Storm damage boarding up in Brighton (BN1–BN88): what to do next
Storm damage is stressful—especially when it leaves a window rattling in the frame, a door that won’t close, or rain getting into a roof space. If you need storm damage boarding in Brighton or anywhere across the BN postcode area, our job is simple: make your property safe, secure and weather-tight until permanent repairs can be completed.
We handle everything from cracked panes and blown-in glazing to impact damage from flying debris. We’re not roofers or glaziers, and we won’t pretend to be—but we are the people you call to secure the opening quickly and properly, with the right fixings and materials.
Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
When storm damage tends to happen around Brighton
Brighton and the Sussex coast get a particular mix of wind, salt air and sudden squalls that can expose weak points fast—especially on seafront-facing elevations and higher, more open areas.
Common storm-related callouts we see across BN postcodes include:
- Broken or cracked windows after wind-driven debris or pressure changes (often bay windows and older frames)
- Doors forced out of alignment, damaged multipoint locks, or blown-open panels
- Shopfront glazing damaged overnight (even a small crack can become a full failure under wind load)
- Roof vulnerabilities: missing tiles, damaged skylights, lifted felt, or openings around dormers
- Outbuildings and garages with compromised doors after gusts
In Brighton, properties with older sash windows, converted flats, and exposed elevations (for example around the seafront, higher ground, or wide-open roads) can be more prone to wind-driven issues. We also get calls from landlords and managing agents when a storm exposes an existing weakness in a vacant or infrequently visited property.
If you’re dealing with an active opening and the weather is still rough, the priority is to stop access and reduce water ingress—without causing unnecessary additional damage.
First steps: what to do immediately after storm damage
If it’s safe, a few practical actions can reduce risk and help your insurer later:
- Keep people away from the damaged area (especially below cracked glass or loose roof materials).
- If glass has failed, don’t try to remove every shard—just clear what’s dangerous and keep the area contained.
- Take photos/video from a safe position before anything is moved (helpful for claims and repairs).
- Prevent further damage where possible (e.g., move valuables away from the opening, place towels/containers for drips).
- Contact your insurer early if you plan to claim (you don’t need a full repair quote to notify them).
- Call us to secure the property.
For urgent help, use our emergency boarding up service.
Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
How we secure storm-damaged properties (and what “good boarding up” looks like)
Storm damage isn’t one-size-fits-all. A small cracked pane in a sheltered courtyard needs a different approach from a wide, seafront-facing opening taking the full wind.
When you contact Boarding Up Brighton, we’ll ask a few quick questions to plan the right fix:
- What’s damaged: window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight?
- Is the opening accessible from ground level, or does it need safer access planning?
- Is the property occupied, unoccupied, or vacant?
- Are there hazards: loose glass, unstable frames, overhead risks, or water ingress?
Then we’ll attend with appropriate materials and fit a secure temporary solution.
Materials we typically use (and why)
We select materials based on size, location and exposure:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most window and door openings where strength and screw-holding matter.
- OSB (often 12mm) for smaller, lower-risk openings or internal security where appropriate.
- Anti-tamper fixings where a property may be left unattended or there’s a higher risk of interference.
- Temporary steel doors where a door has failed completely or the frame can’t be secured safely with boarding alone.
Where storm conditions are ongoing, we focus on robust fixing methods—not just covering the hole, but making sure it stays in place.
To understand the basics, see what boarding up is and how it works.
Securing storm-damaged windows (cracked, blown in, or missing panes)
A storm can turn a vulnerable window into a security risk quickly—especially at ground floor level, on a balcony, or where a scaffold/flat roof gives easy access.
Our window boarding in Brighton typically includes:
- Measuring and cutting boards to suit the opening (not “guesswork panels”)
- Fixing to sound structure using appropriate screws/anchors
- Making the board sit flush and secure to reduce leverage points
- Considering ventilation and safety (where appropriate) to avoid trapping moisture in already-damp rooms
If the frame is too damaged to take fixings safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. In some cases, the safest approach is to span to solid surrounding masonry or install a different temporary security method.
Securing storm-damaged doors (forced open, swollen, or off the hinges)
Wind can catch a door and slam it, damage hinges, split frames, or break locks—particularly with older timber doors, uPVC doors under stress, or communal entrances that take repeated impact.
