Residential Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)

When your home has been damaged—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or storm damage—the priority is simple: secure the property quickly and safely so you can breathe again and decide what happens next.

Boarding Up Luton provides residential boarding up across LU1–LU7, with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and over 10 years’ trading. If you need urgent help tonight or out of hours, you can speak to a real person and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on where you are and what’s happening on the ground.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for immediate assistance.

What counts as “residential boarding up”?

Residential boarding up is the process of making a home secure and weather-resistant after damage or when an opening is vulnerable. It can be temporary (overnight or a few days) or medium-term (weeks/months), depending on repairs, insurance approvals, and whether the property will be lived in.

Typical residential work includes:

Boarding up broken or cracked windows
Boarding up damaged external doors
Securing patio doors or glazed side panels
Boarding over small ground-floor openings after impact damage
Securing properties that will be unoccupied (for example, between tenancies or during probate)

For urgent incidents, our focus is to make safe and secure property—and to leave you with clear documentation to support your next steps.

If you’re in an emergency situation right now, visit our dedicated page for urgent help: emergency boarding up.

Common residential scenarios we attend in Luton and the LU postcodes

People often call us at stressful moments. Below are realistic examples of what we see across Luton, Dunstable, and the surrounding LU areas—without assuming your situation is identical.

1) Smashed window after vandalism or impact

A smashed window can leave sharp glass, an open route for intruders, and exposure to weather. Even if the rest of the home is secure, an open window can make the whole property feel unsafe.

In these cases, we typically board up broken window openings using exterior-grade sheet material and fixings designed to resist tampering from outside.

Related help: window boarding in Luton and, if it follows malicious damage, vandalism repair boarding.

2) Forced entry or attempted burglary

After a break-in, door frames can be split, locks damaged, or glass panels shattered. Sometimes you can’t reliably lock up even if the door still closes.

We can board up door openings or, where boarding isn’t the safest medium-term option, discuss a temporary steel door solution for stronger security (particularly for ground-floor access points).

3) Storm damage and wind-blown debris

High winds can cause panels to loosen, glazing to fail, or debris to strike windows. The key priority is preventing further weather ingress while keeping the property secure.

We can provide temporary boarding to stabilise the situation until glaziers or builders can carry out permanent repairs.

Related help: storm damage boarding and securing.

4) Fire damage (securing only)

After a fire, windows may be broken by heat or emergency access. Doors may no longer close correctly due to warping.

We can secure openings and help reduce the risk of further damage or unauthorised entry. Smoke/odour remediation and full fire restoration are outside our scope—our role is to secure the home.

Related help: fire damage securing.

5) Flood damage affecting doors and frames

Floodwater can swell timber doors and frames and compromise locks. Sometimes a door that “looks fine” won’t lock, or the frame has shifted slightly.

We’ll assess what can be secured safely. In some cases, boarding or an alternative security method is the safest temporary option while the property dries and is inspected.

Related help: flood damage securing.

How our residential boarding up process works (what to expect)

When you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we can attend prepared:

What’s been damaged—window, door, or both?
Is the opening at ground floor, first floor, or higher?
Is the property occupied right now?
Are police/other emergency services involved, and is it safe to attend?
Rough size of the opening (if you can estimate), and whether glass is still hanging in place

We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times. Conditions vary by time of day and workload, especially during bad weather or busy periods. What we will do is give you a realistic ETA on the phone, and prioritise urgent calls where a property is exposed.

On arrival, our usual steps are:

Safety and assessment – confirm the structure is safe enough to work on and identify hazards (loose glass, unstable frames, overhead risks).
Make safe – remove immediate hazards where appropriate and safe to do so, and secure access.
Measure and prepare panels – cut boards to fit and decide the most suitable fixing method for the frame type and condition.
Fixing and security – install boards with appropriate fixings to reduce the risk of removal from outside.
Finish and check – check for gaps, sharp edges, and that doors/windows can’t be accessed from outside.
Documentation – provide itemised paperwork and, where helpful, time-stamped photos for your records/insurer.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll talk you through options before proceeding.

Materials and methods we use in homes (and why)

Residential boarding isn’t one-size-fits-all. The method depends on the opening size, whether the frame is damaged, and whether the home will be occupied.

