Storm damage boarding up in Slough (SL) — what to do next

Storm damage is stressful because it rarely comes with warning. One minute everything’s fine, then a gust has taken a fence panel down, a window has gone, or rain is getting in through a roofline. If you’re dealing with storm damage in Slough or anywhere across the SL postcodes, we provide practical, professional storm damage boarding up Slough residents and businesses can rely on to make the property safe and secure until permanent repairs are arranged.

If it’s urgent, you don’t need to wait for daylight.

Need help now? Call 01753 379 919 for immediate assistance.

When storm damage typically happens in the SL area

Slough sits right on some very exposed transport corridors and open spaces. When the wind picks up, properties around the Bath Road (A4), Wexham Road, and the A355 Farnham Road can take the brunt of gusts funnelled along busy, open routes. It’s also common to see wind-related incidents near open green areas such as Salt Hill Park, Black Park (near Wexham/ Iver), and along the Thames-side stretches towards Windsor, Eton, Datchet and Maidenhead, where storms can bring driving rain and debris.

Storm-related callouts we regularly see include:

Smashed or blown-in windows (often uPVC frames flexing or older timber frames giving way)
Failed double-glazed units (cracked panes, popped beads, loose glass)
Door damage (slammed open by wind, broken locks/hinges, warped frames)
Roof issues (missing tiles/slates, lifted felt, damaged soffits/fascias, dislodged skylights)
Shopfront glazing damage on exposed parades and retail units
Debris impact (branches, signage, loose materials striking glass)

If water is getting in or the property can’t be locked securely, boarding up and temporary protection is the quickest way to reduce further damage and keep the building safe.

First steps after storm damage (before we arrive)

If you’ve had storm damage overnight or you’ve come back to find a window broken, these steps can help—only if it’s safe:

Keep people away from the damaged area
Broken glass and unstable frames are a serious hazard—especially in hallways, bay windows, and shop entrances.
If there are loose panes or hanging frames, don’t try to force them shut
You can make the damage worse (and risk injury). We’ll assess the safest way to secure it.
If rain is coming in, move valuables away from the opening
Use towels/buckets where needed. Avoid taping plastic outside in high winds—it can tear loose and become dangerous.
Take photos if you can do so safely
Insurers usually want a clear record of the damage before temporary works. We can also provide time-stamped photos after the job.

If the damage follows a more serious incident (for example debris causing structural movement), we may advise you to speak to your insurer or an emergency contractor. We’ll be honest about what we can secure safely.

How we secure properties after storm damage in Slough

Storm damage isn’t just about “covering a hole”. The goal is to make the property secure, reduce weather ingress, and deter opportunistic break-ins—particularly if the building will be left unattended.

Depending on what’s been damaged, we may use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable boarding on larger or higher-risk openings
OSB (typically 12mm) for smaller openings where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a risk of boards being removed from outside
Timber framing/battens to spread load and reduce further damage to weak frames (where suitable)

We choose the fixing method based on the opening and condition of the surrounding frame. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

You can also read more about the basics on what boarding up is and when it’s used.

What storm damage boarding up usually involves (step by step)

Every site is different, but most storm-damage jobs follow a clear process:

Quick assessment and safety check
We look for loose glass, unstable frames, exposed electrics near water ingress, and any access issues.
Measure and prepare boards on site
We size boards properly for the opening—especially important for larger windows, patio doors, and shopfront sections.
Secure the opening
We fix the board using the most appropriate method for the frame type (timber, uPVC, aluminium) and the level of risk.
Weather considerations
Boarding up isn’t the same as full weatherproofing, but we aim to reduce wind-driven rain getting inside. If the opening is overhead (roof/skylight), we’ll discuss safe access and the most sensible temporary protection.
Documentation
If needed, we provide before/after photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement you can pass to your insurer, landlord, or facilities team.

For urgent situations, our emergency boarding up service is the right place to start.

The right service for the type of storm damage

Storm damage can affect different parts of a building. Here’s how we usually secure each one.

Broken or cracked windows (houses, flats, offices)

Broken glazing is the most common storm issue—especially on elevations exposed to prevailing wind, or where debris has struck.

