In Chichester, 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
- Glare on screens or worktops
- Furniture or flooring fading under the lantern
- 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.
Orientation
South- and west-facing lanterns gain the most heat in the afternoon.
About Chichester and the PO19 area
Sun and UV do more damage than rain on many lanterns here: brittle ridge caps, chalky finishes and hardened gaskets. They're cheap to replace before they let water in.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
If you're just outside Chichester, we also cover Bognor Regis (6 miles), Havant (9 miles), Littlehampton (11 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 Chichester: questions
How do I get a price for solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Chichester?
Send a few photos of the lantern and the problem, with your Chichester postcode. We'll reply with a guide price and tell you whether a visit is needed before we can fix the price.
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.
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 Chichester
- Roof lantern resealing in Chichester
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Chichester
- Upstand and kerb repairs in Chichester
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Chichester
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Chichester
- Orangery lantern repairs in Chichester
Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades near Chichester
More about solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades · All roof lantern repairs in Chichester