Commercial boarding up in Harrow (HA) for shops, offices and sites
When something goes wrong at a commercial property, it rarely happens at a convenient time. A smashed shopfront on Station Road, a forced rear door off an alley behind a parade, or wind damage lifting panels on an industrial unit can leave your premises exposed to theft, weather and liability.
We provide commercial boarding up in Harrow and across the HA postcodes (HA0–HA9)—securing windows, doors, shopfront glazing and vulnerable openings for retailers, landlords, managing agents and facilities teams. If you need urgent help, visit emergency boarding up for the quickest route to getting the building secure.
Need to secure a commercial site now? Call 020 4634 5472 or email us.
The types of commercial buildings we secure across Harrow and HA
Harrow’s commercial stock is mixed, and the way you secure a unit depends heavily on the building style and how the frontage and access points are laid out. We regularly work on:
- High street and parade units (often aluminium shopfront systems with large glazed panes and manual shutters)
- Restaurants, takeaways and cafés (glass doors, side/rear access, vulnerable fanlights and small panes)
- Offices and clinics (toughened glass panels, internal partitions, controlled access doors)
- Light industrial and trade units (roller shutters, personnel doors, rooflights/skylights)
- Schools, community buildings and places of worship (multiple openings and safeguarding considerations)
- Vacant retail units between tenancies (boarded shopfronts or longer-term security options)
In Harrow, you’ll see busy, high-footfall retail around St Ann’s Shopping Centre and St George’s Shopping Centre, transport-linked premises near Harrow-on-the-Hill station, and parades along routes like Station Road (Harrow), College Road, Kenton Road and Uxbridge Road where shopfront damage can quickly become a public safety issue.
Typical scenarios that trigger commercial boarding up
Commercial boarding is rarely “just a broken pane”. It’s usually a security or safety incident that needs a controlled, documented response—especially if staff, customers or contractors may still need access.
1) Smashed shopfront glazing and failed door glass
This is one of the most common call-outs: impact damage, attempted theft, or accidental breakage to large panes. The priority is to:
- make the opening safe to the public (especially if it’s on a busy pavement)
- secure the premises against further entry
- protect stock and internal fixtures from weather and opportunist theft
For dedicated solutions, see shopfront boarding in Harrow and window boarding in Harrow.
2) Break-ins via rear doors, side alleys and service entrances
A lot of commercial burglaries happen at the less-visible points: rear fire exits, yard gates, and side doors that lead to corridors or stock rooms. Where a lock or frame has been compromised, door boarding or a temporary steel door can be the fastest way to re-secure until a locksmith or door contractor completes the permanent repair.
Related reading: door boarding in Harrow and guidance on boarding up after a burglary.
3) Vandalism: repeated attacks, anti-social behaviour, and “smash-and-grab” attempts
Parade units and corner shops near transport links can be targeted more than once—especially if an opening is left vulnerable overnight. In these cases, we often recommend anti-tamper fixing methods and a more robust boarding specification to reduce repeat incidents.
If the damage is deliberate, see vandalism repair and boarding.
4) Storm damage to glazing, cladding, rooflights and hoardings
High winds can crack panes, pull out beading, or lift roof panels. Even a small failed rooflight can let in a surprising amount of water, leading to further damage and downtime.
Where the vulnerability is overhead, our approach is different—see roof boarding in Harrow and storm damage boarding.
5) Fire and flood incidents: securing after emergency services attendance
After a fire or flood, doors and windows may be left open or damaged, and the building may be unsafe to occupy. Our role is to secure the property, reduce the risk of further loss, and help you meet your insurer’s “reasonable steps” requirement.
We’re transparent about scope: we’re not fire restoration contractors and we don’t do smoke/odour remediation—but we can make the building secure while next trades are arranged. See fire damage boarding and flood damage boarding.
6) Accidental impact: delivery vehicles, shutters, and frontage strikes
Vehicle impacts into shopfronts, bollards, or entrance doors can leave twisted frames and shattered glazing. Sometimes the opening can be boarded without damaging the remaining frame; sometimes the frame is too compromised and you need a more robust temporary solution.
See accident damage boarding for what to do next.
How commercial boarding up works (what we do on site)
Commercial properties need a balance: strong security from the outside, and practical access for the inside—often under pressure from opening hours, neighbours, managing agents and insurers.
A typical job in Harrow and the HA area looks like this:
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Initial questions on the phone
- What’s damaged: window, door, shopfront, rooflight?
- Is the site safe and does anyone need medical/police assistance first?
- Are there alarms, shutters, or restricted access areas?
- Do you need temporary access maintained for staff or contractors?
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Arrival and safety check
- We assess loose glass, sharp edges, and whether the opening presents a public hazard.
- If the area needs immediate control, we’ll advise on cordoning off and safe routes in/out.
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Measure and select a fixing method
- We choose materials and fixings based on opening size, frame condition, and exposure (street-facing vs rear yard).
- We also consider whether the property will be occupied, trading, or vacant.
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Install boarding / temporary security
- For glazing: board securely, minimise gaps, and prioritise anti-tamper where appropriate.
- For doors: board the door opening or fit a temporary steel door solution if required.
