How Big Can A Roof Lantern Be?

Posted at 10/22/24

If you are considering enhancing your property with a roof lantern, you may be wondering how big a roof lantern can actually be. The answer here is pretty simple: roof lanterns can be as big as you need them to be, depending on where you plan to install them in your home. As roof lanterns increase in size, they may become more complex to fit and sometimes require planning permission. 

Roof Lanterns

Recently, aluminium roof lanterns have become increasingly popular with homeowners across the UK. Differing in style from all other double glazing home improvements, these structures add elegant style to any home they are installed within. 

Thanks to their vast panels of double glazing and slim sightlines, roof lanterns, also known as lantern skylights, are a great way to add natural light to a dull room. Whether you have a conservatory, orangery or extension, aluminium roof lanterns can be installed to any part of your home that has a flat roof. They open up the ceiling, allowing natural light to flood the space while giving you beautiful uninterrupted views of the sky above.

Where to Place Roof Lanterns? 

Many of homeowners choose to have their lantern skylight installed over a centrepiece feature within their home. This may be a kitchen island, a dining table, swimming pool, pool table, entertaining place or firepit. As all of these things come in different sizes and shapes, it is important that you can get a large roof lantern that will cover the entire area. If this is how you plan to use your roof lantern, it is essential that you measure the space accurately.  

How To Measure Roof Lanterns

To make sure that you order a lantern skylight that is the correct size for your home, we have put together a free guide to help you. Taking correct measurements is extremely important when deciding how big your roof lantern should be. You will need to provide us with the width and length of the area you plan to install to, taking into consideration the fact that the lantern must sit on a timber upstand. We recommend an upstand of 100mm wide x 150mm tall, and the width must be included in the measurements you provide us with.

For clarification:

• Width = the actual opening size plus the width of the timber upstand on both sides.
• Length = the actual opening size plus the width of the timber upstand on both sides.

The wrong measurements can lead to a lantern skylight that does not fit your property, so please make sure that your measurements are accurate. 

Planning Permission

As previously mentioned, the larger your lantern skylight gets, the more likely it is that you may need to consider the need for planning permission. Generally, lantern skylights do not need planning permission, but this does depend on where you live within the UK. If you live in a location with restrictions in place, such as an area of natural beauty, national park, or conservation area, or own a listed building, it is best to get in touch with your local planning authority to check whether planning permission is required. 

If your local planning authority states that you do not need planning permission for the installation of a roof lantern, there are a few things you should check when considering a large lantern. If the roof lantern extends 150mm above the sloping pane of the existing roof, you may need additional planning permission. This is also the case if the lantern skylight is higher than the highest part of the roof. 

By working with an experienced installation team, such as My Bifold, you will not have to worry about breaching planning permission rules. No matter how large you choose for your aluminium roof lantern to be, we will always make sure that it meets any local authority standards and does not breach any regulations. 

Roof Lantern Prices

If you are ready to get in touch with us here at My Bifold so that we can help you decide how big your new roof lantern should be, please give us a call on 01522 516 615 during opening hours. Our friendly team would be happy to answer any questions you may have, helping you decide which size would be best for your UK home.