Roof Boarding in Luton (Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding Across LU1–LU7)

A damaged roof isn’t something you can “leave until morning”. If you’ve had storm damage, a fallen branch, a break-in through a flat roof, or a smashed skylight, you need the opening made safe quickly to limit water ingress, heat loss and further damage.

Boarding Up Luton provides roof boarding in Luton and across the LU postcodes (LU1–LU7). We prioritise urgent call-outs and out of hours requests, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on workload and conditions.

Need urgent help to secure your roof? Call 01582 377 256 for emergency roof boarding and make-safe assistance.

When roof boarding is needed (and why it’s time-critical)

Roof boarding is most commonly required when an opening leaves the property exposed to weather or unauthorised access. In Luton and the surrounding LU areas, we’re often called when customers discover damage after heavy wind, overnight incidents, or when a vacant property has been targeted.

Typical reasons people call us include:

• Storm damage: missing tiles/slates, lifted felt, debris impact, or partial collapse
• Broken or leaking skylights/rooflights (domestic and commercial)
• Flat roof break-ins where the entry point needs covering and securing
• Fire or flood-related damage where the structure is compromised and needs securing (we secure the property; restoration is separate)
• Accidental impact (e.g., contractors, falling objects, or internal damage pushing through)

The key aim is to make safe—reduce the immediate risk, protect the inside from rain and wind, and secure property so you’re not left exposed.

If you need emergency support tonight, see emergency boarding up.

Emergency roof boarding: what we can (and can’t) do

We’re very clear about what roof boarding is for: temporary boarding and securing an opening so your property isn’t left vulnerable.

We can usually help with:

• Boarding skylights/rooflights
• Covering openings on flat roofs, lean-tos, and extensions
• Boarding roof access points used during a break-in
• Making safe loose materials where feasible and safe to do so
• Weatherproofing as far as practical with boarding and membranes/tapes as a temporary measure

Limitations (honestly stated):

• We’re not structural engineers—if there’s significant structural movement or collapse risk, we may advise you to involve a structural professional before anyone works in the area.
• We don’t provide full roofing reinstatement on this page; boarding is about immediate security and protection.
• Severe weather can limit safe access. If conditions make it unsafe to get onto a roof, we’ll explain alternative ways to secure the property until it’s safe.

Common urgent scenarios we attend in Luton & LU postcodes

People don’t search for roof boarding on a “good day”. These are the types of calls we regularly prepare for:

Storm damage with active water ingress

If you’ve got water coming in, the priority is controlling the opening. Even a small breach can soak insulation, ceilings and electrics. Roof boarding helps reduce further damage while longer-term repairs are arranged.

Related guidance: storm damage boarding

Skylight smashed or rooflight cracked

A smashed window on a roof is still a smashed window—it’s just harder to access. We can board up broken window openings at roof level where safe to do so, particularly on extensions and accessible flat roofs.

Break-in through a flat roof or adjoining structure

When intruders enter via a roof, customers often need a combined approach: secure the roof opening and also address internal/ground-level access points. If a door is compromised as well, you may also need door boarding in Luton.

Commercial premises: roof access and safety concerns

For commercial sites, roof boarding often has extra constraints: access control, site rules, and the need to keep parts of the building operational. If your shopfront has also been attacked, we can coordinate with shopfront boarding to get the premises secure.

How roof boarding works (our make-safe process)

Every roof is different, but the steps below reflect how we typically approach emergency roof boarding in Luton and the LU area.

1. Call and triage

   • We’ll ask what’s happened, what type of roof it is (flat/pitched), approximate height, and whether there’s active water ingress.
   • If you can safely send photos, it helps us plan materials and fixings.

2. Site arrival and safety assessment

   • We check access routes, ground conditions, overhead hazards, and whether the area can be worked on safely.
   • If the frame/substrate is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

3. Measure and prepare the boarding

   • We measure the opening and select the right board thickness and type.
   • For roof applications, rigidity and fix security are critical.

4. Fixing and weather-resistance

   • We secure the board using an appropriate fixing method for the structure (timber, masonry, metal frame).
   • Where practical, we add temporary sealing layers to reduce wind-driven rain penetration.

5. Documentation

   • We can provide time-stamped photos, a written work statement, and an itemised invoice—useful for landlords, managing agents, and insurers.

For guidance on insurance paperwork, see insurance claims support.

Materials we use for roof & skylight boarding (and why)

Roof boarding must cope with wind uplift, rain, and awkward fixing positions. We select materials based on the opening size, exposure, and how long the board is likely to remain in place.

Board types

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood
  Our go-to for many roof openings due to strength and better weather resistance than standard interior boards.
• 12mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
  Often suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk areas. OSB can be appropriate where the span is small and the board is well supported.
• Additional backing timbers / battens (as needed)
  Used to create secure fixing points, reduce flex, and improve the hold where existing material is damaged.

