Door Boarding in Dartford (Emergency Door Boarding & Temporary Security)

When your door has been forced, kicked in, or left unsafe after an incident, you need a quick, practical way to secure the property and stop things getting worse. Our door boarding in Dartford service is designed for urgent situations—burglary damage, vandalism, accidental impact, or fire service entry—across the DA postcode area.

If you need emergency door boarding Dartford today or out of hours, call us and we’ll talk you through the safest next steps and give a realistic ETA.

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

When door boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)

Door boarding is a fast “make-safe” option when the existing door or frame can’t be secured with normal locks. It’s commonly used when you need to:

• board up a door after a break-in or attempted break-in
• secure a property where the lock has been ripped out or the frame has split
• protect a doorway while you arrange a replacement door, glazing, or joinery repairs
• secure side/rear access points that would otherwise be easy to force
• make a property safe after emergency access (e.g., forced entry during a welfare check)

What door boarding doesn’t do: it doesn’t permanently repair the door or frame, and it won’t resolve underlying structural issues. If the surrounding brickwork, hinges, or frame are dangerously compromised, we’ll explain what we can safely do on the visit and what needs follow-on repair.

For immediate help at any time, see: emergency boarding up.

Emergency door boarding in Dartford: what we actually do on arrival

When you call us for emergency boarding up of a door, the priority is to restore security quickly—without unnecessary damage.

Typical steps on-site:

1. Safety + quick assessment
   We check the stability of the frame, any glass panels, and whether there are hazards (splintered timber, exposed fixings, broken glazing, loose thresholds).

2. Choose the right method for the door type
   A flat timber door, uPVC door, communal entrance, and rear yard door all need different approaches. We’ll also consider whether the property will be unattended.

3. Fit a secure board-up solution (or temporary steel door if suitable)
   We install boarding to prevent access and reduce further damage until permanent repairs are arranged.

4. Provide documentation for your records/insurer
   We can supply time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief statement of works—useful if you’re dealing with a claim. See: insurance claims.

Need to secure the property tonight? Call 01322 952 450.

Common situations we attend for door boarding (DA1–DA18)

Door boarding is often requested after a stressful event. We aim to keep it calm and straightforward.

After a burglary or attempted break-in

Forced doors often have split frames, broken keeps, damaged locks, or hinges pulled from the timber. Door boarding provides temporary boarding that stops repeat entry while you arrange repairs.

Related guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up.

Vandalism and deliberate damage

We’re often called when a doorway has been kicked, smashed, or damaged during antisocial behaviour. Boarding helps you secure property quickly—especially important for shops, offices, and empty units.

Related guidance: vandalism repair and boarding up.

Fire damage / emergency service entry

After a fire, the property may be left open for ventilation or access. We can secure the doorway once you’ve been cleared to do so.
Important: smoke/odour remediation isn’t our service—we focus on making the building secure.

Related guidance: fire damage make-safe.

Accidental impact (deliveries, vehicles, mishaps)

If a door has been hit and won’t close properly, boarding can keep the building secure until a joiner or door contractor completes the repair.

Related guidance: accident damage boarding.

Materials we use (and why)

We match the material to the risk level, opening size, and expected duration.

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood (common for door openings)
  Strong, stable, and resistant to cracking. Good for higher-risk situations and where the property may be unattended.

• 12mm OSB (sometimes used for smaller or lower-risk boarding)
  A practical option for short-term security when appropriate.

• Anti-tamper fixings (where suitable)
  These help prevent boards being removed from outside—important if you’re dealing with repeat targeting.

• Timber battens / bracing
  Used to spread load and avoid damaging fragile frames, and to create a more rigid installation.

If the door area has glazing as well, you may also need: window boarding in Dartford.

Door boarding methods (how it’s fixed and what affects the approach)

There isn’t one “standard” board-up—what’s correct depends on the doorway construction and how damaged it is.

Overboarding the doorway (external board-up)

Where the surrounding masonry/timber is sound, we can board across the opening to block access. We aim for secure fixing points and a tight fit that doesn’t leave leverage gaps.

Best for:

• forced-entry damage
• doors that won’t close or latch
• vacant areas that need immediate security

Internal braced boarding (where external fixing isn’t appropriate)

If external fixing points are limited or the finish needs to be protected, we may use internal bracing to secure the board without exposing fixings outside.

Best for:

• certain flats/managed buildings (subject to access/permission)
• sensitive surfaces where you want to avoid additional external marks
• situations where the frame is too fragile for standard fixings

Temporary steel doors (medium-term security option)

If you need something more robust than timber boarding—especially for vacant properties, repeated break-ins, or longer repair timelines—a temporary steel door may be a better option than repeated re-boarding.

