If the room under your lantern overheats in summer or glares, the glass is usually the problem, not the frame. Send photos from Shirley (B90) 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
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.
No ventilation
A lantern without opening vents traps warm air at ceiling level.
Covering Shirley and nearby
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.
Urban grime and traffic film dull glass and frames quickly; a clean and seal check makes a tired lantern look and perform much better.
We cover Shirley as part of West Midlands, about 6 miles from Birmingham.
Close by, we also cover Solihull (2 miles), Birmingham (6 miles), Smethwick (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?
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 Shirley: questions
Do you cover Shirley?
Yes. We cover Shirley, including the B90 postcode area, as part of West Midlands. Send photos by WhatsApp or the form for a free guide price, and we'll confirm the fixed price in writing before any work starts.
Which places near Shirley do you cover?
As well as Shirley, we cover nearby Solihull, Birmingham, Smethwick, Redditch and the rest of West Midlands.
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 Shirley
- Roof lantern resealing in Shirley
- Upstand and kerb repairs in Shirley
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Shirley
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in Shirley
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Shirley
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Shirley
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades near Shirley
More about solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades · All roof lantern repairs in Shirley