Are Traditional Roof Lanterns Old Fashioned?

Most people want to purchase traditional roof lanterns in order to add style, class and light to their homes, but there is sometimes a slight concern about coming across as old fashioned.

Aliwood are here to put your mind at ease as we delve into the depths of traditional roof lanterns, their history and how they have developed to fit the 21st century home.

Daylighting

Since the beginning of time, humans have always centred their lives around light; we get up when the sun rises, and we go to bed when it sets. Sunlight makes our bodies tick and allows us to be happier and healthier.  Darkness has always symbolised cold, evil and the unknown and so historically, we have done whatever it takes to let in the light.

Before we tell you more about traditional roof lanterns, let us talk about daylighting. Daylighting is the concept of adding a window or skylight to a building in order to increase the sunlight within. It is an iconic architectural practice which can be seen throughout history. The Pantheon in Rome was built in 27BC and contains one of the earliest instances of daylighting. There is a roof opening, called the oculus, that historians believe was built to cast a single sunbeam, illuminating the doorway at midday on the equinoxes and April 21st (the anniversary date of when Rome was officially founded). This oculus is also the only source of light within The Pantheon.

The Beginnings

The Roman oculus wasn’t common elsewhere, due to the wet weather, however, 13th century Europe developed their own similar versions. Venice, renowned worldwide for its glass industry, started using glass lanterns in cathedrals and castles. The cost of such structure was high and so traditional roof lanterns were destined only for grand buildings and those who could afford the massive cost. Moving towards the 14th and 15th centuries, glass production started to become more common. The glass lanterns from large buildings started to advance into smaller formats called cupolas. The famous Florence Baptistery (or the Bapitistery of Saint John) has a cupola on top of its magnificent structure that allows light to flow into the building below, illuminating its impressive interior.

The Rise of the Orangery

The Middle Ages saw the birth of the orangery lantern roof. These incredible conservatory-like structures got their name from the orangeries they were used in. They consisted of tall windows and a glazed roof with a timber frame and were used to maximise the sunlight towards fruit trees as they grew in non-temperate climates – a bit like green houses. They also consisted of brick work that would retain heat in order to keep the fruit trees warm enough in the colder months of the year. Orangeries were a symbol of wealth and during the 18th century, if you owned one you were considered to be part of the elite. 

The Victorian Era

The Industrial Revolution saw the arrival of new materials, meaning bigger panes of glass and metal frames. During the 18th and 19th, skylights and conservatories were favoured over roof lanterns. The Crystal Palace, that held The Great Exhibition, was opened by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park in 1851 and was the largest glass building ever built. Essentially, this building looked like a giant conservatory and as a result, conservatories surged in popularity in upper-class homes. Many working-class Victorians still had roof lanterns in their houses to provide daylighting for interior stairwells. Others with more money and bigger homes added lavish cupolas and spires.

Modern Day 

The roof lanterns we see today aren’t far from those that have been seen throughout history – they are just more advanced. They are watertight, include top-quality UV glass and provide energy efficiency for your home. Traditional roof lanterns can still be installed in your home without compromising your modern look as they have adapted to the 21st century lifestyle, whilst holding onto the original architectural aspect of daylighting. 

At Aliwood, all our products are made using a sustainably sourced, timber covered frame. Our traditional roof lanterns feature high insulation, 4/16/4mm toughened glass with a soft low-e coating. They are also low maintenance and have a protective barrier to stop the build-up of limescale, moisture and dirt. We provide completely bespoke services and for additional costs you can add those little extras to really make yours unique. 

Get in Touch

After reading the history of traditional roof lanterns, why would you not want to get one for your home and carry on flaunting these beautiful pieces of architecture! If you’d like to add a sleek modern touch to your home and daylight your rooms, get in touch with our team today, or call us on 01245 967107. We would love to hear from you!