Roof Lanterns Vs Skylights – Which To Choose?

September 7, 2022

Author - Gavin Helgeson

Rooflights Division Manager

sales@duplus.co.uk

Thinking of fitting roof lights or roof lanterns in your home? You’re not alone. Over recent years, the popularity of rooflights has surged for both home renovations and home improvements, as well as new builds.

But what is the difference between the two? And which should you choose?

At Duplus, we’re here to help. Whether you’re renovating your home and are interested in fitting rooflights, or are starting from scratch with an extension, we’re sharing everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

We’ve been the leading rooflight, skylight, and roof lantern specialists in the UK since 1957; we’ve supplied and installed standard- and custom-sized rooflights everywhere from new build homes and home renovations, through to retail premises, Tate Modern, and Savoy Hotel.

Here we’re taking a look at the pros and cons of roof lanterns vs rooflights, what to look out for and in what situations each makes an ideal addition to your home.

Rooflights, Skylights, Roof Lanterns… Understanding the Jargon

Whether you’re a seasoned pro in home improvements, or are new to it all and just want to see your vision come to life – it’s easy to get lost in all the terminology. Fortunately, it’s a lot simpler than it may seem.

Rooflights and Skylights

Rooflights (also known as skylights) is a generic term used to refer to roof-based glazing systems – but can’t be used to describe a roof lantern. They typically lie flush with the roof they’re installed to, but the sizes and styles can vary significantly.

The term rooflight could be used to describe everything from a stock rooflight, a bespoke and custom-shaped skylight, a large or small domestic light, and everything in between. They can be installed on a flat or pitched roof.

In general, skylights are used more widely in the USA and the term rooflights is used more widely in UK and Europe.

Roof Lantern and Lantern Roof Lights

Roof lanterns (also known as lantern roof lights) are another type of roof-based glazing. These typically protrude from the roof, typically in a rectangular or square shape – though the exact style can vary between roof lanterns.

What is the difference between a roof light/skylight and a roof lantern?

So now we have the generic terms for rooflights and lantern roof lights cleared up, let’s take a look at the differences between a roof light and a roof lantern:

	Roof Lantern	Rooflight
Aesthetics	Protrudes from the roof and elegant on the eye. Some come in a range of conservation-style for older buildings.	Modern, minimal appeal, lies almost flush to the roof making rooflights visually unobtrusive.
Shape	Duplus roof lanterns are modern and contemporary in style, with rectangular, octagonal, pyramid & wall-abutting styles.	Many different shapes, sizes and features such as sliding, fixed, hinged, opening, bi-parting and walk-on.
Light	Allows a large amount of light with elegant visual effect, due to the angles the light protracts from. also allows more low-level light during the morning and evening.	Lets light enter directly into the room through a flat panel and allows the most direct sunlight through. Low-level light is less beneficial with flat rooflights.
Price	Roof lanterns tend to be slightly more expensive per square metre than the rooflight counterparts	Rooflights are slightly cheaper per square metre, however, this is dependent on shape, size and features (sliding/walk-on etc)
Size	There are many sizes available. Duplus provide a maximum roof lantern size of 2000mm x 5800mm	Many manufacturers have stock or custom sizing. Duplus provide a maximum rooflight size of: Fixed 2000mm x 3000mm Sliding 2000mm x 2000mm Hinged 3000mm x 1000mm Bi-Parting 2000mm x 4000mm Walk on 1200mm x 2200mm Circular 2000mm diameter
Ventilation	Some roof lanterns have opening options to help with ventilation, although ours do not provide an opening option.	Rooflights have a far larger choice in terms of opening options including manual and electric, as well as biparting options. Hinged opening rooflights provide ventilation, whilst sliding rooflights provide ventilation and access.
Cleaning	Due to the pitch of the pyramid-shaped glass, water will run off the roof lantern easily	Flat rooflights need to be cleaned more regularly, however ‘self-cleaning’ finishes can help disperse water in addition to pitched roofs.
Installation	Some companies provide roof lanterns in a kit form, making assembly difficult if you are unfamiliar. However, Duplus roof lanterns are provided fully-assembled.	Most rooflights are provided as a fully-assembled panel ready to install onto the roof. Duplus rooflights also come with a simple fixing kit.
Planning	Planning will be dependent on each individual situation and their council’s permissions. Therefore, we advise speaking with your local planning authorty / council before thinking about installing a rooflight. See the government planning portal for more information.

What does a roof lantern look like?

Let’s take a look at photos of a Roof Lantern:

In essence…

The roof lantern protrudes from the roof, adding to the architecture of the building.
Each pane of glass is held together by a watertight and airtight seal, reducing heat loss. Structurally bonded joints with high resistance to condensation.
Duplus roof lanterns are frameless, providing enhanced thermal properties, meaning your home stays warmer.
Ultra slim sightlines to maximise natural daylight and no chunky glazing bars!
Different finishes are available and for hot climates. Tinted glass helps reduce sunlight and glare.

