In Holywood, as everywhere, the upstand, or kerb, is the raised frame the lantern sits on. Send photos and we'll tell you what we think has failed.
What you might be seeing
- Water appearing below the lantern rather than from the glass
- Soft or spongy timber at the base of the lantern
- Cold, damp or mouldy lining around the opening
Why it happens
Kerb too low
If the kerb doesn't rise enough above the finished roof, water sits against the joint during heavy rain.
Rotten timber
Untreated or wet timber kerbs rot from inside, so the lantern loses support and the seals open.
About Holywood and the BT18 area
Western and upland parts of the UK get more rain and more wind-driven rain than the east, and that's what finds weak cappings and blocked eaves first. Lanterns here benefit from a check of the bars on the most exposed face and a clear eaves channel before winter.
Near the coast, salt in the air is hard on aluminium finishes and fixings; washing the frame occasionally and touching in chips keeps corrosion away.
Holywood is around 38 miles from Newry, and both are within our County Down coverage.
Close by, we also cover Newtownabbey (4 miles), Belfast (5 miles), Carrickfergus (5 miles).
Guide prices for upstand and kerb repairs in Holywood
Guide price for upstand and kerb repairs: £395–£1,295 ex VAT (£474–£1,554 inc 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 Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland, 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 (Northern Ireland) 2012, so we set out the route in writing first. Listed buildings in Northern Ireland need listed building consent from the council for alterations; check with the council's planning service before changing a lantern on a listed property.
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.
Upstand and kerb repairs in Holywood: questions
Do you cover Holywood?
Yes. We cover Holywood, including the BT18 postcode area, as part of County Down. 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.
Do you need to visit to price upstand and kerb 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.
How much does an upstand repair cost?
Typically £395–£1,295 ex VAT depending on size, timber condition and the roof covering. The fixed price is confirmed in writing before work starts.
Can you add insulation to the kerb?
Yes. Insulated kerbs reduce cold bridging and help with condensation around the opening.
Other lantern repairs in Holywood
- Ridge and hip repairs in Holywood
- Eaves beam and gutter repairs in Holywood
- Flat roof junction and flashing repairs in Holywood
- Timber roof lantern repairs in Holywood
- Roof lantern replacement in Holywood
- Commercial roof lantern repairs in Holywood
Upstand and kerb repairs near Holywood
More about upstand and kerb repairs · All roof lantern repairs in Holywood