Door Boarding in Brighton (BN) – Emergency Door Security & Temporary Protection
When a door has been forced, split, or left hanging after a break-in or accident, you need it made safe quickly. Our door boarding in Brighton service is designed to secure damaged external doors and vulnerable access points across BN postcodes—so your home, shop or site isn’t left open overnight.
If you need urgent help, we can prioritise emergency call-outs and advise you on the safest next steps while you wait.
Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
If your damage is part of a wider incident (burglary, storm, fire, impact), you may also want our emergency boarding up page for out-of-hours guidance.
When door boarding is the right call (and when it isn’t)
Door boarding is usually the fastest way to secure an entry point when the existing door or frame can’t be locked properly.
Common reasons customers in Brighton and the BN area call us include:
- Forced entry: snapped locks, split timber, cracked uPVC panels, kicked-in doors
- Police damage: door forced for access and left unsecure (it happens)
- Accidents: impact damage from bikes, vehicles, or moving furniture through communal doors
- Vacant properties: doors that have been tampered with or repeatedly targeted
- Fire/flood aftermath: swollen frames, compromised locks, or missing door furniture (we secure the property rather than remediate)
Door boarding may not be the best solution if the doorway is structurally unsafe (for example, a collapsed lintel or significant movement). In those situations we’ll explain what we can safely do on-site and what needs a builder or structural contractor first.
For fire and flood incidents specifically, see fire damage boarding and flood damage boarding. We’ll secure the openings and help you document the condition for your insurer—but we don’t provide drying, deodorising, or restoration.
What “door boarding” actually means in practice
Door boarding is more than screwing a sheet over a hole. The goal is to create a secure, anti-tamper barrier that prevents easy removal from outside and reduces the risk of further entry, weather damage, and liability issues.
Depending on the door type and how it’s failed, we may:
- Board directly over the door leaf to prevent it opening
- Board over a missing or shattered door panel (common on some uPVC styles)
- Create a secure board across the entire doorway opening (if the door is beyond use)
- Reinforce a weak point (for example, where the lock area has split)
- Fit a more robust interim option such as a temporary steel door where appropriate (ideal for voids and repeat targeting)
If glazing is involved (e.g., a part-glazed front door), we often pair this service with window boarding in Brighton techniques to protect the glass area properly.
Emergency door boarding in Brighton: what happens when you call
When you’re dealing with a break-in or damage late in the day, you usually want to know two things: can you make it safe, and what do you need from me?
Here’s what to expect:
-
We take key details on the phone
Address (including access notes), what’s damaged, whether anyone is on site, and whether police have attended. -
We advise immediate safety steps
If there’s any risk (loose glass, unstable frames, conflict), we’ll tell you what to do until help arrives. If you have a crime reference number, keep it to hand. -
On arrival, we assess the door and frame
We check whether non-destructive securing is possible. If the frame is too damaged for secure fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding. -
We board and secure using appropriate fixings
Our aim is secure, neat, and practical—especially if you’ll need the opening reinstated later. -
You receive documentation
We can provide time-stamped photos, a clear work summary, and an itemised invoice—helpful for landlords, managing agents, and insurance claims.
Need urgent door boarding? Call 01273 092 166
Materials we use (and why)
We choose materials based on security, weather exposure, and the size/condition of the opening. We’ll always balance “secure enough” with “easy to reinstate later” where possible.
Exterior-grade plywood (typical for door boarding)
For most door boarding jobs we use exterior-grade plywood, commonly 18mm for strength and resistance to splitting. It’s a reliable option for:
- Front and back doors on houses and flats
- Communal entrances (where appropriate and authorised)
- Side access doors and alleyway entrances common in Brighton terraces
OSB (for smaller or lower-risk openings)
OSB (Oriented Strand Board) can be suitable in certain scenarios—often around 12mm for smaller areas—particularly where the priority is short-term closure and the opening isn’t exposed to heavy tampering. We’ll advise what’s sensible; we won’t push a cheaper board if it’s likely to fail.
Fixings: security matters as much as the board
We often use anti-tamper fixings and methods that make removal from the outside difficult. That’s especially important if:
- The property will be unoccupied overnight
- It’s a shop or commercial unit with footfall nearby
- The door has already been targeted once
Where possible, we avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding masonry or frame. If we can achieve a secure result with non-destructive methods, that’s usually preferable—particularly in listed or older Brighton buildings where substrates can be fragile.
