Glass Roof Lanterns: A Beginner’s Guide

Having a partially glazed roof allows you to manipulate the natural light that flows in, and will transform your living space. Specially designed glass roof lanterns help form part of the overall architectural flow of the homes in which they are installed, while allowing precious natural light through the roof

When it comes to adding a glazed element to your roof, you shouldn’t simply choose any option — whether it’s a roof lantern, skylight or Velux-style roof window. There are many considerations to make in choosing the best option for your home.

When it comes to purchasing a roof lantern, there are several considerations to keep in mind that we’ll share with you below.

Where to Put a Glass Roof Lantern

The positioning of roof lanterns determines how effective they will be in meeting your architectural tastes, as well as your lighting expectations.

Positioning will greatly impact the amount of light that gets into your house. If you have a southern-facing extension, you should make use of that extra light.

Roof lanterns are able to cast light from a wider angle than flat rooflights, but keep in mind where the sun is for the majority of the day. For example, it’s not a good choice to place a roof lantern in an area that’s shaded by your neighbour’s house.

The placement of your roof lantern will also have an impact on the maintenance of the glass and the entire roof. Try to choose a roof lantern that will not disrupt the current design of your roof.

Glass Type Is an Important Consideration for Roof Lanterns

The standard material used to make roof lanterns is toughened glass. The glass can withstand impact and a sustained beating from the sun.

Roof lanterns do not use the brittle glass that would easily break. You need the glass variety that can survive a hailstorm or carry the weight of workers repairing your roof.

Insulation and Energy Efficiency

One of the worries for homeowners today is loss of heat and energy efficiency. If you have air conditioning, in the summer months a glazed roof can cause your AC unit to be overworked.

More realistically, in the winter months, you will be concerned about heat escaping through the less-insulated glass, as opposed to a tiled roof. The best-insulated glass is used however, which ensures any room with a roof lantern installed will not feel overly cold.

Compared to a fully-glazed conservatory extension — especially one that has been installed some years ago — the difference is night and day.

How Much Do Glass Roof Lanterns Cost?

Roof lanterns are a construction revolution, but they should not cost you a fortune. The overall cost is determined by the size, type and the special features you desire for your roof lantern.

Shop around for different brands to identify the best price. You should compare the features of roof lanterns with the price because the absence of sophisticated features in order to get the price down could be a false economy. Make sure you buy good quality, as energy efficiency, in particular, is so important.

Premier Roof Systems provides the best glass roof lanterns on the market today. Made from high-quality materials that guarantee durability, we believe in the robustness as well as the looks of our roof lanterns.