Commercial Boarding Up in Maidstone (ME Postcodes)
When something goes wrong at a business premises, it rarely happens at a convenient time. A smashed shopfront on Week Street, a forced rear door off St Peter’s Street, or storm damage to a warehouse roof near Bircholt Road can put stock, equipment and your duty of care at risk overnight.
We provide commercial boarding up in Maidstone and across the ME postcode area (ME1–ME20)—helping shop owners, landlords, facilities managers and agents secure buildings quickly and sensibly, with the right materials and fixings for the situation.
If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or Call 01622 580 086.
Who this page is for (and what we actually do)
Commercial sites vary—from glass-fronted retail units in Maidstone town centre to offices around Eclipse Park, industrial units near the M20, and empty properties between tenants. Our role is simple:
- Secure vulnerable openings (windows, doors, shopfronts, rooflights)
- Reduce the risk of further damage from weather, trespass or theft
- Provide documentation that insurers and managing agents typically need
We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic on the A229, A20 or M20 can change things), and we’re not loss adjusters. What we can do is make your premises safe, secure and presentable enough to control the situation while permanent repairs are arranged.
Common commercial scenarios we deal with in Maidstone & the ME area
Every job is different, but these are the patterns we see most often in local commercial properties.
1) Smashed shopfront glazing (retail and high-footfall areas)
Maidstone town centre has plenty of glass-heavy frontages—especially around Week Street, Gabriel’s Hill and the streets leading to Fremlin Walk. When a pane goes (vandalism, an accident, attempted theft), you usually need:
- Fast securing to prevent entry and protect stock
- A solution that’s strong enough to deter repeat attempts
- A tidy finish that keeps you on the right side of safety expectations
This is where our shopfront boarding service is typically the right fit.
2) Forced entry at rear doors and service alleys
A lot of break-ins happen away from the main frontage: rear fire exits, staff doors, delivery bays and side access routes. Damage can include split timber frames, pulled locks, snapped hinges or a door that won’t close.
Depending on what’s failed, we’ll either provide door boarding or, for higher-risk sites and repeated targeting, we may recommend a temporary steel door (more secure than timber boarding when the opening will be unattended).
For the “what next” guidance after a crime, see burglary repairs and boarding up.
3) Vacant commercial units between tenants
Empty units attract attention—especially if they’re visibly unoccupied. If you’re a landlord or managing agent securing a unit in Maidstone, Allington or Aylesford, priorities often include:
- Preventing unauthorised entry and fly-tipping
- Keeping the building weather-tight
- Minimising damage that could delay re-letting
We can advise on the most sensible level of security—short-term boarding for immediate risk, or more robust options where void periods are expected.
4) Storm damage to roofs, skylights and high-level glazing
Warehouses, trade counters and light industrial buildings often have rooflights or fragile glazing that can fail in high winds. If water is getting in, the cost escalates quickly—damage to electrics, stock, ceilings and internal finishes.
Our roof boarding service focuses on securing the opening and limiting further ingress. We’ll also flag if access is unsafe or specialist equipment is required, and we’ll talk you through options before proceeding.
If you’re dealing with this right now, the dedicated page for storm damage boarding is a useful checklist.
5) Impact damage (vehicle strikes, loading bay accidents)
Commercial sites see more vehicle movement—delivery vans, forklifts, and customer parking. A low-speed impact can still take out glazing, frames, roller shutter guides, or corner masonry.
In these cases, we secure what we can and help you stabilise the risk area while you arrange longer-term building repairs. For incident-specific guidance, see accident damage boarding.
6) Fire and flood-related opening security
After a fire, the building may be unsafe, and glazing/frames can be compromised. After flooding, timber can swell, doors stick, and locks fail—even if the building looks intact.
We can secure the property after the incident, but we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or drying services. The relevant guides are:
How we board up commercial premises (materials and methods)
Commercial boarding isn’t just “nailing a sheet over a hole”. The method depends on the opening type, the risk profile and whether the building must remain operational.
