Roof boarding Brighton (BN) – emergency roof & skylight boarding

When a roof is damaged, you don’t just lose tiles or glazing — you lose security and weather protection in one go. If you need roof boarding in Brighton after a storm, an impact, a break-in through a rooflight, or fire service access, we can help you secure the opening quickly and sensibly across the BN postcode area.

For urgent situations, call us now: Call 01273 092 166.

We cover Brighton and nearby BN districts (including BN1, BN2, BN3, BN41 and BN43), from dense terraces and listed buildings around central Brighton to modern flats, warehouses and light industrial units along the A270 and around Shoreham Harbour.

If you need immediate assistance outside normal hours, use our emergency boarding up service.

When roof boarding is needed (common emergency scenarios)

Roof openings are rarely “tidy” jobs. They’re often awkward, high-risk and time-sensitive — especially in coastal weather. We’re commonly called out for:

Storm damage: missing tiles/slates, lifted flashing, dislodged ridge tiles, or a hole from windborne debris
(see storm damage boarding)
Broken skylights/rooflights: cracked panes, shattered domes, failed seals letting water in
Flat roof damage: tears or punctures in felt/EPDM, damaged roof lanterns, exposed deck
Post-fire access: fire service ventilation cuts or damaged roof coverings where the property must be secured
(see fire damage boarding)
Accidental impact: tree limbs, ladders, dropped materials, or vehicle strikes affecting a lower roof
(see accident/impact damage)
Break-ins via roof access: particularly on commercial premises with rear access, alleyways, or low flat roofs
(see burglary repairs & boarding)

If you’re unsure whether boarding is appropriate (versus tarping or a roofer repair), tell us what’s happened and we’ll advise honestly. We secure openings; we don’t carry out full roof reinstatement or long-term roofing repairs.

Why roof openings need securing quickly

A roof breach can lead to fast, expensive knock-on damage — especially in Brighton’s exposed coastal conditions. Roof boarding is usually about preventing:

Water ingress into ceilings, electrics, insulation and plasterwork
Further wind damage (once a roof is compromised, it can deteriorate quickly)
Unauthorised access through rooflights or openings
Safety hazards from loose glazing, broken domes, or unstable edges

If it’s safe to do so, take a couple of photos from inside and outside before we arrive — it often helps with insurer documentation later. If it’s not safe (loose glass, unstable ceiling, visible sagging), keep people out and call us.

Our approach: safe, practical roof boarding in Brighton

Roof work is never “one size fits all”. A Victorian terrace off Lewes Road is a different proposition to a modern block near Brighton Marina or a unit closer to the A23/A27 junctions.

Our priority is to secure and weatherproof the opening as effectively as conditions allow, without causing unnecessary damage to the property.

What happens when you call

We ask a few quick questions: property type, height, access (scaffold/ladder access), size of opening, and whether there’s active leaking.
We advise on immediate safety: what to do until we arrive (e.g., isolate electrics if water is coming through light fittings).
We attend and assess access: safe ladder positioning, condition of substrate, and whether there’s a safer internal method.
We install a temporary secure cover: boarding or screening as appropriate.
You receive documentation: typically an itemised invoice and a brief work statement; time-stamped photos are available on request for insurers/landlords/facilities teams.

We don’t promise a fixed arrival time — conditions and job complexity vary — but we prioritise urgent calls where the property is exposed or insecure.

Materials we use (and why)

The right board depends on the opening, exposure and fixing options. We’ll explain what we’re using and why before we fit it.

Exterior-grade plywood (typical for roof boarding)

For many roof openings we use 18mm exterior-grade plywood because it:

Handles short-term exposure better than basic sheet materials
Holds fixings reliably
Provides a strong barrier against opportunistic entry

OSB (for certain applications)

For smaller openings or where weight and shape matter, 12mm OSB can be appropriate. It’s not always the best choice for high exposure, so we’ll recommend plywood where weather resistance is critical.

Fixings and anti-tamper methods

We use fixings appropriate to the structure (timber, masonry, metal) and the access available. Where there’s a security risk — for example, a vulnerable flat roof or an accessible extension roof — we’ll often use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside.

If the surrounding material is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. In some cases, attempting to “save” a rotten frame or crumbling substrate can make the situation worse; we’ll be straightforward about what will and won’t hold.

