Boarding Up for Residential, Commercial & Vacant Properties in Milton Keynes

If you need to secure a property quickly—after a break-in, a smashed window, storm damage or an accident—you’ll want a team that understands the realities of your building type. Boarding-up isn’t “one size fits all”: a ground-floor flat has different risks to a retail unit with a glazed frontage, and a void property needs a different approach again.

Boarding Up Milton Keynes provides boarding up services across MK postcodes (MK1–MK77). We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you need urgent help, start here: emergency boarding up.

Need to make safe now? Call 01908 024 702 or email info@boarding-up-milton-keynes.co.uk.

Which property type do you need to secure?

Choose the page that matches your building and situation:

If you’re not sure, call us—after a few questions about the opening (window/door/roof), access, and whether the property will be left unattended, we’ll recommend the right option.

Why property type matters with boarding up

The goal is always the same: secure property, reduce further damage, and help you regain control of the situation. The best method and materials depend on:

  • Opening type & size (a small fanlight vs a full shopfront panel)
  • Frame condition (sound timber/uPVC vs forced-entry damage)
  • Height & access (upper floors, rear access, restricted areas)
  • How long it needs to stay secure (overnight vs weeks/months)
  • Risk level while unattended (repeat attempts after burglary, vandalism hotspots, or isolated sites)

In practice, we may use:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust window/door protection
  • 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk temporary boarding where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside (important for unattended properties)
  • Temporary steel doors for damaged entrances where timber boarding isn’t the safest solution

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. We aim to keep the building safe without creating unnecessary further damage.

For more on the basics, see: what is boarding up?

What to expect when you call us

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, managing agent or facilities team, the process is straightforward and calm:

  1. Call us and explain what’s happened (broken glazing, forced door, vandalism, storm damage, etc.).
  2. We’ll ask a few practical questions:
    • Which MK postcode district?
    • Which opening needs securing (window/door/shopfront/roof)?
    • Is anyone on site? Is it safe to attend?
  3. We’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on time of day and current workload. (We don’t promise fixed arrival times—conditions vary—but we prioritise urgent call-outs.)
  4. On arrival we make safe, secure the opening, and advise on next steps (glazier, door repair, insurer documentation).

You’ll typically receive time-stamped photos, a clear statement of work, and an itemised invoice—useful for landlords, property managers, and insurance claims. For guidance on the paperwork side, see: insurance claims support.

Residential properties (houses, flats & maisonettes)

Residential boarding is often needed after a burglary, accidental breakage, or a smashed window from vandalism. The priorities are usually:

  • Making the home secure again the same day
  • Protecting children/pets from broken glass and unsafe openings
  • Preventing weather ingress and heat loss overnight
  • Keeping disruption and noise to a minimum

For homes, we commonly provide:

If you’re a tenant, we can liaise with the landlord/agent where appropriate, and we’ll document what we’ve done so responsibility and follow-on repairs are clear.

More detail here: Residential boarding up

Commercial properties (shops, offices, industrial & public-facing sites)

Commercial sites often require boarding up out of hours—especially where a shopfront has been attacked or a door has been forced. The risks can escalate quickly for businesses:

  • Loss of stock and repeated intrusion attempts
  • Safety issues for staff and customers
  • Exposure to weather and further property damage
  • Immediate reputational impact if the frontage is left unsecured

For commercial premises we may recommend:

  • shopfront boarded up solutions for larger glazed areas and retail frontages
  • temporary steel doors when a main entrance is compromised and needs stronger medium-term security
  • Security-minded fixing methods (including anti-tamper approaches) when the building will be unattended overnight

We understand the practicalities of trading hours, site access, and keeping disruption down. If you need documentation for insurers or internal reporting, we provide clear work records and photos.

