Door Boarding in Chelmsford (Emergency & Planned Securing)

If your door has been forced, split, or left hanging after a break-in, it’s hard to relax until the property is properly secured. We provide door boarding in Chelmsford and across the CM postcode area (CM0–CM77)—for homes, flats, shops and commercial premises—using practical, proven methods that prioritise safety and security.

For urgent help, call us any time. We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, access and existing call-outs vary), but we prioritise emergency jobs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Need help now? Call 01245 945 217 for immediate assistance.

When you might need door boarding (and why it matters)

Door boarding isn’t only for “boarded-up buildings”. It’s often a short, sensible step after an incident—especially when the door or frame can’t be secured reliably with the existing lock.

Common emergency scenarios we attend in Chelmsford and nearby CM areas include:

• Burglary/attempted break-in where the lock has been snapped, the door has been kicked in, or the frame is cracked
• Vandalism (for example, repeated kicking or deliberate damage to communal entry doors)
• Accidental impact (a door smashed by a fall, a dropped item, or a vehicle strike affecting a frontage)
• Fire service/police entry, where the property needs securing afterwards
• Vacant property risks, where a weak rear door or side access becomes a target

A damaged door is more than an inconvenience—it can leave you exposed to:

• Further theft or repeat attempts
• Weather ingress (rain and wind can quickly ruin flooring and plasterwork)
• Liability issues if someone enters an unsafe site
• A stressful night if you’re trying to wait until a locksmith, glazier or builder is available

If your priority is to secure property quickly, door boarding is often the fastest reliable option while longer repairs are arranged.

For immediate attendance, see our emergency boarding up page.

What “door boarding” means in practice

Door boarding usually means covering a compromised door opening with a boarded panel fixed in a way that can’t be removed from outside. The method depends on what has failed:

• Door leaf damaged (split timber, cracked uPVC panel, glazing smashed in a composite door)
• Frame damaged (loose keep, cracked jamb, broken hinges, pulled fixings)
• Lock failure (snapped euro cylinder, pulled multi-point lock, missing hardware)
• Entire opening compromised (door missing, or unsafe to close)

We’ll choose the safest approach based on what’s still sound and what needs to be isolated.

If the door can be repaired safely on the spot without boarding, we’ll tell you—our goal is to leave you with a secure opening, not to force a one-size-fits-all solution.

Emergency door boarding in Chelmsford: what happens when you call

When you ring, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we can arrive prepared:

1. What type of door is it? (timber/uPVC/composite/metal, single/double, communal entry, rear access)
2. What’s damaged—door, frame, locks, glazing?
3. Is the property occupied or empty right now?
4. Is it safe to attend? (police on scene, suspects gone, broken glass, fire damage)
5. Access details (parking/loading, back gate access, shared hallway, alarm status)

On arrival, we focus on “make safe” work first:

• Removing immediate hazards (sharp edges, loose panels)
• Stabilising anything that could fall or swing
• Confirming there’s a secure, tamper-resistant fixing plan

You’ll also receive:

• Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding (where possible)
• An itemised invoice/work statement suitable for insurers or managing agents
• Practical advice on next steps (locksmith, door replacement, structural repair)

If you’re dealing with a break-in, our burglary-specific guidance is on burglary repairs & boarding.

Materials we use (and why)

We use materials that balance strength, availability, and suitability for the opening. For doors, the priority is preventing removal from outside and reducing leverage points.

Typical materials include:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable door panels

  • Good screw-holding strength and durability
  • Suitable for many front/back door openings and commercial rear access doors

• 12mm OSB (or similar structural board) for smaller or secondary door openings

  • Often appropriate for internal communal doors or low-risk secondary access where structure is still sound

We select thickness based on:

• Opening size and expected risk level
• Whether the property is occupied or vacant
• The condition of the surrounding frame/wall
• Whether the panel needs to span an uneven reveal

Where longer-term security is needed (especially for empty buildings), door boarding may not be the best option. We can discuss temporary steel doors or steel security screens depending on your risk level and how long the property will be unattended (see vacant property boarding for context).

Fixing methods: how we make door boarding hard to remove

A “quick screw into the frame” isn’t secure if the building will be unattended. The fixing method matters as much as the board.

Depending on the structure, we may use:

• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of outside removal
• Through-bolting where safe and appropriate (board fixed through the opening with internal spreader/battens)
• Battened framing to distribute load and reduce the chance of the board splitting or flexing
• Non-destructive methods where possible, especially in managed buildings or rented properties

If the frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. In some cases, the safest choice is to secure to surrounding masonry rather than compromised timber—or to fit a temporary door system instead of boarding.

