Winter Care for Your Roof Lantern

As the weather gets colder, roof lanterns are subject to a lot of different elements.

From rain, ice to snow, it’s important that once yours is installed, you know what to look out for and how to properly take care of your roof lantern. Here at Aliwood, we are experts with over 30 years of experience in roof lantern specialism! We thought we’d take a closer look at what you can do to ensure you’re caring for your lantern this Winter.

Check Your Glass

With freezing temperatures comes increased chances of glass damage. Although Aliwood products are built to last, glass can be easily damaged. It’s important that you regularly check that your glass is in the best condition possible. Small chips and cracks can easily occur from fallen branches, snow loading and even windy weather! We recommend inspecting the corners of the glass panels to make sure there are no hairline cracks hiding. These are likely to get bigger quickly and move inwards towards the centre of the glass.

Cleaning

With Christmas on the way, you’re probably thinking about getting your home spic and span ahead of the festivities! Your roof lantern will benefit from the Christmas clean too! Some Winter TLC will ensure that your skylight is the star of the show, allowing your room to become the perfect place to host a party. To keep your glass in the best condition possible, clean the interior and exterior, but note, there are slightly different techniques for each side.

What Do I Use?

A word of warning: don’t use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners or hard utensils on your roof lantern. Not only could this affect the glass, it could damage the timber and paint. We recommend using a non-abrasive sponge and some lukewarm, soapy water. You can either use a soft squeegee to eliminate drip marks, or a large microfibre cloth. Use both in a downward stoke motion to avoid smearing.

Interior Cleaning

Before you start the washing process, move any furniture which sit under your roof windows out of the way. Spread a sheet on the floor directly below to catch any dirt or spills. You can use extendable equipment or use a specialist ladder – if possible, get someone else to help guide and assist you.

Remove any dust and cobwebs from the interior of your roof lantern. You certainly don’t want to be washing your windows with the dirt accumulated over the past few months! Use a feather duster to gather the excess before you start washing.

When cleaning, apply a little pressure where you see any build-up of grime. When washed, use your squeegee and microfibre cloth in a downward motion to eliminate water marks and streaks. It’s as simple as that!

Exterior Cleaning

A very similar process to the above, but it’s essential to have someone else spotting from below, should you need help. Always use ladders correctly and with extreme care. Using warm, soapy water and a soft sponge, clean the windows and the exterior structure of your roof lantern. The surround fixings can be wiped over gently.

You may find that certain areas need a little more elbow grease than others and this is completely normal. The exterior parts of a roof lantern are more exposed to the elements, as well as tree sap, bird droppings and vehicle pollution. Leave the water to soak in for a few minutes and it should be easier to wipe away. Never stand or lean on your roof windows.

Your cleaning regime is a personal choice, but we would recommend cleaning your roof windows thoroughly at least every 6 months. Not only does it keep them in the best condition, but you will quickly be able to notice an abnormality in the glass, should it occur. Taking care of your skylight means you will get the most out of it.

Self-Care

Our roof lanterns are pretty self-sufficient. You really don’t have to do a lot to ensure quality assurance over the winter. The pitch of our roof lanterns really helps with self-cleaning and allows particles to easily slide off with wind and rainfall. It’s exactly the same for snow too, and the steeper the pitch, the more difficult it is for it to settle and accumulate on the glazing.

At Aliwood, our roof lanterns are pitched at a 25-degree angle, offering a resistant solution to snow loading and providing maximum structural integrity. You can be confident that your roof lantern is built to withstand the extra weight, should snow mount up on it.

Get in Touch

Our thermal roof lanterns contain an essential thermal break to lock in the heat this winter! With a number of different glazing options to guarantee optimum warmth and comfort in your home, we can help you find the perfect fit. Contact our friendly team today for further information. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 01245 967107. We look forward to hearing from you!