Roof Lantern vs Skylight: What’s the Difference?

11 Dec

When it comes to upgrading your home lifestyle, increasing the amount of natural light in your home is proven to have numerous benefits.

Countless studies have concluded that natural light boosts serotonin production, encourages better sleep quality, and has a powerful effect on your general mental wellbeing. It’s evident that natural light solutions, such as roof lanterns or a skylight roof, are a phenomenal way to encourage floods of light into your home and reap the rewards that it brings.

However, the decision to increase the natural light in your home isn’t as simple as opting for the most popular solution. Faced with choices that may appear similar on the surface yet are vastly different, it can be overwhelming deciding which option is the right solution for you and your family’s needs.

Fortunately, we have broken this down to help you make a well-informed decision. Below, we consider the differences between roof lanterns and skylights. We compare the two side by side so that you can tailor your choice to what best suits your property, armed with all the key details and necessary considerations.

What is a Skylight Roof?

A skylight roof is a modern take on glazed roof options, consisting of a single, flat pane of glass. Skylights vary in size and sit on a kerb slightly above the roofline to create a sleek, minimalistic look. Skylight roofs provide lower-impact lighting and are ideal for smaller spaces.

Below, we look at the pros and cons of a skylight roof.

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Pros	Cons
Skylights can be integrated into both flat and pitched roofs, making them versatile and suitable for any room of the house. Lower cost – thanks to their simple design, skylight roofs are a lower cost solution than roof lanterns, as they consist of a single glazing pane and a lack of intricate design. Thermal performance is high – there are less potential weak points than other natural light solutions, preventing internal heat from escaping.	Skylight roofs look and feel cheaper than other natural light solutions – because they are. They create less visual impact and sport a plainer look. Due to the glazing being flat, rainwater can collect on the pane, leading to watermarks and dirt gathering on the glass. They look out of place in period properties – skylights typically only suit newer, modern homes. Skylights on pitched roofs are tricky to clean and will always require a professional.

Pros

Cons

Skylights can be integrated into both flat and pitched roofs, making them versatile and suitable for any room of the house.
Lower cost – thanks to their simple design, skylight roofs are a lower cost solution than roof lanterns, as they consist of a single glazing pane and a lack of intricate design.
Thermal performance is high – there are less potential weak points than other natural light solutions, preventing internal heat from escaping.

Skylight roofs look and feel cheaper than other natural light solutions – because they are. They create less visual impact and sport a plainer look.
Due to the glazing being flat, rainwater can collect on the pane, leading to watermarks and dirt gathering on the glass.
They look out of place in period properties – skylights typically only suit newer, modern homes.
Skylights on pitched roofs are tricky to clean and will always require a professional.

What is a Roof Lantern?

Opposed to the flat, two-dimensional effect that skylights portray, roof lanterns (also called a lantern roof or roof lantern skylight) are pitched, architectural structures. They consist of multiple panels of glazing separated by rafters and come in a variety of sizes and shapes including squares, rectangles and octagons.

A lantern roof adds height, volume and visual appeal to a property. They function as a focal piece in the home and because of this, they are ideal for flat roof extensions and orangeries. Although roof lanterns are rarely integrated into pitched roofs, this is still possible by working with the roof’s shape, but this depends on the layout of the property.

Next, let’s review the pros and cons of roof lanterns.

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Pros	Cons
By being raised above roof level in a pyramid shape, water runs off the glazing, meaning less water marks and easier cleaning. Strong aesthetic appeal and can be designed in a way that complements the character of your existing property. Great thermal efficiency – advancements in glazing technology ensures your roof lantern skylight has excellent heat retention, thereby lowering your energy bills. Made from sustainably sourced, copiously available timber, our roof lanterns are a more eco-conscious choice than a skylight roof, which is often crafted using uPVC.	Less versatile – as roof lanterns are best suited to flat roofs, these extensions tend to be dining rooms, living areas and kitchens. Higher cost – the superior design is more complex and therefore often costs more.

