Door Boarding in Reading (RG) – Emergency & Planned Door Security

When a door has been forced, kicked in, or left unsafe after an accident, you need it secured quickly and properly. Our door boarding in Reading service is designed to stabilise the opening, prevent further entry, and buy you time to arrange a permanent repair—without making a bad situation worse.

We cover Reading and the wider RG postcode area (RG1–RG45). If you need urgent help, speak to us now: Call 01182 308 876.

When door boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)

Door boarding is most commonly needed after:

• Burglary or attempted break-in (splintered timber doors, snapped locks, broken frames)
• Vandalism (damage to communal entrances, kicked panels, smashed side-lights)
• Fire service/police entry (door forced for access, lock no longer secure)
• Accidental impact (delivery damage, vehicle clips a side entrance, door won’t close)
• Vacant properties (between tenancies, probate, renovation)

Door boarding is usually a temporary security measure. If the door leaf and frame are intact and it’s purely a lock issue, we may be able to advise on alternatives, but our focus is securing the opening. For immediate attendance outside standard hours, see emergency boarding up.

Emergency door boarding in Reading: what “secure” actually means

A boarded door should do three things:

1. Stop unauthorised access (including common “easy removals” from the outside)
2. Reduce weather ingress (draughts and driving rain are often the next problem)
3. Stay safe and stable until a locksmith, glazier, or builder can complete repairs

In Reading, we’re regularly dealing with everything from Victorian terraces with older timber frames (often found around West Reading and the inner suburbs) to newer composite doors on modern developments around Green Park and Shinfield. The fixing approach needs to match what’s in front of us—especially if frames are already cracked or the masonry has been disturbed.

If you’re unsure what you need, call and describe what’s happened. Call 01182 308 876.

Our materials: plywood vs OSB (and why thickness matters)

We choose materials based on the opening size, exposure, and expected time it needs to stay in place.

Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm)

For door boarding, we typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it:

• Resists splitting better than thinner sheet on door-sized spans
• Holds fixings more reliably
• Performs better when the property is exposed to wind and rain

OSB (often 12mm for smaller/secondary openings)

12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller door panels or internal access points where exposure and attack risk are lower. We’ll advise on what’s appropriate—there’s no point fitting a lighter board where repeated attempts are likely.

Fixings: security is in the details

The difference between “covered” and “secure” is often the fixings. Where appropriate, we use:

• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of boards being removed from outside
• Coach screws / structural fixings into sound timber or solid substrates
• Packers and framing timbers when the existing frame is too damaged to take fixings cleanly
• Non-destructive approaches where viable (especially in managed buildings)

If the frame or surrounding structure is too compromised for a safe, tidy installation, we’ll talk you through options before proceeding. Sometimes the honest answer is that the opening needs a different solution.

How we board up damaged doors (step-by-step)

Every job is a little different, but this is the typical process:

1. Initial assessment
   We check how the door failed (lock side, hinges, frame, glass side-light), whether the opening is stable, and whether there’s any risk from loose materials.

2. Make safe
   We remove obvious hazards (sharp edges, loose fragments) where safe to do so and make sure the board will sit flush.

3. Measure and cut on site
   We cut boards to suit the opening. A good fit matters—oversized boards can rock; undersized boards invite leverage.

4. Fixing method selection
   Depending on the substrate and condition, we’ll use direct fixings, framed returns, or reinforced fixing points.

5. Secure and check
   We test for movement, ensure edges are fixed properly, and reduce gaps. If you need access later, we’ll discuss what’s realistic and safe.

6. Documentation
   Where requested, we provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement—useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurers.

If your issue is primarily glazing next to the door (side panel or fanlight), you may need window boarding in Reading alongside door boarding.

Temporary steel doors: when boarding isn’t enough

For some situations—particularly repeated break-ins, vacant properties, or doorways that need regular controlled access—boarding can be a short-lived fix. In those cases, a temporary steel door can be a better option.