Door types we commonly secure across the CM area

Different doors fail in different ways. We regularly board and secure:

• Timber doors (often split around the lock and latch points after kicking)
• uPVC doors (multi-point lock failure, panel damage, broken hinges)
• Composite doors (structurally strong but vulnerable around locks and glazing if attacked)
• Communal entrance doors in blocks of flats (often urgent because it’s a shared security risk)
• Rear service doors at shops, offices and light industrial units

If your issue is mainly glazing (for example, a door with a smashed glass panel), you may also want our window boarding in Chelmsford approach, as the method can overlap.

Occupied vs vacant properties: the boarding approach changes

If you’re staying in the property

We focus on:

• Securing the opening while keeping disruption low
• Reducing draughts and weather ingress where possible
• Clear advice on next steps (lock replacement, frame repair, door replacement)

If the property will be empty

We focus on:

• Stronger anti-tamper detailing
• Minimising external leverage points
• Documenting the condition clearly for insurers/managing agents
• Discussing medium-term options if the building may stay vacant

For ongoing protection planning, the pricing page explains the factors that affect cost (without fixed quotes), and the insurance claims page covers the documentation insurers typically request.

Commercial door boarding (shops, offices, sites)

Commercial call-outs often come with extra considerations:

• Out-of-hours attendance and alarm protocols
• Loading access and safe working near public areas
• Keeping entrances safe for staff the next day (or clearly restricting entry)
• Documentation for insurers, landlords, and facilities management

If your frontage is affected as well as the access door, you may need shopfront boarding alongside door boarding—especially where glazing is shattered or the opening faces a public footfall area.

Practical steps to take right now (before we arrive)

If you’ve got a smashed or forced door, these steps help keep you safe and protect your claim:

1. If a crime has just happened, call 999 and don’t enter until police say it’s safe.
2. If it’s safe, take clear photos of the damage and any points of entry (inside and out).
3. Keep a police reference number if one is provided—insurers often ask for it.
4. Avoid touching broken glass or damaged locks (sharp edges and contamination risks).
5. If you can do so safely, secure pets and valuables away from the affected area.
6. Call us for emergency boarding up so the property can be secured properly.

Need out of hours help to board up a door tonight? Call 01245 945 217.

How door boarding fits with other repairs

Boarding up is usually the first step: it stops further loss and buys time for proper repair work.

After we’ve secured the opening, you may arrange:

• A locksmith for lock replacement or temporary locks
• A joiner/builder for frame repair
• A door replacement supplier/installer (uPVC/composite/timber)
• If fire has occurred: structural checks and restoration (we secure the property; we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation)

If you’re unsure what you need, we can explain the options on-site and document what we’ve done so the next trade can take over smoothly.

Why choose Boarding Up Chelmsford for door boarding?

• 10+ years trading securing properties across Chelmsford and CM postcodes
• DBS-checked technicians for peace of mind in residential and managed buildings
• Fully insured
• Clear, practical communication—especially when you’re stressed and trying to make decisions quickly
• Documentation that’s actually useful: photos, notes, and itemised invoicing

If you want to understand the wider process, see what is boarding up?.

FAQs – Door boarding in Chelmsford

Do you offer emergency door boarding out of hours in Chelmsford?

Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up across Chelmsford and the wider CM area. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you phone. For urgent attendance, use emergency boarding up.

Can you board up a front door that won’t close?

Often, yes. If the door leaf is twisted or the frame is cracked, we can usually secure the opening with a boarded panel using fixings appropriate to the surrounding structure. If the frame is too unstable for safe fixing, we’ll talk you through alternatives before proceeding.

What if the door frame is badly damaged after a break-in?

That’s common after forced entry. If the frame can’t hold fixings safely, we may fix into surrounding masonry where appropriate, or recommend a temporary steel door solution depending on the risk and expected duration. We’ll explain the pros/cons on site before any non-standard work.

Will door boarding damage my property further?

We aim to keep additional damage to a minimum and use sensible fixing points. However, if the door or frame is already compromised, any securing method can involve some fixings into sound material. We’ll choose the least invasive secure option and explain what we’re doing as we go.

Can you board up after the police or fire service have forced entry?

Yes. It’s a very common reason for an emergency call. Once the scene is released and it’s safe to work, we can make safe and secure the door opening, then provide photos and paperwork to support your insurer or landlord.

Is door boarding covered by insurance in Chelmsford?

It often can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or accidental impact, but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for. See insurance claims for practical guidance.

How long does door boarding take?

It depends on the size of the opening and how damaged the frame is. Straightforward boarding can be relatively quick; complex damage (loose frames, unsafe surrounding material, multiple access points) takes longer. When you call, tell us what’s happened and we’ll set expectations.

Can you secure both the door and broken windows in the same visit?

Usually, yes—many incidents affect more than one opening. If you have a smashed window as well as a forced door, tell us on the phone so we bring the right materials. You may also want window boarding in Chelmsford.

Ready to secure your property?

If you need to board up a door, deal with a forced entry, or want temporary boarding to secure a property in Chelmsford or anywhere in CM0–CM77, we’re here to help.

Need help now? Call 01245 945 217 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-chelmsford.co.uk