Residential Boarding Up in Dartford (DA1–DA18)

When something goes wrong at home—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or storm damage—you’re suddenly dealing with security, weather, and insurance pressure all at once. We provide residential boarding up in Dartford and across the DA postcodes to help you make safe quickly and reduce the risk of further damage.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need urgent help, start here: emergency boarding up or call 01322 952 450.

When homeowners and landlords call us out

Residential call-outs are rarely planned. Most people contact us because they need to secure property and stop the situation escalating—especially if the home will be unattended overnight or while repairs are arranged.

Common reasons we’re asked to board up a home in Dartford include:

Burglary or attempted break-in (a damaged lock, splintered frame, or a board up door request)
Smashed window after an accident indoors or impact from outside
Vandalism (often ground-floor glass and side access doors)
Storm damage (blown-in panes, fallen branches, dislodged panels)
Fire damage where glazing/doors are compromised and the property must be secured
Flood damage where doors won’t close and frames have swollen

If you’re dealing with any of the above, the right starting point is usually temporary boarding to stabilise security and weatherproofing until permanent repairs are arranged.

Related situation guides:

Typical residential properties we secure across DA

Across Dartford and the DA area, we regularly secure:

Terraced and semi-detached houses (often with vulnerable rear access)
Ground-floor flats and maisonettes (where safety and access are sensitive)
Apartment blocks (communal entrances, controlled access, timed entry)
New-build estates (often large panes and modern frames that need careful fixing)
Empty/void homes between tenants (short-term security until re-let)

If the property is empty or between tenancies, you may also want to review our options for longer-term protection on the vacant property page.

What “boarding up” means for a home (and what it doesn’t)

Boarding up is about making safe, preventing unauthorised entry, and reducing exposure to wind and rain. It’s not the same as permanent glazing or full joinery repairs.

What we can do on the visit:

Board up broken window openings and compromised glazing
Board up door openings where the door/frame is damaged or missing
Secure side gates/garage access points where they present a security risk
Provide temporary security measures while you arrange a glazier/builder
Offer stronger medium-term options (where suitable), such as temporary steel doors

What’s outside our scope:

We don’t carry out full glazing replacement or locksmithing as part of boarding up (we can secure first, then you arrange repairs)
We don’t do smoke/odour remediation after a fire—we secure the property so the next trades can work safely

If you’re unsure what you need, we’ll talk it through and recommend the safest option based on the opening, the frame condition, and whether the property will be occupied.

How we board up residential windows (materials and method)

For windows, we choose materials and fixings based on the size of the opening, the condition of the frame, and the risk level (e.g., ground-floor front elevation vs an upper window).

Typically, we use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for most residential window openings (strong, stable, good screw-holding)
12mm OSB for smaller openings or lower-risk situations where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings where removal from the outside is a concern—especially if the home will be empty

We aim to fit boards neatly and safely, keeping the property secure while avoiding unnecessary additional damage. If the frame is too compromised for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

To read more about this service: window boarding in Dartford.

Ground-floor windows and bay fronts

Ground-floor windows often need extra consideration because they’re more likely to be targeted. If you’ve had a smashed window on the street-facing side of the home, we’ll focus on:

Minimising gaps and leverage points
Using fixings that aren’t easily removed from outside
Keeping the opening stable so it doesn’t worsen in wind

Upper floors and awkward access

For upper-floor windows, safe access matters. If access is restricted (tight parking, narrow side passages, shared entrances), we’ll discuss practical options with you on arrival. Sometimes the safest approach is internal boarding, depending on layout and frame condition.

How we secure damaged doors (including stronger temporary options)

A damaged front or back door is one of the most stressful call-outs, because it immediately affects your ability to lock up and feel safe at home.

Our residential door security typically falls into two categories:

Boarding and bracing for immediate make-safe where a door is broken, missing, or cannot close properly.
Temporary steel doors for higher-security, medium-term protection—often used when the frame has been forced and you’re waiting on joinery, a new door set, or insurer approval.

If you’ve had a break-in, the key aim is to secure property quickly and reduce the chance of repeat entry.

Learn more: door boarding in Dartford.

Emergency boarding up for homes: what to do before we arrive

If you’ve just discovered damage, here are practical steps that help—without putting yourself at risk:

If a crime has occurred, call the police first. Keep your crime reference number.
Take photos only if safe to do so.
Avoid touching broken glass or forcing damaged doors—injuries are common.
If there’s an exposed opening, keep people and pets away from it.
If it’s cold or wet, move valuables away from the opening and cover items with sheets/tarpaulins if you have them.

