Door Boarding in Harrow (HA) – Emergency Door Securing & Temporary Doors
When a door has been forced, kicked in, or left unsafe after an accident, you need it secured properly—quickly, and without making the situation worse. We provide door boarding in Harrow and across the HA postcode area (HA0–HA9), helping homeowners, landlords and businesses secure entrances after break-ins, vandalism, fire attendance, or storm damage.
If you need urgent help, call us now: Call 020 4634 5472. If you can, tell us what type of door it is (uPVC, timber, aluminium shop door, communal entrance) and whether the frame is damaged—this helps us bring the right fixings and materials.
We also offer emergency boarding up if you’re dealing with an active incident or out-of-hours situation.
When door boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Door boarding is ideal when the entrance can’t be locked securely and you need a temporary but robust solution to prevent unauthorised access and weather ingress.
Common reasons people call us for emergency door boarding in Harrow include:
- Burglary / forced entry: split timber, snapped multipoint locks, kicked panels, prised frames
- Vandalism: damage to door panels, glazing in doors, or communal entrance doors
- Fire service entry: door forced for access, then needs securing afterwards (we secure—remediation is separate)
- Accidental impact: delivery trolleys, vehicles, or building works damaging a doorway
- Vacant properties: entrances left vulnerable between tenancies, probate, or long refurb periods
Door boarding may not be the best option if the building needs immediate structural work (e.g., serious frame movement after impact). In those cases we can still help with short-term security, but we’ll explain the limitations and what’s realistic on the day.
For event-specific guidance, see:
- boarding up after burglary repairs
- post-vandalism boarding and securing
- after fire damage – property securing
- after accident/impact damage
What we mean by “door boarding” (and what you actually get)
“Door boarding” can mean a few different approaches depending on the opening, the risk level, and whether you need access afterwards.
Typically, we’ll provide one of the following:
- Boarding over a damaged door leaf (to prevent it being forced again)
- Boarding the doorway itself if the door is missing or beyond securing
- Temporary steel door installation where appropriate (more secure and re-usable than timber boarding, ideal for longer periods)
- Additional measures around adjacent glazed panels/sidelights if they’re vulnerable (often the weak point)
You’ll get a clear description of what’s been installed, plus practical documentation if you need it for landlords, managing agents or insurers.
Emergency door securing in Harrow: what happens when you call
If you’re calling for urgent door boarding Harrow-wide, we keep the process simple:
-
Initial questions on the phone
We’ll ask what’s happened, the address/postcode (HA0–HA9), and whether police/fire have attended. If the property is unsafe, we prioritise stabilising and securing the entrance. -
Arrival and assessment
We assess the door, frame, hinges, lock area, and the surrounding construction (brickwork, cladding, timber subframe). If a non-destructive method will work, we’ll use it. -
Agree the securing method
If the frame is too damaged for a tidy solution, we’ll explain options before proceeding. We won’t pretend a compromised frame can be made “like new” with boards—our job is safe, secure, temporary protection. -
Installation and safety check
We fix the boards/temporary door using appropriate methods and check for obvious leverage points. Where needed, we’ll advise you not to leave valuables on view. -
Documentation
We can provide itemised invoices, a work statement, and time-stamped photos—useful for property managers and insurance claims (we’re not loss adjusters, but we know what insurers typically ask for).
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472
Materials we use (and why)
The right material depends on the opening size, exposure, and expected duration.
Exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm)
For many forced-entry situations, 18mm exterior-grade plywood provides a strong barrier with good impact resistance.
We favour plywood when:
- the opening is large (e.g., full-height door opening)
- the site is exposed to footfall (communal entrances, rear alley access, shop rear doors)
- you need a more robust fix than thinner sheet materials
OSB (often 12mm for smaller or secondary openings)
OSB (Oriented Strand Board) can be suitable for smaller apertures or where a shorter-term measure is appropriate.
We may use OSB when:
- it’s a smaller doorway panel or internal access point
- the risk level is lower and the opening is more sheltered
Temporary steel doors (for medium-term security)
If you need repeated access (trades, clearance, ongoing repairs) or the property will be vacant for a while, a temporary steel door is often the better option.
Advantages include:
- better resistance to repeated attack attempts
- proper controlled access without removing boards each time
- more suitable for longer vacancy periods
If you’re managing an empty building, you may also want to consider vacant property boarding solutions and longer-term security options.