We’ll advise honestly based on:

• how long the property will be empty
• how often the location has been targeted
• whether follow-on trades are booked and need access

For longer-term options, you may also want: vacant property boarding solutions.

Door boarding for different property types in Dartford

Residential homes and flats

We regularly help homeowners, tenants, and landlords secure front and rear doors. If you’re a tenant, it’s usually best to notify your landlord or managing agent as soon as possible, but don’t leave the property open overnight if it’s unsafe.

See: residential boarding up.

Commercial units (shops, offices, mixed-use buildings)

Commercial call-outs often involve shared access, shutters, or doors at the rear service yard. If a shopfront is affected as well, we can coordinate the make-safe so the building is secure as a whole.

See: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding.

Managed buildings and facilities

If you need RAMS or specific sign-in procedures, tell us on the phone. We’ll work with building management where possible, but we’ll also be clear if access constraints affect what can be done immediately.

Access considerations (what to tell us on the phone)

To help us arrive prepared, it helps if you can tell us:

• Is the door front, rear, or side access?
• Is the property occupied right now, or will it be empty?
• Are there multiple entry points damaged (door + window)?
• Is it a flat above a shop / managed block with restricted access?
• Any immediate hazards: broken glass, unstable frame, fire/police attendance?

If it’s safe to do so, taking a couple of photos before we attend can help—but don’t put yourself at risk.

What you get from us (useful for landlords and insurance)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed board-up
• Itemised invoice (clear breakdown of what was supplied and fitted)
• Statement of works (what we did, where, and why)

More guidance here: insurance claims support.

What happens when you call (simple, calm, and practical)

1. Call and explain what’s happened
   Tell us whether you need to board up a door urgently, and whether there are other openings to secure.

2. We give a realistic ETA and advice
   We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions and workload vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and will tell you honestly what we can do.

3. We attend, make safe, and document
   We secure the doorway, check for obvious secondary risks, and provide photos/invoice details for your records.

Need out of hours help? Call 01322 952 450.

Door boarding vs full replacement: a quick decision guide

Door boarding is usually the right move when:

• the property must be secured immediately
• a replacement door can’t be fitted straight away
• the frame/locks are too damaged to lock up

A replacement (or temporary steel door) may be better when:

• the property will be vacant for a while
• access is needed for follow-on trades
• the doorway is repeatedly targeted

If you’re unsure, call and we’ll talk it through and recommend the most sensible option for your situation and budget.

FAQs: Door boarding in Dartford

How quickly can you board up my door in Dartford?

We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. We can’t guarantee a fixed time because workload and conditions vary, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA when you call.

Can you board up a door tonight?

Yes—if you need emergency boarding up tonight, call us. We regularly attend urgent call-outs across the DA postcodes.

What should I do right after a break-in?

If there’s any immediate danger, call 999. If the police have attended, keep your reference number. If it’s safe, take photos of the damage for your insurer, then arrange to secure the property as soon as possible.
More help: after a burglary.

Is door boarding covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm, or accidental impact—coverage varies by policy. We can provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. See: insurance claims.

Will boarding damage my door frame or brickwork?

We aim to use fixing methods that are secure while avoiding unnecessary damage. If the frame is already badly split or unsafe for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

Can you secure both the door and windows at the same time?

Yes. Many call-outs involve a smashed window as well as a damaged door. We can board multiple openings in one visit where access and safety allow it. See: window boarding in Dartford.

Do you install temporary steel doors?

We can advise on and arrange temporary steel doors where they’re the best fit—particularly for vacant properties or repeated incidents. If you tell us your situation on the phone, we’ll recommend the most practical option.

I’m a landlord—can I arrange door boarding for my tenant’s property?

Yes. Landlords and managing agents regularly book us to make properties safe after incidents. We can provide documentation suitable for your records and maintenance trail.

Do you cover my area in the DA postcodes?

Yes—our service covers Dartford and the wider DA area (DA1–DA18). You can also browse areas we cover for specific local pages.

Related services that may help

If your incident affected more than one part of the building, these pages explain the options:

• window boarding in Dartford
• shopfront boarding
• roof boarding
• storm damage make-safe
• flood damage make-safe

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• pricing and cost factors
• insurance claims support
• FAQs
• contact us
• what boarding up is (and when to use it)

Need your door secured now?

If your door has been forced and you need temporary boarding to make the property safe, we’re here to help across Dartford and the DA postcodes.

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