Fire Damage Boarding Up in Maidstone (ME1–ME20)

Fire damage is upsetting, disruptive, and often chaotic — especially in the first few hours when you’re dealing with the fire service, family, neighbours, or staff. Once the flames are out, the next immediate risk is usually exposure and security: broken windows, a forced entry point, missing doors, or a compromised roofline that leaves the property open to weather and opportunistic entry.

If you need help securing a property after a fire in Maidstone or across the ME postcodes, we can attend to board up vulnerable openings and help make the building safe to leave while you organise repairs and insurance.

Need urgent help after fire damage? Call 01622 580 086 or email us.

When fire damage leads to boarding up

Not every fire requires boarding, but in and around Maidstone we’re often called out when any of the following happen:

• Windows crack or blow out from heat (common with modern double glazing)
• Front/back doors are damaged by forced entry, heat, or firefighting activity
• Shopfront glazing fails on high streets or parades (impact + heat stress)
• Roof edges, soffits, or skylights are compromised, allowing water in
• The building is left unoccupied overnight while inspections and clean-up are arranged
• The property must be secured for insurers or loss adjusters to assess later

Even if the fire was contained to one room, smoke and heat can weaken frames and fixings. Boarding up is often a sensible, temporary step so you can focus on the next stage without worrying about the building being left open.

For urgent attendance outside normal hours, see emergency boarding up.

What to do straight after a fire (practical steps)

If the fire service has been in attendance, follow their advice first. Once it’s safe, these steps usually help:

1. Get a reference number (fire incident details, and police ref if relevant).
2. Take a few clear photos of damaged openings from a safe distance before anything is moved.
3. Call your insurer early and ask what evidence they need for emergency securing works.
4. Avoid touching damaged glass, frames, or electrics — heat can make materials brittle and unpredictable.
5. Secure access as soon as possible if you’re leaving the property unattended.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the work description, photos, and itemised invoice that insurers typically ask for. For more on documentation, see insurance claims support.

How we secure a property after fire damage (our approach)

Fire scenes are rarely “neat”. Frames can be warped, brickwork can be weakened, and internal access can be restricted. Our job is to secure openings without making the situation worse, and to communicate clearly if something can’t be fixed in a non-destructive way.

1) Quick assessment of access and safe fixing points

On arrival, we look at:

• Which openings are actually vulnerable (front elevation, rear access, alleyways, flat roofs)
• Whether frames are stable enough to take fixings
• If any areas should be avoided pending structural checks

If a window or door surround is too damaged to fix into safely, we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

2) Boarding up windows and glazing failures

For most post-fire window openings we use exterior-grade plywood (commonly 18mm) for strength and weather resistance, or OSB (often 12mm) for smaller or less exposed areas where appropriate.

We choose a fixing method based on the condition of the reveal and the risk level:

• Non-destructive methods where possible (to reduce further damage)
• Anti-tamper fixings where the property will be unoccupied or in a higher-risk spot
• Boards cut and positioned to reduce gaps and rattling in wind

If you want more detail on this service, see window boarding in Maidstone.

3) Securing doors and forced entry points

After a fire, doors are often damaged by heat, swelling, or impact. If a timber door won’t close or the frame is compromised, we can:

• Board over the doorway temporarily (where appropriate), or
• Install a temporary steel door for stronger medium-term security (ideal for vacant properties or repeated access by contractors/insurers)

Door security is covered in more depth on door boarding in Maidstone.

4) Shopfront and commercial frontage boarding

For retail units, cafés, offices, and small industrial premises around Maidstone (and across ME postcodes), the priority is often:

• Immediate security for stock and equipment
• Maintaining a safe frontage for passers-by
• Enabling a controlled re-entry process for staff, landlords, and insurers

Shopfront openings can be large, so we use appropriately sized sheets, robust fixings, and sensible jointing to create a secure barrier.

Read more about shopfront boarding.

5) Roof edges, skylights, and overhead openings

Fire damage at roof level can be deceptive. Even if the main roof covering is intact, heat can damage:

• Skylights and roof lanterns
• Fascias/soffits and felt edges
• Roof windows and dormer glazing

Where access is safe and appropriate, we can board or weatherproof roof-level openings to reduce water ingress while you arrange permanent repairs.

See roof boarding services.

Materials & methods we use (and why)

We keep it practical and proportionate. After fire damage, the aim is security + weather protection, not a cosmetic finish.

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood: strong, reliable for larger openings and higher-risk locations
• 12mm OSB: useful for smaller openings and internal/less exposed areas
• Anti-tamper fixings: reduce the risk of boards being removed from the outside
• Temporary steel doors / security options: where repeated access is needed, or for vacant properties

If the building is likely to be empty for weeks (for example, pending investigations, drying, or major reinstatement), it can be worth discussing longer-term securing options under vacant property boarding.

What you get from us (useful for insurers and property managers)

We aim to make the “admin” side easier when you’re already dealing with enough.

Typically, you’ll receive:

• A clear description of what we secured and how
• Time-stamped photos of the boarded areas (before/after where possible)
• An itemised invoice and work statement suitable for insurance submission
• Practical advice on next steps (for example, whether you may need a glazier, roofer, or locksmith)

If you’re coordinating as a landlord or facilities manager, we can also work with agreed access arrangements and provide documentation for your internal reporting.

Maidstone & ME coverage: where we attend after fire damage

We’re based around Maidstone and cover the ME postcode area (ME1–ME20). That includes Maidstone town centre and surrounding areas such as Allington, Bearsted, Barming, Aylesford, Larkfield and more.

If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.

Common questions after a fire (Fire Damage FAQs)

Do you provide 24/7 fire damage boarding up in Maidstone?

We do offer urgent help, including out-of-hours attendance, depending on demand and conditions. We don’t promise fixed arrival times — situations vary — but we prioritise vulnerable properties.

If it’s urgent tonight, use emergency boarding up and call 01622 580 086.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after a fire?

Often, emergency securing work is covered, but policies vary. It helps to contact your insurer as early as possible. We can provide photos and paperwork that insurers typically request. See insurance claims support.

Can you board up a property if windows and frames are heat-damaged?

Usually yes, but it depends how stable the surrounding structure is. If frames are too compromised for secure fixings, we’ll explain options (including alternative fixing points or different security methods) before doing anything.

Do you clean up smoke or fire residue?

No — smoke/odour remediation and full clean-up are specialist services. Our role is to secure the property (windows, doors, shopfronts, roof openings) so the next trades can work safely and the building can be left protected.

How long will the boards stay up?

As long as needed for safety and security. Some customers only need overnight protection until a glazier arrives; others need longer while inspections and reinstatement are arranged. If the property will be empty for an extended period, we can discuss stronger options like temporary steel doors or longer-term screening.

Related services for fire-damaged properties

Depending on what the fire affected, these pages may help:

• If glazing has failed: window boarding in Maidstone
• If a door won’t secure: door boarding in Maidstone
• If it’s a retail or commercial frontage: shopfront boarding
• If rooflights/roof edges are exposed: roof boarding services
• If it’s urgent or out of hours: emergency boarding up

Helpful Links

• emergency boarding up
• window boarding in Maidstone
• door boarding in Maidstone
• shopfront boarding
• roof boarding services
• insurance claims support

Next steps: secure the property, then plan the recovery

Fire damage is stressful — but securing the building quickly gives you breathing space to deal with insurers, surveys, and repairs without worrying about further loss.

Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or, if it’s not urgent: Ready to get started? Call 01622 580 086 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.