Case study
Restoring a louvred roof lantern
The louvres had rotted through behind the paint. Rather than replace the lantern, we cut the rot back to sound timber, renewed the louvres, put new lead work on and repainted it — then it went back on the building it came off.
- Work
- Timber repair, lead work & repainting
- Building
- Stone building with a slate roof
- Approach
- Repaired and returned, not replaced
- Photographed
- Before, during & after
Stage by stage
From rotten louvres to a finished lantern
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Before
The condition we found
The lower edges of the louvres had rotted through, hidden behind flaking paint. The rotten timber was cut back until we reached sound wood, which shows how far the damage really goes — filling or painting over rot only hides it for a season.
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During
Rebuilding and new lead work
With the rot removed, the louvres were renewed in timber and the lantern rebuilt on the roof. New lead work went on to keep the weather out.
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After
Louvres renewed and repainted
The finished louvres, repainted over sound, prepared timber.
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After
The new lead roof
Seen from the ridge, with the new lead roof on top of the lantern.
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After
Back where it belongs
The lantern back on the slate roof of the stone building it came from — the original, kept, rather than a replacement that would never quite match.
Why repair it rather than replace it
A lantern like this is part of the building’s character, and a stock replacement rarely matches the proportions of the original. Repairing it keeps the piece that was made for the roof it sits on.
It is the same principle we work to inside period houses: survey what is there, repair before replacing, and where new material is needed, make it match. Read more about our conservation-sensitive restoration, or see how we approach period property renovation in Nottingham.
Another restoration written up in full: an original staircase, stripped back and repainted. All our restoration projects are on the work page.
Got original timberwork worth saving?
Rotten joinery, worn staircases, doors and windows that “need replacing” — send us a description and a few details, and we’ll come and tell you honestly what can be kept.