In Chatham, 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
- Dark staining or black lines along joints
Common causes we find
Paint failure
Once the paint film breaks, water gets into the end grain and joints.
No maintenance
Timber needs redecorating on a cycle; skipped cycles turn small repairs into big ones.
About Chatham and the ME4 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.
We cover Chatham as part of Kent, about 8 miles from Maidstone.
Neighbouring places we cover include Gillingham (1 mile), Rochester (1 mile), Strood (2 miles).
Guide prices for timber roof lantern repairs in Chatham
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 Chatham: 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 Chatham?
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 Chatham
- Glazing bar and capping repairs in Chatham
- Condensation diagnosis and fixes in Chatham
- uPVC roof lantern repairs in Chatham
- Opening vent and actuator repairs in Chatham
- Roof lantern respraying in Chatham
- Urgent leak make-safe in Chatham
Timber roof lantern repairs near Chatham
More about timber roof lantern repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Chatham