Boarding Up for Residential Properties in Milton Keynes

When something goes wrong at home—whether it’s a smashed window, a forced door, or damage after a storm—your priority is simple: secure the property and make it safe so you can sleep tonight and deal with repairs properly later.

At Boarding Up Milton Keynes, we provide residential boarding up across Milton Keynes and all MK postcodes (MK1–MK77). Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. We handle urgent call-outs as well as planned security for empty homes, renovations and probate properties.

If you need emergency boarding up in Milton Keynes, call 01908 024 702. We’ll ask a few practical questions and give you a realistic ETA based on workload and access.

When homeowners and landlords usually need boarding up

Residential boarding isn’t just for “serious” break-ins. Many call-outs start with a single vulnerable point—one window, one door panel, one damaged frame—that makes the entire home easier to enter.

Typical scenarios we see across Milton Keynes and the MK area include:

Burglary or attempted break-in: a kicked-in back door, split uPVC panel, broken lock area, or a side window smashed to reach a handle. (See: burglary repairs and boarding)
Vandalism: random damage to ground-floor glazing, stones thrown at windows, or panels cracked on a front door. (See: vandalism repair and boarding)
Storm damage: wind-blown debris breaking panes, fences landing on windows, or roof elements exposing loft spaces. (See: storm damage boarding)
Accidents at home: a fall through a glass panel, a lawnmower stone strike, a DIY mishap, or a vehicle impact to a garage door area. (See: accident damage make-safe)
Fire or smoke incident: the fire is out, but windows/doors are compromised and the property is vulnerable. We secure the building; remediation is separate. (See: fire damage boarding)
Flood damage: swollen frames and doors that won’t close properly, leaving gaps and security issues once water subsides. (See: flood damage boarding)
Vacant or void homes: between tenancies, during probate, or while renovations are ongoing—especially if the property will be unoccupied for weeks. (For longer-term options, see vacant property boarding.)

If you’re unsure whether you need boarding, a good rule is this: if the opening can’t be reliably locked, or glazing is missing/cracked, you’re exposed to weather, theft, and further damage.

What “boarding up” means for a home (and what it doesn’t)

Boarding up is a temporary security measure to prevent unauthorised entry and reduce weather exposure until permanent repairs can be completed by a glazier, locksmith, builder, or insurer’s contractor.

It’s important to be clear about limitations:

Boarding up secures the opening; it doesn’t replace like-for-like glazing or door repairs.
We can often use non-destructive fixing methods, but if frames are heavily damaged, we’ll explain the safest approach before proceeding.
After fire or flood, we secure the property—we don’t provide cleaning, drying, or remediation services.

How residential boarding up works (step by step)

People are often surprised by how straightforward the process is—especially at night or in bad weather. Here’s what usually happens.

Initial call and quick triage
Call 01908 024 702 and tell us what’s happened. We’ll ask:
- What’s damaged (front window, patio door, garage side window, etc.)
- Whether the property is occupied right now
- Any hazards (shards, alarms, pets, unstable frames)
- Whether police or fire service have attended (if relevant)
Arrival and safety check
We’ll assess the opening, the frame condition, and what fixing method is appropriate. If glass is still present and unstable, we’ll treat it as a hazard.
Measure, cut, and fix securely
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust security on larger openings
- 12mm OSB where appropriate for smaller or lower-risk openings (depending on location and exposure)
Fixings are chosen based on whether the board needs to resist tampering from outside and whether we can avoid damaging surrounding finishes.
Make safe and tidy
We remove immediate hazards where possible, ensure the opening is protected, and confirm doors/windows cannot be accessed externally.
Documentation for your records/insurer
Customers commonly need evidence after a break-in or storm. We can provide:
- Clear notes of what was secured and how
- An itemised invoice and work statement
- Time-stamped photos on request (useful for insurers and landlords)

For urgent situations, you may prefer to go directly to our emergency boarding up page where we keep the information short and action-focused.

Common residential openings we secure

Every house and flat layout differs, but most call-outs relate to a few key areas:

Ground-floor windows and patio doors

Ground-floor glazing is the most common target after an attempted break-in. A small smashed window near a handle can be enough for entry. We’ll board up broken window openings using anti-tamper methods where needed—especially if the property will be unattended overnight.

Related service: window boarding in Milton Keynes

Front, back and side doors

Door damage can be deceptively severe. A door that “almost closes” may still be easily forced. If you need to board up door openings or the door is beyond immediate repair, we can discuss fitting a more robust temporary option.

Related service: door boarding in Milton Keynes

Garage side doors and internal access points

Garages often have weaker side access doors or small windows. If a garage connects internally to the home, securing it quickly is just as important as the main house.

Conservatories and older frames

Older timber frames and large glazed sections can splinter when struck. In these cases, we may need to spread load carefully to avoid making the damage worse. If the frame is too compromised for a non-destructive method, we’ll talk you through options before fixing anything.

