Commercial Boarding Up in Dartford (DA) for Shops, Offices & Industrial Units
When you’re responsible for a shop, office, warehouse or managed site, a broken window or forced door isn’t just a repair job—it’s an immediate security risk, a potential safety issue for the public, and often an insurance requirement. We provide commercial boarding up in Dartford and across the DA postcode area (DA1–DA18) to help you make safe, secure the property, and keep disruption to a minimum.
Boarding Up Dartford has been trading for 10+ years. Our technicians are DBS-checked and we’re fully insured. We’ll explain the options clearly, work with site rules where needed, and provide documentation that insurers and facilities teams typically ask for.
Need urgent help? Call 01322 952 450 or email info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk. If you’re calling out of hours, we’ll tell you a realistic ETA on the phone.
What counts as “commercial boarding up”?
Commercial boarding up is temporary or medium-term security for business premises after damage or when an opening is vulnerable. It can include:
- Board up broken window panels (glazing that’s shattered, cracked, or missing)
- Board up door after a forced entry attempt
- Shopfront boarded up following vandalism or impact damage
- Temporary boarding to secure a vacant unit between tenants
- More robust options like temporary steel doors or security screens where a site will be unattended
If you’re not sure what you need, describe what’s happened (and whether there’s any ongoing risk). We’ll recommend the most appropriate make-safe approach.
Typical commercial call-outs we handle in Dartford & the DA area
Commercial sites tend to have higher footfall and more visible frontages, so the priorities are usually: public safety, rapid securing, and clear documentation for insurers and stakeholders.
Smashed windows and failed glazing on retail and office frontages
A smashed window can happen through vandalism, attempted theft, or accidental breakage. If the opening faces a public area, we focus first on making the area safe and preventing further access.
Relevant services:
- window boarding in Dartford
- shopfront boarding
- For urgent situations: emergency boarding up
Forced doors after a break-in attempt
Door damage is common after lock attacks, kicked panels, or prised frames. If the door can’t be secured reliably, the priority is a safe temporary solution that stops repeat entry.
Relevant services:
- door boarding in Dartford
- If the property will be unattended: discuss a temporary steel door option when appropriate
You can also read practical next steps here:
Vandalism to shopfronts and commercial glazing
Commercial glazing is often large-format and more complex than domestic windows. We regularly attend sites needing shopfront boarded up service after vandalism or overnight incidents.
Related guidance:
Storm damage to doors, windows, and roof openings
High winds can break glazing, tear loose panels, or expose roof edges and skylights. Our role is to secure the opening and help protect the building from further weather ingress.
Related guidance:
Fire and flood aftermath (securing only)
After fire or flood, you may have compromised openings, swollen frames, or missing glazing. We can secure property access points and help prevent opportunistic entry while other contractors handle reinstatement.
Important note: we secure the site; remediation (smoke odour removal, drying, decontamination) is outside our scope.
Related guidance:
Accident/impact damage (vehicle strike, loading bay incidents)
Where there’s a risk of structural instability, we’ll work cautiously and may ask you to confirm the area is safe to approach. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.
Related guidance:
Our commercial boarding-up methods (and why they matter)
Commercial premises need security that stands up to exposure, visibility, and repeat attempts. We choose methods based on the opening, access, and how long you need protection for.
Materials we typically use
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust boarding on larger openings and higher-risk frontages
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
We’ll always aim for a secure fit. For street-facing jobs, anti-tamper considerations are important—especially if the property will be unattended.
Fixing methods and anti-tamper approach
Depending on the frame condition and the type of opening, we may use:
- Through-fixings (bolted through) with internal support/battens for strength
- Anti-tamper fixings to help prevent removal from outside
- Non-destructive methods where possible, especially where you need to preserve frames and finishes for later glazing replacement
If an opening is too compromised (rotted timber, blown masonry, twisted frames), we’ll tell you straight and discuss the safest way to secure it temporarily.
