Commercial Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)
When something happens to a commercial property—whether it’s a smashed window, forced entry, or storm damage—there’s usually more at stake than just the glass. You may have staff due in the next morning, stock and equipment on site, compliance requirements, and insurers asking what you’ve done to secure the property.
Boarding Up Luton provides commercial boarding up in Luton and across LU1–LU7, with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and over 10 years’ trading experience. If you need emergency boarding up or planned security for an empty unit, call us and we’ll talk you through the quickest safe way to make safe your premises.
Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for immediate assistance.
What counts as a “commercial” boarding-up job?
Commercial work covers a wide range of buildings and responsibilities. We regularly help:
- Shops and retail units (including glazed shopfronts)
- Offices and managed business premises
- Restaurants, cafés and takeaways
- Warehouses and light industrial units
- Schools, community buildings and other non-domestic sites (where access and documentation are important)
- Property managers and facilities teams responsible for multiple sites
If you’re unsure whether your site counts as commercial (or you’re managing a mixed-use building), call us—most of the time it just changes the access planning, fixing method, and the type of paperwork you may need.
Typical scenarios we see with commercial properties in Luton
Commercial call-outs often happen out of hours, and the cause of damage can be very different to domestic jobs. Common scenarios include:
1) Smashed windows and vandalism
A smashed window can be as simple as a single pane, or it can involve multiple panels and an unsafe frontage. With commercial sites, the priority is usually to:
- prevent entry and theft
- reduce risk to the public (especially if it faces a pavement/entrance)
- keep the business compliant and safe to reopen
This is often linked to vandalism repairs where securing quickly prevents further damage overnight.
2) Break-ins and forced entry
After a burglary, doors and frames can be twisted, locks destroyed, and glazing broken around handles. We’re often asked to board up a door temporarily when repairs can’t be completed immediately, or to secure a window that’s been used as an entry point.
If you’re dealing with this situation, see our burglary repairs page for practical next steps and insurance pointers.
3) Shopfront damage (including larger glazed panels)
Commercial frontages are different to house windows: bigger panels, different framing, higher visibility, and often a need for a neat, professional temporary solution.
If your priority is getting the front secure and presentable until a glazier can replace the units, our shopfront boarding in Luton page explains how we handle larger openings and public-facing areas.
4) Storm damage and flying debris
High winds can break glazing, damage rooflights, or loosen panels around rear loading doors. Even when the opening is small, water ingress can quickly become a bigger loss than the original break.
For these incidents, we’ll focus on weather resistance and safe fixing, alongside the immediate temporary boarding. More guidance is on our storm damage page.
5) Fire attendance and post-incident securing
After a fire, the building may be left vulnerable due to forced entry by emergency services, broken windows, or compromised doors. Our role isn’t cleaning or restoration—our job is to secure property and reduce risk of opportunistic entry while you organise the next stage.
If this is your situation, see fire damage for what to do next and what documentation insurers often request.
6) Vehicle impact or accidental damage
Commercial premises can suffer accidental impacts (delivery incidents, low-speed collisions, or damaged shutters/frames). These often require a rapid make safe to prevent hazards to staff and the public, and to keep the building secure until repairs are arranged.
How we board up commercial premises (methods & materials)
Commercial jobs are rarely “one size fits all”. The right method depends on the opening size, the frame condition, whether the site will be occupied, and how long the temporary solution needs to last.
Boarding materials: plywood vs OSB
We commonly use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most commercial windows and doors where strength and durability matter.
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate.
We’ll recommend the option that matches the risk and the expected time until permanent repairs. If you’re dealing with repeated targeting, we’ll talk through stronger options such as screens or temporary steel doors.
Fixing methods: security first, without unnecessary damage
Where the surrounding structure allows, we aim for secure fixing that’s difficult to remove from outside:
- Anti-tamper fixings where suitable (important for unattended premises)
- Fixing into solid substrates rather than weak, damaged timber
- Internal bracing or through-fixing on larger panels when needed
If frames are already compromised (common after forced entry), we’ll explain what can and can’t be done non-destructively before we start.
When we recommend temporary steel doors or security screens
For some commercial properties, boarding is the immediate answer—but not the best medium-term answer.
You may want to consider:
- Temporary steel doors when a door has been forced and the unit needs repeated access by trades, managers, or insurers. This is typically more robust and convenient than repeatedly removing and re-fixing boards. See door boarding in Luton for context on door security options.
- Security screens for vacant or higher-risk sites that may remain empty for weeks. (If you’re managing a void unit, our guidance on vacant property boarding may help.)