Plywood vs OSB: choosing the right sheet

18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for larger or higher-risk openings because it’s strong, stable, and holds fixings well.
12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk situations, depending on the location and condition of the reveal/frame.

We choose materials based on what will secure the property effectively without causing unnecessary damage.

Fixing methods: security matters

We often use anti-tamper fixings or methods designed to reduce the chance of boards being removed from outside—particularly important if:

The property will be unattended overnight
The incident involved attempted entry
The opening is accessible from the street or a shared access route

Where appropriate and safe, we aim for fixing methods that are strong and tidy while avoiding avoidable damage to good frames.

Temporary steel doors (for stronger medium-term security)

If a door has been forced and you need a more robust solution than boarding—especially for empty homes or repeated targeting—a temporary steel door can provide a more secure option while repairs or insurance works are arranged.

This is particularly useful where a boarded doorway would be inconvenient (for example, if trades need regular access) or where extra resistance is needed.

Related service information: door boarding in Luton.

Occupied vs vacant homes: what changes?

If you’re still living in the property

We’ll prioritise keeping things:

Secure
As weather-resistant as reasonably possible
Practical for day-to-day living (for example, discussing access routes and whether certain doors must remain usable)

In some cases, you may choose to board a vulnerable opening while keeping a safe alternative exit accessible.

If the property will be empty

If the property is going to be unoccupied—between tenants, during renovation, or after an incident—security becomes even more important.

We’ll discuss options that reduce the risk of repeat entry. If you’re securing an empty property as a landlord or agent, you may also want to view our dedicated page: vacant property boarding.

What to do right now (especially out of hours)

If you’ve just discovered damage at your home in Luton or the LU area, these steps can help.

If there’s an intruder or you feel threatened, call 999.
If it’s safe, take a few photos of the damage before anything is moved (useful for insurance).
Don’t handle broken glass unless you can do so safely—sharp edges and unstable panes can cause serious injury.
Keep your police reference number if the incident involves burglary or criminal damage.
Call us to make safe and secure property with emergency boarding up. We can talk you through what to do while you wait.

For urgent attendance tonight or out of hours: emergency boarding up.

Residential boarding up and insurance: what we can provide

Many residential call-outs relate to insurance claims. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t make decisions for your insurer, but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

A clear description of the damage and what was done to secure it
An itemised invoice
Time-stamped photos where appropriate
Notes on access issues or structural concerns observed on arrival (without overstating)

More guidance is available here: insurance claims help.

Areas we cover for residential boarding up (LU1–LU7)

We cover Luton and surrounding LU postcode districts, including LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5, LU6 and LU7. If you’re unsure whether you’re in area, call and we’ll confirm.

Some local pages you may find useful:

You can also browse: areas we cover.

Residential boarding up FAQs (Luton & LU)

Do you board up homes as well as shops?

Yes. A large part of our work is residential boarding for houses and flats across Luton and the LU postcodes—typically after a broken window, forced door, storm damage, or accidental impact.

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

If you need help out of hours, call us and we’ll advise on the best next step and provide a realistic ETA. For urgent attendance, use: emergency boarding up.

What’s the difference between window boarding and door boarding?

Window boarding focuses on securing glazed openings safely and firmly (often with different fixing considerations). Door boarding may involve securing a full access point and, where needed, discussing stronger temporary options. See: window boarding in Luton and door boarding in Luton.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

It depends on the condition of the frame/reveal and the fixing method required to keep the property secure. We aim to use the least invasive method that still provides reliable security. If the frame is already badly damaged, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

How long does residential boarding up take?

Most straightforward jobs can be completed quickly once on site, but it depends on access, height, the size/shape of the opening, and how damaged the surrounding frame is. When you call, we’ll ask a few questions to estimate what’s involved.

Can you help if the property is a flat?

Yes. Flats can involve additional access considerations (communal areas, upper floors, parking/loading). Tell us what floor you’re on and whether there are any restrictions so we arrive prepared.

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

Yes. Landlords and managing agents often instruct us to secure a property, particularly where the home may be vacant or between tenancies. If access needs coordinating, we’ll talk you through the simplest way to arrange it.

Ready to secure your home?

If you need residential boarding up in Luton or anywhere across LU1–LU7, we’ll talk you through the options and help you get the property safe.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256
Or email: info@boarding-up-luton.co.uk

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