Accident Damage Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)

Accidents happen fast. A reversing vehicle clips a wall, a delivery trolley goes through a glazed panel, or a ladder knocks out a window pane. If the result is an exposed opening, you need to secure the property quickly to keep people safe, prevent weather damage, and reduce the risk of opportunistic entry.

If you need emergency boarding up in Luton, call us and we’ll talk you through the next steps and give a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email (non-urgent)? [email protected]

When accident damage typically leads to boarding up

Accident damage is different from burglary or vandalism: there isn’t always criminal intent, but the end result can be the same—a smashed window, a compromised door, or a shopfront that’s no longer safe.

Common situations we’re called to across Luton and the LU postcodes include:

Vehicle impact into a garage door, boundary, shopfront glazing, or a low wall that supports a window.
Accidental breakage from DIY, moving furniture, or internal doors/windows being forced against frames.
Commercial incidents such as pallet trucks/forklifts striking panels or shutters, or deliveries damaging entrances.
Construction-related damage where a panel is removed and the site is left exposed, or a temporary covering fails.
Storm-debris impact that’s technically an “accident” (for example, a branch hitting a window) but still needs an urgent make safe.

If there’s any risk to passers-by (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable frames), the priority is to make safe the area and secure the opening until proper repairs can be completed.

For other causes, you may also want to read our guidance on storm damage boarding up in Luton or vandalism repair.

Why “make safe” matters after an accident

Even if the damage looks small, the knock-on effects can be expensive:

Safety risks: cracked or loose glazing can drop without warning; damaged door frames may fail when used.
Weather ingress: rain and wind quickly damage flooring, electrics, plasterwork and stock.
Security risk: an unsecured opening invites opportunistic entry—especially if the property will be unattended overnight.
Insurance complications: many insurers expect reasonable steps to prevent further loss. Boarding up is often the simplest immediate step.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we do provide the practical documentation insurers typically need (see below).

What to do immediately after accident damage (before we arrive)

If you’re dealing with accident damage right now, these steps help keep people safe and protect your claim:

Check for injuries first and call 999 if anyone is hurt or there’s danger (gas, electric, structural instability).
Keep people away from glass and unstable areas. If it’s a public-facing shopfront, cordon it off if you can.
Don’t attempt a risky clean-up. Picking shards out of frames can cause injuries and may worsen damage.
Take photos if it’s safe (wide shots and close-ups). This helps with insurance and liability disputes.
If a vehicle is involved, record registration details and exchange information where appropriate.
Call us so we can advise the quickest way to secure the opening.

Out of hours and need to board up a broken window tonight? We can help with 24/7 boarding up across LU1–LU7.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256

How we secure a property after accident damage

Our job is to stabilise the immediate risk and secure the property with temporary boarding or more robust options depending on the opening, location, and how long you need it protected.

Step 1: Assess the opening and the surrounding frame

When we arrive, we’ll look at:

Size and position of the opening (ground floor, upper floor, awkward access)
Condition of the frame (timber, uPVC, aluminium shopfront framing)
Whether remaining glass is safe or needs careful removal
Whether non-destructive fixing is possible, or the frame is too compromised

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding. In some cases, additional trades may be required for structural repair—our role is to make safe and secure.

Step 2: Choose the right temporary protection (plywood/OSB/steel options)

We commonly use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable boarding—often the preferred option for exposed ground-floor openings.
12mm OSB for smaller openings or where a lighter-duty panel is suitable.
Anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside—important if the property will be unattended.
Temporary steel doors for damaged entrances where you still need controlled access (useful for landlords, vacant properties, or sites awaiting a new door).

The right solution depends on risk and duration. If it’s a street-facing opening, we’ll usually recommend a tougher fix that can’t be easily pulled away.

For service-specific detail, see:

Step 3: Fit and secure (with safety and access in mind)

A proper board-up isn’t just “cover the hole”.

We aim to:

Fix boards cleanly and square so there are no gaps or easy pry points
Protect surrounding finishes where possible
Maintain safe access when required (for example, boarding a window while leaving an undamaged door usable)
Advise if additional measures are sensible (e.g., upgrading to a temporary steel door on a forced/damaged entrance)

If there’s a need for medium-term site security (for example, repeated incidents or a property that will be vacant), we can discuss longer-term solutions from our service range and what’s appropriate for the risk.

