In Barnstaple, as everywhere, the ridge is where the hip bars and glazing bars meet at the top of a lantern, usually under a moulded or pressed end cap. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.

What you might be seeing
- A cracked or faded ridge end cap
- Sealant around the ridge cap split or missing
- Staining along the hip bars inside
Common causes we find
UV-damaged end caps
Plastic ridge end caps become brittle and crack, especially on south-facing lanterns.
Movement at the junction
Several bars meet at one point and each moves slightly with temperature; the seals at the ridge take the strain.
Roof lanterns in Barnstaple
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 Barnstaple as part of Devon, about 34 miles from Exeter.
We also cover nearby Bideford (8 miles), Tiverton (28 miles), Exeter (34 miles).
How much should it cost?
Typical range: £195–£445 ex VAT, which is £234–£534 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 England?
Most lantern repairs in England need no approval at all. Where a job turns into a replacement, the Building Regulations 2010 apply and we confirm how the work will be signed off before we start. 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.
Ridge and hip repairs in Barnstaple: questions
How do I get a price for ridge and hip repairs in Barnstaple?
Send a few photos of the lantern and the problem, with your Barnstaple 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 Barnstaple?
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.
My ridge cap is a different colour from the frame — does that matter?
Faded or chalky caps are a sign of UV damage. Colour alone isn't a leak, but brittle caps crack, so we check them.
Can you replace just the ridge cap?
Yes, if a compatible cap is available and the seals underneath are sound.
Other lantern repairs in Barnstaple
- Roof lantern resealing in Barnstaple
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Barnstaple
- Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Barnstaple
- Timber roof lantern repairs in Barnstaple
- Flat rooflight and skylight repairs in Barnstaple
- Cleaning and maintenance in Barnstaple
Ridge and hip repairs near Barnstaple
More about ridge and hip repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Barnstaple