FAQs – Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or a vulnerable shopfront, you usually don’t have time to read pages of advice. This FAQ page answers the most common questions we hear from customers looking for boarding up in Luton and across the LU postcodes—what to do first, what we can secure, what materials we use, and what you’ll need for insurance.

Need urgent help right now? Call 01582 377 256 (24/7). If it’s safe to do so, you can also email photos to info@boarding-up-luton.co.uk to help us understand the opening and likely materials.

Quick answers (for stressed moments)

  • If there’s danger or a crime in progress: call 999. If it’s already happened, call 101 and ask for a crime reference number.
  • If glass is still falling or the property is open to the street: keep people back, secure pets, and wait indoors.
  • If you need to secure the property: call us for emergency boarding up.
  • If you’re planning ahead (void property / repeated issues): ask about longer-term options like security screens, or a temporary steel door.

FAQs (Luton & LU postcodes)

Do you offer 24/7 emergency boarding up in Luton?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up in Luton and across LU1–LU7, including out-of-hours and weekend call-outs. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, weather, and job load can change quickly—but when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent “property open to the public” situations.

For urgent attendance, use our dedicated page: emergency boarding up.

What should I do if my window has been smashed?

If you have a smashed window, the priorities are safety and preventing access:

  1. Check for injuries first (people and pets). Call 999 if needed.
  2. If it’s a burglary or attempted break-in, contact the police and keep a record of your reference number.
  3. Take photos from a safe distance (before anything is moved), especially if you’ll be making an insurance claim.
  4. Keep everyone away from the opening—glass fragments can travel further than you expect.
  5. Call us to board up broken window openings and make the property safe.

If you want to understand the method we use, see window boarding in Luton.

Can you board up a damaged door as well as windows?

Yes. We can board up door openings and secure damaged doorways after forced entry, accidental impact, or fire service access. Depending on the door/frame condition, we may:

  • board over the opening to prevent access, or
  • recommend a more practical medium-term option (for example, a temporary steel door) if the property needs to be accessed regularly.

Read more about the process on door boarding in Luton.

Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing in Luton?

Yes. We regularly attend commercial premises for shopfront boarded up jobs—often out of hours—when a pane is shattered, a frame is bent, or boarding is required to deter further vandalism.

Shopfronts tend to need:

  • larger board sizes and stronger fixings,
  • careful positioning to avoid damaging remaining frame elements,
  • a sensible approach to access (especially if the business needs to trade the next day).

More detail is on shopfront boarding.

What materials do you use: plywood or OSB?

We use both, depending on the opening, exposure, and required strength.

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for stronger, more durable temporary boarding—particularly for larger openings and higher-risk locations.
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable in certain scenarios where the opening is small and the risk level is lower.

We’ll choose the material based on:

  • opening size and location (ground floor vs upper floor),
  • frame condition (sound timber vs crumbling masonry),
  • whether the property will be left unattended,
  • weather exposure.

How do you fix the boards—will you damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim for a secure fix with the least avoidable damage, but the correct method depends on what’s left to fix into.

Common approaches include:

  • through-fixing into sound masonry with appropriate plugs/screws where needed,
  • anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside (important if the property is vacant or high-risk),
  • internal battens where a non-destructive approach is possible and safe.

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged for “neat” fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The priority is always to secure property and make the opening safe—especially after a break-in or impact.

Can you make safe a property after a burglary?

Yes. A large part of our work is post-burglary boarding—securing doors and windows after forced entry. Typically we’ll:

  • assess the opening and any sharp/unstable materials,
  • board the vulnerable point(s) to prevent repeat access,
  • provide photos and paperwork that insurers often ask for (see below).

If you’re dealing with this situation now, see burglary repairs and boarding.

Do you handle vandalism and repeated attacks?

Yes. We often attend for vandalism boarding where there’s a pattern of smashed glazing, especially on empty or low-traffic properties at night.

If the property is likely to be targeted again, we’ll talk you through options beyond basic temporary boarding—because repeatedly replacing boards can become a false economy. Start here: vandalism repair and boarding.

Do you board up after storm damage?

Yes. When storms break glazing, dislodge panels, or expose a building to driving rain, boarding up is often the quickest way to reduce further damage. Our role is to make safe and secure the opening; full repairs (glazing replacement, joinery, roofing works) are usually handled separately.

