Roof Boarding in Maidstone (Emergency Roof & Skylight Boarding)
When your roof is damaged, the priority is simple: stop the weather getting in and reduce the risk of further harm to the building. If you’re dealing with a missing tile section after high winds, a smashed skylight, or impact damage from a fallen branch, our roof boarding in Maidstone service is designed to secure the opening quickly and sensibly—without creating avoidable damage.
We cover Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20), including call-outs around the town centre, Penenden Heath, Loose, Allington, Bearsted and out towards the Medway and Malling areas. If you need urgent help, use our emergency line.
Need urgent roof boarding? Call 01622 580 086
Prefer email (non-urgent): info@boarding-up-maidstone.co.uk
For out-of-hours assistance, see emergency boarding up.
When roof boarding is needed (common emergency scenarios)
Roof and skylight openings often happen suddenly—and they rarely wait for business hours. We’re typically called out for:
- Storm damage: lifted felt, missing tiles, damaged verge or ridge lines, or debris impact after heavy winds
(see storm damage boarding) - Broken skylights / rooflights (including flat-roof domes and larger roof lantern panels)
- Fire damage where the roof structure has been opened up during firefighting or is no longer secure
(see fire damage boarding) - Accidental impact: fallen branches, scaffold strikes, or vehicle impact affecting a low roof/garage roof
(see accident damage boarding) - Vacant properties with known roof access points that need securing to deter entry
(see vacant property boarding)
If there’s an active leak, avoid putting buckets in loft spaces near electrics and don’t climb onto the roof—especially in wind or rain. If it’s safe to do so, move valuables away from the affected area and take photos for your insurer before any temporary works begin.
What roof boarding actually does (and what it doesn’t)
Roof boarding is a temporary security and weatherproofing measure. It’s designed to:
- Cover exposed openings (skylights, holes, missing sections)
- Reduce rain ingress and draughts
- Deter opportunistic access through the roof
- Make the property safer while you arrange permanent repair
Roof boarding is not a full roof repair or re-roofing service. We can stabilise and secure the opening and leave the area in a safer, more controlled condition. If the surrounding structure is unsafe (e.g., unstable timbers or severe fire damage), we’ll talk you through realistic options before we proceed.
Roof boarding in Maidstone: how we approach an emergency call-out
Every roof opening is different—pitched roofs, flat roofs, extensions, and commercial units all present different access and fixing challenges. Our approach is practical and safety-led.
1) Triage on the phone (so we arrive prepared)
When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions:
- What’s been damaged (skylight, felt, tiles, roof deck)?
- Is the property currently occupied?
- Can you see daylight from inside / is water coming in?
- Any access restrictions (rear access only, narrow alleyway, shared driveway)?
- Any immediate hazards (loose slates, hanging glass, power lines)?
If you’re unsure, that’s fine—clear photos from ground level can help, but only if it’s safe.
2) Safe access and assessment on arrival
We assess access and the condition of the surrounding materials. In Maidstone, we often see:
- Victorian and Edwardian terraces near the centre with tight access and shared boundaries
- 1930s semis around areas like Loose and Penenden Heath with extensions and mixed rooflines
- Newer estates and apartment blocks where management procedures and permits may apply
We’ll also consider nearby risks—busy roads, parking restrictions, and whether the opening is visible from the street (which can increase the need for stronger anti-tamper methods).
3) Boarding, fixing, and basic weatherproofing
We cut and fit panels appropriately and fix them in a way that suits the surface and risk level. The aim is a secure, stable temporary cover that doesn’t create unnecessary additional damage.
4) Documentation for your records/insurer
Where requested, we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice and written statement of works
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the kind of evidence insurers typically ask for. For guidance, see insurance claims support.
Materials we use for roof and skylight boarding (and why)
Choosing the right sheet material matters more on roofs because of wind uplift, rain exposure, and the angles involved.
Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm for larger openings)
For many roof boarding jobs—especially skylights/rooflights—exterior-grade plywood is a strong, reliable option. We often use 18mm when we need rigidity across a span or where wind exposure is high.
Why it works well:
- Strong and stable under load
- Better edge integrity for fixings
- Suitable for larger openings and higher-risk sites
OSB (typically 12mm for smaller or sheltered areas)
OSB (Oriented Strand Board) can be suitable for smaller openings or more sheltered roof sections where the forces are lower.
