In Tonbridge, 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.
Is it time for 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?
Edge seal failure
Every sealed unit has an edge seal and desiccant. Once the seal fails, humid air gets in and the desiccant saturates.
Movement and age
Thermal movement and age wear the seal; units at the bottom of the lantern often go first.
Covering Tonbridge and nearby
Drier, sunnier parts of the UK are kinder to seals than the wet west, but strong sun ages sealant, gaskets and plastic end caps, and south- or west-facing lanterns can make rooms very warm. Solar control glass and an opening vent help.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
Tonbridge is around 12 miles from Maidstone, and both are within our Kent coverage.
Close by, we also cover Tunbridge Wells (4 miles), Sevenoaks (6 miles), Crowborough (10 miles).
Guide prices for misted glass unit replacement in Tonbridge
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 England?
In England, 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 Regulations 2010, so we set out the route in writing first. Listed buildings need listed building consent from the local council for alterations, and conservation areas can have extra controls; like-for-like repairs are treated differently from changes, so check with the council's conservation officer first.
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 Tonbridge: questions
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.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Tonbridge?
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 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 Tonbridge
- Roof lantern leak repairs in Tonbridge
- Roof lantern resealing in Tonbridge
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Tonbridge
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Tonbridge
- Flat rooflight and skylight repairs in Tonbridge
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Tonbridge
Misted glass unit replacement near Tonbridge
More about misted glass unit replacement · All roof lantern repairs in Tonbridge