We carry out solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Thatcham and across the RG18 area. If the room under your lantern overheats in summer or glares, the glass is usually the problem, not the frame.
Is it time for solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades?
- The room is noticeably hotter than the rest of the house in summer
- Glare on screens or worktops
- Clear, uncoated glass in an older lantern
Common causes we find
Clear or standard Low-E glass
Standard units let a lot of solar heat through; solar control coatings reflect more of it.
No ventilation
A lantern without opening vents traps warm air at ceiling level.
About Thatcham and the RG18 area
Leaf fall from garden trees is the most common cause of eaves overflow on suburban extensions. If your lantern sits near trees, clearing the eaves channel each autumn prevents a lot of drips.
From Reading to Thatcham is roughly 13 miles — all part of the Berkshire area we cover.
If you're just outside Thatcham, we also cover Newbury (3 miles), Basingstoke (12 miles), Reading (13 miles).
How much should it cost?
Typical range: £345–£895 ex VAT, which is £414–£1,074 with 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.
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Thatcham: questions
Do you need to visit to price solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades?
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.
Which places near Thatcham do you cover?
As well as Thatcham, we cover nearby Newbury, Basingstoke, Reading, Didcot and the rest of Berkshire.
How much does it cost to upgrade lantern glass?
Usually £345–£895 ex VAT per unit depending on size and specification, confirmed in writing before work starts.
Can you add a film instead?
Films are cheaper but can affect the unit's warranty and may not suit sloped double glazing. We'd rather replace the unit properly.
Other lantern repairs in Thatcham
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Thatcham
- Roof lantern respraying in Thatcham
- Flat rooflight and skylight repairs in Thatcham
- Cleaning and maintenance in Thatcham
- Urgent leak make-safe in Thatcham
- Roof lantern replacement in Thatcham
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades near Thatcham
More about solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades · All roof lantern repairs in Thatcham