Can I Put A Roof Lantern on A Conservatory?

A roof lantern is a glass structure built into a flat roof.

The glass allows an abundance of natural light to stream into your house, while simultaneously expanding the room size. We all know that the lighter the room, the bigger the space appears. Illuminating any room in your house, can create an original, relaxing atmosphere that is simply unbeatable.

Our homes represent serenity, it’s our personal haven. But on the flip side, it can also be a social environment for friends and family to come and visit. At Aliwood, our roof lanterns can fit any occasion, whether that be a peaceful moment of alone time reading a book, or inviting a few loved ones over for dinner. A lantern can elevate low ceilings, to bring nature and beautiful surrounding views into your living space. Now, who wouldn’t want a show-stopper like that in their home?

What is a conservatory?

On the other hand, although conservatories and conservatory roofs are often made from glass panes just like roof lanterns, a conservatory is attached to a house at one side, and can be made mostly from glass. This is where issues can arise.

In the Summer, you might find conservatories unbearably humid, like a green house. You wouldn’t be wrong, because it almost is one. As the sun becomes a long-lost friend, and those crisp winter months arrive with a vengeance, conservatories can morph into what feels like Antarctic temperatures! As we know, British weather can be, shall we say, very unpredictable, and a conservatory can be very unreliable in terms of regulating its temperature. 

Are roof lanterns more thermally efficient than a conservatory?

A roof lantern is made to retain the heat in the cooler months and let the warm access out in the warmer making them extremely energy efficient. Aliwood’s Essex roof lanterns are made from knot-free, laminated Redwood timber, which is fully capped with a marine-grade, powder-coated aluminum frame. Our top of the range eco-friendly materials ensures that the timber frame is never exposed.

Our product guarantees no cold spots creating condensation, which is vital to rooms susceptible to changing humidity like kitchen and bathrooms. Alongside this, we use thermal breaks which is a material put into the frame, preventing heat loss. Unlike with conservatories, you will never have to worry about your temperature control in the room your roof lantern is in.

What rooms can I have a roof lantern in?

Ideally, we all want to expand our living space, but what if you could do it without building a conservatory or an extension? Although Aliwood do not give conservatory roof replacements (unless the roof is flat), there are so many areas and different ways to incorporate a roof lantern somewhere in your home, as opposed to a small conservatory. Every room in a home has its purposes, and whatever that purpose, light is always a beautiful bonus. It can brighten an office, allow the early morning sun to cascade into your bedroom and expand your living area, just to name a few highlights.

Alternatively, if you have a pre-existing extension with a flat roof that feels dark and gloomy, Aliwood can turn your chosen space into a heavenly, spacious paradise; enough to turn any bad day around! Conservatory roofs cannot offer the same benefits without the catch of being too hot or too cold. And for us Brits, this is after all, our pet peeve.

Are roof lanterns better than a conservatory?

In our opinion, if you’re deciding between building a conservatory or an extension with a roof lantern, we would advise that you go with the latter. Although conservatories gained popularity back in the 70’s and 80’s, the reality is that the lack of temperature efficiency and outdated aesthetic, means conservatories just aren’t as desirable for our modern world. Many conservatories have been built on the side of houses as a quick fix for extra space, but long-term, they’re not always the best, most economical of infrastructures.

Modern interior design, and architecture is always evolving, and improving. Glass roof extensions have always existed in magnificent grand buildings, but now it is possible to bring this beautiful architecture into your own home, instead of simply wanting to replace a small conservatory with new glass for example. Designs nowadays are about merging rooms together, combing spaces and creating opened planned living is always in high demand.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s rooms were deliberately very separate; hence the use for conservatories – another separate space for a specific use. As times have changed, there is now a desire for conjoined family spaces, much like combined living room and kitchen spaces, for example. Therefore, having a roof lantern, can take your desire and vison for expansion in your home to the next level b conjuring a stylish, and contemporary piece of architecture into your own home.

Contact us

Second guessing a conservatory extension? Maybe you want to elevate your flat roof extension to bring the wow-factor into your home? Take your living space to the next level with an Aliwood roof lantern. Contact our friendly team for more information on our Essex roof lanterns by clicking here! Alternatively, you can get a free quote today, or call us on 01245967107. We look forward to hearing from you!