Yes, a roof lantern is a good idea if you want more daylight in a flat-roofed extension, kitchen or orangery and accept more heat loss than a solid roof. Glass, upstand and build quality decide how well a lantern performs, so specification matters more than the lantern itself.
What do roof lanterns do well?
- Bring light in from above and from several sides, which helps deep or single-aspect rooms
- Add height and a visual focal point to a flat roof
- Can include opening vents to release warm air
- Sit within an insulated roof, so only part of the ceiling is glazed
What are the drawbacks of a roof lantern?
- Glass loses far more heat per square metre than an insulated roof; Building Regulations allow a rooflight up to 2.2 W/m²K, while a renovated roof element is expected to reach about 0.16
- Standard glass can overheat a south-facing room in summer
- The upstand, flashings and seals must be right, or leaks and condensation follow
- Costs more than a flat rooflight
When is a roof lantern not the right choice?
A lantern is a weaker choice for a small north-facing room or a very tight budget. Room orientation and the size of the glazed area compared with the floor area are the deciding factors. In those cases a flat rooflight can give enough light with less heat loss.
Wednesfield Trade Windows is a family-run, Certass registered installer, and the survey confirms what needs sign-off on your property. See our roof lanterns for more detail.
Thinking about a roof lantern? We supply and fit lantern roofs across Wolverhampton and the surrounding area, and you deal directly with us, the owners. Call 01902 633355, message us on WhatsApp, or request a quote.