In Kirkwall, as everywhere, if a roof lantern pane looks cloudy or wet between the two layers of glass, the sealed unit has failed and moisture has got inside. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

Signs you need misted glass unit replacement
- One pane looks hazier than the others
- Misting that comes and goes with the weather
- Water marks or tide lines inside the unit
What usually causes it?
Water sitting on the edge
If the unit's edge sits in water because the eaves don't drain, the seal fails sooner.
Movement and age
Thermal movement and age wear the seal; units at the bottom of the lantern often go first.
Roof lanterns in Kirkwall
Damp, mild winters keep moss and algae growing on flat roofs and lantern frames, which holds water against seals and blocks weep slots. Regular clearing makes a real difference in wetter areas.
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.
Guide prices for misted glass unit replacement in Kirkwall
Most misted glass unit replacement jobs come in between £245 and £595 ex VAT (£294–£714 including VAT), per glass unit. 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?
Most lantern repairs in Scotland need no approval at all. Where a job turns into a replacement, the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 apply and we confirm how the work will be signed off before we start. 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.
Misted glass unit replacement in Kirkwall: questions
How do I get a price for misted glass unit replacement 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.
Do you need to visit to price misted glass unit replacement?
Not always. Clear photos are often enough for a guide price. Where the cause isn't obvious, a visit to inspect and water-test is charged from £145 ex VAT, confirmed before we come.
How long does a replacement unit take?
Units are made to measure, so there's a lead time between measuring and fitting. Fitting itself is usually a short visit.
Will the new pane match the others?
We match tint and coatings as closely as possible; a new unit can look very slightly clearer than older neighbours.
Other lantern repairs in Kirkwall
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Kirkwall
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Kirkwall
- Timber roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall
- Flat rooflight and skylight repairs in Kirkwall
- Cleaning and maintenance in Kirkwall
More about misted glass unit replacement · All roof lantern repairs in Kirkwall