Temporary steel doors and longer-term security
For some commercial sites—especially vacant units—boarding alone may not be the best medium-term answer. Where appropriate, we can advise on stronger temporary options such as a temporary steel door or security screens, particularly for:
- Repeat break-in locations
- Vacant or void commercial premises
- Rear access doors and service corridors
- Sites with expensive internal fixtures or stock risk
For broader security planning across empty premises, see: vacant property boarding and security
Access, site rules, and practicalities on commercial premises
Commercial jobs are rarely “one-size-fits-all”. When you call, it helps to mention:
- Whether the site is open to the public (and if you need a fast make-safe for safety)
- Any site contact for access, alarms, or keys
- If the property is part of a managed estate (facilities management or landlord instructions)
- Loading restrictions, tight access, or if the damaged opening is above ground floor
We’re used to working around real-world constraints: deliveries, shutters, rear alley access, and flats above shops. If you have RAMS requirements or sign-in procedures, tell us at the start so we can plan properly.
What you receive for insurance and facilities records
Commercial customers often need more than “it’s boarded”—they need paperwork and proof. We can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing what was secured and how
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we’ll provide the documentation insurers typically ask for.
More guidance: insurance claims support for boarding up
What happens when you call us (commercial jobs)
-
Quick questions to assess risk
We’ll ask what’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, roof), whether anyone is at risk, and whether the site is occupied. -
Practical plan and realistic ETA
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, access and workload vary—but we’ll prioritise urgent calls and tell you a realistic ETA on the phone. -
Make safe, secure property, document the work
We’ll secure the opening, check stability where possible, and provide photos and paperwork for your records.
If you need urgent attendance, go straight to: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Dartford
Commercial coverage across Dartford and DA1–DA18
We cover commercial sites across Dartford and the wider DA postcode area, including high streets, local parades, business estates and mixed-use buildings. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, call and we’ll confirm.
You may also find these local pages useful:
- boarding up in Dartford (DA1)
- boarding up in Crayford (DA1)
- boarding up in Stone (DA2)
- boarding up in Greenhithe (DA9)
- boarding up in Ebbsfleet (DA10)
- boarding up in Swanscombe (DA10)
- boarding up in Erith (DA8)
- boarding up in Bexleyheath (DA6)
For a broader view, see areas we cover.
Common questions from commercial customers
Do you offer out of hours commercial boarding up?
Yes. If you need help out of hours (including evenings and weekends), call us and we’ll advise the best next step and a realistic ETA. For urgent attendance, see emergency boarding up.
What’s the fastest way to board up a smashed shop window safely?
If safe to do so, keep people away from the glass, take photos for your records, and call us. We’ll focus on make safe first and then secure the opening with appropriately sized boards and fixings. For more detail, see shopfront boarding.
Can you secure a site if the door frame is damaged?
Often yes, but it depends on how compromised the frame is. If non-destructive methods aren’t suitable, we’ll explain options before proceeding. The goal is to secure property properly, not just “cover the hole”.
Is boarding up covered by insurance for commercial premises?
It can be, depending on your policy and circumstances. We provide photos, an itemised invoice and a work statement that insurers typically request. Guidance is here: insurance claims.
How long does temporary boarding last?
Temporary boarding is designed as a short-term measure, but it can last longer if required. The right approach depends on exposure, risk, and whether the property will be unattended. For medium-term security, we can discuss options beyond basic boarding where appropriate.
Do you board up offices and industrial units as well as shops?
Yes. We attend a wide range of commercial sites—retail units, offices, storage units and industrial buildings—across Dartford and the DA postcode area.
Can you help if the damage is on an upper floor or roof?
Yes, depending on access and safety. If the damage involves a roof opening or skylight, see roof boarding. If there are safety concerns, we’ll advise what needs to happen before we can work.
We’re a facilities team—can you provide paperwork suitable for our job file?
Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a written summary of the make-safe measures taken.
Helpful links
- 24 hour emergency boarding up in Dartford
- window boarding in Dartford
- door boarding in Dartford
- shopfront boarding
- roof boarding
- insurance claims support
Speak to a commercial boarding-up team in Dartford
If you need to board up broken window glazing, secure a forced door, or get a shopfront boarded up after an incident, we’ll help you take control of the situation and protect the site.
Ready to get started? Call 01322 952 450 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
