Shopfront Boarding in Enfield (Emergency & Planned Security)
A smashed shopfront is stressful and time-critical. Whether it’s vandalism along Hertford Road, an attempted break-in near Enfield Town, or accidental impact damage on a busy parade, shopfront boarding in Enfield is about getting your premises secure, keeping the public safe, and reducing the risk of further loss.
If you need urgent help, we can arrange emergency shopfront boarding in Enfield across the EN postcodes. For immediate assistance, call 020 4634 5688 or email info@boarding-up-enfield.co.uk.
When you might need shopfront boarding (and why it can’t wait)
Retail and commercial glazing is vulnerable because it’s large, street-facing, and often targeted. Once a pane is cracked or missing, you’re dealing with:
- Security risk: opportunistic theft, repeat attacks, and overnight entry
- Public safety: sharp edges, loose glass, and trip hazards at thresholds
- Weather exposure: wind and rain can damage stock, electrics, flooring and tills
- Business disruption: you may not be able to trade until the opening is safe
Common call-outs include:
- Vandalism (bricks, bottles, tools through glass) – see vandalism repair and boarding
- Burglary / attempted break-in where locks or frames are damaged – see burglary repairs and boarding
- Accident/impact damage (delivery mishaps, vehicle strikes, trolley impacts) – see accident damage boarding
- Storm damage where wind has popped panels or signage has come loose – see storm damage boarding
If you’re searching for “what to do if my shop window is smashed in Enfield”, the first step is simple: make it safe, then secure it. If it’s safe to do so, keep people away from the opening, don’t touch unstable glass, and take a few photos for your insurer before we arrive.
Emergency shopfront boarding: what happens when you call
When you contact us for emergency boarding up in Enfield, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we bring the right materials and fixings:
- Location and access (front on the street, rear service yard, inside a centre, shutters present)
- Size and type of opening (single pane, full-width shopfront, double doors, side panels)
- Condition of the frame (intact, twisted, loose, or pulled from the masonry)
- Immediate risks (hanging glass, alarm sounding, police on scene, water ingress)
- Whether you need trading access after boarding (e.g., access via a side door)
We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times because traffic, access and previous emergencies vary—but we prioritise unsecured commercial premises, especially where there’s a clear public safety risk.
If you need urgent help tonight, call our emergency line: 020 4634 5688. You can also read more about urgent call-outs on our emergency boarding up page.
How we board up shopfronts (materials and methods)
Shopfronts are different from typical domestic windows. The openings are larger, the frames are often aluminium or timber shopfront systems, and the frontage is directly exposed to footfall. We choose methods that balance security, safety, and practicality.
Board types we use (and why)
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, secure coverage on larger shopfront apertures
- Stiffer and more impact-resistant than thinner board
- Better for street-facing, high-risk locations
- 12mm OSB (or plywood where appropriate) for smaller panels or secondary openings
- Often used where the opening is limited in size or needs lighter handling
We’ll recommend the most suitable option on-site based on the opening size, condition, and how long it needs to stay in place.
If the premises will be empty for a period, we may discuss longer-term options such as steel security screens or a temporary steel door on vulnerable access points (see door boarding in Enfield for forced-entry situations).
Fixings: securing the board without creating new problems
A good shopfront board-up isn’t just “screw a sheet on”. The fixing method matters because it affects security, weather resistance, and the condition of the remaining frame.
Depending on the frontage, we may use:
- Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of boards being removed from outside
- Particularly important for unattended premises overnight
- Through-bolting with spreader plates/timber to distribute load on larger openings
- Helps avoid bowing and reduces stress on damaged frames
- Frame-conscious fixing where the shopfront system is salvageable
- We aim to secure without making glazing replacement harder later
If the shopfront frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding so you can make an informed decision—especially if the landlord, managing agent, or insurer is involved.