For storm-related incidents, read: storm damage boarding.

Can you board up a roof opening or skylight?

In many cases, yes. Roof and skylight boarding is more access-dependent than windows and doors. We’ll ask questions about:

  • safe access (height, pitch, internal access),
  • the size and type of opening (skylight, rooflight, missing panel),
  • weather conditions at the time.

Our aim is to reduce water ingress and prevent unauthorised access. More information: roof boarding.

Do you handle fire-damaged properties?

We can secure fire-damaged properties by boarding up compromised openings once the emergency services say it’s safe. We’re not a fire restoration company, so we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation—but we can help you secure the building to prevent opportunistic entry and weather exposure.

See: fire damage boarding.

After flooding, can you still board up doors and windows?

Often, yes—though flood damage can swell timber, weaken fixings, and make frames unstable. In flood scenarios we may recommend boarding solutions that maintain some ventilation where appropriate (depending on the condition and your insurer’s guidance).

Read more: flood damage boarding.

Do you work with landlords, letting agents, and property managers?

Yes. We regularly support landlords and managing agents with urgent and planned securing—especially for end-of-tenancy voids, forced entry, and repeated vandalism.

If the property is empty, you may find it helpful to read: vacant property boarding and security.

Can you secure a residential property without upsetting the whole household?

We try to keep the process straightforward and considerate, particularly when families are involved after an upsetting incident. We’ll explain what we need, what we’re fixing into, and what access we require. If there are vulnerable occupants, tell us on the phone so we can work as calmly and efficiently as possible.

For domestic-focused information: residential boarding up.

What information do you need when I call?

The fastest way to get a clear plan is to provide:

  • the postcode (LU1–LU7),
  • what happened (burglary, vandalism, storm damage, accident),
  • which openings are affected (front door, rear window, shopfront),
  • whether the site is safe to access,
  • photos if you can take them safely.

If you’re unsure, call anyway—talking it through is often quicker than guessing.

Do you provide documentation for insurance claims?

Yes—we’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we can provide the practical evidence insurers typically request, such as:

  • itemised invoices and a statement of works,
  • time-stamped photos of the opening before/after (where possible),
  • notes on materials used (e.g., board type/thickness) and fixing method.

For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

How much does boarding up cost in Luton?

Costs vary, and it wouldn’t be honest to give a one-size-fits-all figure without seeing the opening. Price is influenced by:

  • size/number of openings,
  • access (ground floor vs upper floors),
  • material choice (plywood vs OSB, extra reinforcement),
  • out-of-hours attendance,
  • how damaged the surrounding structure is (safe fixing points).

We explain costs upfront and provide clear paperwork. For a breakdown of what affects price, visit pricing.

How long does boarding up take?

For a single opening that’s straightforward and safe to access, boarding can often be completed quickly once we’re on site. Larger commercial openings, multiple windows, awkward access, or severely damaged frames can take longer.

If you call, we’ll talk through what’s involved and set expectations before we attend.

Are your technicians insured and DBS-checked?

Yes. We’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. We’ve been trading for 10+ years, and we work with homeowners, businesses, and property managers across the LU area.

If you’d like to learn more about who we are, see the home page or contact us.

Can you help if the property is in a nearby LU village rather than central Luton?

Yes. We cover the LU postcode districts (LU1–LU7), including Luton and surrounding towns and villages. If you’re not sure whether your location is covered, call and we’ll confirm.

You can also browse areas we cover.

I need boarding tonight—what should I do while I’m waiting?

If you need emergency boarding up and it’s currently out of hours, focus on safety:

  • stay inside and away from the damaged opening,
  • don’t try to clear embedded glass unless it’s safe and you have proper PPE,
  • keep any evidence if it’s a crime scene (police may advise you not to touch anything),
  • photograph damage for your insurer if safe,
  • keep children and pets away.

Then call us: Call 01582 377 256.

Still got questions?

If your situation isn’t covered here—accidental damage, a vulnerable vacant unit, or you’re not sure whether boarding or another security option is best—get in touch and we’ll talk it through.

Ready to get started? Call 01582 377 256 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.