In Dover, as everywhere, if the room under your lantern overheats in summer or glares, the glass is usually the problem, not the frame. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.
Signs you need 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
What usually causes it?
Clear or standard Low-E glass
Standard units let a lot of solar heat through; solar control coatings reflect more of it.
Orientation
South- and west-facing lanterns gain the most heat in the afternoon.
Roof lanterns in Dover
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.
Dover is around 36 miles from Maidstone, and both are within our Kent coverage.
Close by, we also cover Folkestone (7 miles), Deal (8 miles), Canterbury (15 miles).
What should you expect to pay in Dover?
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 Dover: 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 Dover do you cover?
As well as Dover, we cover nearby Folkestone, Deal, Canterbury, Ramsgate and the rest of Kent.
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.
Does self-cleaning glass mean no cleaning?
It reduces cleaning on the outer face but still needs rain and occasional rinsing, and the inside still needs cleaning.
Other lantern repairs in Dover
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Dover
- Ridge and hip repairs in Dover
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Dover
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Dover
- Slipped glass panel repairs in Dover
- Cleaning and maintenance in Dover
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades near Dover
More about solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades · All roof lantern repairs in Dover