Shopfront Boarding in Slough (SL) – Emergency Security for Retail & Commercial Premises
A smashed shop window is more than a mess—it’s an immediate security risk, a safety issue for the public, and a fast route to further theft or damage. If you need shopfront boarding in Slough, we secure broken glazing and vulnerable entrances across the SL postcode area, from busy parades near Slough High Street to retail and industrial units around the Trading Estate.
For urgent help, call 01753 379 919. If you’re able to email photos (even a quick phone picture helps), send them to [email protected].
Need out-of-hours support? Use our emergency boarding up service.
When you typically need shopfront boarding (and what we do first)
Most call-outs for emergency shopfront boarding Slough fall into a few common scenarios:
- Break-ins and attempted break-ins (punched or “spidered” glazing, damaged lock areas, prised frames)
- Vandalism (thrown objects, deliberate cracking, repeated attacks on the same frontage)
- Accidental impact (delivery trolleys, vehicles clipping a frontage, fallen signage)
- Storm damage (debris through glass, blown-in panels, weakened frames)
First priority is always making the site safe and preventing easy re-entry. If there are loose shards, unstable glazing, or compromised doors, we’ll talk you through immediate safety steps on the phone and then secure the opening with the most appropriate method for the frontage type and risk level.
If your situation is linked to a crime, it may also help to read our guidance on securing property after a burglary or after vandalism damage.
What counts as a “shopfront” (and why it changes the method)
Shopfronts aren’t all the same. In Slough and surrounding SL areas, we regularly secure:
- Single retail units on parades (glazed frontage + inward/outward opening doors)
- Corner units with larger pane runs (more fixings needed and often trickier edges)
- Aluminium shopfront systems where the frame can be intact but glazing is gone
- Industrial unit offices/showrooms where glass sits beside roller shutters and composite doors
- Takeaways and small restaurants with high footfall and late operating hours
The materials and fixing methods need to be strong enough to deter opportunists—but also installed carefully so you can repair/replace glazing without unnecessary extra damage later.
Our materials: what we use and why
We select boarding based on opening size, frame condition, and whether the premises will be attended or left vacant.
18mm exterior-grade plywood (our go-to for most shopfronts)
For most shopfront glazing openings we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood, because it:
- Holds fixings well and resists flexing on larger spans
- Stands up better to weather compared with lighter boards
- Creates a strong physical barrier that’s difficult to kick through
OSB (often for smaller panels or lower-risk openings)
For smaller glazing sections or internal panels, 12mm OSB can be appropriate. It’s cost-effective and quick to install, but for large street-facing frontages we’ll usually recommend plywood for strength.
Temporary steel doors (when the door is the main issue)
If the door leaf, frame, or lock area is badly compromised—common after forced entry—boarding alone may not be the best answer. In those cases, we can discuss installing a temporary steel door (a robust, lockable solution designed for short-to-medium term security).
You can read more on our approach to doors on door boarding in Slough.
How shopfront boarding is fixed (and how we avoid unnecessary damage)
Every frontage is different, and we won’t pretend there’s a one-size-fits-all method. Our aim is to secure the premises properly while keeping future repairs straightforward.
Common fixing methods we use
Depending on the frame and reveal depth, we may use:
- Revealed fixing into masonry/timber surrounds (where structure allows)
- Through-bolting with internal spreader plates/battens for larger openings (strong and hard to remove from outside)
- Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended or there’s repeat risk
Anti-tamper fixings matter because a poorly fixed board can be removed quickly from the street side—exactly what you don’t want when you’re closing up after an incident.
If the frame is damaged
Sometimes the aluminium or timber frame is bent, split, or partially detached. If we can’t achieve a secure fixing without risking further failure, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. In some cases, a temporary steel door or additional support may be more suitable than trying to “chase” fixings into compromised material.
Emergency shopfront boarding in Slough: what to expect when you call
When you call 01753 379 919, we’ll ask a few quick questions so we can turn up prepared:
- Where is the premises? (Slough/SL postcode and access details)
- What’s broken? (front window, side panel, door glass, full frontage)
- Is the site safe right now? (injuries, loose glass, public access)
- Any shutters or alarms? (whether we need to work around them)
- Do you have photos? (even one photo helps us choose materials)
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic around the A4, M4, and Slough Trading Estate can be unpredictable—but we prioritise urgent, unsecured sites and keep you informed as best we can.