Door types we commonly secure across Brighton & BN postcodes
Brighton has a real mix—Victorian and Edwardian terraces, purpose-built blocks, converted Regency buildings, and modern developments. Door construction varies widely, and so do the failure points.
We regularly secure:
- Timber doors (often split around the lock case after a kick-in)
- uPVC doors (panel damage, failed multi-point locks, distorted frames)
- Composite doors (strong, but hardware and frames still fail under force)
- Aluminium commercial doors (often paired with shopfront glazing)
- Rear access and side gates that lead to kitchens, yards, or bin stores
If you’re a business needing frontage protection as well, see shopfront boarding in Brighton.
Emergency use-cases we see most (and how we handle them)
After a burglary or attempted break-in
Often the lock is damaged, the frame is split, or the door won’t close square. We’ll secure the doorway so you can safely leave the property, then you can arrange lock replacement and door repair in daylight.
More guidance: burglary repairs and boarding
Vandalism to entrances and communal doors
In busy areas—near pubs, takeaways, or seafront routes—communal doors can get damaged, buzzers ripped off, and panels kicked in. We can board or secure the entry point to reduce further access while you arrange permanent repairs.
Related help: vandalism repair and boarding
Storm damage and door failures
High winds can wrench poorly fitted doors, slam them off hinges, or damage frames—especially where properties are exposed. Our focus is on making the opening safe and weather-resistant as a temporary measure.
Impact damage (vehicle, bike, accidental collision)
Where a doorway has been hit, we’ll look for signs the structure around it is compromised. If it’s safe to do so, we’ll secure it; if not, we’ll tell you what needs addressing before boarding can be safely fixed.
Temporary steel doors vs boarding: which should you choose?
Boarding is ideal for rapid temporary security, but it isn’t always the best medium-term solution—especially for empty buildings.
A temporary steel door may be better if:
- You need repeated access (builders, surveyors, agents)
- The property is vacant or between tenancies
- The location is at higher risk of repeat attempts
- You want a more durable solution than timber boarding
If you manage empty buildings, see vacant property boarding solutions. We’ll talk you through what’s proportionate—boarding, temporary steel doors, or longer-term screening—based on the situation.
What you get from us
We try to make this straightforward—especially when you’re already dealing with police, insurers, tenants, or neighbours.
Typically, you’ll receive:
- A clear explanation of what’s possible and what isn’t (before we start)
- Suitable boarding material and fixings for the risk level
- A tidy, secure finish that prioritises safety and anti-tamper protection
- Time-stamped photos on request (useful for landlords and facilities teams)
- An itemised invoice and work description for your records/insurer
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but our documentation is usually what insurers want to see. More on that here: help with insurance claims.
Areas we cover for door boarding (BN1–BN88)
We provide door boarding across Brighton and the wider BN postcode area—covering central Brighton, Hove, and surrounding towns and villages.
If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, check our areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
Door boarding FAQs (Brighton & BN)
How long does door boarding take?
It depends on the door type, access, and how damaged the frame is. A straightforward board-over can be quick; a heavily damaged frame may need additional reinforcement to make the fixing secure. We’ll talk you through the likely approach when you call.
Is door boarding covered by insurance in Brighton?
Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, impact, or storm damage—but policies vary. We recommend you notify your insurer as early as you can and keep your reference number. We can provide photos and an invoice to support your insurance claim.
Can you board a door without damaging the frame?
Sometimes, yes. Where we can use existing strong points or non-destructive methods without compromising security, we will. If the only secure option requires fixing into surrounding material, we’ll explain why and what that means for reinstatement.
I’m a landlord/agent—can you liaise with tenants or keyholders?
Yes, as long as access is arranged and authority is clear. If keys are held at an office or key-safe, tell us early. For managed blocks and commercial sites, we can work with facilities teams and provide documentation afterwards.
Do you cover Brighton city centre and the wider BN area?
Yes—Brighton and Hove, plus BN postcode locations across Sussex. For specifics, see areas we cover.
Next steps: secure the door before it becomes a bigger problem
If your door has been forced or can’t be locked, it’s rarely worth “waiting until morning”—especially if the property will be empty or the door is visible from the street.
Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-brighton.co.uk
