What are the different roof lantern shapes?

For many of us, the thought of a roof lantern evokes ideas of bright and spacious rooms, sunlight streaming in on a Sunday morning and night-time views of the stars. Choosing the right roof lantern shape for your property can seem quite daunting, but it doesn't need to be! Understanding the benefits of each style can help you make the right decision for your home.

In the early days, roof lanterns were largely designed with functionality in mind, with little concern given to how it might affect the aesthetics of a building. Ultimately, a well-designed roof lantern should complement the architecture of your home, blending in and appearing like it was always meant to be there. This will be directed by the shape and function of the room you want to transform with a roof lantern. Read on to see which one might be right for you…

The Classic Rectangle

The most prevalent roof lantern shape that was born from the era of Victorian glasshouses and orangeries, the rectangular roof lantern is a classic. this style of roof lantern is great for reflecting the shape of a general family room, which are most commonly rectangular themselves. They can also be made to fit very long rooms, such as the open-plan kitchen and dining room or hallway. They can also be ideal for creating a sense of flow in your house by connecting different areas, or for defining pathways in larger spaces.

Simply Square

A square roof lantern offers an alternative look to a rectangular style, and can really draw the eye when installed in the middle of a room. They have a neat, contemporary feel with their perfect symmetry and even lines.

They are perfect for use in smaller or square-shaped rooms, bringing a wow factor to bathrooms, home offices, staircases, nurseries and boot rooms. However, they can also be used to draw attention to specific areas in a larger open-plan room – for example by sitting above a kitchen island where food might be prepared, or over a comfortable reading nook.

The Octagonal Roof Lantern

Of all the designs, the stunning octagonal roof lantern brings a real sense of elegance to your home. Perfect of using in circular or polygonal rooms, they can completely transform the interior space and the architectural style on the outside, often looking like a dome.

Visually they are breathtaking, but from a functional perspective, they are great for north-facing properties, with so many glazed sides working in your favour to reflect sunlight down into the room below.

Double the Architectural Interest

With two or three rectangular roof lanterns joined together, double or triple roof lanterns are complex and intricate designs. They may appear to be a lot of work when it comes to manufacturing and installing them, but the aesthetic benefits are well worth the investment. They add interest and detail to the room, with a number of peaks raising the ceiling height in numerous places.

Incorporated into open-plan rooms, these particularly distinctive roof lanterns can help to separate different areas of living space, for example, a living room, kitchen and dining room under each lantern. They are also a very good choice to opt for when a single roof lantern might obstruct a window on the first floor of your property.

Choosing the right roof lantern requires a combination of careful thought and a consideration to your own personal tastes. We have a range of shapes and sizes available, using the finest timber and aluminium materials to carefully manufacture each one.

If you’d like to find out more about Aliwood and our roof lanterns, then get in touch! Call us today on 01245 967107.