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A roof lantern is a glazed structure that sits on top of a flat or pitched roof, designed to bring natural light into the space below. From the outside it looks like a raised glass box. From the inside it transforms the feel of a room entirely.
If you have ever stood in an orangery, a garden room, or a single storey extension and noticed how bright and open it feels despite having no windows on the walls, there is a good chance a roof lantern is responsible for that effect.
We will look at what a roof lantern is, how it works, the styles available, and what to consider if you are thinking about having one installed.
A roof lantern sits above the roofline of a flat-roofed extension or room, creating a raised section that is fully glazed on all sides and across the top. Because it draws light from directly above rather than from the sides, it introduces daylight into the centre of a room that standard windows cannot reach.
This is particularly useful in single storey rear extensions, which can run quite deep into a garden. The further a room extends from the back of a house, the harder it becomes to light it naturally from windows alone. A roof lantern solves this problem by pulling light in from the top.
Beyond the practical benefit, a well-designed roof lantern also adds architectural character to a space. The view upward through the glass, particularly on a clear day or at night, is something you simply do not get from any other product.
Not all roof lanterns look the same, and the style you choose should suit both the architecture of your home and the look you want to achieve inside.
A traditional roof lantern features multiple panes of glass divided by visible glazing bars, creating a structured, segmented appearance. The visual effect is elegant and classic, and it suits period properties, older homes, and extensions designed to complement rather than contrast with the existing building.
Inside, the glazing bars create a sense of defined geometry overhead. Some people find this more comfortable than a single expanse of glass, particularly in larger spans.
A contemporary roof lantern strips the design back. Fewer glazing bars, slimmer frames, and larger panes of glass create a much more open visual effect. The result is closer to a skylight in feel but with the depth and drama of a lantern structure above the roofline.
For modern extensions, open plan kitchens, and garden rooms with a clean aesthetic, a contemporary lantern tends to be the stronger choice. The frame recedes and the sky becomes the feature.
At Bifold Shop, we supply and install Atlas lantern roofs, which are independently tested and certified by the BBA. Atlas roof lanterns are available in both traditional and contemporary styles and are built around a 40mm super slim external frame, which means less visible structure and more glass.
One of the things that sets Atlas apart is the internal appearance. There are no unsightly boss fittings, hidden tie bars do a structural job without being visible, and the ridge and rafter profiles are slimmer than competitor systems. The result is a cleaner ceiling line when you look up.
On thermal performance, the Atlas rafter achieves a U value of 1.5 W/m2k, which is significantly more efficient than many alternatives on the market. When paired with high performance double glazed low-E glass, the overall roof unit can achieve a U value as low as 1.2 W/m2k. Triple glazing is also available on the Atlas system, bringing the overall U value down to as low as 0.7 W/m2k for those who want the highest level of thermal performance.
Atlas roof lanterns are available in a wide range of RAL colours, and roof vents can be added with either manual or electric openers to help manage temperature and ventilation in the room below.
Alongside traditional and contemporary lantern roofs, we also supply Atlas flat rooflights. These sit flush or near-flush with the roof surface rather than rising above it, creating a different visual effect both inside and out.
A flat rooflight is a good option when you want maximum light without the raised external profile of a lantern. It suits very modern architecture particularly well, and the minimalistic sight lines of the Atlas flat rooflight mean it adds light without drawing attention to itself from outside.
If you are unsure whether a roof lantern or a flat rooflight is more appropriate for your project, it is worth discussing both options before you commit. The right choice depends on the pitch and construction of your existing roof, the look you want to achieve, and the structural setup of the extension.
Roof lanterns are sized to fit the opening in your roof structure, and getting the dimensions right matters. Too small and the lantern will feel underwhelming. Too large and it can dominate the room or create thermal management challenges in summer.
As a general rule, the lantern should cover a meaningful proportion of the flat roof area without sitting right up to the edges. Your installer should be able to advise on proportions based on your specific room dimensions.
The glazing you choose affects how the room feels year-round. Standard double glazed units with a low-E coating provide good thermal performance and are compliant with current UK building regulations. Solar control glass is worth considering for south or west-facing extensions where overheating in summer is a concern. Self-cleaning glass is useful if the lantern is positioned where external cleaning is difficult.
A fully glazed roof can make a room very warm in summer, particularly in a south-facing extension. Roof vents built into the lantern structure allow hot air to escape and make the space more comfortable throughout the year. Atlas lanterns support single bay vents that are designed to match the slim profile of the frame, so they do not look like an afterthought.
Most roof lanterns on single storey rear extensions fall within permitted development rights in England and do not require planning permission.
However, this depends on the size of the extension, whether you live in a conservation area, and whether any previous permitted development rights have already been used on the property. It is always worth checking with your local planning authority before proceeding.
A roof lantern works best in a single storey extension, orangery, or flat-roofed garden room where the ceiling is the main opportunity to introduce natural light. If you are planning an extension and the room will run more than three or four metres back from the house, a roof lantern is almost always worth considering.
What we find in practice is that customers who add a roof lantern very rarely regret it. The difference in light levels and the feeling of space it creates tends to exceed expectations, particularly in the winter months when natural light from windows is limited.
If you are planning an extension and want to understand how a roof lantern could work in your project, take a look at our guide on extensions with bifold doors for further ideas on how to maximise light and space in a single storey build. It is also worth reading our post on how to maximise natural light with bifold door extensions, which covers complementary ways to bring more daylight into a rear extension.
Every roof lantern we supply and install is priced based on your specific opening size, style, glazing specification, and colour. We do not work from a standard price list because the variables involved mean no two installations are the same.
All of our roof lanterns come with a 10 year guarantee on installation and frames, and a 10 year guarantee on most glass units. We also offer a supply and delivery only option for tradespeople and self-builders who have their own installation team in place.
Use our online quote tool to get a figure based on your dimensions, or visit our showroom in Cheltenham to see examples of our Atlas roof lanterns and discuss your project with our team.
