Storm Damage Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)

Storm damage is stressful because it rarely arrives with a neat timetable. One minute everything looks fine, then you’re dealing with a smashed window, a door that won’t shut, or rain getting in through a damaged roofline. If you need storm damage boarding in Luton, we help you make safe the property and secure it until repairs can be completed properly.

For urgent help—especially out of hours—call 01582 377 256. We cover Luton and the wider LU area (LU1–LU7), and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on workload and conditions.

When storm damage happens (and why boarding up matters)

In the LU postcodes, storm damage tends to show up in a few common ways:

• Smashed window panes from wind-blown debris (tiles, branches, loose signage)
• Doors forced open or blown off alignment, leaving gaps you can’t lock properly
• Roof and skylight openings after dislodged tiles or damaged roof felt
• Shopfront glazing damage, particularly on exposed frontages
• Secondary damage from water ingress—once wind-driven rain gets inside, problems escalate quickly

Even if the damage looks “small”, delays can increase risk. A single smashed window can quickly become:

• an opportunistic break-in point,
• a route for rain to soak floors, plaster, and electrics,
• a safety hazard for occupants and passers-by.

Boarding up is often the fastest way to stabilise the situation: it’s temporary boarding designed to secure the opening and reduce further damage until glazing or joinery repairs are arranged.

If you need emergency boarding up after a storm, you can also read our urgent response guidance here: emergency boarding up.

First steps after storm damage (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps can help you protect people and improve the outcome with insurers and repair trades:

1. Check for immediate dangers
   If there are downed power lines, structural movement, or flooding near electrics, keep clear and call the relevant emergency services/utilities.

2. Keep people away from broken glass and unstable areas
   Close internal doors, block off rooms, and keep children/pets away from the hazard zone.

3. Take photos (only if safe)
   Wide shots and close-ups help with insurance and any follow-on repairs. If you can, photograph from inside and outside.

4. Avoid climbing onto roofs
   Storm-damaged roofs can be unpredictable and slippery. We’ll discuss safe access options when you call.

5. Call your insurer early
   You don’t need everything solved before calling—just start the process. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically need.

When you’re ready, call 01582 377 256. Tell us what’s happened, the postcode, and what’s currently exposed (window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight).

How we secure properties after storm damage

Storm damage varies, so we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. The aim is always the same: make safe, reduce further ingress, and secure property against unauthorised entry until permanent repairs are completed.

1) Assess the opening and the frame condition

On arrival we’ll look at:

• the size and location of the opening (ground floor, upper floor, rear access, etc.)
• whether the frame is intact enough for non-destructive fixing
• any immediate hazards (loose shards, hanging glazing, unstable doors)

If the frame is too damaged for straightforward fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) Choose the right boarding material (plywood vs OSB)

We commonly use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security and better weather resistance
• 12mm OSB for smaller openings or where appropriate for the risk level and fixing points

The goal is to create a strong barrier that can’t be removed easily from the outside.

3) Fixing methods that prioritise security

We use fixings and methods suited to the opening and surface, often including anti-tamper fixings where necessary. Anti-tamper fixings matter when the property will be unattended—they reduce the chance of someone simply undoing the board from the outside.

Where the situation calls for it (for example, repeated incidents, vacant buildings, or vulnerable access points), we’ll talk you through more robust temporary options such as security screens or temporary doors.

4) Weather and water ingress considerations (what boarding up can and can’t do)

Boarding up is primarily a security measure, and it can also help reduce rain entry—but it isn’t a full building repair.

• For windows and doors, boarding usually makes a big difference in stopping wind-driven rain.
• For roof damage, boarding and temporary weatherproofing depend heavily on safe access and the nature of the damage. We can often secure or protect exposed sections, but if conditions are unsafe (high winds, unstable structure), we may need to delay roof access and focus on securing lower-level entry points first.

If your main issue is overhead exposure, see: roof boarding.

Storm damage scenarios we deal with (in homes and businesses)

Residential properties (houses, flats, maisonettes)

Common calls include a board up broken window after a branch impact, patio doors that no longer lock, or wind damage that has pulled frames out of square. If you’re a homeowner, tenant, or landlord, we’ll help you secure the opening quickly and leave it ready for your glazier or builder.

More on domestic work: residential boarding.

