What to Do After Storefront Break-In: Emergency Board-Up Guide

Secure the Property First

Before anything else, the broken opening needs to be covered — that's what board-up service is for. It's a temporary, weathertight barrier (typically plywood, sometimes with security features) that protects the interior from weather, theft, and further damage until permanent glass can be fabricated and installed. This should happen within hours, not days, especially overnight or over a weekend.

Document the Damage Before Cleanup

Photograph the broken glass, the point of entry, and any interior damage before anything is cleaned up or boarded over, if it's safe to do so. This documentation is what your insurance adjuster will want to see, and it's much harder to reconstruct after the fact.

What a Professional Board-Up Service Actually Does

A proper board-up isn't just nailing plywood over a hole. It should be measured and fitted to the specific opening, secured in a way that can't easily be pried off, and installed without causing additional damage to the frame — since that frame usually needs to hold the permanent replacement glass later.

Scheduling the Permanent Repair

Once the property is secure, the next step is measuring for permanent replacement glass — tempered or laminated safety glass, depending on the opening and local code. Custom-cut commercial glass typically takes a few days to arrive, which is exactly why board-up exists as a bridge, not a fix.

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