Post-Burglary Boarding Up in Twickenham
Post-burglary boarding up in Twickenham is about one thing: making your home or business safe and secure again as quickly as possible after a break-in. Whether a door has been kicked in, a window smashed, or a lock forced, our local team can board up and secure your property so you can sleep easier and get on with the insurance process.
Need urgent help after a break-in? Call 020 3772 7375 for immediate assistance.
We provide 24/7 emergency boarding up and break-in boarding across Twickenham and all TW postcodes, using non-destructive securing wherever possible and insurance-ready paperwork.
When You Need Post-Burglary Boarding Up
A break-in is stressful, and it is not always obvious what to do next. You may need post-burglary boarding up if:
- A front or back door has been kicked in or forced.
- A ground-floor or first-floor window has been smashed to gain entry.
- Patio or French doors are damaged or cannot be locked.
- A lock, frame or hinge has been badly damaged during a burglary.
- The police have advised you to secure the property with emergency boarding up.
Typical situations we attend across Twickenham, Richmond, Teddington, Whitton and nearby areas include:
After a forced entry or door kick-in
Burglars often target doors because they’re a fast way in. You might notice:
- The door won’t close or latch.
- The frame is split or loose.
- The lock has been ripped out or no longer works.
In these cases, we provide:
- Door boarding up Twickenham – boarding the opening securely.
- A temporary secure door if you need to keep using that entrance.
- Advice on follow-up lock or door replacement (we are not a replacement door company, but we can coordinate our work with your chosen contractor).
For more details of how we secure doors, see our dedicated door boarding up service.
After a smashed or broken window
Burglars often break a pane to reach in and unlock a window or door. Signs include:
- Broken glass on the floor or pavement.
- A window that no longer closes or locks.
- A cold, open gap that anyone could climb through.
In these cases we provide:
- Emergency window boarding to cover and secure the opening.
- Careful clean-up of accessible glass fragments for safety.
- Non-destructive securing so the frame can usually be reused by your glazier.
You can learn more about how we board up broken windows across Twickenham and the TW area.
When the property feels unsafe after a break-in
Sometimes damage appears minor, but you no longer feel safe. For example:
- You are worried the burglars might come back.
- You are waiting for a new door or window and need temporary boarding up.
- You manage a rental, commercial or vacant property and must secure it to meet insurer or landlord obligations.
We can:
- Board and secure all affected doors and windows.
- Install a temporary steel door for robust security to key entrances (especially useful for vacant or commercial properties).
- Advise on further measures such as vacant property boarding if the building will be empty for a while.
Whatever the situation, our goal is to secure property after break-in Twickenham calmly, quickly, and with minimal extra disruption for you.
How We Secure Your Property After a Burglary
We follow a clear, step-by-step process designed for safety, strength and insurance compliance.
1. Initial assessment and safety check
On arrival, our DBS-checked technicians will:
- Check the area for broken glass, sharp edges and any immediate hazards.
- Confirm that the police, if involved, have finished their on-site work.
- Assess each damaged door, window or frame to decide the safest and most suitable non-destructive securing method.
Wherever possible, we avoid further damage, so your future repair or replacement (e.g. new door or glazing) is simpler and cheaper.
2. Measuring up and choosing materials
We then:
- Measure each opening or damaged area accurately.
- Choose the appropriate material: plywood boarding Twickenham or OSB boarding Twickenham, typically 11–18 mm thick depending on the opening and risk.
- Decide on fixings and bracing based on the frame condition, wall type and whether the boarding is short- or medium-term.
Boards are cut on site for a tight fit. This minimises gaps, helps with weather protection, and makes it hard to remove from outside.
3. Secure fixing with anti-tamper fixings
To board up and secure Twickenham properties effectively after a burglary, we typically use:
- Anti-tamper fixings that are designed so they cannot be easily undone from outside.
- Internal bracing where appropriate to avoid unnecessary drilling into fragile frames.
- Reinforced fixing points on weak or damaged sections of the frame or wall.
Where possible, we screw into the frame or existing fixing points, rather than into brickwork or tiles, to keep damage absolutely minimal. In rare cases (for example, where frames are completely destroyed) we may need to fix into masonry for safe securing – this will always be explained before we proceed.
4. Temporary steel doors and enhanced security (if needed)
For badly damaged doors, or where there is a high security need, we can fit:
- Temporary steel doors with robust locks.
- Heavy-duty timber boarding around the frame for added strength.
- Additional boarding to sidelights, fanlights or adjoining glass panels.
This is a popular option for:
- Empty commercial units.
- Vacant or void residential properties.
- Buildings in more exposed locations.
It pairs well with our medium-term vacant property security solutions such as steel security screens.
5. Clean, tidy finish and access planning
After boarding up:
- We clear away our waste materials and, where safe to do so, accessible broken glass.
- We make sure you can still get in and out of the property safely.
- We ensure doors and key security points are properly locked and that you are comfortable using them.
You’ll be left with a secure, clearly boarded-up property, ready for your glazier, locksmith or builder to carry out permanent repairs.
