If the room under your lantern overheats in summer or glares, the glass is usually the problem, not the frame. Send photos from Durham (DH1) and we'll tell you which it is — with the price agreed in writing before any work.

What you might be seeing
- The room is noticeably hotter than the rest of the house in summer
- Furniture or flooring fading under the lantern
- Clear, uncoated glass in an older lantern
Why it happens
Orientation
South- and west-facing lanterns gain the most heat in the afternoon.
No ventilation
A lantern without opening vents traps warm air at ceiling level.
Roof lanterns in Durham
Snow and ice sitting at the eaves can block a lantern's drainage and push water back under the glass as it melts. If your lantern leaks after a thaw rather than after rain, tell us — it points to the eaves and kerb.
We also cover nearby Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles), Stanley (8 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?
Straightforward repairs — resealing, gaskets, cappings, eaves and like-for-like parts — don't normally need building regulations approval in England. Replacing the whole lantern or enlarging the opening is different and falls under the Building Regulations 2010; we confirm in writing which route applies before any replacement. 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 Durham: questions
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Durham?
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.
Which places near Durham do you cover?
As well as Durham, we cover nearby Chester-le-Street, Houghton-le-Spring, Stanley, Washington and the rest of County Durham.
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 Durham
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Durham
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Durham
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Durham
- Leak investigation and inspection in Durham
- Cleaning and maintenance in Durham
- Roof lantern replacement in Durham
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades near Durham
More about solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades · All roof lantern repairs in Durham