Boarding Up for Commercial Properties in Milton Keynes (MK)
A smashed window, forced door, or damaged shopfront is more than an inconvenience for a business — it’s a security risk, a trading interruption, and a potential insurance headache. If you manage or own commercial premises in Milton Keynes (across MK1–MK77), we can help you secure the property quickly with professional, insured boarding and make-safe work.
Boarding Up Milton Keynes has been trading for 10+ years. Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’re used to working with shop managers, landlords, facilities teams, and out-of-hours contacts. If you need urgent help tonight or at the weekend, start here: emergency boarding up. If it’s planned security (vacant unit, repeated vandalism, or a refurbishment phase), we can advise on the right temporary protection.
Need to secure a commercial premises now? Call 01908 024 702 or email us.
Who this page is for
This page is aimed at commercial properties across Milton Keynes and the wider MK postcodes, including:
- Retail shops and kiosks (glazed frontages, shutters, service yards)
- Offices and business parks (ground-floor glazing, side entrances)
- Restaurants, pubs and takeaways (customer-facing glass, rear delivery doors)
- Warehouses and industrial units (roller shutter access, high-level windows)
- Schools, nurseries and community buildings (often targeted by vandalism during closures)
- Letting agents and landlords managing empty units between tenants
If you’re unsure whether your building counts as commercial, call us — we’ll ask a few practical questions and point you at the best option (boarding, temporary door, or longer-term screening).
Typical commercial scenarios we attend in Milton Keynes
Commercial boarding up is often urgent, but the causes vary. Here are the most common “what happened?” situations we’re called for in MK:
Smashed shopfront glass and trading disruption
A smashed window on a shopfront (especially large panes) needs dealing with quickly — not just for security, but to protect stock and prevent anyone entering an unsafe area. We can shopfront boarded up to a clean, strong standard so you can control access until glazing is replaced. See shopfront boarding for details.
Break-ins and forced entry to doors
Commercial doors take a lot of abuse in a break-in — damaged locks, split frames, and compromised hinges are common. In many cases, boarding alone isn’t the most practical solution; a temporary steel door can provide better day-to-day access control while repairs are arranged. Start with door boarding in Milton Keynes or read more about post-incident support on burglary repairs.
Vandalism and repeated attacks
If a property is targeted more than once (especially when vacant or partially vacant), “quick board and go” isn’t always enough. We’ll talk through stronger fixing methods and, where appropriate, options that deter repeat incidents. Guidance is also covered on vandalism repair.
Storm damage and unsafe glazing
High winds can dislodge glazing or damage frames, and once a pane is loose it becomes a safety risk for staff and customers. We attend to make safe and stabilise the opening, then install temporary boarding to keep the building weather-tight until proper repairs are completed. More on storm damage.
Accidental impact (vehicles, trolleys, site work)
Accidental damage happens: reversing incidents in loading bays, internal works, or an impact to a glazed entrance. We can board the opening quickly and provide the documentation your insurer or landlord may request. See accident damage.
Fire or flood: securing the premises after emergency services
After a fire, the priority is to secure the property once it’s safe to enter and the emergency services have finished. After a flood, swollen frames and distorted doors can mean the building won’t lock properly. We’re not a restoration company, but we can secure vulnerable openings and help you protect the premises while the next trades attend: fire damage and flood damage.
What “boarding up” means for commercial premises (and what it doesn’t)
Boarding up is about physical security and safety — closing off vulnerable openings so the building can’t be accessed easily and so broken edges aren’t exposed to the public.
It isn’t the same as:
- Glazing replacement (we can secure first, then your glazier can measure safely)
- Full door replacement (we can secure first, then your locksmith/joiner can follow)
- Fire or flood remediation (we secure; specialist remediation comes next)
If you’re dealing with insurers, we can support the process by providing clear job descriptions and evidence of what was done.
How we secure commercial properties: methods and materials
Every job is different. A shopfront in MK9 is not the same as an industrial unit in MK1 or an office block in MK5. We’ll choose a method based on risk level, opening size, access, and how long you need the property secured.
Materials we typically use
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust, high-risk or larger commercial openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller windows or lower-risk temporary needs (where appropriate)
- Anti-tamper fixings where boards must not be removable from the outside
- Framing/battens and internal bracing to spread load and reduce damage to surrounding fabric where possible
We’ll explain what we’re proposing before work starts. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll talk you through the options and why a different approach may be safer.
Window and glazing openings (including side and rear windows)
For commercial windows we focus on:
- Preventing access (especially if the premises will be unattended)
- Minimising further glass drop or panel movement
- Keeping the opening stable so the next trade can measure and replace safely
This is covered in more depth on window boarding in Milton Keynes.