We provide window boarding in Slough for:

Smashed panes and failed double-glazed units
Ground-floor and accessible windows where security is a concern
Upper-floor windows where safe access is possible

If you’re in a flat (for example near Slough station or in larger developments around the town centre), access and permissions can matter. If there’s a concierge/building manager, tell us—so we can plan the most efficient approach.

Damaged doors and forced-open entries

Storms can tear door hardware, warp frames, or cause doors to slam and split—leaving the property insecure.

We can secure doors with door boarding, and where appropriate discuss a temporary steel door solution for higher-risk situations (such as a vacant property or repeated access issues).

Shopfront glazing and commercial premises

If a shopfront is exposed, it’s vulnerable—particularly overnight when a damaged frontage is visible from the street.

We offer shopfront boarding for:

Retail units in parades
Restaurants and takeaways
Offices with glazed reception areas

We understand that businesses may need a solution that balances security with the need to reopen quickly. Boarding is usually the immediate step; your glazing contractor can then replace the unit when available.

Roof damage, skylights, and overhead openings

Missing tiles and damaged skylights can quickly turn into water damage. Overhead work needs careful handling—sometimes it’s straightforward, sometimes it’s not safe without specialist access equipment.

We can help with roof boarding where an opening needs temporary protection and access is safe and sensible. If we believe the risk is too high (for example unstable surfaces in severe winds), we’ll tell you plainly and help you think through next steps.

Keeping the site safe while repairs are arranged

Boarding up after storm damage is often a “hold the line” measure—keeping the property secure until permanent repairs and glazing can be scheduled.

We regularly help:

Homeowners and tenants dealing with sudden breakage and security worries
Landlords and letting agents needing fast securing between tenancies
Facilities managers responsible for multi-site SL-area portfolios
Trades and insurers who need a property made safe before surveys/repairs

If the property will be empty for a while, it may be worth considering longer-term security options discussed on our vacant property boarding page.

Insurance notes (what we can and can’t do)

Storm damage claims often move quickly once the site is safe. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t tell you what your policy will cover—but we can provide the practical documentation insurers usually ask for.

Helpful actions:

Report the damage promptly and keep any claim reference number
Take photos of the damage before temporary works if safe
Keep receipts/invoices for emergency securing
Don’t dispose of damaged items your insurer may want to inspect (if practical)

More guidance is available on our insurance claims support page.

A realistic storm-damage scenario (Slough)

A typical call we get is after a night of heavy wind when a rear garden gate has failed and a patio door takes a hit from debris. In residential areas like Cippenham and Langley, many homes have wide rear openings that can be vulnerable when the weather turns.

In one such situation, the glass was compromised and the door couldn’t be locked. We attended, checked the frame stability, then boarded the patio opening using exterior-grade plywood with a fixing method chosen to suit the frame condition. The property was secured for the night, and the customer used our photos and invoice to support their glazing and insurance follow-up.

FAQs about storm damage boarding up in Slough

How quickly can you come out after storm damage in Slough?

We prioritise urgent jobs where a property is insecure or weather is getting in. We can’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary (traffic, severity of weather, and how many urgent calls are coming in), but we’ll give you clear expectations when you call and keep things practical.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after storm damage?

Often it can be, but it depends on your policy and circumstances. We’ll provide an itemised invoice and work description that’s typically useful for claims—see insurance claims support.

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

If the property is insecure or exposed, yes—our emergency boarding up service is designed for out-of-hours and urgent situations.

What if the window/door frame is too damaged to fix boards to?

We’ll assess on arrival. If non-destructive fixing isn’t possible, we’ll explain the options (including more robust temporary solutions) before doing anything that could further affect the frame.

Do you cover my area in the SL postcode?

Yes—Slough and surrounding SL districts. If you’re unsure, start with our areas we cover page and call us with your postcode.

What you can do now

If your property has storm damage, the key priorities are safety, security, and reducing further weather ingress. Temporary boarding is often the fastest way to stabilise the situation until glazing and repairs can be scheduled.