Styles of roof lanterns to choose from:

Not all roof lanterns are made equal. Or even the same shape. So if you’re interested in fitting a roof lantern/lanterns to your home, here’s some of the options you may wish to choose from:

Standard roof lantern:

Standard roof lantern shape (as pictured above). A frameless glass roof lantern with glass-to-glass joints. Available in common sizes, including 1000mm x 2000mm, 1000mm x 1500mm, and custom sizes.

Learn more

Large roof lantern:

Similar to our standard roof lantern style, but designed to accommodate larger roof lantern requirements between 3500mm and 5800mm in length. An identical design to our standard lantern roof light style, but with the introduction of a centre ultra slim rafter needing no internal framework to the product’s hips or ridge.

Learn more

Pyramid roof lantern:

Our pyramid roof lanterns feature a low-pitch frameless design, featuring double-glazed HEATSOAKED toughened safety glass panes set at 30 degree angles. Available in common and custom sizes.

Learn more

Wall Abutting Roof Lanterns

Designed for fitting where a roof lantern is desired, but with a wall abutment. The 30° wall-abutted roof lantern allows maximum natural light to penetrate into darker spaces of the room, particularly rooms that have been extended.

Available in standard and custom sizes.

Learn more

Octagonal Roof Lanterns

A unique low-pitch and frameless roof lantern option. Our octagonal roof lanterns not only add contemporary elegance and sophistication to your home, but the structural silicone glazing techniques offer greatly improved thermal efficiency when compared to similar products that rely on supporting internal aluminium framework.

Available in standard and custom sizes.

Learn more

What does a roof light or skylight look like?

Now let’s take a look at photos of a Rooflight:

In short…

The rooflight lies fairly flush against the roof, not affecting the overall shape of the roof or architecture.
There are no visible internal joints, due to the rooflight being a single pane of glass.
Thermal and insulation properties always adhere to UK building regulations. Duplus rooflights exceed current UK building regulations.
Units are always supplied fully assembled. Here at Duplus, we provide all our roof lanterns and rooflights with simple fitting kits for easy installation.
Different shapes and sizes are available including bi-parting, hinged, sliding, circular, fixed, walk-on and opening rooflights in a range of finishes and glass coatings.

Styles of rooflights to consider:

If you’re interested in fitting rooflights or skylights to your home, there are a number of styles and features you may wish to consider.

Fixed Rooflights

Our contemporary-styled fixed flat rooflight is a factory-finished, fully watertight product with a high-quality, frameless aesthetic. Available in standard and custom sizes.

Learn more

Walk on rooflights

Our walk-on rooflights are ideal for roof terraces and basements/cellars to introduce natural light into the room below, and to create a visually unique statement for your home.

Learn more

Circular Rooflights

Our fixed circular rooflights are structurally silicone glazed to give a sleek, elegant appearance with exceptional strength and rigidity. Ideal for flat or pitched roofs. Available in standard and custom sizes.

Learn more

Octagonal Rooflights

Contemporary style rooflight made from silicone-glazed glass in a factory-finished, fully watertight octagonal style. Available in standard and custom sizes.

Learn more

Triangular Rooflights

A modern rooflight style made from waterproof, high-quality silicone-glazed glass in an elegant triangular style. Available in standard and custom sizes. Ideal for contemporary home designs.

Learn more

Sliding Rooflights

Designed to provide a large opening to any roof, our sliding rooflights are ideal to open up more of your home to the outside, creating ample room to access your roof.

Available in standard and custom sizes with optional rain and temperature sensors, and remote control operation.

Learn more

Opening Rooflights

A perfect choice for letting in natural light, air, and ventilation. Our opening rooflights are a popular choice for loft conversions, extensions, and conservatories. Manual and electric options, rain sensors. Available in a range of rooflight sizes.

Learn more

Should I choose a skylight or a roof lantern?

If you’re unsure what style of skylight to opt for, we’ve put together a compatibility guide for the ideal situations in each circumstance.

Still unsure and feeling stuck? We’re happy to help! Our friendly experts are on hand to answer your questions, whether you’re weighing up aesthetics, function, and style, or want to learn more about our glazing technologies and ordering process.

Get in touch with us today!

Roof lantern vs skylight: Pros and Cons

Great For:	Roof Lantern	Fixed Rooflight	Circular Rooflight	Sliding Rooflight	Hinged Rooflight
Pitched Roof		✔	✔		✔
Flat Roof	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Maximise Light	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Architectural Enhancement	✔		✔	✔
Large Area	✔	✔		✔
Ventilation				✔	✔
Cleaning	✔			✔
Price		✔

The UK’s Rooflight and Roof Lantern Experts

At Duplus, we’ve been designing, manufacturing, and installing industry-leading domed and glass roof lights for houses nationwide since 1957.

We take pride in our work and what we do, offering great quality custom-sized, standard-sized, and bespoke rooflights and roof lanterns at a great price – all made in-house here in the UK.

If you’re looking for a rooflight manufacturer for your home, our silicone-glazed range of rooflights and roof lanterns adds elegance to your home with modern, durable and resilient construction.

Give us a call today; we’re happy to help!