If you need a broader urgent response, start here: 24 hour boarding up Slough.
Keeping your business secure (and reopening safely)
Boarding up is often about more than closing a hole. It’s also about reducing downtime and risk:
- Deters repeat attempts by making entry slower and noisier
- Protects stock, fittings and cash points from opportunists
- Reduces liability by limiting public access to broken glazing
- Creates a clear temporary boundary while you arrange glazing replacement
If your insurer or landlord needs confirmation the premises is secured, we can provide practical documentation (see below).
What you receive after we’ve boarded the shopfront
To make life easier—especially if you’re dealing with a landlord, facilities team, or insurer—we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured elevation(s)
- A clear work statement describing what we boarded and how
- An itemised invoice suitable for most claims/admin processes
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t approve claims, but we can support the paperwork side. See insurance claims support for what we can and can’t do.
Shopfront boarding for different property types
Not every commercial premises needs the same approach. We routinely help:
- Independent shops and franchises
- Restaurants and takeaways
- Offices with glazed entrance lobbies
- Warehouses and industrial units with showroom glazing
- Property managers securing units between tenants
If you’re managing a unit that’s empty or between occupiers, longer-term options may be more suitable than simple plywood. See vacant property boarding for practical guidance.
Related services that are often needed at the same time
Shopfront incidents rarely stay neatly “just the glass”. Depending on what happened, you may also need:
- window boarding in Slough for side windows, upper-floor glazing, or internal panes
- door boarding in Slough where the entrance is the weak point
- roof boarding if an impact or storm has affected overhead glazing/skylights
- temporary fencing if you need to control access around a damaged frontage or unsafe forecourt
If you’re unsure what you need, call and we’ll talk it through before attending.
Micro case study: late-night damage on a Slough parade
A small takeaway near the Bath Road (A4) called after closing with a large front pane cracked and partially missing following an impact. With footfall still around and the frontage exposed, the priority was preventing anyone reaching inside and stopping further breakage.
We attended, confirmed the remaining glass wasn’t stable, and boarded the opening using 18mm exterior-grade plywood with internal support battens and anti-tamper fixings so it couldn’t be removed from the street side. The customer received time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice to pass to their insurer and landlord, and the premises could be left secured until the glazier replaced the pane.
FAQs – Shopfront boarding in Slough
How fast can you board up a smashed shop window in Slough?
It depends on where you are in the SL area, access (shutters, rear entry, loading bays), and how safe the frontage is to work on. We prioritise unsecured premises and can attend out of hours via emergency boarding up, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times.
Will you board over my signage or shutters?
We aim to avoid obstructing signage where possible, but security comes first. If you have roller shutters, we’ll work with what’s there—sometimes the shutter is enough; other times the glazing opening still needs boarding behind it (especially if the shutter can be lifted or the frame is damaged).
Is boarding up covered by insurance in Slough?
Often it can be, but policies vary. If it’s a burglary or vandalism incident, keep your crime reference number and take photos if it’s safe. We can provide documentation insurers typically ask for—see insurance claims support.
Do you board up commercial units on Slough Trading Estate?
Yes—commercial boarding up is a common request around the estate and nearby industrial areas. Access can differ (security gates, loading areas), so it helps if you can tell us the best entry point and whether site security or facilities management need to be contacted.
Can you make the shopfront look “tidy” until the glass is replaced?
We’ll fit boards cleanly and securely, but boarding is a temporary security measure, not a cosmetic repair. If appearance is a priority (for example, on a busy parade), tell us on the phone and we’ll recommend the neatest safe option for that frontage.
Ready to secure your premises?
If your shopfront has been damaged, don’t leave the frontage exposed overnight. We’ll help you secure the opening, document the work, and leave the premises protected until permanent repairs are arranged.
Need help now? Call 01753 379 919 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? Send photos and your address to [email protected].
