Property boarding and security screening for vacant properties

Property boarding is the physical securing of a vacant or vulnerable building’s doors, windows, and access points using robust materials designed to resist forced entry and deter unauthorised access. It is one of the most visible and immediate deterrents available to vacant property owners and managers, and is often a requirement of insurers as a condition of cover for empty buildings.

Boarding solutions range from heavy-duty galvanised steel security screens (the most resistant option available) through to external plywood boarding, metal sheet options, and metal key-coded doors. The right solution depends on the property’s condition, the level of risk present, and the duration of the vacancy.

RemoteZone provides all options for hire or purchase, with no-obligation quotes based on photographic evidence supplied before installation. Before-and-after photographs are provided on completion of every job, giving you a full record without needing to attend the site.

RemoteZone offers a comprehensive range of boarding and security screening solutions, all available for hire or purchase and professionally installed.

Steel security screens

Heavy-duty galvanised steel security screens offer the highest level of resistance against forced entry of any boarding solution. Manufactured to withstand significant physical force, steel screens feature tamper-proof fixings that prevent removal without specialist tools, and their visible presence acts as a powerful deterrent to opportunistic intruders, vandals, and arsonists.

Steel security screens are suitable for doors and windows of all standard sizes and are the recommended solution for properties at heightened risk of break-in, properties in areas with a history of vandalism or metal theft, and properties where insurers require a demonstrable level of physical security.

Plywood boarding

External boarding of doors and windows using 19mm shuttering grade external plywood provides a cost-effective solution for properties requiring temporary protection during refurbishment or short-term vacancy. Professionally installed and secured, plywood boarding offers a solid barrier against opportunistic access while remaining straightforward to remove when the property is ready for reoccupation.

Metal sheet boarding and key-coded doors

External metal sheet boarding and metal key-coded doors provide an additional layer of physical security for properties where standard plywood boarding is insufficient. Key-coded doors allow authorised access for agents, contractors, and inspectors without the need for traditional lock and key arrangements, reducing the risk of key loss or unauthorised duplication.

Letterbox sealing and securing

Open letterboxes present a fire risk at vacant properties, providing a point of entry for arson attacks using accelerants. RemoteZone provides letterbox sealing and securing as part of its boarding service, removing this vulnerability as standard.

RemoteZone makes the boarding process straightforward, with no requirement for you to attend the site at any stage.

• Step 1: Survey and quote – Send us photographs of the property’s doors, windows, and access points. Our team will assess the images, identify the right boarding solution for each opening, and provide a no-obligation quote.
• Step 2: Installation – Our installation team attends the site and completes the boarding professionally and efficiently. Tamper-proof fixings are used throughout, and all work is carried out to the standard required by leading insurers.
• Step 3: Documentation – Before-and-after photographs of every opening are provided on completion, giving you a complete record of the work carried out and the condition of the property following installation.

Property boarding is relevant to any owner, manager, or professional responsible for a vacant or at-risk building. The clients we most commonly work with include:

• Insolvency practitioners and receivers – Boarding is often required on day one following possession, alongside lock changes and alarm installation, to meet immediate insurance requirements and secure the asset.
• Commercial landlords and managing agents – Protecting offices, retail units, and industrial premises between tenancies or during periods of extended vacancy.
• Facilities management professionals – Securing part-vacant or fully vacant buildings across a managed portfolio, with photographic documentation provided for each property.
• Education and healthcare – Boarding school buildings awaiting demolition or refurbishment, and securing care homes and hospital buildings that have become vacant.
• Construction – Protecting buildings undergoing refurbishment where access points need to be secured between phases of work

Find out who we help →

• Nationwide supply and installation – Our teams operate across the UK, delivering consistent quality and professional installation wherever your property is located.
• All options available for hire – All boarding solutions are available on a hire or purchase basis, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
• No-obligation quotes – Quotes are provided based on photographic evidence, with no requirement to attend the site.
• Photographic documentation as standard – Before-and-after photographs are provided for every job, giving you a complete record without needing to visit the property.
• Approved by leading insurers – Our boarding solutions meet the physical security requirements of leading insurers for vacant properties, and our documentation supports compliance.
• Rapid attendance – Our team can attend most properties within 24 hours of instruction, ensuring boarding is in place before risks have the opportunity to escalate.
• 50 years of combined experience – Our team understands the specific vulnerabilities of vacant properties and the boarding solutions that best address them across different property types and risk profiles.
• Full service available – Property boarding can be combined with monitored alarm systems, lock changes, fire and flood protection, and our full range of prevent, monitor, and maintain services through a single provider.

Please fill out the form below to tell us about the property you need to board. Our team will provide a no-obligation quote based on your photographs and recommend the most appropriate solution for your situation.