Boarding Up Services in Reading (RG1–RG45)

When a window goes in the middle of the night, a door is forced, or a shopfront is left exposed after an incident, you need practical help—fast. Our boarding up services in Reading are designed to secure properties across the RG postcode area (RG1–RG45) with the right materials, fixings, and approach for the situation.

We work on homes, flats, retail premises, offices, schools and managed sites—providing everything from short-term boarding to medium-term security solutions like temporary steel doors and security screens.

Need urgent help? Call 01182 308 876 or email info@boarding-up-reading.co.uk. If it’s time-critical, see emergency boarding up for out-of-hours support.

What we help with (and where we work)

Reading is a busy, mixed town: Victorian terraces around Katesgrove and Caversham, 1930s semis out towards Tilehurst and Woodley, student and rental properties near Earley, and dense commercial frontage around Broad Street, Friar Street and the Oracle area. Incidents happen everywhere—storm damage on exposed elevations, vandalism in busy footfall areas, accidental breakage, and post-burglary insecurity.

We cover Reading and the wider RG area, including (but not limited to) RG1, RG2, RG4, RG6, RG7, RG30, RG41, plus surrounding towns and villages such as Wokingham, Twyford, Theale, Pangbourne, Sonning, Shinfield, Bracknell and Newbury. For a local page-by-page breakdown, see areas we cover.

Our boarding up services (what’s available)

Below is what we do most often. If you’re not sure which service fits, call and explain what’s happened—photos help if you can safely take them.

Window boarding (homes, flats and commercial)

If glass is broken, cracked, missing, or the frame is compromised, we can secure the opening using appropriate board and fixings. This is the most common callout for both residential and commercial sites across Reading.

  • Typical materials: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger protection, 12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk openings where appropriate
  • Fixing methods: chosen to reduce the risk of external removal (anti-tamper fixings are often appropriate where a property will be unattended)
  • Ventilation considerations: where safe and suitable, we can discuss options so a property isn’t sealed unnecessarily (especially after flood or fire incidents)

Learn more about window boarding in Reading.

Door boarding and forced-entry security

After a break-in, doors often fail at the lock, frame, or hinges. Boarding a door is sometimes possible, but in many cases a temporary steel door provides better access control and security—especially for vacant properties, shop rear entrances, or sites that need repeated access by insurers, contractors or facilities teams.

We’ll assess the door leaf and frame condition on arrival. If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive method, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

Read about door boarding in Reading and how we help after incidents like burglary repairs.

Shopfront boarding (retail, restaurants, glazed frontages)

Shopfronts in and around Reading town centre—particularly near Broad Street, Smelly Alley (Union Street), King’s Road, and the routes leading to Reading Station—can be vulnerable to impact damage and vandalism. Securing large glazed panels needs strong board, safe handling, and the right fixings to deter removal.

Shopfront boarding is commonly needed for:

  • smashed or spider-cracked glazing
  • repeated vandalism where the property will be unattended overnight
  • temporary securing ahead of reglazing

Find out more about shopfront boarding in Reading.

Roof boarding and skylight protection

Loose tiles, broken skylights, and damaged roof openings can let in water quickly—especially in exposed weather. Roof-level work also adds complexity: safe access, working at height constraints, and the need to prevent further damage while making the property secure and weather-resistant.

We can secure:

  • rooflights and skylights
  • accessible flat roof openings
  • damaged sections where boarding is a safe temporary measure

See roof boarding in Reading.

Temporary fencing (site perimeter security)

If an incident has made a site boundary unsafe—damaged gates, exposed frontage, or works that need crowd control—temporary fencing can help reduce risk while repairs are organised. This is common for commercial premises, managed sites, and properties where a vehicle impact has compromised access.

Explore temporary fencing in Reading.

Security upgrades for vacant properties (medium-term options)

Boarding is often the right immediate solution, but if a property is going to be empty for weeks or months (probate, refurbishment, between tenancies), you may want a more durable set-up.

Temporary steel doors

A temporary steel door is a strong, lockable access solution used when the original door is damaged or insecure. It’s a common choice for:

  • void social housing and managed blocks
  • rear access doors at shops and small industrial units
  • refurbishment projects where trades need controlled entry

For broader guidance, visit vacant property boarding in Reading.

Steel security screens (Sitex-style)

For longer-term security—especially on repeat-target properties—security screens provide strong protection while allowing controlled access and, in some configurations, airflow and visibility benefits versus fully boarded windows.

