We carry out glazing bar and capping repairs in Lerwick and across the ZE1 area. Each glazing bar on a roof lantern has a top capping that clamps the glass onto gaskets.

What you might be seeing
- A capping visibly higher than its neighbours
- Water running down one glazing bar inside
- Rattling or whistling in wind
Common causes we find
Gasket shrinkage
Rubber gaskets shrink back from the ends over time, leaving a gap at the ridge or eaves.
Damage
Ladders, window cleaning or someone stepping on a lantern can bend a capping or unclip it.
About Lerwick and the ZE1 area
Wind-driven rain is the real test of a roof lantern, and the wetter west sees plenty of it. Leaks that appear only in a storm from one direction usually point to the cappings or eaves on that face — a useful clue when you send us photos.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
We cover Lerwick 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?
Typical range: £165–£395 ex VAT, which is £198–£474 with VAT, per lantern. 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?
Straightforward repairs — resealing, gaskets, cappings, eaves and like-for-like parts — don't normally need building regulations approval in Scotland. Replacing the whole lantern or enlarging the opening is different and falls under the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004; we confirm in writing which route applies before any replacement. 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.
Glazing bar and capping repairs in Lerwick: questions
Do you cover Lerwick?
Yes, by arrangement. We cover Lerwick, including the ZE1 postcode area, as part of Highlands and Islands. Send photos by WhatsApp or the form for a free guide price, and we'll confirm the fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Lerwick?
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.
How much do capping and gasket repairs cost?
Usually £165–£395 ex VAT per lantern depending on how many bars are affected, confirmed in writing before work starts.
Do you repair uPVC and timber lantern bars too?
Yes. Timber lanterns use different beads and cappings, and we repair those as part of timber lantern repairs.
Other lantern repairs in Lerwick
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Lerwick
- Timber roof lantern repairs in Lerwick
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Lerwick
- Cleaning and maintenance in Lerwick
- Roof lantern replacement in Lerwick
- Orangery lantern repairs in Lerwick
More about glazing bar and capping repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Lerwick