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Provide documentation
- Itemised invoice and a clear statement of what was done
- Time-stamped photos where possible (useful for insurers and facilities records)
If the frame or surround is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes the safest approach is to secure to sound surrounding structure rather than relying on a compromised frame.
Materials and methods used for commercial premises
The method should match the risk level. A quiet first-floor office window doesn’t need the same approach as a street-level shopfront on a busy parade.
Plywood vs OSB: what we typically use
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, durable boarding—especially for shopfronts and larger openings.
- OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be appropriate for less exposed areas or smaller panes, depending on risk and fixing points.
We’ll always aim for a secure, tidy finish that reduces the chance of removal from the outside and keeps the opening weather-resistant as far as practical for a temporary measure.
Anti-tamper fixings (why they matter on commercial sites)
Commercial premises are often targeted repeatedly once an opening is known to be vulnerable. Anti-tamper fixings help prevent boards being quickly removed from outside—particularly important if:
- the unit is vacant overnight
- the property is in a high-footfall location
- stock or tools remain on site
- there’s a delay before glazing replacement
Temporary steel doors and security screens (medium-term security)
If a commercial door is forced, boarded timber can be a good immediate fix, but it isn’t always ideal for ongoing access. A temporary steel door can provide a more practical, lockable entry point for contractors and managers while permanent repairs are arranged.
For sites that are empty or in long-term works, steel security screens may be more appropriate than repeated boarding—particularly where vandalism is persistent.
If you’re comparing options, start with door boarding in Harrow and talk to us about the best match for your timeframe and risk.
Keeping your business running: access, safety and neighbour considerations
Commercial jobs often come with constraints that don’t apply to domestic boarding:
- Maintaining safe entry/exit for staff (especially if it’s your only entrance)
- Fire escape routes (we won’t obstruct required exits without agreeing a safe alternative plan)
- Shared access and neighbours, including adjoining units in parades
- Landlord/managing agent permissions where required
- Noise and timing, particularly near flats above shops around Harrow town centre and station areas
If you have a facilities team or managing agent, we can work from their instructions and provide the paperwork they typically need.
Area coverage: Harrow and the HA postcodes (HA0–HA9)
We cover Harrow and surrounding HA districts, including mixed commercial and retail areas in:
- HA1 (Harrow, Harrow-on-the-Hill, North Harrow, Northwick Park)
- HA2 (South Harrow, Rayners Lane, West Harrow, Headstone)
- HA3 (Wealdstone, Kenton, Queensbury, Belmont, Harrow Weald)
- HA0 & HA9 (Wembley and Alperton areas with busy retail and event-day footfall)
- HA4–HA8 (Ruislip, Eastcote, Pinner, Northwood, Stanmore/Edgware fringes)
You can also jump to a local page if that’s easier:
- boarding up in Harrow HA1
- boarding up in South Harrow HA2
- boarding up in Wealdstone HA3
- boarding up in Wembley Central HA0
- boarding up in Stanmore HA7
For a full list, see areas we cover.
Micro case study: securing a shopfront near Harrow-on-the-Hill station
A small retail unit close to Harrow-on-the-Hill station reported a smashed lower pane on an aluminium shopfront after closing. The opening was street-facing, with footfall continuing late into the evening from commuters and nearby takeaways.
We attended, checked for loose glass around the threshold, and installed exterior-grade plywood cut to the opening with anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of removal overnight. Because the business needed to reopen quickly, we discussed access requirements and ensured the boarding didn’t interfere with the shutter operation. The client received photos and an itemised invoice to support their insurer and landlord reporting.
Insurance and facilities paperwork (what we can and can’t do)
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t advise on policy wording, but we can help you stay organised. Most commercial clients need:
- clear description of what was damaged and what we secured
- time/date of attendance
- photos before/after boarding where possible
- an invoice that separates emergency securing from any additional works
For practical guidance, see insurance claims support and our pricing information (we don’t publish fixed prices because openings, access and fixing methods vary).
FAQs for commercial boarding up in Harrow
Can you board up a shopfront and still let us trade?
Often, yes—especially if only one pane/section is affected. Where the main entrance is compromised, we’ll talk through options such as boarding a glazed panel while keeping a separate access point usable, or using a temporary door solution depending on the layout. For more detail, see shopfront boarding in Harrow.
We manage multiple units across HA1 and HA3—can you provide consistent documentation?
Yes. We can provide itemised invoices and photos that facilities teams typically need for internal records and insurer submissions. If you have a required format or purchase order process, mention it when you call.
Do you cover parades around Kenton Road and Station Road as well as industrial areas?
Yes—our coverage includes retail parades, offices and light industrial units across the HA postcodes. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
Is boarding up covered by commercial insurance?
Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t—it depends on your policy and excess. As a rule, insurers expect you to take “reasonable steps” to prevent further damage or theft, and boarding up is often part of that. We’ll supply documentation that insurers commonly ask for—see insurance claims support.
How long will the boards stay up?
Boarding up is a temporary security measure. How long it can remain depends on exposure, fixing method and the condition of the surrounding frame. If the unit will be vacant for a while, ask about more robust medium-term options when you call.
Ready to secure your commercial premises?
If you’ve had a break-in, damage, or you’re securing a vacant unit between tenants, we can help you protect the site and reduce risk while permanent repairs are arranged.
Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 5472 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
