24 Hour Emergency Boarding Up Brighton (BN1–BN88)

If you need emergency boarding up in Brighton, you’re probably dealing with a break-in, smashed glass, storm damage, or an unsafe opening that can’t be left overnight. We provide 24 hour boarding up Brighton property owners, landlords and businesses can rely on across Brighton & Hove and the wider BN postcode area.

Need help now? Call 01273 092 166
If it’s easier to send details first: [email protected]

We can secure damaged windows, doors, shopfronts and vulnerable openings, helping reduce the risk of further theft, weather damage, and injury—while you arrange repairs, glazing, or an insurance visit.

When to call for emergency boarding up (and when to call 999)

Emergency boarding is for situations where a property can’t be safely secured with the existing glazing/door, or where an opening is exposed to the street, weather, or public access.

Common call-outs we attend in Brighton and the BN area include:

  • Break-ins and attempted burglaries (splintered frames, forced doors, smashed panes)
  • Vandalism and impact damage (thrown objects, cracked shopfront glazing, damaged panels)
  • Storm damage (blown-in windows, dislodged panels, damaged rooflights)
  • Accidents (vehicle strikes, accidental breakage, fallen branches)
  • Fire and flood aftermath (once the emergency services have finished—our role is securing, not remediation)

If anyone is in immediate danger, a crime is in progress, or there’s a serious structural risk, call 999 first. If the police or fire service advise you to secure the building afterwards (a very common situation), then call us to board up Brighton properties safely and promptly.

For event-specific guidance, these pages may help:

Emergency boarding up across Brighton: what we secure

Brighton has a real mix of building types—from Regency and Victorian stock near the seafront and central areas to 1930s and post-war homes in the hills, plus busy commercial frontages around the city centre. Our emergency boarding service is designed to work across that variety.

We regularly board and secure:

  • Smashed or cracked windows (ground floor and upper floors where access allows)
  • Damaged doors (forced entry, broken locks, kicked panels)
  • Shopfront glazing (larger openings, busy footfall locations)
  • Rooflights/skylights and other overhead openings (weather exposure risk)

If you’re looking for a specific solution (rather than an urgent call-out), you can also read:

How our emergency boarding up works (step by step)

When you’re dealing with damage, clarity helps. Here’s what happens when you call.

  1. We take the key details on the phone

    • Address and access (keys, site contact, concierge, managing agent, or police presence)
    • What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
    • Any immediate risks (loose glass, exposed electrics nearby, vulnerable occupants)

  2. We assess on arrival

    • We’ll check the opening, frame condition, and fixing options.
    • If the surrounding frame is too unstable for a normal fix, we’ll explain what’s safe and practical before proceeding.

  3. We secure the opening with appropriate materials

    • Typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor windows/doors and larger openings.
    • OSB (often 12mm) can be suitable for smaller or less exposed openings where appropriate.
    • Fixings are selected to suit the substrate (timber, masonry, uPVC surrounds where viable), with a focus on holding power and safety.

  4. We prioritise security and weather resistance

    • Where the property will be unattended, anti-tamper fixings are used where practical to reduce the risk of removal from outside.
    • We aim to minimise gaps and draughts while keeping the install safe and secure.

  5. You receive documentation

    • An itemised invoice and a clear description of what was done.
    • Time-stamped photos of the secured area (useful for landlords, facilities teams, and insurers).

If you want background on methods and terminology, see: what is boarding up?

Materials and methods we use in emergency boarding

Emergency boarding isn’t “one sheet fits all”. The right approach depends on the opening size, the frame condition, and how exposed the location is (sea air and wind can be unforgiving along the coast).

Plywood vs OSB (and why it matters)

  • Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm) is our go-to for strength and durability, particularly for larger windows, doors, and shopfront panels.
  • OSB is a practical option for some smaller openings, temporary internal boarding, or where conditions allow—still secure when correctly fixed, but not always the best choice for high-risk frontages.

