure: We check the frame, beads, hinges and reveals. We measure the opening to ensure a tight fit and decide material thickness based on span and risk.
3. Material selection:
   • Typical domestic/standard spans: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and screw-holding
   • Smaller internal/secondary panes or short spans: 12mm OSB may be suitable
   • Large shopfronts or exposed elevations: thicker ply, backing battens, or temporary framing as needed
4. Install anti-tamper fixings: We use security head screws (e.g., clutch head or pin-in torx) and, where possible, fix into the structural substrate, not just ornate trim. Outside-only removal is prevented.
5. Weatherproofing and sealing: If rain is expected, we add a weather strip or breathable membrane and ensure water runoff isn’t trapped. We avoid sealing-in moisture on damp frames; ventilation is considered after floods.
6. Access and egress: For key rooms, we can incorporate a service gap for ventilation if appropriate, or advise on alternative ventilation. Fire escape routes are respected; we’ll discuss safe options before boarding any egress window.
7. Handover and documentation: You receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement summarising what we found and what we did—helpful for insurers.

We cover houses, flats, shops, and vacant properties. For longer-term security (void properties or repeated incidents), we may recommend steel security options or temporary steel doors for door openings.

Materials and Methods We Trust

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood: Our standard for most external window openings due to rigidity and screw retention.
• 12mm OSB: Suitable for smaller internal openings or temporary partitions where weight matters.
• Anti-tamper fixings: Security head screws prevent removal from outside—critical if the property will be unattended.
• Backing battens: Used where the frame is delicate or where we need to spread load across weak substrates.
• Temporary framing: For very large shop windows, we may add internal bracing to reduce flex and resist opportunist attack.
• Protective sheeting: For weather events, we use breathable membranes rather than fully sealing damp frames, which can trap moisture.

Why this matters: Correct thickness, fixing type, and load-spread prevent boards from rattling loose, bowing in wind, or being prised off. It also reduces further damage to heritage frames or uPVC reveals.

What You Get With Our Window Boarding

• Immediate make-safe and secure property
• Anti-tamper fixings and robust installation
• Clear, honest advice on next steps (glazier/repairs)
• Time-stamped photos for your records
• Itemised invoice and work statement for insurers
• A sensible plan for removing boards when glazing is ready

We’re transparent about limitations: We’re not glaziers and don’t replace glass. Smoke or odour remediation after fire is outside our scope. We secure the property and reduce risk while you arrange permanent repairs.

Typical Uxbridge Scenarios We Handle

• UB1–UB2 (Southall/Hanwell side of the UB area): Night-time smashed ground-floor windows on busy roads—rapid make safe to deter opportunists.
• UB7 (West Drayton, Yiewsley, Sipson, Longford): Larger commercial panes near industrial units where vehicle and trolley traffic can cause impacts—often needs thicker ply and extra bracing.
• UB8–UB10 (Uxbridge, Hillingdon, Ickenham): Residential sash and casement windows after attempted burglary—careful removal of broken glass to protect older timber frames.

If this sounds like your situation, it probably is. Call us and we’ll talk you through the best approach for your window type.

If Your Window Is Smashed Right Now

• Stay safe: Keep children and pets away from broken glass. Don’t handle big shards without gloves.
• Record details: If it’s a crime, get a police reference number. Take photos of the damage if safe to do so.
• Call us: Call 01895 696 176. We’ll advise what to do while we travel and give a realistic ETA.
• Contact your insurer: Ask what documentation they need. We provide itemised invoices and photos.
• Secure from the inside: If safe, lock internal doors to reduce access to the rest of the property until we arrive.

For burglary-related call-outs, our post-burglary guidance explains what insurers typically ask for.

Boarding Options for Different Window Types

• Timber sash windows: We protect sills and beads, use backing battens where decorative trim is fragile, and avoid crushing cords and pulleys.
• uPVC casement windows: We fix through to masonry or stud backing where possible; uPVC alone isn’t a reliable fixing medium.
• Aluminium storefronts: Often large spans—expect thicker boards, intermediate bracing, and close-spaced fixings to resist flex.
• Rooflights and skylights: Alternative methods may be required—see roof boarding if overhead glazing is damaged.

