In Canterbury, as everywhere, timber roof lanterns are beautiful and repairable, but they need sound paint, sound beads and dry timber. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.
Is it time for timber roof lantern repairs?
- Flaking or blistered paint on bars or eaves
- Soft timber when pressed
- Leaks at bar joints
What usually causes it?
Water trapped by beads
Glazing beads and putty can trap water against the timber if their seals fail.
No maintenance
Timber needs redecorating on a cycle; skipped cycles turn small repairs into big ones.
Covering Canterbury and nearby
Even in drier areas, one heavy downpour with blocked eaves is enough to overflow a lantern indoors. Clearing the eaves channel is the simplest prevention there is.
Coastal wind drives rain hard against lanterns, so cappings and ridge seals on the seaward face take the most punishment.
Canterbury is around 24 miles from Maidstone, and both are within our Kent coverage.
Neighbouring places we cover include Whitstable (6 miles), Herne Bay (7 miles), Faversham (9 miles).
How much should it cost?
Most timber roof lantern repairs jobs come in between £395 and £1,995 ex VAT (£474–£2,394 including VAT), per lantern. 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.
Timber roof lantern repairs in Canterbury: questions
Do you need to visit to price timber roof lantern repairs?
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.
Can you repair a lantern someone else installed in Canterbury?
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.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes. Listed building consent may be needed for changes; like-for-like repair is generally treated differently from alteration, but check with your council's conservation officer before work.
How often does a timber lantern need painting?
It depends on exposure and paint system; many need redecorating every five to eight years.
Other lantern repairs in Canterbury
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Canterbury
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Canterbury
- Misted glass unit replacement in Canterbury
- Cracked lantern glass replacement in Canterbury
- Solar control and self-cleaning glass upgrades in Canterbury
- Aluminium roof lantern repairs in Canterbury
Timber roof lantern repairs near Canterbury
More about timber roof lantern repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Canterbury