Our typical materials (chosen for the job)
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and durability (common for shopfronts and high-risk openings)
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings or where a lighter-duty solution is appropriate
- Anti-tamper fixings where the board must not be removable from the outside
- Temporary steel doors when you need repeated access but strong security (especially after forced entry)
If the frame is too damaged for a non-destructive approach, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—what can be fixed safely, what might cause further damage, and what a locksmith or glazier may need to handle.
Fixing methods (what we consider on-site)
We choose a fixing approach based on the substrate and access:
- Recess fix / internal baton method where suitable, to reduce external tampering
- Through-fix with anti-tamper fixings when the opening is exposed and the building will be unattended
- Edge protection and careful placement to avoid further cracking around remaining glass and frames
For many commercial sites, it’s as important to keep things orderly and compliant as it is to make them secure—clear edges, no trip hazards, and safe access routes for staff.
Working around operational needs
Some businesses can’t shut down completely. Where feasible, we’ll help you keep access:
- Boarding only the affected bays/panels
- Installing a temporary steel door for controlled entry
- Advising on immediate “make safe” steps while you wait for permanent glazing/door repairs
If you’re unsure which service applies, start with what is boarding up? for a plain-English overview.
Commercial sites we regularly secure in and around Maidstone
We work across Maidstone and the wider ME area, including:
- Town centre retail and offices (Week Street, King Street, around Maidstone East/West)
- Business parks and mixed-use sites such as areas around Eclipse Park and along the A20 corridor
- Industrial and storage units with larger openings and rooflights, often closer to the M20 links
For location coverage and local pages, visit areas we cover. If you’re looking for a nearby team in a particular district, these pages are a good starting point:
- boarding up Maidstone (ME14)
- boarding up Allington (ME16)
- boarding up Aylesford (ME20)
- boarding up Chatham (ME4)
- boarding up Rochester (ME1)
A realistic example: shopfront damage near Maidstone town centre
A small retail unit just off Week Street reported a cracked and partially shattered lower pane after an attempted break-in. Staff were concerned about overnight security and the safety risk from remaining glass.
What we did:
- Confirmed the safest access route and checked for sharp glass and unstable frame sections.
- Installed 18mm exterior-grade plywood over the damaged section, with anti-tamper fixings to reduce the risk of removal from outside.
- Ensured the boarded area was stable and didn’t interfere with the entrance mechanism or emergency exit route.
- Provided time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice/work statement suitable for the property manager and insurer.
Outcome: The unit was secured for the night, stock remained protected, and the business could arrange a glazier for a planned replacement without leaving the frontage vulnerable.
What you get (helpful for insurers, landlords and facilities teams)
Commercial jobs often involve third parties—managing agents, insurers, security contractors, landlords and tenants. We make handover straightforward:
- Time-stamped photos of the completed boarding
- Itemised invoice and clear work description (what was secured and how)
- Notes on any access constraints or observed risks (e.g., unstable frame, high-level hazards)
For claim-related guidance, see insurance claims support. We can’t guarantee what your policy covers, but we can provide the sort of documentation insurers typically request.
FAQs for commercial boarding up in Maidstone
Can you board up a shopfront without closing the whole unit?
Often, yes. If the damage is confined to one bay/panel, we can usually board that section and keep the main entrance usable. If the doorway itself is compromised, door boarding or a temporary steel door may be more appropriate.
Do you work out of hours for commercial premises?
Yes—commercial incidents don’t stick to business hours. For urgent call-outs, use emergency boarding up or Call 01622 580 086.
Will boarding damage my frames or cladding?
We aim for secure, minimally invasive methods where the structure allows. If the surrounding frame is already split or unstable, we’ll explain the safest fixing option before starting.
Can you help if the property is in multiple units (retail park / parade)?
Yes. If you’re a facilities manager or agent dealing with several units, we can secure each affected opening and provide separate documentation per unit if needed for your records.
How much does commercial boarding up cost in Maidstone?
Costs depend on opening size, height/access, material choice, and how complex the fixing needs to be. We explain the cost drivers clearly on our pricing page.
Next steps: securing your commercial premises
If your business premises has been damaged, the priority is to stop the situation getting worse—secure the opening, reduce risk, and create a clean handover to your glazier, builder, or door contractor.
Ready to get started? Call 01622 580 086 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