Materials and methods we use (and why)

Choosing the right approach is about security, safety, and minimising unnecessary damage to your property.

Plywood vs OSB: what we use in homes

Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm): strong, reliable, and well-suited to larger residential openings or higher-risk situations.
OSB (often 12mm): can be suitable for smaller openings and short-term make-safe work, depending on exposure and risk.

We’ll choose based on:

Size and location of the opening
Whether the property is occupied
Weather exposure (wind-driven rain is a big issue on open panes)
The condition of the frame and surrounding masonry

Fixing methods: security first, but not reckless

For residential work we commonly use:

Anti-tamper fixings where boards could otherwise be removed from outside (important for empty homes or repeated incidents)
Through-bolting with spreader plates for certain openings (helps distribute force and reduce frame stress)
Frame-sensitive methods when the frame is cracked, swollen (flood), or brittle (older timber)

If you’re worried about marks or future repairs: tell us on the phone. We’ll balance security with minimising additional damage where feasible.

Flats, maisonettes and managed blocks: what changes?

Residential boarding in flats can involve extra steps:

Access control (entry systems, concierge, keyholders)
Working hours restrictions in some blocks (noise considerations)
Communal safety: keeping walkways clear, managing glass risk
Upper-floor windows: we may need safe access planning; not every opening can be reached without the right equipment

If you’re a landlord or managing agent, we can coordinate with tenants, neighbours, or keyholders to keep things moving.

What to do right now if your home is damaged

If you’re reading this because something has just happened, these steps help protect your family, your property, and any insurance claim:

If there’s a threat or crime in progress, call 999.
If it’s safe, wait somewhere secure.
Don’t touch broken glass with bare hands.
Keep children and pets away from the area.
Take quick photos if safe (inside and outside).
Insurers often want evidence of the original damage.
Call your insurer early if you’re making a claim.
Keep your policy number to hand and record any reference numbers.
Call us to make safe and secure the opening
For temporary boarding, call 01908 024 702. We prioritise urgent risks and will give you a realistic ETA.

If the incident is specifically burglary-related, our burglary repairs and boarding page includes extra guidance on what insurers and police typically ask for.

Residential boarding for empty homes, renovations and probate properties

Not every job is an emergency. We also secure homes that are unoccupied for legitimate reasons—sale, refurbishment, long hospital stays, or probate.

In these cases, the goal is not just to cover a hole—it’s to reduce the risk of repeat entry and ongoing costs such as water ingress, fly-tipping, and further vandalism.

Depending on the situation, we may recommend stronger medium-term options like security screens or more robust door solutions. For a fuller overview of longer-term securing, see vacant property boarding.

Local coverage across Milton Keynes and MK postcodes

We work across Milton Keynes and surrounding MK districts—covering homes in MK1 through to MK77. Whether you’re in a central residential area, a newer estate, or a village address on the outskirts, our approach is the same: secure the opening properly, explain what we’re doing, and leave you with clear documentation.

For local pages, you can also start here: areas we cover. Examples of nearby coverage pages include:

If you’re not sure which page matches your location, just call and tell us your postcode—we cover the whole MK range.

FAQs: Residential boarding up in Milton Keynes

How quickly can you board up a broken window at my house?

It depends on time of day, workload, and how complex the damage is (for example, multiple openings or unsafe glass). We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you call 01908 024 702.

Can you board up my door if it’s been forced?

Yes. If a door can’t be secured with its existing locks and frame, we can make safe and secure the opening. The right solution depends on the door type and how the frame has failed. See: door boarding in Milton Keynes.

Will boarding up stop rain coming in?

Boarding significantly reduces exposure, but the level of weatherproofing depends on the shape of the opening and frame condition. If there are gaps or the surrounding structure is damaged, we’ll explain what’s achievable and how best to reduce further water ingress until permanent repairs are done.

Do you work with insurers for residential claims?

We’re not loss adjusters, but we do provide the paperwork insurers typically ask for—clear work descriptions, invoices, and (when requested) time-stamped photos. For practical guidance, see insurance claims support.

I’m a landlord—can you secure a tenant’s property if they’re not available?

Often yes, provided access can be arranged legally (keyholder, managing agent, or tenant permission). If police have attended after a break-in, they may also advise on access and safety. Give us the details and we’ll tell you what we need.

Is boarding up only for ground-floor windows?

No. Upper-floor windows can be boarded, but safe access matters. Some openings can be reached internally; others require specialist access planning. Tell us which floor and what type of window it is when you call.

Do you offer 24/7 boarding up for residential properties in Milton Keynes?

Yes—if you need out of hours help to secure property after damage, we provide 24/7 boarding up across Milton Keynes. For urgent situations, visit: emergency boarding up.

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