When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions (opening size, location, whether the property is occupied). We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic and ongoing emergencies vary—but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone and prioritise urgent calls.

For out of hours help, see: 24/7 boarding up.

What you get for insurance and landlord records

A big part of residential boarding up is paperwork—especially for landlords, managing agents, and homeowners making a claim. We provide documentation insurers typically ask for, including:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the boarding work
An itemised invoice
A clear work statement describing what was done and why (e.g., make-safe after break-in, temporary boarding to window)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’ve supported many customers through the early stages of a claim. For guidance, read: insurance claims support.

Common access and safety considerations at residential addresses

Residential jobs often come with practical challenges. Knowing about them upfront helps the visit go smoothly:

Parking and loading: Narrow streets, limited driveway space, permit zones
Shared entrances: Flats above shops or controlled-entry blocks
Rear access: Garden gates, alleyways, side passages
Noise and neighbours: We work carefully and keep disruption down where possible
Pets and children: We’ll ask you to keep them clear of the work area for safety

If you’re a landlord or agent meeting us on-site, it helps to have keys/entry arranged and to confirm whether any utilities have been isolated (e.g., after flood or fire).

Residential service options (and when each one fits)

If you’re not sure which service applies, this quick guide helps.

Broken or cracked glass → window boarding in Dartford
Forced entry / damaged door → door boarding in Dartford
Overhead damage (rooflights, skylights, loft openings) → roof boarding
Property is empty or repeatedly targeted → consider stronger options via vacant property boarding

If your issue is commercial rather than domestic (shops, offices), see commercial boarding up.

Areas we cover for residential boarding up (DA postcodes)

We cover Dartford and the wider DA postcode area (DA1–DA18). If you’re searching for “window boarding near me Dartford” or “emergency boarding up Dartford”, you’re in our normal coverage patch.

Popular local pages include:

You can also browse the full list here: areas we cover.

Typical scenario (what this looks like in real life)

If you come home to find a smashed window or a door that won’t lock, the first priority is to make safe—not to decide on the final repair that same night. In many cases, boarding up the opening gives you:

A secure, stable barrier immediately
Time to speak to your insurer and choose a repair contractor
Reduced risk of weather damage spreading to floors, electrics, and furnishings

If the frame is badly split or the opening is irregular, we’ll talk through the safest way to secure it and explain any trade-offs before we start.

FAQs: Residential boarding up in Dartford

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

Yes—if you need emergency boarding up, call 01322 952 450. We prioritise urgent calls and can attend out of hours when required, but we’ll always give a realistic ETA on the phone rather than promising fixed arrival times.

What should I do first after a break-in?

If it’s safe, contact the police and get a crime reference number. Take photos, don’t disturb evidence, and then arrange temporary boarding to secure the opening. Our burglary guidance is here: after a burglary.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to keep fixings as non-destructive as the situation allows. Where frames are already damaged (common after forced entry), options may be limited—if we believe additional drilling or bracing is needed for safety, we’ll explain why before proceeding.

Is boarding up covered by home insurance?

Often it can be, especially when it’s necessary to prevent further loss (a “reasonable steps” measure). Cover varies by policy. We provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support claims—see insurance claims support.

How long can boarding stay in place on a house?

It depends on exposure, security risk, and the condition of the opening. Boarding is intended as a short-term make-safe, but it can remain for a period while repairs are arranged. If you need a more robust medium-term solution, ask about options like temporary steel doors (where suitable).

Can you secure a back door or patio doors?

Yes. We can secure rear access points, including patio-style openings, depending on the frame condition and layout. For door-related work, see door boarding in Dartford.

My child’s bedroom window is broken—can you make it safe quickly?

Yes. Tell us the room and whether there’s any remaining glass in the frame. If safe, keep the room closed off until we arrive. We’ll focus on safe handling, secure fixing, and reducing draught/water ingress where possible.

Do you work with landlords and letting agents?

Yes—residential boarding is frequently arranged by landlords and managing agents, especially for void periods or post-incident damage. We can provide documentation suitable for tenant/landlord records and insurer queries.

Do you cover my part of the DA area?

We cover DA1–DA18. If you’re not sure, check areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.

Helpful links

Ready to secure your home?

If you need residential boarding up in Dartford or anywhere in DA1–DA18, we’ll talk you through the safest option and what happens next.

Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk.

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