{"id":16508,"date":"2021-11-15T15:57:36","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T15:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.securesiteuk.co.uk\/?p=16508"},"modified":"2021-11-17T09:17:37","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T09:17:37","slug":"ultimate-guide-to-boarding-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.securesiteuk.co.uk\/ultimate-guide-to-boarding-up\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide To: Boarding Up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether residential, commercial, or industrial, when you have a vacant property to protect<\/a>, securing all accessible openings, such as windows and doors, is a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, openings were covered with plywood or OSB (oriented strand board), and this is still practiced today. The term \u2018boarding up\u2019 is still commonly used, even though sheet steel is often the preferred choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, covering windows and doors and protecting your vacant property<\/a> is essential, and when the time comes for this protection to happen, you\u2019ll need to know how to approach it, what can be done and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this \u2018ultimate guide,\u2019 we\u2019ve taken the most commonly asked boarding up and steel security questions and answered them in a single article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From understanding when and how to \u2018board up\u2019 your vacant property to the surveying and installation processes involved, this post has you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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What Is Boarding Up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When your property becomes vacant, boarding up<\/a> is an essential part of the security process, helping you protect your assets from intruders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Boarding up\u2019 describes the process of installing boards to all the openings on a building, such as windows, doors and skylights, using plywood boards or steel sheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process of using steel sheets to protect these openings instead is becoming known as steeling up. Often a more cost-effective and longer-term solution to vacant property security<\/a>, once installed, steel security should protect your property f\u00ad\u00ad\u00ador much longer than traditional wooden boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Origins of Steel Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although steel has been mass-produced for hundreds of years, it wasn\u2019t necessarily used for security purposes until the 20th<\/sup> century.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steel doors quickly became essential for businesses fearing break-ins and theft. Decades later this trend of steel security spread to residential and commercial properties too. In the 1990s consumer magazines began testing different types of doors<\/a>, with steel doors outperforming wooden ones significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitex (formerly SitexOrbis, but now just Orbis) is recognised in the UK as the original vacant property service provider<\/a>. Essentially creating the residential security market, Sitex introduced security solutions and techniques that are still being used today such as steel boarding up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Boarding Up – When is Steel Security Needed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a variety of threats that require the need for steel boarding up, typically when a property is left vacant or vulnerable<\/a> for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If properties remain empty without steel security in place, they can quickly become vulnerable to criminal activities<\/a> including squatters, thieves, arsonists<\/a> and even youths looking for an \u2018alternative playground\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a property is vacant, the structure itself and the assets within are under greater threat of illegal activity taking place. At this point, it is critical to ensure your property is protected.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Use Steel Security Instead of Plywood Boards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to boarding up, you typically have two options, steel sheets, or plywood boards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the cost for plywood boards being much cheaper, steel is the only long term solution to help indefinitely protect your vacant property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve written an entire blog comparing steel sheets with plywood boards<\/a>, but essentially it comes down to security and durability. Over time wood warps and delaminates, creating opportunities for criminals to gain access. On top of this, arsonists can use wooden boards<\/a> as fuel to start fires meaning that it often isn’t covered in your vacant property insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you will see further down the page, steel eliminates these issues and is the only long term security solution you should consider for your vacant property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Boarding Up For Insurance Purposes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boarding up is also a vital stage in the timeline for Landlords and managing agents who must meet the requirements of their insurers, making sure that they are still covered despite the circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most standard home insurance providers will not cover properties if they are unoccupied for over 30 days<\/a>, but it\u2019s important to understand your specific policy as requirements may vary from provider to provider.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it becomes apparent that your property will be left vacant for an extended period of time, the Code of Practice for Unoccupied Buildings<\/a> should be followed. This includes a number of precautions property owners can take such as turning off water and gas supplies, clearing waste and sealing off letterboxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite not being essential for insurance purposes, it is becoming best practice for many property owners to also pay for steel security<\/a> to further protect their assets as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the additional costs, when you compare it with the price of removing squatters, typically starting at \u00a35,000 for the legal fees alone<\/a>, it can be money well spent to further protect your property.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vacant<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boarding Up – Where is Steel Security Used?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned earlier in this post, boarding-up<\/a> is essential to protect properties from criminal activity and to validate insurance policies, however, what needs to be boarded up to achieve this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost every building can be boarded up to securely protect it. From residential properties, commercial buildings, and industrial warehouses, to churches, stately homes, and even \u2018listed\u2019 buildings, boarding up is a universal security solution<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every access point below the second floor must be boarded up, or, to phrase it differently, any access point that is accessible via a flat roof, floor or fire escape ladder. This helps protect against all types of attempted criminal access and activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boarding Up \u2013 What Should Be Boarded Up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Windows and doors of your vacant property<\/a>, are the most obvious entrances to cover, but when it comes to boarding up, it\u2019s vital to ensure that every opening is considered, even those that might not be conventional entry points but could be used as such by criminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These might include entrances such basements, skylights and even delivery points such as barrel access pubs and bars<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also have a conservatory attached to your property, despite thinking that you\u2019d have to board up all the windows, what most security providers would do is board up the access to the main property as a way of remaining cost-effective and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does My Property Need To Be Boarded Up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no definitive answer to the above question as it is entirely up to the property owner and what suits their specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might need to board up a property to protect it due to a sudden vacancy<\/a> or prior to demolition, each will have different timescales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that this is why it\u2019s advisable to use steel sheets, as opposed to plywood boards<\/a>, because they can last indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, plywood begins to deteriorate and break down, making properties more vulnerable which is why, if you\u2019re boarding up, it\u2019s important to consider steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your property is set for demolition, it\u2019s important to find out if you can leave boards up as long as needed, then have them removed prior to demolition. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Type of Steel Security Sheets Are There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steel is used in a variety of industries and is available in a range of thicknesses<\/a>, ranging from as low as 0.5mm to 50mm and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the most common sizes used for boarding up are typically 1.-2mm thick, delivering the required levels of protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also two different varieties of sheet steel<\/a> – solid and perforated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, solid steel sheets are suitable for every installation unless you need light within the premises to aid in viewings. In these instances, using solid and perforated sheets together, at a ratio of 2:1, should work well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does The Boarding Up Process Involve?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first part of the process should be a site assessment, so the security provider can fully understand, and consult with the client on, where the vacant property is vulnerable and what type of boarding up is required to best protect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-site, a security professional should conduct an extensive and thorough survey of your property<\/a> \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n