Anti-tamper fixings and sensible security

Where it’s appropriate, we use fixings designed to resist removal from outside. This is particularly relevant if:

  • The building is empty overnight
  • The opening faces a public street or alley
  • There’s been repeated vandalism

Temporary steel doors and longer-term securing

If a doorway is badly damaged (or the lock/door leaf has failed completely), boarding alone may not be the most practical solution for ongoing access. In those cases, we may recommend a temporary steel door for a more usable, medium-term secure entry.

For properties that are empty for longer periods, a more robust planned solution can be better than repeated boarding. See: vacant property boarding and security

Brighton-specific call-outs: what we see in real life

Brighton is busy, walkable, and full of mixed-use streets—so incidents can happen at awkward times.

A common scenario: a late-night shopfront impact around the city centre leaves cracked glazing and an exposed frontage. The priority is to secure the opening safely, reduce the chance of further damage, and leave the unit in a condition that insurers and glaziers can assess in daylight. We’ll typically board the affected panels, ensure the fixings can’t be easily removed from the pavement side, and provide photos/invoice notes the business owner can forward to their insurer and managing agent.

If your incident is burglary-related, start here: secure property after burglary in Brighton

What you can do right now (before we arrive)

Only do what’s safe. A few steps can make the situation calmer and help the process.

  • If it’s a break-in or vandalism, call the police and get a crime reference number
  • Take photos (from a safe distance) before anything is moved—helpful for insurers
  • Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames
  • If you can do so safely, lock other doors/windows and turn on lights
  • For commercial sites, consider isolating the area and protecting stock away from the opening

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. More guidance: insurance claims for boarding up in Brighton

Emergency boarding up for homes, flats and businesses

We cover emergency boarding for:

  • Residential properties (houses, flats, HMOs, blocks—often urgent for occupant safety)
    Related: residential boarding up
  • Commercial properties (shops, offices, cafes, pubs, warehouses—often urgent for stock and liability)
    Related: commercial boarding up
  • Vacant/void buildings (between tenancies, probate, repossessions—often needs stronger medium-term protection)
    Related: vacant property boarding

If you’re a landlord, managing agent, or facilities manager and need paperwork for internal approval, tell us on the call—we’ll tailor the invoice description and photo set to make that smoother.

Where we cover: Brighton & Hove and the BN postcode area

We provide emergency boarding up across Brighton (BN1, BN2) and nearby areas including Hove (BN3), plus the wider BN region (BN1–BN88). That includes coastal towns, commuter areas, and more rural villages where securing a property quickly can prevent further loss.

If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, check: areas we cover

Emergency boarding up FAQs (Brighton)

How fast can you attend an emergency in Brighton?

We prioritise urgent jobs, especially where there’s a public safety risk or the property is fully exposed. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, access, and ongoing call-outs vary—but we’ll tell you honestly what we can do when you call.

Is emergency boarding up covered by insurance in Brighton?

Often, yes—particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or impact. Policies differ, and excesses apply. We can provide photos and an invoice/work description that insurers typically request. More info: insurance claims help

Can you board up a shopfront on a busy street?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial frontages and will work with site staff or security where needed. If you have requirements like RAMS or specific access times, mention it when you call so we can plan appropriately.

Will boarding damage my window frame or brickwork?

We aim to use the least destructive method that’s secure. Sometimes, especially after forced entry, the frame is already compromised and stronger fixing may be necessary for safety. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings and whether we’re dealing with loose glass, awkward access, or multiple elevations. A single window is usually straightforward; shopfronts and doors with frame damage take longer. We’ll talk you through what we expect once we understand the damage.

More general questions: boarding up FAQs

Ready to get help now?

If you need 24 hour emergency boarding up Brighton—whether it’s a home in BN1/BN2, a flat in a managed block, or a business premises that can’t be left exposed—call and we’ll talk you through the next steps.

Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]