Step 4: Provide documentation for insurers and property managers

After the job, customers typically need clear paperwork. We can provide:

Itemised invoice and a short work statement
Time-stamped photos on request (useful for insurer updates and landlord records)
Notes on visible frame condition where relevant

If you’re making a claim, our insurance claims guidance explains what insurers usually ask for and how to keep the process moving.

Accident damage: which type of boarding up do you need?

Board up broken window (residential or communal)

If a window is cracked, shattered, or has a missing pane, we’ll usually recommend temporary boarding with exterior-grade plywood. This is the most common way to secure a smashed window and prevent weather ingress.

Board up door after impact or frame failure

If a door has been struck or the frame has shifted, the door might not lock even if it still “closes”. In that case, door boarding or a temporary steel door is often the safer option—especially if the property can’t be left unsecured.

Shopfront boarded up after accidental breakage

Retail and commercial entrances are high risk because they’re visible and often on footfall routes. If glazing is smashed or panels are weakened, we can make safe and fit robust boards to reduce risk until a glazier replaces the unit.

A typical accident-damage call-out in Luton (example scenario)

A typical call-out might involve a ground-floor property in the LU1–LU3 area where a vehicle has clipped the frontage, cracking a large pane and damaging the frame. The occupant may be worried about security overnight and rain getting in.

In that scenario, we would usually:

Inspect for loose glass and any immediate hazards
Measure and cut exterior-grade boards to suit the opening
Use fixings appropriate to the frame condition (including anti-tamper fixings where needed)
Leave the property secure and provide photos/invoice details suitable for an insurer or managing agent

If the frame is too unstable to take a safe fixing, we’d explain that straight away and discuss alternative options—sometimes the safest step is securing a wider area rather than forcing a board into compromised material.

Accident damage for landlords, letting agents, and facilities teams

Accidental damage often involves third parties (drivers, contractors, visitors). For property managers, the priorities are slightly different:

Reduce risk quickly (especially in communal areas)
Document the condition for disputes/claims
Restore safe access where possible

If you’re managing multiple properties across the LU districts, we can work with your process (access arrangements, site rules, and paperwork expectations). If RAMS are required for a commercial site, tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what we can provide.

You may also find these pages useful:

FAQs: accident damage boarding up in Luton

Can you board up a smashed window out of hours?

Yes. We offer out of hours help for emergency boarding up across Luton and LU1–LU7. We can’t guarantee fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after an accident?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and circumstances. The key point is that boarding up is usually considered a reasonable step to prevent further loss. Keep any incident details (and third-party information if relevant) and see our insurance claims guidance.

How long does temporary boarding last?

Temporary boarding can last from a night to several weeks, depending on materials and exposure. For longer durations, we’ll discuss more robust options (for example, stronger fixings or a temporary steel door) and what makes sense for the risk level.

Do I need to report accident damage to the police?

Not always. If there’s a vehicle collision, dangerous driving, or you suspect the “accident” wasn’t accidental, you may want to report it. If you already have a crime/incident reference number, keep it for your insurer and share it with us when you call.

Can you secure a damaged door that won’t lock?

Yes. If you need to board up a door because it won’t secure, we can board the opening or discuss a temporary steel door option depending on the situation. Start with door boarding up in Luton for details.

Will boarding up damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to minimise damage and use the most appropriate fixing method for the surface. However, if the surrounding structure is already compromised, some methods may not be possible without additional fixings. We’ll explain the options and any likely impact before we proceed.

I’m in LU6/LU7 — do you still cover me?

Yes. We cover the LU postcode area, including LU1–LU7. If you’re just outside Luton proper, call and we’ll confirm attendance and a realistic ETA based on the job and location.

Clear next steps (and what we need from you)

When you call, it helps if you can tell us:

The postcode (LU1–LU7)
What’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront) and roughly how big the opening is
Whether it’s street-facing and if the property is currently occupied
Any urgent hazards (glass on the pavement, exposed electrics, unstable frame)

From there, we’ll advise the most sensible way to secure property and arrange attendance.

Need accident damage boarding up in Luton?

Accident damage is stressful, but the first step is simple: get the opening made safe and secured so you can sort repairs in daylight.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 for immediate assistance.
Non-urgent query? Email us.

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