Weatherproofing and safety finishing
Where needed, we’ll add practical measures such as:
- Overlapping joints on multi-board spans to reduce drafts and rain entry
- Edge finishing to minimise sharp corners and snag points
- Internal boarding in certain layouts where external fixing isn’t safe or accessible
Our focus is to leave the frontage stable, secure, and safe for staff, customers, and passers-by.
Shopfront types we regularly secure in Enfield & the EN postcodes
Enfield has a real mix of commercial property—from small parades under flats to larger units and light industrial estates. We regularly board up:
- Retail units and salons with full-height glazed frontages
- Takeaways and restaurants with wide panes and door-side panels
- Offices and reception areas with glazed entrances
- Corner units with wraparound glazing (often more complex to brace)
- Units on parades where working space is tight and pedestrian safety is key
If you’re a facilities manager or landlord arranging works across multiple sites, we can provide consistent documentation and itemised invoices to help with internal approvals and insurance administration.
What you get from our shopfront boarding service
We aim to make the next steps easier, not harder. After securing the property, you can request:
- Time-stamped photos of the boarded frontage (useful for insurers and landlords)
- An itemised invoice with a clear description of works
- A brief work statement noting materials and fixing approach
- Guidance on what to tell your glazier/installer for permanent replacement
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.
Trading tonight vs. securing until replacement glazing arrives
A common question after a smash is whether you can keep trading. The answer depends on safety and access.
We can often secure the main opening while allowing for:
- A safe staff entrance (if there’s a separate door)
- A temporary access point if appropriate and agreed
- Clear “no public entry” arrangements while you coordinate repairs
If you need a solution that’s more robust than timber boarding for a longer period (e.g., vacant units or repeated targeting), read about options on our vacant property boarding page and discuss it with us.
If your shopfront is damaged: what to do before we arrive
If you’re on site and it’s safe:
- Keep people away from the damaged area (inside and outside)
- Don’t handle loose glass—it can shift and cause injury
- Take a few photos for your insurer (only if safe and quick)
- Keep any police incident number if there’s been a break-in
- Call us: 020 4634 5688
If there’s immediate danger to the public (large shards, unstable glazing, traffic impact), call emergency services first.
Related services (often needed with shopfront boarding)
Shopfront damage is rarely isolated. You may also need:
- Window boarding for side windows, upper-floor panes, or rear glazing — window boarding in Enfield
- Door boarding where locks/frames are compromised — door boarding in Enfield
- Roof boarding if skylights or rooflights are broken (common on rear extensions) — roof boarding in Enfield
- Temporary fencing if the frontage is open or the site boundary is compromised — temporary fencing
FAQs: Shopfront boarding in Enfield
How quickly can you board up a smashed shopfront?
We prioritise urgent commercial call-outs, particularly where the premises can’t be secured or there’s a public safety risk. We can’t guarantee an exact arrival time because jobs vary, but we’ll give a realistic indication based on current workload and location.
If you need urgent help, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.
Do you use plywood or OSB for shopfront boarding?
For larger, street-facing shopfronts we often use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it’s strong and durable. OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or short-term needs. We’ll choose the best material for the opening size and risk level.
Will boarding damage my shopfront frame?
Our aim is to secure the opening while minimising additional damage. Where the frame is intact, we use fixing methods that are appropriate to the shopfront system. If the frame is already torn, unstable, or unsafe to fix into, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
Is shopfront boarding covered by insurance?
Often it can be, especially after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact incidents—but policies vary. Keep your crime reference/incident number (if applicable), take photos if safe, and contact your insurer early. We can provide photos and an itemised invoice—see insurance claims support.
Can you board up outside of normal business hours?
Yes—out-of-hours call-outs are common for shopfront incidents. If you need help tonight, contact us via emergency boarding up.
Areas we cover (EN postcodes)
We’re based around Enfield and cover the EN postcode area, including EN1–EN11 and surrounding districts. If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or contact us.
Ready to secure your shopfront?
If your premises has been damaged and needs securing, we’ll talk you through the options and arrange the right level of protection.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5688 for immediate assistance.
Or email info@boarding-up-enfield.co.uk.