6. Insurance-ready paperwork and photos
For most burglary claims, insurers require evidence that you have taken reasonable steps to secure the property. As standard we provide:
- Time-stamped photos of damage and our boarding works.
- An itemised invoice showing materials and labour for emergency boarding up Twickenham.
- A short work statement describing what we did and why.
It is important that you also keep any police crime reference number you have been given, as insurers will often request this.
For more detail on claims, see our dedicated page on insurance support for boarding up in Twickenham.
Why Choose Us for Burglary Boarding in Twickenham?
Local, experienced and trusted
- Based in South West London with a strong local presence in Twickenham and across the TW area (SW1–SW20).
- Over 10 years’ experience providing boarding up services Twickenham for homes, landlords, shops and managing agents.
- Regular work in areas such as Twickenham Green, St Margarets, Strawberry Hill, Richmond, Isleworth, Teddington, Feltham and beyond.
Fully insured and DBS-checked technicians
- All technicians are DBS-checked for your peace of mind when working in your home, especially at night.
- We hold public liability insurance, and our methods and materials are aligned with typical insurer expectations for emergency property securing.
Non-destructive securing wherever possible
We focus on:
- Non-destructive securing Twickenham so you are not left with unnecessary damage.
- Using the right thickness of plywood or OSB and appropriate anti-tamper fixings.
- Preserving frames and openings for your chosen repair company to work with later.
Only in exceptional cases (such as severe structural damage or completely collapsed frames) will we recommend more intrusive methods – and we explain these clearly before work starts.
Reliable, 24/7 emergency response
- 24 hour boarding up Twickenham – we operate out-of-hours boarding up for break-ins at any time, day or night.
- Efficient dispatch across the TW postcode area – we do not promise exact arrival times, but we always move quickly and keep you updated.
- Calm, empathetic technicians who understand the stress of a burglary and work quietly and respectfully in your space.
Insurer-friendly and homeowner-friendly
- Clear, itemised paperwork to support insurance claims.
- Practical explanations of what we’re doing and why.
- Advice on next steps for glazing, locks or doors (we can coordinate timing with your other contractors where needed).
For wider help beyond burglaries – including storm, vandalism or fire – you can see all the situations we cover on our situations overview.
What Happens Next
Whether you are standing in front of a kicked-in door right now or planning follow-up securing after a burglary, the process is simple:
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Contact us
- For urgent break-ins, Call 020 3772 7375 straight away.
- For non-urgent follow-up or quotes, you can contact our Twickenham team.
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Tell us what happened
- Where you are (Twickenham or any TW postcode).
- What has been damaged (door, window, shopfront, several openings).
- Whether the police have attended and if you have a crime reference number.
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We attend and secure
- We assess the damage and agree the approach with you.
- We carry out the necessary post-burglary boarding up Twickenham using appropriate materials and anti-tamper fixings.
- We clean up the work area and ensure the property is secure before we leave.
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You handle repairs and insurance
- You arrange any permanent repair or replacement (doors, windows, locks).
- We send you your invoice, photos and a simple work statement for your insurer.
- If you need a clearer idea of costs for planning purposes, read more about our boarding up prices in Twickenham on the pricing page.
If your burglary has affected multiple windows or a shopfront, you may also find it helpful to read about our window boarding in Twickenham and door boarding up service.
FAQs – Post-Burglary Boarding Up
How long does it take to board up a property after a burglary?
Most single openings (one door or window) can be secured in under an hour once we are on site. Larger properties, multiple smashed windows or complex access (for example, upper floors) can take longer. We work efficiently, but we never rush safety or quality.
What is the process for emergency boarding up after a break-in?
The process is straightforward: we assess the damage, make the area safe, measure and cut boards, then fix them using secure anti-tamper fixings. We aim for non-destructive securing so that permanent repair work is easier later. Finally, we tidy the area and provide paperwork for your records.
Who do I call for a broken door or window late at night?
If you are in Twickenham or the surrounding TW area, you can call us 24/7 for emergency boarding up near me. We regularly help homeowners, landlords and shop owners with emergency window boarding and emergency door replacement (temporary boarding) late at night and at weekends.
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Many home and business insurance policies cover reasonable emergency securing costs after a burglary, but every policy is different. We recommend checking your policy wording or speaking to your insurer or broker. We provide insurance-ready paperwork, including itemised invoices and photos, to support your claim. For more detail, see our page on insurance support for boarding up in Twickenham.
Can you help me secure my home if burglars damaged just the lock?
Yes. Even if a burglar has only damaged the lock or slightly forced a frame, you may still need temporary boarding up or a temporary secure door until a locksmith or door company can attend. We will talk through the best option on arrival and keep disruption as low as possible.
Do you also handle vandalism or storm-related damage?
Yes. While this page focuses on burglary and break-ins, we also provide vandalism boarding Twickenham and storm damage boarding for windows, doors and roof lights. You can explore all the situations we cover on our situations hub.
Need help securing your property after a break-in?
Call 020 3772 7375 for 24/7 post-burglary boarding up in Twickenham and the TW area, or Email us for non-urgent enquiries and quotes.
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