What Are Roof Lanterns?

A roof lantern is a mostly glass structure that sits on a flat roof and illuminates the room below in natural light. They are made up of separates panes of glass, set within a frame structure as facets. You will often find them in conservatories, sunrooms or orangeries.

Beyond the benefit of increased natural light in your room, Roof lanterns also add drama to your space. They make static, dull roofs into a light-flooded feature. Also, if you have a single-storey extension, they bring flair from the sky to your project.
And, we believe they also work exceptionally well in larger open-plan spaces. Primarily because in larger rooms, the light has further to reach from your windows and doors. So instead, a roof lantern uses your ceiling to light your room and keep your space airy—basking it in sunlight.

The good news is no – generally, you do not need planning permission for your roof lantern. Indeed, a roof lantern does not have direct planning criteria and is considered permitted development. No planning permission is required as long as the roof lantern is no higher than the highest part of your existing roof. The only exception is for listed or heritage properties – in these cases, you are best to speak to your local authority. But this is something we, or your roof lantern supplier, should be able to help you with.

Roof lanterns are made from aluminium, uPVC or timber. Although we produce all our roof lanterns in Accoya Timber because we believe in aesthetics and durability, nothing is better. The one thing all modern roof lanterns have in common with their manufacture is toughened glazed glass. So you are kept safe below. Plus, for easy cleaning, you could always upgrade to self-cleaning glass! And with our roof lanterns, we use superior glazing and installation techniques for long-lasting and “intelligent” glass. So with our glazing, you remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

A roof lantern is a peaked, 3-dimensional structure that is risen, so it makes your space feel higher. In comparison, a roof light is a flat window set in a non-vertical pane. Also, roof lanterns originate from Victoria times, but roof lights are a more modern invention. This heritage explains why a roof lantern has a more classical architectural look Vs a roof light, which are more neutral and streamlined.
However, most roof lanterns can look great in modern settings because we now fit them with state of the art glazing techniques using minimal framing. Meaning that roof lanterns are now the perfect choice for modern homes as well as traditional ones.