Our door boarding service in Brighton is used when:
- The door will not close or lock after storm movement
- The frame is split and the lock is no longer holding
- A side panel has failed, leaving a reach-in point to the handle
- The property is unoccupied and needs reliable temporary security
When a temporary steel door is the better option
If the main door is missing, badly damaged, or the opening is repeatedly accessed by contractors/insurers, a boarded doorway can become inconvenient. A temporary steel door can provide:
- A more practical, lockable entry point
- Better medium-term security for vacant properties
- Reduced need for repeated removal/refitting of boards
We’ll talk you through whether a steel door makes sense for your situation and access needs.
Shopfront and commercial premises after storm damage
Brighton’s mix of busy high streets, small parades, and glass-heavy frontages means a storm can create immediate trading and security problems. If your glazing fails, you need the opening secured properly—fast—so the premises can be locked up and left safely.
Our shopfront boarding in Brighton is designed for:
- Large glazed panels and awkward dimensions
- Out-of-hours securing after a storm hits overnight
- Retail, hospitality, offices, and managed buildings
- Higher footfall areas where safety and presentation matter
We aim for a neat, secure finish that protects your premises while you arrange replacement glazing and any follow-on repairs.
Roof and skylight openings: keeping weather out while staying safe
Storms can expose weaknesses around skylights, rooflights, dormers and flat roof edges. If there’s an opening overhead, the immediate risk isn’t just theft—it’s water ingress, insulation damage, and ceiling collapse if rain persists.
Our roof boarding in Brighton focuses on:
- Securing damaged rooflights/skylights to reduce water entry
- Using appropriate board/spec for overhead exposure
- Planning access safely (we won’t take unsafe shortcuts)
If conditions make it unsafe to work at height (for example, severe wind or unstable surfaces), we’ll be honest about it and discuss safer alternatives and timing. Property safety comes first.
What you get from us (useful for landlords, agents and insurance)
After storm damage, people often need paperwork quickly—especially landlords, managing agents, and commercial clients.
You can expect:
- A clear description of what was secured and how
- Time-stamped photos of the boarded areas (where practical)
- An itemised invoice and work statement for your records
- Sensible guidance on next steps (glazier, roofer, door repair, etc.)
For more detail on documentation, see insurance claims support. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide the kind of evidence insurers typically ask for.
A realistic Brighton storm-damage scenario (what it looks like in practice)
A common job for us is a ground-floor flat where a rear window fails during a night of strong gusts. The resident wakes to the noise, finds a pane cracked and partially dislodged, and can’t safely make it secure. Rain is starting to get in, and the opening is now a clear security risk.
We’ll attend, assess whether the existing frame can take fixings, and then board the opening using exterior-grade sheet and robust fixings. If there’s loose glass, we’ll work carefully around it and prioritise making the area safe and stable. The resident then has breathing space to arrange replacement glazing and any frame repairs without leaving the property exposed.
FAQs: storm damage boarding up in Brighton & BN postcodes
How quickly should I board up after storm damage?
As soon as there’s an exposed opening or a security risk. Even a small crack can fail under wind load, and once a window or door can’t be secured properly, the risk of theft and water damage increases. If it’s urgent, contact emergency boarding up.
Is storm damage boarding up covered by insurance in Brighton?
Often it can be, but policies vary. The key point is that insurers generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Boarding up is commonly treated as a temporary “make safe” measure. We can provide photos and an invoice—see insurance claims support.
Will boarding up stop rain getting in completely?
It depends on the type of damage. Boarding up significantly reduces water ingress through a broken window, door panel, or rooflight opening, but if surrounding structures are compromised (e.g., damaged roof felt or saturated masonry), you may still get some moisture. We’ll be transparent about what our temporary works can and can’t achieve.
Can you board up a property that’s empty or between tenants?
Yes. We regularly secure voids for landlords and agents across the BN area. Depending on how long it needs to remain secure, we may recommend boarding, a temporary steel door, or longer-term security measures—see vacant property boarding.
Do you cover areas outside central Brighton?
Yes—our service covers Brighton and the wider BN postcode area (BN1–BN88). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call and we’ll confirm.
Next steps: get the property secured
Storm damage is one of those situations where acting quickly makes everything easier—safer for occupants, more secure overnight, and usually cleaner for insurance and repairs.
Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-brighton.co.uk