If a frame is too weak to take screws without causing extra damage, we’ll discuss through-bolt plates, internal bracing, or alternative secure methods before proceeding.

Documentation For Insurance Claims

We regularly help customers across UB postcodes navigate insurance requests. While we’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, we provide:

• Time-stamped before/after photos
• Itemised invoice with materials and labour noted
• Work statement: what we found, what we did, and why (e.g., “18mm exterior ply, anti-tamper fixings, backing battens to protect sash frame”)

For more detail, see our insurance guidance and general FAQs.

How We Prioritise Attendance

We cover the whole UB area—UB1 to UB18—day and night. We don’t guarantee fixed response times because traffic and workload vary, but we:

• Prioritise emergencies (smashed window, property insecure)
• Give realistic ETAs on the phone
• Keep you updated if conditions change

If the issue is urgent—“board up broken window”, “smashed window”, “make safe” requests—call us now. For planned works (void properties or scheduled refurb), we can organise a site visit.

Pricing: What Affects Cost

We don’t publish fixed prices because every opening differs. Typical cost factors:

• Size and number of windows to board
• Material thickness and any bracing required
• Access complexity (upper floors, restricted areas)
• Out-of-hours attendance
• Documentation or RAMS needs for commercial sites

For a clear breakdown without surprises, visit our pricing page or call for an estimate. We’ll be upfront about likely costs before we start.

Working Across Postcodes and Property Types

We help homeowners, landlords, shop owners, and facilities teams across the UB area, including Uxbridge town, Hayes, Hillingdon, and Northolt. Whether it’s a high-street unit needing rapid “shopfront boarded up”, or a residential bay window you need secured “out of hours”, we’ve likely handled something similar nearby.

Explore:

• Residential properties
• Commercial premises
• Vacant/void property security

Related Situations We Cover

• Break-ins and attempted entries: Burglary repairs and securing
• Vandalism: Vandalism repair and boarding
• Weather events: Storm damage make-safe
• Accidental impact: Accident damage securing

If your issue involves doors as well, see door boarding and if the roof is affected, roof boarding.

FAQs: Window Boarding in Uxbridge

Can you board up my window tonight in Uxbridge?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up across UB postcodes. We don’t give fixed times, but we prioritise urgent “smashed window” calls and provide a realistic ETA on the phone.

Will anti-tamper fixings stop someone removing the boards from outside?

They make outside removal extremely difficult. We use security head fixings and, where possible, fix into masonry or structural points, not just trim.

I’m in UB7 near industrial units—can you handle large panes?

Yes. For big shopfront or warehouse windows, we use thicker ply, close-spaced fixings, and may add bracing. Call to discuss the span and frame type.

Do you cover older sash windows in UB8/UB10 without damaging the frame?

We aim for non-destructive methods. We’ll use backing battens and careful screw placement. If the frame is too fragile for typical fixings, we’ll explain alternatives before proceeding.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, yes, under emergency make-safe. Policies vary, so check with your insurer. We provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support claims. See our insurance page.

How long will the boards stay up?

They’re secure for as long as you need. For medium-term security on empty properties, we may recommend upgraded measures or temporary steel options for doors. We’ll advise based on risk and timeframe.

Can you board upper-floor windows?

Usually, yes. Depending on height and access we may use ladders or request safer access. We’ll discuss options and any additional costs before attending.

Do you replace glass?

No. We secure the opening. We can liaise with your glazier’s requirements for board removal when replacement is ready.

What To Expect When You Call

• We’ll ask about the property type, window size, frame condition, and your postcode.
• We’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload and travel conditions.
• On arrival, we’ll make safe, board up with appropriate materials, and document the work.
• You’ll receive photos, an itemised invoice, and clear advice on next steps.

Ready To Secure Your Window?

Need help now? Call 01895 696 176 for immediate assistance. Prefer email? info@boarding-up-uxbridge.co.uk

For urgent jobs—“emergency boarding up”, “temporary boarding”, “secure property”—call first so we can prioritise your attendance.