Commercial properties (shops, offices, industrial units)

Commercial storm damage often involves larger panes, exposed frontages, and a need to protect stock, equipment, or customer areas. If your premises needs to be shopfront boarded up after storm impact, we can secure it and provide the paperwork many insurers and property managers require.

More on business support: commercial boarding up and shopfront boarding.

Vacant or void properties

Storm damage on empty properties can quickly lead to break-ins. In these situations, we’ll often discuss stronger medium-term options (depending on what the building needs and how long it will remain empty).

More on this approach: vacant property boarding.

What to expect when you call us

When you ring 01582 377 256, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we can arrive prepared:

• Which LU postcode district are you in (LU1–LU7)?
• What needs securing: window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight?
• Is the property occupied right now?
• Is there glass on the public side (pavement/car park)?
• Have police, fire service, or your insurer been notified (if relevant)?

We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary in storms and demand can spike—but we will prioritise urgent calls and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Typical storm-damage call-out (what it can look like)

A typical call-out might involve a property in the LU area where high winds have caused a smashed window on a ground-floor room and rain is starting to get in.

After arriving, we would:

• make the area safe (limit access, deal with loose shards where safe to do so),
• measure the opening and check the frame integrity,
• install temporary boarding using exterior-grade sheet material,
• use suitable fixings (often anti-tamper) to reduce the risk of removal from outside,
• take time-stamped photos for your records/insurer,
• provide an itemised invoice and a brief work statement describing what was secured and how.

If the frame is badly compromised, we’ll explain the options—sometimes boarding needs to be fixed differently, or we may recommend a more robust temporary security solution.

Insurance claims after storm damage: practical guidance

Storm damage is commonly insured, but policies vary. A few steps help keep things smoother:

• Keep your claim reference number and record who you spoke to
• Take photos before boarding up if it’s safe
• Don’t throw away damaged parts (where practical) until your insurer advises
• Ask what documentation they need (photos, invoice, work statement)

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we regularly provide the type of documentation insurers typically request. For more guidance: insurance claims.

Which service do you need after a storm?

Storm damage isn’t always “just a window”. These are the most common solutions:

• Broken or cracked glazing → window boarding in Luton
  Ideal when you need to board up broken window openings fast and safely.

• Damaged or insecure entrances → door boarding
  If you need to board up door openings after wind damage or forced frames.

• Large commercial panes → shopfront boarding
  When you need a shopfront boarded up to protect your premises and stock.

• Overhead exposure → roof boarding
  For damaged roof sections or skylights where safe access is possible.

If you’re unsure, call 01582 377 256 and describe what’s happened—we’ll guide you to the right option.

FAQs: storm damage boarding up in Luton (LU)

Do you cover my area in the LU postcodes?

Yes. We cover Luton and surrounding areas across LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5, LU6 and LU7. If you’re unsure, call and tell us your postcode and we’ll confirm.

Can you come out out of hours after a storm?

Yes. Storm damage doesn’t wait for office hours, and we take out of hours calls. We’ll prioritise urgent cases and give a realistic ETA based on conditions and workload.

What if my window is smashed and it’s raining inside?

If it’s safe, move valuables away from the opening and place buckets/towels to limit water spread. Then call us so we can arrange emergency boarding up to reduce further ingress and secure the opening.

Can you board up a door that won’t lock after wind damage?

Often, yes. If the door or frame is compromised and you can’t secure it, we can board up door openings or discuss more secure temporary solutions depending on how the entrance has failed.

Do you remove broken glass?

We can make the area safer and deal with immediate hazards as part of making safe, but full clean-up and refurbishment is not always within scope. Tell us what you’re facing and we’ll explain what we can do on arrival.

Will boarding up damage my window frames or brickwork?

We aim to use methods that are secure while minimising unnecessary damage. However, if the structure is already weakened (common after storms), some fixings may be necessary to achieve a safe, secure result. We’ll explain your options before proceeding.

How long does temporary boarding last?

It depends on exposure and risk level. Boarding is a temporary measure intended to keep the property secure until permanent repairs are completed. If you need longer-term protection (for example, a vacant building), we can advise on sturdier options.

Is storm damage boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, but it depends on your policy and the circumstances. We’ll provide invoices and documentation that insurers commonly request. See: insurance claims.

Need storm damage boarding up in Luton now?

If you need to secure property after storm damage—whether it’s a board up broken window, an entrance that won’t lock, or a shopfront boarded up—we’re here to help across LU1–LU7.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-luton.co.uk