24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up Reading (RG1–RG45)

Need emergency boarding up in Reading right now? Call 01182 308 876.
If you can’t call, email info@boarding-up-reading.co.uk and tell us the address, what’s damaged, and whether the property is safe to access.

When a window’s been smashed, a door has been forced, or a shopfront is wide open to the street, you don’t need a long explanation — you need the property secured quickly, safely, and properly. We provide 24 hour boarding up in Reading and across the RG postcode area (RG1–RG45), prioritising urgent calls where a building is exposed or vulnerable.

We’ll talk you through what to do next, arrive with the right materials, and leave you with clear documentation (photos and an itemised invoice) to support your insurer and your landlord/agent if needed.

When you should call for emergency boarding up

Emergency boarding is about immediate security and weather protection. It’s the right call when there’s a risk of:

  • Unauthorised entry after a break-in or attempted break-in
  • Water ingress through broken glazing, a kicked-in panel, or a damaged rooflight
  • Public safety issues (loose glass, street-facing damage, ground-floor exposure)
  • Further loss from vandalism or repeat targeting, especially on visible frontages

Common urgent jobs we attend in Reading include:

  • Smashed windows on Victorian terraces around Katesgrove and Newtown
  • Forced doors and broken side panels on 1930s semis in Tilehurst, Caversham, and Earley
  • Shopfront glazing damage near Broad Street, Oxford Road, and around Reading Station / the town centre
  • Breakages at offices and light industrial units around Green Park, Thames Valley Park, and along the A33 corridor

If the police or fire service are on site, follow their instructions first. Once the scene is released (or if you’re told you can secure it), call 01182 308 876.

What happens when you call (and what we’ll ask)

We keep the call simple so we can mobilise quickly. We’ll ask:

  1. Address and postcode (so we can route correctly across RG1–RG45)
  2. What’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight/skylight)
  3. Any access issues (rear access, alleyways, shutters, concierge, site security)
  4. Whether the property is occupied and if anyone is at risk
  5. If emergency services are involved (and whether the scene is released)

If you can safely do so, text/email a photo to info@boarding-up-reading.co.uk. It helps us bring the right board sizes and fixings first time.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times — traffic, road closures and the nature of emergency work can vary — but we prioritise exposed properties and aim to get you secured as soon as we can.

Emergency boarding up in Reading: how we secure your property

The goal is to secure the opening without creating unnecessary additional damage, while still making it difficult to remove from outside.

Broken window boarding (domestic and commercial)

For most emergency window boarding in Reading, we use:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability (common for larger openings)
  • 12mm OSB where appropriate for smaller or less exposed panes

Fixing method depends on the frame and opening:

  • Non-destructive options where feasible (especially useful if frames are intact and repairs are imminent)
  • Anti-tamper fixings and secure positioning to reduce the risk of removal from outside
  • Care around sash windows, leaded lights, and bay windows where surrounding timber can be fragile

If you want more detail about this service outside of an emergency, see our dedicated page on window boarding in Reading.

Emergency door boarding and forced-entry security

A kicked-in door or split frame needs a different approach to a broken window. We can:

  • Board across damaged door leaves and sidelights
  • Stabilise loose panels to remove immediate safety risks
  • Advise when a temporary steel door is the more secure, practical option for vacant or high-risk properties

If the frame is too damaged for a secure board fix, we’ll explain the options before we proceed. For planned securing (or if the property will be empty), consider door boarding in Reading or our longer-term options through vacant property boarding solutions.

Shopfront and street-facing glazing

Shopfront damage needs to be secure, neat, and mindful of passers-by. We regularly board:

  • Retail glazing and entrance doors
  • Corner units and larger panels that require multiple boards
  • Sites where you may need to maintain a safe route for staff access

If you’re dealing with a smashed shop window tonight, we’ll focus on making the frontage secure and safe first, then you can arrange replacement glazing separately. For more on how we handle commercial frontages, see shopfront boarding in Reading.

Rooflights, skylights and overhead openings

Storm damage or break-ins through rooflights are more common than people expect — especially on flat roofs, extensions, and some commercial units. We can board and make safe where access is appropriate, focusing on:

  • Preventing water ingress as a priority
  • Safe access planning (we won’t take unsafe risks)
  • Fixing methods suitable for overhead loads and exposure

Read more about this service on roof boarding in Reading.

Situations we attend out of hours in Reading

Emergencies don’t arrive neatly within business hours. Here are the most common call-outs we handle:

What you’ll get from us (useful for insurers and landlords)

Once the property is secured, you’ll receive:

  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
  • A clear work statement describing what we did and where
  • An itemised invoice suitable for insurers, landlords, managing agents, or facilities teams

We’re not loss adjusters and can’t tell you what your policy will pay — but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. For practical guidance, see insurance claims support.

Safety and practical steps while you’re waiting

If you’ve discovered damage late at night, it’s easy to panic. These steps help — but only do what’s safe.

  1. If a crime is in progress or you feel unsafe, call 999.
  2. If it’s a break-in, get a police reference number — insurers often ask for it.
  3. Don’t touch glass unless you have gloves and a safe way to clear a path. Keep children/pets away.
  4. If safe, take photos before anything is moved (useful for insurance).
  5. If you can, move valuables away from the exposed area and turn on lights inside.
  6. Call 01182 308 876 for emergency boarding up in Reading.

Emergency boarding for homes, shops, and managed sites

We work across residential and commercial properties in Reading and RG:

If you manage a site and need method statements or risk information for planned works, we can talk that through — for true emergencies, our focus is securing the opening safely and leaving the site stable.

Coverage: Reading and the RG postcode area (RG1–RG45)

We’re based locally and cover Reading and surrounding areas across RG postcodes — including (but not limited to):

  • Central Reading (RG1): town centre, Reading Station area, riverside and apartments
  • West Reading / Tilehurst (RG30/RG31): family housing, parades, and mixed residential streets
  • Caversham (RG4): period homes, hills and tighter access in places
  • Earley, Lower Earley, Woodley (RG6/RG5): modern estates and busy commuter routes
  • Shinfield and Green Park (RG2): newer developments and business parks

For non-urgent enquiries, you can also browse areas we cover to find your nearest location page.

FAQs — 24 hour boarding up in Reading

How quickly can you come out?

We prioritise exposed, vulnerable properties and urgent safety risks. We can’t guarantee fixed arrival times because emergencies vary, but we’ll give you clear expectations on the phone and keep the process moving.

Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance in Reading?

Often it can be, particularly after burglary, storm damage, or accidental impact — but it depends on your policy. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. We provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. More guidance is on our insurance claims support page.

Can you board up a shopfront near Reading town centre out of hours?

Yes. We frequently secure street-facing units around the town centre and main routes. Our priority is to make the frontage safe and difficult to access from outside, then you can arrange glazing replacement.

Will boarding up damage my window frames?

We aim to use the least destructive secure method available for the situation. If frames are already split, rotten, or unstable (common after forced entry), we’ll explain what fixing options are realistic before starting.

How long will the boards stay on?

As long as needed. Some customers remove boards once glazing or doors are repaired; others need medium-term security for void properties. If you need longer-term protection, ask about security solutions on our vacant property page.

Need emergency boarding up in Reading now?

If your property is exposed, vulnerable, or unsafe, call us and we’ll help you secure it.

Need help now? Call 01182 308 876 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Contact info@boarding-up-reading.co.uk.