Pros

Cons

By being raised above roof level in a pyramid shape, water runs off the glazing, meaning less water marks and easier cleaning.
Strong aesthetic appeal and can be designed in a way that complements the character of your existing property.
Great thermal efficiency – advancements in glazing technology ensures your roof lantern skylight has excellent heat retention, thereby lowering your energy bills.
Made from sustainably sourced, copiously available timber, our roof lanterns are a more eco-conscious choice than a skylight roof, which is often crafted using uPVC.

Less versatile – as roof lanterns are best suited to flat roofs, these extensions tend to be dining rooms, living areas and kitchens.
Higher cost – the superior design is more complex and therefore often costs more.

Roof Ventilation Solutions for Roof Lanterns

Opening roof vents can and should be integrated into a roof lantern. This is because they provide increased ventilation and better thermal regulation, therefore increasing airflow during the warmer months and creating a more comfortable living space.

These vents consist of a built-in casement window that can be connected to a thermostat or rain sensor, meaning your vent will automatically open and close depending on the weather outside. Alternatively, a cheaper option is a simple rocker switch for manual opening and closing to your preference.

Key Differences: Roof Lantern vs Skylight Roof

It’s a misconception that roof lanterns and skylights are equivalent products. Although they both aim to solve the same problem, the effectiveness of their results is vastly different. When you look at a roof lantern vs a skylight, there are the following distinctions.

Roof lanterns are ideal for those seeking more of a focal piece than a subtle feature. They offer exceptional function, with surrounding glazing that welcomes in ample floods of natural light and outstanding thermal performance. The higher price tag certainly comes with plentiful benefits, including better aesthetic value and a sense of grandeur that you don’t achieve with a skylight roof.

In general, skylights are better for households seeking an understated effect, or those with pitched roofs instead of flat roof extensions. Skylight roofs better suit minimalistic tastes and work well in properties with dark bedrooms, bathrooms or other rooms where integrating a roof lantern would be unachievable. With a cheaper price tag, skylights provide a toned-down roof lantern effect. This allows extra natural light into your home without gaining an architectural feature.

What Planning Permission is Required for a Roof Lantern vs Skylight?

Typically, roof renovations that do not affect the external appearance of a property will not require planning permission.

As a general rule, roof lanterns and skylights:

Must not project higher than 150mm from the existing roof
The maximum roof height should not exceed 4m from ground level

For most roof lanterns, you can proceed under permitted development rights instead of going through the formal planning permission process. However, you may be exempt from permitted development rights if:

You live in a conservation area
You have previously had planning permission denied for your property
Your property is a listed building
You live in a National Landscape

It is always best to get a professional’s expert advice before undergoing any renovation.

Which is Right for Your Home – Roof Lantern or Skylight?

The flat roof glazing solution that is best for you depends wholly on your personal taste, goals, preferences and needs. Consider how often you intend to be in the room. If it is your main living and entertainment area, then a larger investment for better results may have you leaning towards a roof lantern skylight. Or is the roof of the desired room pitched, making a skylight roof the more seamless option?

FAQs

Where can I purchase roof lanterns in the UK?

At Aliwood, we pride ourselves on being experienced designers and manufacturers of premium-quality (yet affordable) timber roof lanterns. We’re based in Essex and offer a supply service across the UK.

What are the main benefits of flat roof glazing?

Natural light brightens the room and creates a real sense of space, increasing home comfort. As previously stated, sunlight has been proven to have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. Studies have even concluded that natural light helps keep our circadian rhythm in check, resulting in a feeling of restfulness and a regulated sleep pattern.

What materials are our roof lanterns made from?

Our roof lanterns are manufactured using top-quality laminated Redwood, selected for its exceptional durability and stability. Our lanterns are then capped in powder-coated aluminium, which protects the timber against adverse weather conditions, ensuring longevity and no leaks.

We choose sustainability wherever possible, sourcing from FSC-certified forests and avoiding the use of unethically harvested materials such as tropical hardwoods or harmful plastics such as PVC.

If you’re still weighing up your options, then call our friendly sales and design team today. They are always more than happy to advise you on your decision and help you better understand our product.

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