Where does emergency board-up fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Emergency Board-Up
Work planned around the house you live in, with the rest of the home kept livable where possible.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For an insurance claim: Emergency Board-Up
We document the work so your insurer can see what was found and what was done.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial buildings: Emergency Board-Up
Scheduled around an occupied business and built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condos and multi-unit buildings: Emergency Board-Up
Coordinated with the building, the board and the access rules.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Emergency Board-Up
Planned for durability, tenant turnover and a schedule that keeps the unit available.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Emergency Board-Up
Secure the property first. Board-up protects the home from weather, theft and further damage.
What it is
After a fire, storm or break-in, an open window or door leaves the home exposed. Board-up secures the openings so the property is protected while the damage is assessed and repaired.
Board-up is usually the first step. It is done quickly and planned so the repairs can start without taking it down again.
How it works
- Call usTell us what happened and where the openings are. We confirm how quickly we can attend.
- Secure the openingsWindows, doors and roof openings are covered with weather-resistant boarding.
- Check for further damageWe look for water, structural issues and anything that needs urgent attention.
- Plan the repairsWe document the work and plan the next step with you and your insurer.
What we look at
Windows and doors
Boarding sized to the opening, fixed so it holds in wind and rain.
Roof openings
Temporary covers that keep water out until the roof is repaired.
Decision 1: Where emergency board-up is used
Board-up goes into homes and buildings after fire, storm, break-in or structural damage. The openings have to be secured quickly, and the protection has to last until the repair.
| Use | Typical openings | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Fire damage | Windows and doors burned or broken | Speed, security, weather |
| Storm damage | Broken windows, damaged doors | Wind and rain protection |
| Break-in | Doors and windows forced | Security and visibility |
| Commercial | Storefronts and large openings | Security, code, access |
Our pick: Secure the openings first. The repair can wait; an open house cannot.
Decision 2: Assessing the openings
Each opening is measured and assessed for the board that fits it and how it will be fixed. The fit decides whether the board holds in wind and rain.
| Opening | Board | Fixing |
|---|---|---|
| Window | Plywood or OSB cut to the opening | Fixed to the frame, not only the glass |
| Door | Board cut to the door and frame | Fixed to the frame and the jamb |
| Large opening | Engineered board or panel | Fixed to the structure |
Our pick: Fix the board to the frame. A board that rests on the glass blows off in the first wind.
Decision 3: Materials and method
The board is cut, fixed and sealed. The method is chosen for the opening, the weather and how long the protection has to last.
| Method | Used for |
|---|---|
| Plywood or OSB board | Standard windows and doors |
| Metal or polycarbonate panel | Longer protection or commercial openings |
| Temporary cover | Roof and open-roof areas |
Our pick: Plywood for most openings. Metal or polycarbonate where the protection has to last longer.
Decision 4: Checking the rest of the structure
Board-up is done with the structure checked. Damage found during the work, such as a weakened frame or water entry, is reported before the board is fixed.
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Frame around the opening | Sound enough to fix the board to |
| Roof above the opening | Open or leaking, needs a cover |
| Water entry | Stopped before more damage |
Our pick: Report damage found during board-up before you close the opening. It changes the scope.
Decision 5: Safety on site
The site after a fire or storm is hazardous. Glass, unstable structure, electrical damage and sharp materials are managed before the work.
| Hazard | Action |
|---|---|
| Broken glass | Cleared and bagged before boarding |
| Unstable structure | Assessed before anyone works under it |
| Electrical | Power off to the area before work |
Our pick: Clear the glass and check the structure before anyone works in the opening.
Decision 6: Access and security
The board-up keeps people out as well as the weather. The access is controlled and the site is visible to the owner.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Fixings | Hold up to wind and forced entry |
| Access | Controlled by the owner or the insurer |
| Visibility | Notice on the site with contact details |
Our pick: Fix the board so it cannot be pried off with hand tools. The owner should be able to see who has been in.
Decision 7: Insurance and documentation
Board-up is often part of an insurance claim. Photos before and after, and the list of openings boarded, support the claim.
| Record | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Photos before and after | The openings as found and as protected |
| List of openings | Each opening boarded and when |
| Damage found | Anything added to the scope |
Our pick: Photograph each opening before and after the board. The list is what the insurer will ask for.
Decision 8: Coordination with the repair
Board-up is the first step of the repair. It is planned so the boards come off in the right order, and the repair starts without taking the protection down twice.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Board-up | Openings protected |
| Assessment | Scope written with the insurer |
| Repair | Boards removed in order, repair started |
Our pick: Plan the board removal with the repair. Taking the boards down twice wastes time and money.
Decision 9: After-care and removal
The boards stay until the openings are repaired or replaced. Checking them after a storm and removing them in the right order keeps the house secure.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Boards | Checked after each storm |
| Fixings | Checked for loosening |
| Removal | Done in the repair order |
Our pick: Check the boards after each storm, and remove them only when the repair is ready.
Questions
How fast can you come out?
Call us and we will confirm the timing when you call. Speed matters, so do not wait.
Do I need to pay for board-up?
Board-up is often part of an insurance claim. We document it so your insurer can see what was done.
Can you do the repairs after board-up?
Yes. We can coordinate the repair work once the claim and scope are agreed.
Related: Fire, Smoke & SootStorm Damage RepairAll restoration