Shopfront considerations (public-facing safety)
When the opening is near a pedestrian area, we put extra emphasis on:
- eliminating sharp edges and loose glazing
- covering or controlling access routes where possible
- a clean, flush finish to reduce tampering points
This is especially relevant when you need the shopfront boarded up quickly and sensibly while you coordinate glaziers and insurers.
What to expect when you call us (commercial process)
Commercial customers often need clarity: who’s attending, what’s included, and what paperwork you’ll receive.
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Call and explain what’s happened
Tell us what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight), whether the site is occupied, and if there are any access restrictions. -
We give a realistic ETA
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, prior emergency jobs, and out-of-hours workload can change things—but we will prioritise urgent risks and tell you what’s realistic on the phone. -
On arrival: safety and assessment
We’ll assess the opening, frame condition, and the safest fixing method. If anything looks structurally unsafe, we’ll explain limitations and options before proceeding. -
Make safe and secure property
We complete the emergency boarding up using the agreed method, focusing on security and weather resistance. -
Documentation for your records/insurer
We can provide:- itemised invoices
- a clear work statement of what was secured and how
- time-stamped photos where possible (useful for insurance and facilities reporting)
If you’re making an insurance claim, our insurance claims guidance explains what to keep and what insurers typically ask for. (We’re not loss adjusters, but we can help you document the work properly.)
Minimising downtime: practical tips for businesses and facilities teams
When your priority is reopening or protecting your site overnight, these steps help:
- If it’s a crime, call the police first and get a crime reference number.
- Take photos before any clean-up (only if it’s safe and you’re not in the way of emergency services).
- Isolate the area—keep staff/public away from broken glass and unsecured entrances.
- Move stock and valuables away from the opening if you can do so safely.
- Contact your insurer early and ask what evidence they want from you and from contractors.
- If the building will be empty, tell us—this affects whether anti-tamper fixings or stronger measures are appropriate.
For urgent attendance at any time, see our dedicated emergency boarding up page.
Commercial properties we cover across Luton and LU postcodes
We cover commercial sites across LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5, LU6 and LU7, including Luton and surrounding areas where businesses and light industrial units are common.
If you manage premises in specific districts, these local pages may be useful:
Not sure if your site is in our coverage? You can also check areas we cover or call and tell us your postcode.
Commercial boarding up FAQs (Luton & LU)
Can you board up a shopfront the same night?
If you need help out of hours, call us and we’ll advise on the best immediate option for your frontage. We prioritise urgent risks and will give a realistic ETA. For larger glazed panels, we typically use robust sheet materials and secure fixing methods to reduce the chance of removal.
What’s the difference between shopfront boarding and normal window boarding?
Shopfronts often involve larger openings, public-facing safety concerns, and higher tamper risk. The fixings and finish matter more because the boards are more visible and may be targeted again. Our approach is explained further on shopfront boarding.
Can you board up a damaged commercial door?
Yes. If the door or frame is compromised, we can board up the door or discuss a stronger temporary option where appropriate. More detail is on door boarding.
Do you provide emergency window boarding for offices and industrial units?
Yes—commercial glazing, rear windows, and side access points are common vulnerabilities after a break-in. If you need to board up a broken window, we’ll assess the opening and secure it using the most suitable sheet and fixing method.
Is boarding up covered by insurance for commercial properties?
Often it can be, but policies vary. We recommend contacting your insurer as soon as possible and keeping all documentation. We can provide invoices and a work statement, and our insurance claims page outlines what’s typically helpful.
What if the frame is too damaged to fix boards securely?
It happens—especially after forced entry or impact damage. If the frame won’t take fixings safely, we’ll explain what options are available (for example, alternative fixing points or different security measures) before starting work.
We’re in LU1/LU2 and need the premises made safe—what should we do first?
If anyone is at risk, isolate the area and call emergency services where needed. If it’s a suspected crime, contact the police and get a reference number. Then call us so we can advise on the quickest way to make safe and secure property.
Can you help if the unit is empty between tenants?
Yes—empty units can be higher risk, especially if the damage is visible from the street. In addition to temporary boarding, we can advise on more suitable medium-term options depending on access needs and duration. See vacant property boarding for practical considerations.
Related services for commercial sites
Depending on what’s been damaged, you may also want to read:
Call us to secure your commercial property in Luton
Whether you’re dealing with a smashed window, need a shopfront boarded up, or you need to secure property after a break-in, we’ll help you choose the most practical and secure option.
Need help now? Call 01582 377 256
Or send details to [email protected].
