In Kirkwall, as everywhere, condensation forms when warm, humid air meets a cold surface — and a roof lantern is the coldest surface in many kitchens. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

Is it time for condensation diagnosis and fixes?
- Water on the inside of the glass on cold mornings, even without rain
- Drips after cooking, showers or drying clothes
- Wet window sills elsewhere in the house too
Common causes we find
Cold surfaces
Older glass, uninsulated kerbs and un-thermally-broken frames stay cold and collect condensation.
Poor ventilation
Without trickle vents, extraction or an opening vent, moist air has nowhere to go.
Roof lanterns in Kirkwall
Western and upland parts of the UK get more rain and more wind-driven rain than the east, and that's what finds weak cappings and blocked eaves first. Lanterns here benefit from a check of the bars on the most exposed face and a clear eaves channel before winter.
Near the coast, salt in the air is hard on aluminium finishes and fixings; washing the frame occasionally and touching in chips keeps corrosion away.
We cover Kirkwall by arrangement: island work is planned around ferry access, and any travel or access costs are set out in your written quote before you commit.
How much should it cost?
Most condensation diagnosis and fixes jobs come in between £145 and £495 ex VAT (£174–£594 including VAT), per visit. Towers or scaffold, where needed, are priced into the quote. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Do you need permission in Scotland?
In Scotland, like-for-like repairs to a roof lantern don't usually involve building control. A full replacement or a bigger opening is controlled under the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, so we set out the route in writing first. Listed buildings in Scotland need listed building consent from the planning authority for alterations, with Historic Environment Scotland guidance; check before changing a lantern on a listed property.
How does it work?
- Send photosWhatsApp or upload a few photos and tell us when it leaks.
- Guide priceWe reply with a guide price and whether a visit is needed.
- Fixed price in writingYou approve the price and the date before anything starts.
- Repair and testWe fix what's failed, water-test where it matters, and send photos.
Condensation diagnosis and fixes in Kirkwall: questions
How do I get a price for condensation diagnosis and fixes in Kirkwall?
Send a few photos of the lantern and the problem, with your Kirkwall postcode. We'll reply with a guide price and tell you whether a visit is needed before we can fix the price.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Kirkwall?
Yes. We repair lanterns whoever fitted them. If yours is still under the installer's warranty, contact them first so you don't affect it.
What does a condensation visit cost?
Diagnosis visits start from £145 ex VAT. Any fixes are priced separately and confirmed in writing before work starts.
Is condensation in a lantern normal?
Occasional light condensation on very cold mornings can be. Regular dripping isn't, and can damage linings and cause mould.
Other lantern repairs in Kirkwall
- Roof lantern resealing in Kirkwall
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Kirkwall
- Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Kirkwall
- Leak investigation and inspection in Kirkwall
- Orangery lantern repairs in Kirkwall
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall
More about condensation diagnosis and fixes · All roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall