Accident Damage Boarding Up in Slough (SL) — What to Do Next

Accidents happen fast. A vehicle clips a front wall, a delivery trolley goes through a pane, or a contractor drops something that shatters glazing. If your window, door or shopfront is left open to the street, you’ll usually need boarding up in Slough to make the property safe, secure and weather-tight until permanent repairs can be arranged.

Boarding Up Slough secures homes and commercial premises across the SL postcodes (SL0–SL9 and surrounding areas). If you need urgent help, call Call 01753 379 919 or email info@boarding-up-slough.co.uk.

If you’re in immediate danger (e.g., structural collapse, gas leak, exposed electrics), step back and call 999. We can secure openings once the site is safe to access.

Common accident-damage situations we’re called to in Slough

Accident damage is different to burglary or vandalism: it’s often sudden, messy, and may involve debris or partial collapse around the opening. We commonly attend:

Vehicle impact into a shopfront, front door, bay window or low wall (common on busy routes like the A4 Bath Road, A355 Farnham Road, and near roundabouts and junctions)
Commercial accidents during deliveries or fit-outs—forklift strikes, pallet knocks, dropped tools, shattered safety glass
Domestic mishaps such as broken patio doors, cracked double-glazed units, or damaged uPVC frames after a fall or DIY incident
Construction-related accidents where temporary openings are left exposed (renovations, refits, voids)

In Slough, we often secure a mix of property types: 1930s semis and terraces, modern flats, and busy retail units. Accident damage can affect any of them, and the priority is always the same—make the opening safe, stop opportunistic entry, and reduce water ingress.

If the incident is at a business premises and you’re trying to keep trading, we’ll talk through practical options to secure the frontage and reduce disruption.

First steps after accident damage (before we arrive)

If it’s safe to do so, these steps can help protect you and support any insurance claim:

Check for injuries and hazards first
Glass, sharp metal, splintered timber, exposed wiring and unstable frames are common. Don’t try to move heavy debris alone.
Call the police if there’s road danger or public risk
If the damage opens onto the pavement or road, you may need the area controlled quickly.
Take photos (only if safe)
Wide shots and close-ups help. If the property is commercial, photograph signage too—insurers often want proof of the affected frontage.
Find your insurer details / incident reference
For vehicle impacts, there may be a third-party insurer involved. Keep any reference numbers you’re given.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically request, such as time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice. See: insurance claims support.

How we secure accident-damaged properties in Slough

Accident damage isn’t “one size fits all”. A cracked pane in a quiet cul-de-sac is very different to a smashed shopfront on a busy parade. Our approach is to assess what’s happened, then secure the opening using the most appropriate method and materials.

1) We assess the opening and the surrounding frame

On arrival we’ll look at:

Whether the frame is intact (timber/uPVC/aluminium)
Whether fixings can be installed non-destructively (important if you’re planning to keep the original frame)
Whether there are loose shards or unstable remnants that need careful handling
Whether the opening is ground-floor street-facing (higher risk) or less accessible

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before we proceed. Sometimes you need a stronger “make-safe” approach to prevent the board pulling away in wind or being levered off.

2) We choose the right materials (plywood vs OSB, and why it matters)

For most accident-damage boarding, we use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger or higher-risk openings (common for shopfronts, doorways and big windows)
12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate

Plywood generally provides better strength and durability, which matters if the property may remain boarded for more than a short period. OSB can be a practical solution for smaller windows or low-risk areas, but we won’t use it where the board needs to resist repeated attempts to pull it off.

3) We fix boards securely with anti-tamper methods where needed

Fixings depend on the surface and the condition of the reveal. Options can include:

Through-bolting with internal spreader plates (strong and harder to remove from outside)
Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unattended
Fixing into sound masonry or timber where safe to do so

Our goal is to secure the opening without creating unnecessary extra damage. That said, if the surrounding brickwork is already compromised, we may recommend a more robust method to ensure the board actually holds.

4) We consider weatherproofing and ventilation

Accident damage often leaves jagged edges and gaps. We aim to reduce water ingress and draughts, while also considering ventilation—particularly if the incident involved water damage, or if the property is going to be unoccupied.