If you’re unsure whether boarding or screens are appropriate, call and we’ll talk through risk, access needs and timescales.

How the process works (what to expect)

People usually call us at a stressful moment. Keeping it simple helps.

  1. You contact us – Call 01182 308 876 or email info@boarding-up-reading.co.uk. If it’s urgent, use emergency boarding up.
  2. We ask practical questions – what’s been damaged, whether the property is occupied, and whether there are any hazards (shattered glass, fire damage, suspected structural movement).
  3. We secure the opening – using the appropriate board, fixings and method for the location and risk level.
  4. You receive documentation – we can provide an itemised invoice and a clear statement of work. Where helpful, we can also provide time-stamped photos for your records or insurer.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times—Reading traffic, access constraints (especially around the A33, IDR and town centre), and the nature of emergency work can affect scheduling. We prioritise genuinely urgent cases where a property is open to the elements or vulnerable to entry.

Materials and fixings: what we use and why

Choosing the right board and fixings isn’t just about covering a hole—it’s about preventing removal from outside, reducing further damage, and keeping people safe.

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood: a strong option for many windows, doors and shopfront panels
  • 12mm OSB: suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk situations where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings: used when there’s a higher risk of interference, or when the property will be left unattended
  • Framing considerations: we adapt the method to timber, uPVC, aluminium shopfront framing and masonry reveals

If an opening is unstable (e.g., fire-compromised frame, impact damage from a vehicle), we’ll tell you what we can secure safely and what needs additional input (e.g., glazier, roofer, or structural assessment).

For a straightforward explanation of the basics, see what is boarding up?.

Situations we’re called out for (common in Reading)

Different incidents call for different solutions. If you’re looking for “what do I do next?” guidance, these pages may help:

  • burglary repairs – securing doors/windows after forced entry
  • vandalism repair – smashed glass, repeated targeting, shopfront attacks
  • storm damage – wind damage, fallen debris, temporary weatherproofing
  • fire damage – we secure the property after an incident (we don’t do smoke/odour remediation)
  • flood damage – swollen frames, compromised openings, safe ventilation considerations
  • accident damage – vehicle impacts, unsafe access points, urgent securing

Who we work with

We regularly help:

  • homeowners and tenants
  • landlords and letting agents (including end-of-tenancy and void periods)
  • shop owners, cafés and restaurants
  • facilities managers and maintenance teams
  • insurers and loss adjusters (we’re not adjusters—but we provide the documentation they typically need)

For property-type specifics, you may find these pages useful:

Insurance and paperwork (what we can provide)

If you’re making an insurance claim, a clear paper trail matters.

What we can usually provide:

  • an itemised invoice
  • a brief statement of work (what we secured and how)
  • time-stamped photos of the boarded area where appropriate

What we can’t do:

  • act as a loss adjuster
  • confirm what your policy will cover

Practical tip: if the police attended, keep your crime reference number. If it’s safe, take photos before boarding goes up. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

FAQs about our boarding up services in Reading

How much does boarding up cost in Reading?

It depends on the opening size, height/access, materials required, and whether the frame is stable enough for standard fixing methods. We explain the options clearly and provide an itemised invoice. For a breakdown of what affects price, visit pricing.

Can you board up a smashed shop window in Reading town centre?

Yes. For shopfronts around central Reading (including high-footfall areas near Reading Station and Broad Street), we use heavier-duty board and appropriate fixings for large glazed openings. If the frontage is unusually wide or access is constrained, we’ll talk you through the safest approach.

Do you cover my RG postcode?

We cover RG1–RG45, including Reading and surrounding areas such as Wokingham, Twyford, Theale, Bracknell, Newbury and more. Start with areas we cover to find your nearest page.

Will boarding up damage my frames?

We aim to secure openings with minimal additional damage where possible, but it depends on what’s already broken and what’s safest. If a frame is too compromised for a non-destructive method, we’ll explain why and agree the approach with you before we start.

How long will the boards stay up?

Boarding is typically a temporary security measure until repairs are completed. If the property will be vacant longer-term, we can discuss alternatives like temporary steel doors or security screens (more suitable for medium-term security).

Ready to arrange boarding up in Reading?

If you need boarding up services in Reading—whether it’s a broken window, damaged door, shopfront incident or roof opening—contact us and we’ll guide you through the next step.

Ready to get started? Call 01182 308 876 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.