Burglary Repairs in Slough: boarding up and securing your property after a break-in
A burglary is unsettling. Whether it’s a smashed window, a kicked-in back door, or a forced lock, your first priority is getting the property safe again—quickly, and without making the damage worse. We provide burglary repairs in Slough focused on immediate security: boarding up broken glazing, securing damaged doors, and fitting temporary protection so your home or premises can be locked up properly.
If you need urgent help, call us now on Call 01753 379 919. We cover Slough and the wider SL postcode area (including SL1–SL3 and nearby towns and villages).
When burglary repairs are needed (and what usually gets damaged)
Break-ins in Slough tend to be opportunistic and fast. We’re commonly called out to properties around busy routes like the A4 Bath Road, A355 and near transport hubs such as Slough station—where footfall is high and damaged openings can’t be left exposed.
Typical burglary-related damage we secure includes:
- Smashed windows (front bays, side windows, ground-floor bathroom/kitchen windows)
- Patio doors and rear doors with damaged frames or locks
- UPVC door panels kicked through or prised open
- Shopfront glazing cracked or removed to gain access
- Internal doors damaged during the search through the property (less common, but it happens)
- Loose frames where the fixing points have been ripped out
If you’re dealing with a break-in right now, don’t worry about having every detail to hand. Tell us what’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight) and whether the building is occupied or vacant, and we’ll talk you through the safest next step.
For urgent call-outs, use our dedicated page for emergency boarding up.
First steps after a burglary (before we arrive)
If it’s safe to do so:
- Call the police and get a crime reference number.
- Don’t touch damaged entry points (doors, windows, frames) until the police have finished—fingerprints can matter.
- Take quick photos of the damage and any mess, especially if you’ll be making an insurance claim.
- Keep people away from broken glass and check for hazards on the floor and windowsill areas.
- If you can safely do it, close off the room (especially with children or pets in the property).
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the practical documentation insurers typically ask for—photos of the secured opening and an itemised invoice—so you’re not left chasing paperwork later. For more on this, see insurance claims support.
How we secure your property after a break-in
Burglary repairs, in the context of boarding up, are about making the property safe, weather-tight where possible, and difficult to re-enter while you arrange permanent repairs (glazier, locksmith, door replacement, etc.).
1) We assess the opening and the frame condition
On arrival, we’ll look at:
- What has actually failed: glass only, lock/handle, frame, hinges, or the surrounding structure
- Whether the frame is strong enough to take fixings safely
- Whether there are sharp edges, loose panes, or a risk of further collapse
- Whether a non-destructive fixing method is possible (important for uPVC and composite frames)
If the frame is too damaged to secure safely without further work, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
2) Boarding up broken windows (the most common burglary repair)
For residential and commercial windows, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable window boarding
- 12mm OSB can be used for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
We cut boards to suit the opening and fix them with security in mind. Where the property may be left unattended, we use anti-tamper fixings to make removal from outside significantly harder—particularly important for ground-floor windows, side access points, and secluded rear elevations.
If you want more detail on this specific service, see window boarding in Slough.
3) Securing damaged doors (front, back, patio and communal doors)
Doors are different: you usually need controlled access after we secure it. Depending on the door type and damage, we may:
- Board the door area to prevent entry where the lock/edge has failed
- Secure a vulnerable glazed panel within a door
- Install a temporary steel door where a timber or uPVC door has been forced and the property is vacant or at high risk
Temporary steel doors are especially useful for:
- Vacant properties
- Repeated-target locations
- Commercial units that need robust access control while repairs are arranged
Read more about door boarding in Slough if the break-in involved forced entry.
4) Shopfronts and commercial break-ins
If your shopfront has been attacked—often with bricks, tools, or impact damage—your priorities are keeping the premises secure and reducing disruption, especially if you’re on a busy stretch such as Wellington Street, High Street, or near the Queensmere Observatory area.
Shopfront openings are usually larger and may involve:
- Wide panes and multiple glazing sections
- Roller shutter issues
- Risk from remaining cracked glass
We can board the opening in a way that keeps the unit secure until your glazing contractor can replace the glass. For commercial-specific help, see shopfront boarding.
5) If the burglary has left rooflights or skylights exposed
Less common, but we do attend break-ins where access has been attempted via flat roof skylights, extensions, or vulnerable roof openings. In those cases we focus on safe access and weatherproofing, and we’ll only proceed where the structure allows.
See roof boarding for more on how we secure overhead openings.
What you can expect when you call Boarding Up Slough
We’ll ask a few practical questions to get the right materials and fixings on the van:
- What’s been damaged: window, door, shopfront, rooflight?
- Is the property occupied right now?
- Are the police still on scene / do you need to preserve the entry point?
- Any access issues (gated side access, upper floors, communal entrances)?
- Do you need a written work statement for your landlord/insurer?
After the job, customers typically receive:
- Time-stamped photos of the secured openings (useful for landlords, insurers, or managing agents)
- An itemised invoice
- A clear description of what was done and what still needs a permanent repair (glazing/lock replacement)
If you need to understand the wider options and terminology, our explainer on what boarding up is is a good starting point.
A realistic Slough burglary repair scenario (what it looks like in practice)
A common call-out we see: a ground-floor rear window forced at a family home in Cippenham, not far from Cippenham Green and with quick links back towards the A4. The glass is smashed, the window handle has been damaged, and the frame has been twisted slightly during entry.
In that situation, our approach is usually:
- Check the frame integrity and remove immediate hazards (loose shards where safe)
- Measure and cut 18mm plywood to cover the opening cleanly
- Fix using a method that keeps the board tight to the frame and resists external removal
- Photograph the finished boarding and provide an itemised invoice for the insurer
- Advise the customer what to tell their glazier (frame likely needs adjustment before new glazing)
It’s not about making it pretty—it’s about making it secure, safe, and ready for the next trade to complete the permanent repair.
Burglary repairs for landlords, letting agents and vacant properties
If the property is between tenancies—or you’re managing a block—speed and documentation matter. We regularly support:
- Landlords in SL1–SL3 with void properties after break-ins
- Letting agents who need the premises secured before viewings can resume
- Facilities teams who need consistent paperwork for internal reporting
For higher-risk or longer-term protection, we can also discuss security options suited to empty buildings; start here: vacant property boarding.
FAQs: burglary boarding and security in Slough
How quickly should I board up after a burglary?
As soon as the police have finished and it’s safe. An exposed opening invites further intrusion and weather damage. If you need urgent attendance, use emergency boarding up.
Is boarding up covered by insurance in Slough?
Often it can be, depending on your policy. We can provide photos and an itemised invoice that insurers typically request, but we can’t confirm cover on their behalf. See insurance claims support.
Will boarding up damage my window frames?
We aim to secure openings with the least additional damage practical. Some situations—especially where frames are already split or unstable—limit non-destructive options. If the frame is too compromised, we’ll explain what’s possible before fixing.
Can you secure a property if the door has been kicked in?
Yes. We can provide boarding solutions and, where appropriate, a temporary steel door option for stronger medium-term security. Start with door boarding in Slough.
Do you cover my area in the SL postcodes?
Yes—Slough and surrounding SL districts. If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us.
Next steps: get your property secure
If your home, flat, shop or unit has been broken into, the key is to secure the opening properly so you can breathe again and arrange the permanent repair.
Need help now? Call 01753 379 919 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-slough.co.uk