If there’s a risk that sealing everything tightly could trap moisture (for example after a leak), we’ll talk you through sensible short-term options.

Which boarding-up service do you need after an accident?

Accidents usually affect one of four areas. These links explain each solution in detail:

Broken or missing window glass: window boarding in Slough
Ideal for shattered panes, cracked double glazing, broken bay windows and exposed ground-floor windows.
Damaged doors or forced frames (including impacts that twist the frame): door boarding up
Suitable when the door leaf is split, hinges have pulled out, or the frame is no longer secure.
Smashed shopfronts and commercial glazing: shopfront boarding
Designed for larger openings, higher footfall areas and situations where you may need to secure the premises out of hours.
Damage to overhead areas (skylights, rooflights, holed roofs after debris): roof boarding
Useful for weatherproofing and preventing further damage while you arrange repairs.

If the building will be empty for a period (for example, awaiting a structural inspection), we can also discuss longer-term options via property types we secure.

What you can expect when you call us

When you call 01753 379 919, we’ll ask a few quick questions to make sure we arrive prepared:

Is it a home or business?
What’s damaged: window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight?
Is the property safe to access (police/fire service already attended if needed)?
Approximate size/number of openings
Any constraints: shutters, rear access only, managed building, etc.

Once on site, we’ll confirm the plan, complete the boarding, and provide:

Time-stamped photos of the secured area (helpful for insurers and landlords)
A clear work summary of what was done and what materials were used
An itemised invoice for your records

We carry public liability insurance, and our technicians are DBS-checked for added reassurance—particularly important for residential and vulnerable-occupant situations.

For general pricing guidance, see: boarding up pricing in Slough. We don’t publish fixed prices because the opening size, height/access, and fixing method make a big difference.

A realistic example: vehicle impact near a busy Slough frontage

A common call-out is a vehicle clipping a ground-floor frontage on a busy road—think of premises near routes like the Bath Road (A4) where there’s constant traffic, deliveries and footfall.

In a typical scenario, the glazing is shattered and the frame is partly twisted. The priority is to make the area safe, remove immediate hazards around the opening, and then board up with strong exterior-grade plywood using a fixing method that can’t be easily undone from outside. If the frame won’t hold fixings safely, we’ll talk through alternatives before proceeding.

Once boarded, the business or property manager can arrange the longer repair (glazing contractor, joiner, or shopfront specialist), while the site remains secure.

Accident damage, liability and insurance: practical notes

Accidents can involve third parties (drivers, delivery firms, contractors). A few practical pointers:

Report and document early: keep reference numbers and contact details.
Don’t throw away key evidence unless it’s dangerous—insurers sometimes want to understand how the damage occurred.
Ask what your insurer needs: often it’s photos, proof the property is secured, and an invoice.

We can support you with documentation, but we can’t determine liability or handle claims negotiations. More guidance here: help with insurance claims.

FAQs about accident damage boarding up in Slough

How quickly should I board up after accident damage?

As soon as the opening creates a security risk or weather exposure. Ground-floor street-facing damage in Slough—especially near busy roads and footpaths—can attract opportunistic entry. If it’s safe to do so, call 01753 379 919 and we’ll prioritise urgent situations.

Can you secure a property if the frame is badly damaged?

Often, yes—but the method may change. If there isn’t enough sound structure for standard fixings, we’ll explain the safest approach before starting. Occasionally, we may advise that another trade (e.g., emergency builder) needs to stabilise the area first.

Do you board up shopfronts out of hours?

Yes, we handle urgent commercial call-outs. Shopfront openings are usually larger and higher risk, so we typically use stronger materials and fixings. See: shopfront boarding.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after an accident?

It can be, depending on your policy and the circumstances (including whether a third party is involved). We provide photos and paperwork that insurers typically request—see insurance claims support.

I’m in the SL postcode area but not in central Slough—can you still help?

Yes. We cover the wider SL area. If you’re not sure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

Helpful Links

Need help after accident damage?

If your property has been damaged and left exposed, we can secure it and help you move on to the next step.

Need help now? Call 01753 379 919 for immediate assistance.

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