Doors and forced-entry points
If a door won’t close, won’t lock, or the frame has failed, we’ll usually recommend a solution that:
- Restores controlled access (for staff/contractors)
- Prevents opportunistic entry
- Holds up to repeated attempts if the area is exposed
Depending on the damage and your needs, we may board the doorway or discuss a temporary door option via door boarding in Milton Keynes.
Shopfronts and large glazed panels
Shopfronts often need:
- Larger sheets and stronger fixing patterns
- A finish that looks professional for customers and neighbouring units
- Attention to public safety (sharp edges, loose beads, exposed thresholds)
Read: shopfront boarding.
Rooflights, skylights and high-level access
Some commercial premises (especially warehouses and units) have vulnerable rooflights that are difficult to access safely and can be an entry point after damage. We can board and secure these where accessible and safe to do so; this is usually planned carefully due to working-at-height considerations. See roof boarding.
What to expect when you call us (commercial call-outs)
When you contact us, we’ll keep it practical. We don’t promise fixed arrival times — traffic, weather, and ongoing emergencies change the order of attendance — but we do prioritise urgent risks and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.
To speed things up, it helps if you can tell us:
- The postcode (MK district) and whether it’s a shop, office, unit, etc.
- What’s damaged: front window, side window, board up door, rooflight, etc.
- Whether the site is currently secure or if anyone can still enter
- Any access constraints (shutters down, rear alley access, security desk, keyholder details)
- If police have attended (keep the reference number if relevant)
If it’s safe to do so, take a couple of photos before we arrive — they can help us bring the right materials and are useful for your insurer.
For urgent situations, use our 24/7 boarding up page and call 01908 024 702.
Documentation for landlords, insurers and facilities teams
Commercial clients often need more than “a board on a window”. We can provide:
- Itemised invoices with location and scope of works
- A brief work statement describing how the opening was secured
- Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible and safe)
- Notes on constraints (e.g., frame damage, unsafe glass, limited access)
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. If you’re making a claim, see insurance claims support.
Planned securing for commercial sites (not just emergencies)
Not every commercial job is a crisis. We also help with planned property protection, such as:
- Empty units between tenants
- Buildings awaiting refurb works
- Sites with repeated low-level vandalism
- Temporary security while glazing and doors are being manufactured
Where the premises will be vacant for more than a short period, we can discuss more durable options that suit your risk level and budget. If the job is primarily to control site access rather than close openings, you may also want temporary fencing.
For longer-term vacancy, see vacant property boarding.
Commercial coverage across Milton Keynes (MK1–MK77)
We cover commercial properties throughout Milton Keynes and the wider MK postcode area — from busy retail and office zones to industrial estates and quieter outlying locations. If you’re unsure whether you’re in our patch, call and we’ll confirm.
For local pages and area-specific guidance, you can also visit:
You can browse all locations on our areas we cover.
FAQs: Boarding up for commercial premises in Milton Keynes
Do you offer out-of-hours boarding up for shops and businesses?
Yes — we provide out of hours attendance, including evenings and weekends, depending on workload and safety conditions. For urgent help, use emergency boarding up and call 01908 024 702.
Can you board up a shopfront without shutting the business for days?
In many cases, yes. Our goal is to make safe and secure the opening so you can control access and protect stock. The exact approach depends on the damage and whether any glazing is still loose. For more detail, see shopfront boarding.
What if the door frame is split and a board won’t hold properly?
If the frame is too damaged for a secure, non-destructive fix, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. That may include additional bracing, alternative fixing points, or a temporary door-style solution depending on the doorway. Start with door boarding in Milton Keynes.
Do you board up internal openings (e.g., between a unit and a corridor)?
Yes, sometimes — particularly in multi-let commercial buildings where a forced entry has compromised an internal door or glazed partition. The key is ensuring the fix is stable and doesn’t create additional hazards for occupants.
Will boarding damage my window frames or shopfront?
We aim to secure openings while minimising avoidable damage, but the priority is safety and preventing entry. Fixing methods depend on the substrate (timber, uPVC, metal, masonry) and the condition of the frame after the incident. If there’s a choice of method, we’ll talk you through it.
Can you help with insurance evidence after a break-in?
We can provide photos, a clear description of the work, and an itemised invoice — the things insurers typically request. We can’t make decisions on cover, but you may find our guidance helpful on insurance claims support. For the incident itself, see burglary repairs.
How long will the boards stay up?
That depends on your repair schedule and risk level. Some commercial clients need temporary boarding for a night or two; others need a longer period while glazing is ordered. If longer-term security is needed, we’ll discuss more robust options.
Do you cover my MK postcode?
We cover Milton Keynes and the wider MK region (MK1–MK77). If you call, we’ll confirm coverage and give a realistic ETA for attendance.
Related guidance for commercial clients
If you’re comparing options or planning next steps, these pages may help:
Need a commercial property secured now? Call 01908 024 702 for emergency boarding up, or email us to arrange planned protection for your Milton Keynes premises.
