What is the difference between a roof lantern, rooflight, and skylight?

A roof lantern is usually a raised glazed structure on a flat roof. A rooflight is normally flatter and lower profile. Skylight is often used as a general search term, so we talk through the actual roof form, room use, opening size, and external appearance during survey.

How much does a roof lantern cost in Essex?

Costs depend on the roof opening, kerb, size, colour, glass, vents, access, and site conditions. Our hipped lantern, flat rooflight, and pyramid lantern product pages show approved guide sizes and starting prices; other specialist routes stay quote-led until surveyed.

Do I need planning permission for a roof lantern?

In most cases, adding a roof lantern to an existing extension does not require planning permission, as it typically falls under Permitted Development. However, if your property is listed or in a conservation area, additional consent may be required. We recommend confirming with your local planning authority.

What glazing options are available for roof lanterns?

We offer double and triple-glazed roof lanterns with self-cleaning and solar control glass options. All glass is safety-rated to UK Building Regulations.

How do roof lanterns perform in summer heat?

Modern roof lanterns with solar control glazing significantly reduce heat gain while maintaining excellent light transmission. We can advise on the best glass specification for your orientation and use case.

Can a roof lantern be added to an existing roof?

Yes, a roof lantern or rooflight can often be installed into an existing flat roof structure, provided the opening, kerb, support, roof fall, and weathering detail are suitable. We carry out a site survey before confirming the route.

Our Services

Roof Lanterns & Rooflights

Roof lanterns and rooflights surveyed, supplied, and fitted across Essex

Roof lantern or rooflight

The first decision is the roof form. A raised roof lantern becomes a visible feature over a kitchen or extension, while a flat rooflight or skylight keeps the external roofline quieter and still pulls daylight deep into the room.

Surveyed around the roof

We check the prepared opening, kerb height, roof fall, access, drainage, wiring route, and room orientation before recommending hipped, flat, pyramid, opening, large skylight, or conservatory roof work.

Guide prices before survey

Hipped roof lanterns, flat rooflights, and pyramid roof lanterns have guide prices for standard sizes on their product pages. Large skylights and opening skylights are priced after survey because the specification varies more from roof to roof.

Free Roof Survey

Need help choosing between a lantern and a rooflight?

We check the opening, kerb, roof fall, drainage, access, wiring route, and room use before recommending a hipped, flat, pyramid, opening, large skylight, or conservatory roof route.

Compare raised lanterns and flat rooflightsSurvey checks kerb, fall, access, and wiringGuide prices used only where approved

Book a free survey 020 8500 9100

Roof glazing guide

Choose the right roof lantern or rooflight

Start with the room below and the roof outside. A raised lantern gives an extension a visible feature; a flat rooflight or skylight keeps the roofline quieter; an opener adds ventilation. Approved guide prices are shown only on the hipped, flat, and pyramid product pages because those ranges have sheet-backed guide sizes.

White roof lantern installed over a flat roof extension

Hipped roof lanterns: A raised feature over kitchens and flat roof extensions. Choose this when the roof glazing should be a visible centrepiece. Current guide sizes run from £1,799 for the 1000 x 1200mm guide size and £3,999 for the 3000 x 3000mm guide size before survey and specification.
Flat rooflights: A clean, low-profile glass panel. Choose this when you want more light without a raised lantern shape. Current guide sizes run from £1,399 for the 500 x 500mm guide size and £1,899 for the 1200 x 2000mm guide size before survey and specification.
Large skylights: Long, wide runs of overhead light. Choose this when the room needs a broader run of roof glazing with a shallow pitch and minimal bars. This route stays quote-led until the width, length, bar layout, glass and access are confirmed.
Pyramid roof lanterns: Square openings that need a raised symmetrical form. Choose this when the roof opening is square and a hipped rectangular lantern would look forced. Current guide sizes run from £1,599 for the 500 x 500mm guide size and £3,699 for the 2500 x 2500mm guide size before survey and specification.
Opening skylights: Light plus ventilation. Choose this for kitchens, warm rooms, or spaces where trapped heat needs a way out. The opening, kerb, electric actuator, wireless switch, wiring route and roof access are confirmed during survey.
Conservatory roof solutions: Older conservatories that need a better roof. Choose this when the issue is the whole conservatory roof, not just adding one rooflight.

Roof Lanterns & Rooflights range

Browse Roof Lanterns & Rooflights

Raised lantern forms

Raised Lanterns

Sit proud of the roofline for a stronger architectural statement

Raised hipped form

Hipped Roof Lantern

A raised aluminium lantern for flat roof extensions where the glazing should be a feature.

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Square openings

Pyramid Roof Lantern

A symmetrical four-sided raised lantern for square flat roof openings, made to measure and installed by Cii in Essex.

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Flat glazing

Flat Rooflights

Low-profile units that keep the roofline clean and minimal

Single panel, flush

Flat Rooflight

Our flat rooflight is a low-profile glazed unit, often called a skylight or roof light, supplied and fitted across Essex for overhead daylight without a raised lantern shape.

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Low pitch, wide span

Large Skylight

A low-pitch rooflight for wide spans, designed to maximise overhead glass while keeping glazing bars to a minimum.

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Opens for ventilation

Opening Skylight

An electrically opening flat rooflight supplied and fitted in Essex for controllable high-level ventilation and overhead daylight.

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Conservatory transformation

Conservatory Roof Insulation

Internal insulation for older plastic conservatory roofs

Internal roof insulation

Eco Conservatory Roof Insulation

Internal insulation and ceiling lining for older plastic conservatory roofs that are too hot in summer, too cold in winter, or rarely used.

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Roof glazing aftercare

What backs your roof lantern project

Roof glazing needs clear decisions before the survey becomes a final order: measured opening, weathering detail, and compliance route.

10-year installation guaranteeCompliance route checkedUK-manufactured frames and glass

10-year guarantee

Accountability for the installed detail

Roof glazing depends on measured openings, kerbs, sealing, drainage and finishing. Our 10-year installation guarantee gives you a direct local route back to the fitting team if anything needs attention after handover.

Assure certification

The right compliance route confirmed before quoting

Assure covers relevant replacement roof windows and roof lights. Roof lantern projects can depend on the existing opening and build-up, so we confirm the correct certification or Building Regulations route before quoting.

Made in the UK

Frames and glass made in the UK

Every roof glazing frame and sealed glass unit we fit is manufactured in the UK, from the profiles to the glass.

Google

“Roof lantern fitted over our orangery. The light it brings in is incredible. The installation team were excellent and left the site spotless. Highly recommend Cii.”

Checkatrade

“Cii fitted our roof lantern on the rear extension. Excellent craftsmanship, very professional team, and the room is transformed. Highly recommended.”

Read all reviews on Google

Questions answered

Common Questions

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Roof Lanterns & Rooflights

Need help choosing between a lantern and a rooflight?

Choose the right roof lantern or rooflight