Fixing methods: how we make door boarding hard to remove
A door opening is a high-risk point. Good door boarding isn’t just “put a sheet over it”—it’s about how it’s fixed and how it handles leverage.
Depending on the structure, we may use:
- Through-bolting with penny washers (strong, reliable, hard to pull through)
- Anti-tamper fixings where appropriate
These help prevent removal from the outside—important when the property will be unattended. - Timber bracing/battens to spread load and reduce flex
Particularly useful when the door frame is compromised and you need the board to “bridge” the opening securely. - Careful positioning to reduce pry points
We aim to minimise edges that can be lifted with a bar.
If there’s already damage to brickwork or the frame is crumbling, we’ll talk you through what’s safe and what isn’t. Sometimes the correct next step is a temporary steel door rather than chasing fixings into poor substrate.
Typical door types we secure in Harrow & the HA postcodes
Harrow’s building mix means we see a wide range of entrances—everything from older timber doors to newer composite systems.
We commonly secure:
- Timber front doors on Edwardian/Victorian terraces (often with damaged lock stiles after a kick-in)
- uPVC and composite doors (frequently multipoint lock failures or door leaf distortion)
- Communal entrance doors for mansion blocks/converted flats (access control compromised after forced entry)
- Rear doors on 1930s semis and side access points (often targeted due to poor lighting)
- Commercial rear/service doors and delivery entrances, especially where there’s an alleyway or shared access
For businesses with glazed entries, we often pair door security with shopfront boarding in Harrow where the main risk is the frontage rather than a solid rear door.
Door boarding for homes, landlords and businesses
Residential door boarding
If your home has been broken into, the immediate priorities are security and safety. If police have attended, keep the reference number and—if it’s safe—take a few photos before we arrive.
For more on home scenarios, see residential boarding up in Harrow.
Landlords & letting agents
We regularly help landlords secure properties between tenants or after malicious damage. If keys are missing or locks have been compromised, boarding (or a temporary steel door) prevents repeat entry while you organise repairs.
For ongoing management across HA districts, see boarding up services in Harrow and areas we cover.
Commercial and facilities management
For shops, offices and managed sites, the priorities are often:
- preventing unauthorised entry and theft
- keeping the premises safe for staff/contractors
- documenting the work clearly for audit trails
We can support with method statements where required on managed sites (access permitting). For more, see commercial boarding up in Harrow.
Insurance and documentation (what we can help with)
Many customers ask: “Is door boarding covered by insurance?” It depends on your policy and the cause of damage.
What we can do:
- provide time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured entrance
- supply an itemised invoice and work description
- note practical details like approximate board thickness and fixing method used
What we can’t do:
- act as a loss adjuster
- promise what your insurer will or won’t cover
More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.
FAQs – Door Boarding in Harrow
How long does door boarding take?
It depends on the condition of the frame and whether we’re boarding over a door, securing an open doorway, or installing a temporary steel door. Straightforward jobs can be relatively quick; heavily damaged frames or awkward access can take longer.
Can you board up a door and still let me in and out?
Yes—if you need access, we’ll discuss options. In many cases a temporary steel door is the most practical way to keep the property secure while allowing controlled entry during repairs.
What if the door frame is damaged or the brickwork is loose?
We’ll assess on arrival. If fixings won’t hold safely, we’ll explain alternatives (often bracing, different fixing points, or a temporary steel door). If the structure is unsafe, we’ll be honest about what we can and can’t secure without additional building work.
Do you cover my area in HA0–HA9?
Yes. We cover Harrow and surrounding HA postcodes. If you’re not sure, check areas we cover or call 020 4634 5472 with your postcode.
Can you help after a burglary in Harrow tonight?
If it’s urgent, call us. We prioritise emergency calls, but we don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, access, and the nature of the job can affect how quickly we can attend. If you’re currently at risk, call the police first.
Related services that often go with door boarding
Door damage rarely happens in isolation. Depending on what’s been hit or forced, you may also need:
- window boarding in Harrow for sidelights and broken panes near the entrance
- roof boarding in Harrow if there’s been storm damage or forced access via a flat roof
- boarding up after storm damage if wind or debris has compromised doors and windows
- what boarding up is and how it works if you’re comparing options
Need door boarding now in Harrow?
If your door won’t lock, the frame is compromised, or the entrance has been forced, don’t leave it exposed overnight.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email for planned works or landlord jobs? Contact [email protected].
