Window Boarding in Slough (SL) – Emergency & Planned Property Securing
When a window goes in the middle of the night, it’s rarely “just glass”. It’s a security risk, a weather risk, and a stress you don’t need. We provide window boarding in Slough and across the SL postcode area to secure broken or vulnerable glazing after burglary, vandalism, accidental impact, or storm damage—on homes, flats, shop units and offices.
If you need urgent help, start here: emergency boarding up or Call 01753 379 919.
When window boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Window boarding is the quickest, most practical way to secure an opening when glazing is shattered, missing, badly cracked, or the frame is compromised. Around Slough we commonly see callouts after:
- Break-ins where a rear window has been forced (often on side alleys and garden access routes)
- Vandalism to front-facing windows (especially where properties are unoccupied overnight)
- Storm damage where debris has struck glazing or frames have shifted
- Accidents/impacts (a slip with a ladder, a kicked football, or a vehicle strike near a frontage)
If you’re unsure whether you need boarding or a different security option, we’ll talk it through on the phone. For some situations—especially if a property will be vacant—steel security screens or a temporary steel door can be a better medium-term solution. (We’ll explain the options rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.)
Relevant guidance pages if you’re dealing with a specific event:
- After a break-in: burglary repairs and boarding
- After vandalism: vandalism repair
- After high winds: storm damage boarding
Emergency window boarding in Slough: what happens when you call
If you’re calling because a window has just been smashed—especially at night—your main priority is to secure the opening safely and quickly.
When you call 01753 379 919 we’ll ask a few practical questions to speed things up:
- Address and access (keys with you, landlord/agent access, any gated entry)
- What’s broken (front window, rear patio door glazing, bay window pane, communal stairwell window, etc.)
- Approximate size and height (ground floor vs upper floor; conservatory roof panels and skylights are handled differently)
- Immediate risks (shards on the floor, children/pets, ongoing disturbance, rain getting in)
We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic around the A4/Bath Road, the M4 junctions, or the one-way systems can vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and keep you updated.
If police are attending, we can coordinate around their requirements (e.g., preserving an entry point for evidence where possible). If it’s not safe to stay, we’ll discuss the best way to secure access for us.
For out-of-hours help, go straight to emergency boarding up.
Materials we use (and why)
Good window boarding isn’t about throwing up thin sheets and hoping for the best. The method and material need to match the risk, the size of the opening, and whether the building will be occupied.
Common materials we use include:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood – strong, stable, and suited to most residential and commercial window openings
- 12mm OSB (Oriented Strand Board) – suitable for smaller windows or lower-risk situations where a lighter panel is appropriate
- Anti-tamper fixings and coach screws (where suitable) – chosen to reduce the chance of removal from outside
- Battens/backing timber – used to spread load and reduce damage to frames where a non-destructive approach is possible
We carry different sizes and cut panels on site for a close fit. A tight, well-fixed board is harder to lever and helps reduce draughts and rain ingress.
If you’re comparing options for longer-term security (e.g., a void property), it may be worth reading what is boarding up to understand the pros/cons of timber boarding versus screens.
How we board up windows (methods we use in real properties)
Every opening is different. A uPVC casement on a 1990s semi in Cippenham isn’t the same as a timber sash in a Victorian terrace near the town centre, and neither is the same as a large glazed unit in a commercial frontage.
Method 1: Non-destructive boarding (where the frame allows)
Where possible, we aim to secure the opening without destroying the remaining frame, using backing timbers and fixings that clamp the board in place.
This is often suitable when:
- The window frame is intact enough to take fixings
- You’re planning a proper glazing replacement soon
- You need the property secured but want to minimise further damage
If the frame is too rotten, split, or already torn away from the wall, we’ll explain why non-destructive methods may not be safe or secure.
Method 2: Direct fixing for compromised frames or high-risk locations
If the surrounding frame is badly damaged, or the risk of forced entry is higher (unoccupied property, repeat targeting, exposed ground-floor window), we may need to fix the board more directly to sound structure.
We’ll always tell you what we’re doing and why before we proceed. If there’s a risk of additional cosmetic damage, you’ll know in advance.
Method 3: Internal boarding (where external access is limited)
Some flats, stairwells, or rear elevations have restricted access. Where safe and effective, we can fit boards internally—particularly useful when:
- External access requires specialist equipment
- The opening is above ground level
- The building management has restrictions on external works
If a job needs specialist access (for example, scaffolding for high-level glazing), we’ll be upfront. We can still secure what’s possible immediately and advise next steps.