Fixings and security considerations

• Anti-tamper fixings where appropriate (especially for vacant properties)
  These reduce the risk of boards being removed from outside—important if the property will be unattended.
• Correct screw/anchor selection for the substrate
  Roof boarding fails when fixings fail, so we match fixings to the structure rather than “one-size-fits-all”.

Weather control (temporary)

Boarding is not a permanent roofing solution, but we can often improve short-term weather resistance with:

• Temporary membranes / heavy-duty coverings where suitable
• Sealing tape and overlap techniques to reduce wind-driven rain
• Careful board orientation and edge support

If you need window-level boarding as well, see window boarding in Luton.

Pitched roofs vs flat roofs: what changes?

Flat roofs (often easier access, higher break-in risk)

Flat roofs and extensions can be targeted because they provide access to higher windows or rooflights. Boarding here focuses on:

• Strong fixings into sound substrate
• Resistance to prying
• Reducing water ingress across a larger, more exposed surface

Pitched roofs (often higher risk access, safety-led decisions)

Pitched roof boarding depends heavily on safe access. In some cases, the best “make safe” is from inside (covering a rooflight opening internally), or securing lower entry points until roofing specialists can attend. If it’s not safe to work at height in current conditions, we’ll tell you plainly and discuss alternatives.

What you’ll get from our roof boarding service

When you call Boarding Up Luton for roof boarding, you should expect a practical, documented make-safe service—not vague promises.

You’ll receive:

• A clearer understanding of what can be secured immediately
• Appropriate boarding materials and fixings for the opening
• A property that is made safe and more secure against opportunist entry
• Time-stamped photos of the completed work (on request)
• An itemised invoice and work statement for your records/insurer

We’re fully insured, our technicians are DBS-checked, and we’ve been trading 10+ years.

Roof boarding for different property types in LU1–LU7

Roof damage affects properties differently depending on occupancy and use:

• Homes and flats: preventing rain and draughts, keeping the property safe overnight
  See: residential boarding
• Commercial buildings: keeping premises secure, meeting site access requirements, supporting facilities teams
  See: commercial boarding up
• Vacant properties: preventing repeated targeting and ongoing damage
  See: vacant property boarding

If you’re a landlord or managing agent, we can coordinate access with tenants/keysafes and provide documentation suitable for your file.

What to do right now if your roof is damaged

If you’re dealing with a leak, a hole in the roof, or a smashed rooflight, these steps can help before we arrive:

1. Stay safe first

   • Don’t go onto a roof, extension, or ladder in wind/rain or poor light.
   • Keep people away from the affected room if there’s glass or ceiling damage.

2. Limit internal damage (if safe)

   • Move valuables away from the leak.
   • Use buckets/towels to catch drips.
   • If water is near electrics, consider turning off circuits—if you’re unsure, wait for a qualified electrician.

3. Document the damage

   • Take photos/videos from a safe position.
   • Keep any reference numbers (police incident number if applicable).

4. Call us for make-safe boarding

   • We’ll talk through the situation and advise what’s realistic tonight or out of hours.

Need to secure a roof opening now? Call 01582 377 256

Roof boarding FAQs (Luton & LU)

How quickly can you attend for emergency roof boarding in Luton?

We prioritise urgent jobs and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours when needed. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary—but when you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

Can you board up a skylight the same night it’s broken?

Often, yes—if access is safe. Rooflights and skylights are common emergency call-outs because the property is immediately exposed. If conditions make roof access unsafe, we’ll discuss alternative ways to make safe until it can be boarded properly.

What boards do you use for roof boarding?

Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and better weather performance, and 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate. The choice depends on span, exposure and fixing points.

Will roof boarding stop the leak completely?

Boarding significantly reduces exposure, but it’s a temporary security and weather-control measure—not a full roofing repair. In heavy wind-driven rain, some ingress can still occur. We focus on the best practical make-safe approach for the conditions.

Is emergency roof boarding covered by insurance?

It often can be, depending on your policy and cause (storm, impact, burglary, etc.). We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically need. See: insurance claims support.

Can you secure a property after a break-in through the roof?

Yes. We can board the roof access point and advise on additional security measures if other entry points are compromised. If doors or windows are damaged too, we can coordinate appropriate boarding options.

Do you work on commercial roofs and industrial units across LU?

Yes—our coverage includes LU1 to LU7. For commercial premises we’ll work with your site contact regarding access, safety requirements and documentation.

Related situations and services (useful if this happened after an incident)

Roof openings often come alongside other damage. You may also find these pages helpful:

• If this followed a burglary: burglary repairs and boarding
• If this followed storm conditions: storm damage boarding
• If windows are broken too: window boarding in Luton
• If a door has been forced: door boarding in Luton
• If you want to understand the basics: what boarding up means

Call now for roof boarding in Luton (LU1–LU7)

If your roof, skylight or roof access point is damaged, don’t leave the property exposed overnight.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for emergency roof boarding and make-safe assistance. You can also email us if it’s not urgent and you’d like to arrange a planned visit.