Why we might use it:
- Cost-effective for smaller panels
- Quick to cut and fit
- Practical for short-term protection when conditions allow
We’ll choose materials based on opening size, roof type, exposure, and how long the property is likely to remain secured before permanent repairs.
Fixing methods and anti-tamper options (security matters on roofs too)
Roof openings can be a target—particularly on vacant buildings, shops, and properties with easy rear access. We use fixings that match the risk and the substrate.
Depending on the situation, we may use:
- Through-fixing where appropriate, using coach screws/bolts with spreads/washers to avoid pull-through
- Anti-tamper fixings to help prevent removal from the outside (important for unattended properties)
- Battening to spread load and improve panel stability on uneven surfaces
- Non-destructive methods where feasible (particularly when protecting frames around rooflights)
If the surrounding frame or roof deck is too damaged to hold fixings safely, we’ll explain that clearly and discuss safer alternatives before proceeding.
Emergency roof boarding for homes, shops, and commercial buildings
Residential roof boarding
For homeowners and landlords, the goal is often to prevent further water damage to ceilings, insulation, and electrics, while keeping the house secure.
If you’ve also had window damage during the same event (common after storms), we can combine roof work with window boarding in Maidstone.
Commercial roof boarding (units, offices, industrial)
For commercial sites, we’re used to working around:
- Site access rules and keyholders
- Shared car parks and loading areas
- Requirements for RAMS-style paperwork from facilities teams (where needed)
If the incident involves doors being forced or a security breach, you may also need door boarding or a temporary steel door solution for medium-term protection.
Related situations we handle alongside roof boarding
Roof damage rarely happens alone. We regularly coordinate boarding with other measures depending on what’s occurred:
- Post-storm securing: storm damage boarding
- After a fire: fire damage boarding
- After impact damage: accident damage boarding
- If the property has been targeted: vandalism repair and boarding
If you’re unsure which service you need, start with what boarding up is or call and describe what’s happened.
What to do right now if your roof is damaged (quick, practical steps)
- Keep people away from the affected room/area if there’s risk of falling debris or glass.
- Switch off electrics to the affected area if water is entering near light fittings (only if safe).
- Take photos for your insurer (from a safe position—don’t climb onto the roof).
- Call your insurer early and keep any reference numbers handy.
- Call us to secure the opening: Call 01622 580 086
If you’re dealing with urgent risk (open hole, heavy leak, exposed loft), go straight to our emergency boarding up page.
Roof Boarding FAQs (Maidstone & ME area)
How fast can you attend for emergency roof boarding in Maidstone?
We prioritise urgent, safety-critical openings, but we don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic on routes like the A229/A249 corridors and weather conditions can affect attendance. If it’s an emergency, use emergency boarding up and we’ll triage your call.
Will roof boarding stop the leak completely?
It’s designed to reduce ingress and protect the opening, but with wind-driven rain and complex roof shapes, no temporary measure can be guaranteed “fully watertight” in all conditions. We’ll aim for the best practical seal and stability for the circumstances and explain any limitations on site.
Do you board over broken skylights?
Yes—broken skylights and rooflights are a common call-out. We can secure the opening using appropriately sized plywood/OSB panels and fixings suited to the surrounding frame and roof construction.
Is roof boarding covered by insurance?
Often it can be, especially where it’s a necessary step to prevent further damage after a covered event (storm, vandalism, accidental impact). Cover varies by policy, so we recommend checking with your insurer. We can provide photos and paperwork to support a claim—see insurance claims support.
Can you secure other parts of the property at the same time?
Yes. If a storm has damaged windows and doors as well as the roof, we can combine roof work with window boarding and door boarding where appropriate.
Why customers choose us for roof boarding in Maidstone
People usually call us when they’re stressed and trying to prevent a bad situation getting worse. What we focus on is straightforward:
- Clear, practical advice when you call
- Safe, appropriate materials and fixings (not “one-size-fits-all”)
- Honest explanation of what temporary works can achieve
- Documentation available for landlords, managing agents, and insurers
- Coverage across Maidstone and ME postcodes (ME1–ME20)
If you’re comparing options, you may also want to review our approach to boarding up services and common questions on the FAQs.
Helpful links
- emergency boarding up
- window boarding in Maidstone
- door boarding in Maidstone
- fire damage boarding
- storm damage boarding
- insurance claims support
Get roof boarding help now
If your roof, skylight, or rooflight has been damaged and you need the building secured, we can help across Maidstone and the ME area.
Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Non-urgent enquiries: info@boarding-up-maidstone.co.uk