For rooflights and skylights specifically, see roof boarding.
Residential window boarding across Slough: common scenarios
Domestic callouts are often stressful because you’re dealing with the emotional side as well as the practical. We regularly secure:
- Ground-floor windows and patio door glazing after a break-in attempt
- Bay windows where multiple panes have failed or frames have shifted
- Children’s bedroom windows (making the room safe again is usually the priority)
- Communal windows in blocks (especially where draughts and access risks affect multiple residents)
If you’re a landlord or letting agent handling an incident, we can supply the documentation you typically need for records and insurers. You may also find residential boarding useful.
Commercial window boarding: shops, offices and industrial units
For commercial clients, the priorities are usually: security, liability, and getting back to trading.
We board up:
- Shopfront side windows and glazing panels (particularly where a broken pane creates an easy reach-in point)
- Office windows after impact or vandalism
- Industrial unit windows on trading estates where overnight security matters
If you’ve had a larger commercial glazing failure, our shopfront boarding service may be the best fit—those openings often need bigger panels, different fixings, and a plan that suits trading hours and visibility.
If the building is going to be empty for a period, consider vacant property security rather than repeated temporary boarding.
What you get from us (not just a board on a window)
When we secure a broken window, you should come away with more than a vague receipt. Typically, you’ll receive:
- A clear description of what was secured and how
- Time-stamped photos of the boarded opening (useful for landlords, agents and insurers)
- An itemised invoice and a simple work statement for your records
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t guarantee what an insurer will cover, but we can provide the sort of documentation insurers commonly request. See insurance claims support for practical guidance on what to keep.
Safety and practical advice while you wait
If you’ve got broken glass and an open window, a few steps can reduce risk before we arrive:
- Keep people and pets away from the area; don’t try to clear every shard in a hurry
- If it’s safe, take photos of the damage for your insurer (before anything is moved)
- If the incident is a crime, keep your police reference number
- Don’t attempt to cover a large opening with flimsy materials from outside—this can attract attention and can be dangerous in wind
If rain is coming in, we’ll prioritise getting the opening weathered as best as the structure allows, but full water-tightness isn’t always possible where frames are badly damaged. We’ll explain what to expect.
Window boarding vs other options (quick comparison)
Choosing the right temporary security saves money and hassle later.
- Timber window boarding: fast, effective, ideal after sudden breakage and short-term securing
- Security screens: better for longer-term voids, repeat targeting, or where ventilation/light is needed (case-by-case)
- Temporary steel doors: for forced entries through doors rather than windows, especially on vacant properties
If your main issue is a damaged entrance, look at door boarding in Slough.
FAQs – Window Boarding in Slough
How long does boarding up a window take?
It depends on the size, height, access, and how damaged the frame is. A straightforward ground-floor window is usually quicker than a large bay, a high-level opening, or anything requiring internal boarding. When you call, we’ll ask a few questions so we can set realistic expectations.
Is emergency window boarding covered by insurance in Slough?
Many policies include cover for emergency securing after a break-in or accidental damage, but cover varies. Keep your crime reference number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and notify your insurer as early as you can. We can provide photos and an itemised invoice—see insurance claims support.
Can you board up double glazing units and uPVC windows?
Yes. The approach varies depending on whether the frame can take fixings and whether any parts are loose or torn away. If the uPVC is too damaged to secure safely with a non-destructive method, we’ll explain the options before doing anything that could worsen the frame.
Will boarding up damage my window frame?
Our aim is always to secure the property while minimising further damage. In some cases—especially where the frame is already split, rotten, or unstable—secure fixing may involve additional fixings into sound structure. We’ll explain what we recommend and why, before we proceed.
Do you cover my area (SL0–SL9 and beyond)?
Yes—our work covers Slough and surrounding SL postcodes, including places like Langley, Colnbrook, Burnham, Windsor and Maidenhead. You can check areas we cover for specific locations.
Related services that often go with window boarding
Depending on the cause of damage, you may also need:
- emergency boarding up for urgent out-of-hours help
- shopfront boarding for larger glazed commercial openings
- roof boarding for skylights/rooflights and overhead glazing
- door boarding if the entry door has been forced too
Need window boarding in Slough now?
If your window has been smashed, cracked, or left insecure, we can help you secure it and reduce the risk of further damage.
Need help now? Call 01753 379 919 for immediate assistance.
Or, if it’s not urgent and you want to arrange planned securing: email us.
