Roof lanterns, supplied and fitted
A glazed lantern rising out of a flat roof: height, character and daylight for kitchens, extensions and orangeries.
A roof lantern is a glazed roof that rises out of a flat roof, with sloping glass on every side. It adds height and character inside and floods the room below with light from all directions. We supply and fit roof lanterns across Surbiton, Kingston, Surrey and London, mostly over kitchens, dining rooms, extensions and orangeries.
Why choose a roof lantern
- Height. The lantern lifts the ceiling in the middle of the room, which makes a kitchen or extension feel larger.
- Light from every side. Sloping glass catches daylight from all directions through the day, not just from overhead.
- Character. A lantern is a feature in its own right, and suits both new extensions and period homes.
Frames and glazing
Most of the lanterns we fit have slim aluminium frames, which are strong enough to keep the glazing bars narrow and the glass areas large. They come in a range of sizes and colours, with double or triple glazed units and coatings that cut solar heat and glare. Some lanterns include opening vents for ventilation.
How we fit a roof lantern
- We check the roof structure and agree the size and position with you.
- The opening is cut and trimmed, with any extra support the roof needs.
- A timber upstand is built to the lantern’s size, square and level.
- The roof covering is dressed up the upstand and sealed.
- The lantern frame and glazing are fitted and sealed, and the inside reveals are lined and plastered.
The upstand and the roof around it matter as much as the lantern itself. Because we lay EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass roofs too, the whole detail is finished by one team.
Replacing an old lantern
Older uPVC lanterns yellow, sag and let heat out. Most can be replaced with an aluminium lantern over the same opening, with the upstand adjusted to suit, as on our Korniche lantern in Woking.
Lantern or flat rooflight
If you want a cleaner, more minimal look, or the roof has little height to spare, a flat glass skylight may suit better. Tell us about the room and we will talk you through both.
Roof lanterns: recent jobs
Questions we are asked
Roof lantern or flat rooflight?
A roof lantern rises above the roof, so it adds height inside and a traditional character, and lets in light from every side. A flat rooflight sits low and gives a cleaner, more minimal look. We can show you both for the space you have.
Can a roof lantern go on my existing flat roof?
Often, yes. The opening is cut and trimmed, an upstand is built to take the lantern, and the roof covering is renewed around it. A survey tells us whether the roof structure needs strengthening for the size you want.
Do roof lanterns get condensation?
Modern lanterns with double or triple glazing and thermally broken aluminium frames resist condensation far better than older designs. Good ventilation in the room helps too, and some lanterns have opening vents.
Can a roof lantern open?
Some can. Lanterns are available with vents or electric opening sections that let warm air out, which is useful over a kitchen.
Where we fit them
From our base in Surbiton we work across the KT postcodes, Surrey and London.
Goes well with
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Flat glass skylights
A clean pane of sky in a flat roof: frameless-look rooflights for extensions, kitchens, hallways and landings.
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EPDM rubber roofing
A flat roof in one seamless sheet of rubber, with rooflights and lanterns dressed in by the same team that fits them.
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GRP fibreglass roofing
A hard, seamless fibreglass roof, laid in place and finished around every rooflight, upstand and edge.
Bring daylight into your home
Tell Marcus what you have in mind. Quotes are free, with no obligation.