What is the difference between a roof lantern and a skylight?
What is a roof lantern? What is the difference between a roof lantern and a skylight? And what are the benefits of installing a roof lantern?
Is your home darker than you’d like? Want to let in more natural light? Have you considered a roof lantern?
We will answer a number of questions, including:
- What is the difference between a skylight and a roof lantern?
- What are the benefits of installing a roof lantern?
- What should you consider before buying a roof lantern?
- Do you need planning permission?
What is the difference between a skylight and a roof lantern?
It is easy to assume that they are virtually the same thing – after all, both a roof lights. However, they are, in reality, two markedly different types of roof light.
A skylight is a flat window that is installed at the same angle as the roof. If your roof is pitched or flat, so is the skylight. You can buy skylights that open – this may be via a centre pivot or top hung.
In contrast, a roof lantern can only be fitted to a flat roof. It projects above the flat roof in the shape of a pyramid, which enables light to access from all sides. Usually sky lanterns don’t open but they are often available with ventilation.
What are the benefits of installing a roof lantern?
Did you know that a roof lantern will let in approximately three times more light than a standard vertical wall window?
If you have a kitchen or extension with a flat roof that is darker than you’d like, a roof lantern could be the perfect solution. It will add a modern touch to your home, massively increase the amount of natural light in the room and add value to your property.
What should you consider before buying a roof lantern?
It is easy to go full steam ahead once you’ve answered the question: ‘what are the benefits of installing a roof lantern?’ However, there are a few things you need to think about before investing.
1. Which way does the room face? A south facing roof light will flood the room with light – perhaps too much if you then buy a huge lantern. You might end up too hot or overexposed to potentially dangerous UV light.
2. Is your roof strong enough? A roof lantern, depending on its size, can be heavy. Most house roofs will be able to handle the weight but some single storey flat roofs may not have been designed to take the additional load. Contact a structural engineer, who will inspect your property and prepare the required report for Building Control.
3. Will you need planning permission? As a roof lantern may project further than the allowed 150mm from the existing roof plane, it is advisable that you check with your local Planning Authority before work commences.
4. What type of glass should you opt for? There are a wide variety of glass types available but the two main things to consider are thermal performance and sound reduction.
5. What material and finish do you want? Again, roof lanterns come in a range of options, including aluminium, uPVC and hardwood. This means that you can choose a design that complements your home’s style.
What are the benefits of installing a roof lantern? High-Tech is here to help!
In addition to providing outstanding looks and performance, our roof lanterns offer exceptional value for money. They are suitable for a multitude of rooms and projects, including:
- Flat roof extensions
- New builds
- Garage conversions
- Kitchen diners
- Orangeries
Please contact us today to find out more about our range of roof lanterns and to arrange a free, no obligation consultation and quote.
We hope you enjoyed our article, ‘What are the benefits of installing a roof lantern?’ If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
