Lantern Roof Conservatories

South Lakes Windows can incorporate the Ultraframe UltraSKY Lantern into suitable conservatory, orangery and extension projects.

The UltraSKY Lantern is designed to introduce overhead glazing into a flat or low-profile roof. Its frame supports large areas of glass while keeping the number of internal bars relatively low. This helps maintain clear views through the roof and allows plenty of daylight into the room below.

The lantern can become an important feature of the interior. Its position can be planned above a dining table, kitchen island, seating area or another central part of the room.

Externally, the raised roof structure adds shape to an otherwise flat roofline. This can work with traditional and contemporary homes depending on the dimensions, frame finish and wider design of the conservatory. Our team can discuss whether an UltraSKY Lantern is suitable for your proposed project during the initial survey and design stage.

One of the main advantages of a glass roof lantern is its ability to bring daylight into areas that might otherwise rely heavily on windows and doors around the outside walls.

This becomes particularly important when adding a conservatory or extension to an existing house. Extending the rear of a property can move the new external windows several metres away from the original room. Without suitable roof glazing, this can reduce the amount of daylight reaching the older part of the house. A roof lantern allows light to enter from above. Positioning it closer to the junction with the existing building can help introduce daylight into the deeper parts of the new space.

The result depends on the orientation of the property, size of the lantern and surrounding buildings or trees, so these factors need to be considered during the design process. Large windows and glazed doors can then provide additional light from the sides of the conservatory.

A lantern roof conservatory provides a different internal character from a traditional fully glazed conservatory. The solid roof sections create a more conventional ceiling around the room. This provides space for lighting and helps define different areas within a larger living space.

The glazed lantern then creates a brighter central section above.

This combination can work particularly well for kitchen and dining conservatories. A dining table can sit beneath the lantern, or the roof glazing can be positioned above a kitchen island where additional natural light is useful. The design also works well for sitting rooms and family spaces. Furniture can be arranged around the perimeter without having glass directly overhead across the complete room.

For homeowners who want a lower roof profile, South Lakes Windows can also provide the UltraSKY Flat Skylight, which introduces overhead glass without the raised form of a lantern.

Thermal performance needs careful consideration whenever large areas of glass are incorporated into a roof. A lantern conservatory combines insulated solid roof construction with modern roof glazing. This reduces the proportion of overhead glass compared with a conventional fully glazed conservatory while still retaining natural light from above. Modern insulated glazing units help reduce heat transfer through the lantern. Suitable glass specifications can also help manage solar gain where the roof receives strong direct sunlight.

The rest of the conservatory needs to be considered at the same time.

Energy efficient double glazed windows, insulated doors, effective weather seals and the floor construction all contribute to the performance of the finished room. Orientation is another important factor. A south-facing roof lantern may receive considerably more direct sunlight than one facing north. The size of the lantern and glass specification can therefore be selected with the individual property in mind.

The solid roof and lantern can be combined with different window and door arrangements to create a conservatory suited to the property. Large fixed windows can provide broad garden views, while opening casement or other suitable window styles provide ventilation.

French doors offer a traditional garden entrance and can work particularly well with lantern conservatories designed to complement older properties. For wider openings, bi-folding doors allow multiple panels to fold together, opening a substantial section of the conservatory onto the garden or patio. Sliding doors provide another choice where large glass panels and wide views are priorities. Triple track and lift and slide configurations can be considered for larger openings where compatible systems are available.

The position of the windows and doors should be planned alongside the lantern. This allows natural light, ventilation, access and furniture placement to be considered as part of one design.

Roof lanterns have a strong architectural shape that can work with several property styles. On traditional homes, a symmetrical lantern can complement the proportions of the existing building. Frame finishes, window designs and doors can then be selected to suit stone, brick or rendered elevations.

For contemporary homes, larger glass areas and simpler frame arrangements can give the conservatory a cleaner appearance. Aluminium windows and sliding doors can work particularly well with this approach. Lantern conservatories are also well suited to properties where homeowners want the additional space to feel more like part of the main house. The solid ceiling provides a stronger visual connection with the existing interior, while the roof lantern retains the light associated with a conservatory.

Each design can be developed around the house rather than following a fixed standard format.

Planning permission and Building Regulations requirements depend on the property, size and construction of the proposed conservatory.

Some projects may fall within permitted development rights, while others will require planning permission. Additional controls can apply to listed buildings, homes within conservation areas and properties where permitted development rights have been restricted. Building Regulations may also apply depending on the construction and how the new room connects with the existing house.

Roof height is an important consideration with a lantern design. Although the main roof may have a relatively low profile, the lantern rises above it. Existing first-floor windows, gutters, eaves and other features therefore need to be taken into account.

South Lakes Windows will assess the available space during the survey before developing the proposed design.