How roof boarding is installed (methods we commonly use)

Every roof is different, but the goal is consistent: secure the opening, reduce water ingress, and prevent unauthorised access.

Boarding over rooflights and skylights

If a rooflight is cracked or missing, we typically:

Remove or make safe loose shards where accessible (without taking on full glazing works)
Measure for a board that overlaps sound material
Fix into structural timbers where possible, rather than just thin trims
Seal obvious gaps where practical (weather conditions permitting)

For commercial rooflights on flat roofs, access and safe load-bearing are key. We’ll only step where it’s safe to do so.

Boarding a hole in a roof (missing tiles/slates or impact damage)

Where there’s an irregular opening, we’ll:

Establish a secure fixing line (rafters/battens where accessible)
Use a board large enough to bridge the damaged area
Fix in a way that resists wind uplift
Aim to create a temporary barrier that buys time for a roofer to carry out proper repairs

If the roof structure itself appears unstable, we may advise pausing and involving a roofer or structural professional. We can still secure from inside in some cases, but safety comes first.

Flat roof and roof lantern protection

Flat roofs around Brighton often have lanterns, roof hatches, or service penetrations. When these are damaged, we may board directly over the unit, or construct a temporary cover that protects edges and reduces pooling risk. If water is already inside, we’ll advise on practical next steps (ventilation, safe isolation of electrics) — but we’re not a drying or restoration company.

Emergency roof boarding vs other securing options

Sometimes “roof boarding” is part of a broader securing job. Depending on what’s happened, you may also need:

window boarding in Brighton if wind damage has taken out glazing on upper floors
door boarding if entry points have been forced
shopfront boarding for commercial premises with broken frontage glazing
Temporary perimeter control via temporary fencing for sites with debris or public access risk

If you’re dealing with a multi-point incident (storm, fire, impact), we can coordinate a practical securing plan so the building is safe to leave.

Properties we commonly help with in Brighton & the BN area

Roof boarding needs vary by building type. We regularly secure:

Victorian and Edwardian terraces with rear extensions and older rooflights (common around central Brighton and into Hove)
Blocks of flats with communal roof access, roof hatches, and shared responsibility between freeholders/managing agents
Retail and hospitality premises with flat roofs, service yards and outbuildings (often with accessible rooflines)
Warehouses and light industrial units where rooflights are large and vulnerable

For more on what we do for different building types, see residential boarding up and commercial boarding up.

Insurance and documentation (what we can provide)

If you’re claiming, it helps to show you took “reasonable steps” to prevent further damage. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t tell you what your insurer will accept, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for:

Itemised invoice
Work description (what was secured and how)
Time-stamped photos (available on request)
Site notes for landlords, managing agents and facilities teams

More guidance is on our insurance claims help page.

Roof boarding FAQs (Brighton & BN)

How long does roof boarding take?

It depends on access, height and how clean the opening is. A simple rooflight cover can be relatively quick; irregular storm damage on a pitched roof can take longer due to safe access and the need to create solid fixing points.

Can you board a roof in bad weather?

Often yes, but not always. High winds, heavy rain and unsafe ladder conditions can limit what’s possible immediately. If conditions make external access unsafe, we’ll discuss safer temporary measures and return when it’s viable.

Will boarding stop the leak completely?

Boarding usually reduces water ingress and protects the opening, but it’s not the same as a full roofing repair with tiles, flashing and membrane reinstatement. We’ll aim for the best practical temporary seal, but we’ll be honest about limitations.

Do you cover roof boarding across the BN postcode area?

Yes — we cover Brighton and the wider BN area (BN1–BN88). If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or call us.

I’m a landlord/managing agent — can you send photos and paperwork for the file?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped images and a clear work summary suitable for maintenance records, tenant communications and insurer follow-up.

What to do right now if your roof is open or leaking

If it’s safe:

Keep people away from the affected room/area (watch for ceiling bulges and dripping electrics).
Put buckets down and protect valuables; avoid moving electrics or lighting.
Take photos from a safe position for your records/insurer.
Call us to arrange roof boarding and temporary securing.

For urgent help: Call 01273 092 166 or email us.

Helpful links

Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.

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