A temporary steel door may be suitable if:

• The property will be unoccupied for weeks/months
• Trades need secure access during renovation
• The original frame is too damaged to hold boards securely
• There’s a high risk of repeat targeting (rear alleys, secluded side entrances)

We’ll talk you through whether a steel door is appropriate and how it affects access, keys, and ongoing security. For longer-term empty sites, vacant property boarding and security planning can be more cost-effective than repeated emergency call-outs.

Commercial door boarding: rear service doors, office entrances, and shared access points

Commercial door damage in Reading often involves:

• Rear service doors off delivery routes
• Shared entrances in mixed-use buildings
• Out-of-hours incidents where staff safety and stock security are immediate priorities

We can board and secure doors for shops, offices, and industrial units—often as part of a wider secure-up after an incident. If the damage is to glazing or a front elevation, you may need shopfront boarding as well.

For businesses and facilities managers, we can provide clear documentation for internal reporting and insurer correspondence (we’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the evidence insurers typically ask for).

What to do before we arrive (if it’s safe)

After a break-in or forced entry, it’s normal to feel rattled. These steps can help, but don’t put yourself at risk:

• If a crime is in progress or you feel unsafe, call 999
• If police have attended, keep your crime reference number
• Take photos of the damage (only if safe) for your insurer
• Avoid touching areas the police may want to examine
• If you can, keep pets/children away from the damaged area

If weather is coming in, keep people back from the opening—broken timber and twisted hardware can be sharp and unstable.

Insurance and landlord documentation (what we can provide)

Insurers and managing agents usually want a clear paper trail. We can provide:

• Itemised invoices describing labour and materials
• Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed secure-up
• A brief statement of works to support a claim

We don’t make decisions for insurers, but our insurance claims guidance explains what information is typically useful and how to keep things moving.

Common door boarding scenarios we handle in Reading & RG

• Timber door kicked in with a split frame and damaged keep—secured to prevent re-entry
• Communal entrance damaged in a converted house—boarded and stabilised pending joinery repairs
• Side access door forced on a vacant property—secured with anti-tamper fixings to deter repeat attempts
• Police entry leaves a door insecure—boarded to protect belongings until replacement is fitted

If the incident was a break-in, you may also find our guidance on securing property after burglary helpful.

FAQs – Door boarding in Reading

How quickly can you attend for emergency door boarding in Reading?

We prioritise urgent jobs and out-of-hours calls, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic around Reading (especially near the A33, A329(M), and the town centre) and access constraints can affect timing. If it’s urgent, call 01182 308 876 and we’ll advise the next available attendance.

Will boarding up damage my door frame?

We aim to use the least damaging secure method possible. If the frame is already split or unstable, some fixings may be unavoidable to make the opening safe. Where the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

Can you board up a door with glass panels or a side-light?

Yes. We regularly secure doors with glazing, and we can also board adjacent panels. In some cases it’s better treated as a window-style opening—see window boarding in Reading.

Do you offer longer-term security for empty properties?

Yes. If the property will be vacant, we can advise on more robust measures than standard boarding. Start with vacant property boarding and we’ll recommend the most practical route.

Is door boarding covered by insurance?

Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accidental impact—coverage depends on your policy. We can provide the documentation insurers typically request. See insurance claims support for practical guidance.

Related services that are often needed alongside door boarding

Depending on what’s happened, you might also need:

• emergency boarding up for out-of-hours incidents
• window boarding in Reading for side-lights, fanlights, and broken panes nearby
• shopfront boarding for commercial glazing and entrances
• roof boarding if the incident involves roof access, skylights, or overhead damage
• Information on what boarding up means and when to use it

Ready to secure a damaged door in Reading?

If your door has been forced or you can’t secure the property, we’ll talk you through the next step and arrange attendance.

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

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• window boarding in Reading
• shopfront boarding
• securing property after burglary
• insurance claims support
• contact Boarding Up Reading