More detail here: Commercial boarding up

Vacant and void properties (between tenancies, probate, repossession)

Void properties can be a different challenge altogether. If a building is empty—even temporarily—the risk profile changes:

  • Opportunistic entry and squatting attempts
  • Repeated vandalism once an opening is noticed
  • Copper theft and internal damage
  • Weather damage if openings are left exposed

For vacant properties we’ll talk through how long you need protection for and the level of risk. Options may include:

  • Robust boarding to vulnerable windows/doors (often with anti-tamper fixings)
  • Temporary steel doors where access is needed for contractors but security is a concern
  • Longer-term measures where appropriate (for some sites, security screens may be more suitable than timber)

If you’re managing multiple voids, we can help you standardise how properties are secured and what evidence is recorded.

More detail here: Vacant property boarding up

Situations we’re commonly called to (across all property types)

Different buildings have different risks, but the triggers are often the same. We’re regularly asked to board up a broken window, board up a door, or otherwise make safe after:

If you’re in immediate danger or there’s an active crime scene, call the police first. Once the area is safe to attend, we can secure the openings.

Materials and methods we use (and why)

Good boarding up is about more than “putting a sheet over a hole”. The method must match the risk, the surface, and the condition of the frame.

Common choices include:

  • Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm) – strong, reliable, and suited to doors and larger openings
  • OSB (often 12mm) – can be appropriate for smaller openings or short-term security, depending on exposure and risk
  • Anti-tamper fixings – reduces the chance of boards being removed from outside
  • Temporary steel doors – useful for forced entries, repeat attacks, or when you need controlled access for works

We’ll also consider:

  • Whether fixings can be placed to reduce damage to existing frames
  • Safe access requirements (particularly for upper-floor windows or awkward locations)
  • Ventilation needs after fire or flood (security must not trap hazards inside)

If something isn’t safe to secure without additional support—or if the surrounding structure appears unstable—we’ll tell you straight away.

Insurance, landlords & documentation (what helps most)

We’re not loss adjusters, but we do know what insurers and managing agents typically ask for after emergency works.

Practical steps that usually help:

  • Take photos before boarding begins (if safe)
  • Keep any crime reference number or incident log
  • Contact your insurer early and ask what evidence they need
  • Keep copies of invoices and work statements

We can provide:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured opening
  • A written description of the damage observed and the work completed
  • An itemised invoice suitable for claims or landlord/tenant records

More guidance here: insurance claims support and general questions on our FAQs.

FAQs: Property type boarding up in Milton Keynes

Do you board up flats and apartments as well as houses?

Yes. Residential work includes flats and maisonettes. Access, parking, and entry systems can affect the setup, so it helps if you tell us in advance whether it’s communal access and which floor the damage is on.

Can you board up a shopfront without shutting the business for days?

In many cases, yes—boarding can be fitted quickly to secure the opening while you arrange glazing repairs. If you need a shopfront boarded up out of hours, call us and we’ll advise on the most practical approach for your frontage.

What’s better for a void property—timber boarding or a steel door?

It depends on how the property is being used. If contractors need frequent access, a temporary steel door can be safer and more practical than repeatedly removing and refitting timber. If it’s simply an exposed window, robust plywood with anti-tamper fixings may be the right answer.

Do you cover all of Milton Keynes and the MK postcodes?

We cover Milton Keynes and surrounding MK areas across MK1–MK77. If you’re unsure whether your location is included, check areas we cover or call us with your postcode.

Will boarding up damage my frames?

We aim to secure openings with minimal additional damage, but the condition of the frame matters. If the frame is already split, rotten, or heavily damaged from forced entry, we’ll explain what’s possible and what compromises are involved before we fix anything.

Can you “make safe” tonight if my window has been smashed?

If you need urgent help, we prioritise emergency work and can often attend out of hours—workload and conditions vary. The best next step is to call and we’ll give you a realistic ETA: emergency boarding up.

Do you provide quotes for planned boarding on commercial sites?

Yes. For planned or preventative work, we can quote based on opening sizes, access, and the level of security required. See pricing for what typically affects cost (we don’t publish fixed prices because every job is different).

Ready to secure your property?

Whether it’s a home, a shop, or a vacant building, we’ll help you make safe and secure the opening with the right method for the property type.

Ready to get started? Call 01908 024 702 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.