Yes, a roof lantern is a good idea for a room that needs more daylight from above, such as a kitchen extension or orangery. The trade-off is higher heat loss and summer heat gain than a solid roof, so the glass specification and the quality of the build decide the result.
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.
Phoenix Windows makes its PVCu frames in-house in Nuneaton and backs installations with an insurance-backed 10-year guarantee. See our roof lanterns for more detail.
Thinking about a conservatory or roof? We build and refurbish across Nuneaton, Bedworth, Hinckley, Tamworth and Rugby, and every installation comes with an insurance-backed 10-year guarantee. Call 02476 350 330, or request a quote.