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 Maxi-Hipped, Maxi-Flat, and Maxi-Pyramid 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

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; a flat rooflight keeps the external roofline quieter while still pulling 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, sky, or walk-on roof glazing.

Guide prices where approved

Maxi-Hipped roof lanterns, Maxi-Flat rooflights, and Maxi-Pyramid lanterns now have sheet-backed guide sizes on their product pages. Maxi-Sky, Maxi-Opener, and Maxi-Walkon routes stay quote-led until the specification is confirmed.

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Roof Lanterns range

Browse Roof Lanterns

Raised lantern forms

Raised Lanterns

Sit proud of the roofline for a stronger architectural statement

Raised hipped form

Maxi-Hipped Roof Lantern

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

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Square openings

Maxi-Pyramid Roof Lantern

A symmetrical raised lantern for square roof openings.

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Flat glazing

Flat Rooflights

Low-profile units that keep the roofline clean and minimal

Single panel, flush

Maxi-Flat Rooflight

A low-profile flat rooflight supplied and fitted in Essex for overhead daylight without a raised lantern shape.

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Two panels, wider span

Maxi-Sky Rooflight

A wider two-panel flat rooflight supplied and fitted in Essex when one single glass panel is not the right route.

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Walkable surface

Maxi-Walkon Rooflight

A structural walk-on rooflight supplied and fitted in Essex for terraces, decks, and usable flat roof areas.

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Opens for ventilation

Maxi-Opener Rooflight

An opening flat rooflight supplied and fitted in Essex for rooms that need overhead light and high-level ventilation.

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Conservatory transformation

Conservatory Roofs

Transform an underused glass room into a year-round living space

Full roof replacement

Conservatory Roof Solutions

Replacement roof routes for older conservatories that need better comfort and year-round use.

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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; a walk-on unit is for roof areas people will stand on. 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.
Maxi-Sky rooflights: Wider fixed overhead light. Choose this when the room needs a broader rooflight while keeping a flatter profile. This route stays quote-led until opening width, panel split, 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 rooflights: Light plus ventilation. Choose this for kitchens, warm rooms, or spaces where trapped heat needs a way out. Wiring route, controls, rain sensor, and roof access are confirmed during survey.
Walk-on rooflights: Terraces, roof decks, and usable roof areas. Choose this when the glass needs to carry foot traffic above. Structural support, finished levels, drainage, and slip resistance need checking before quoting.
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.

Checkatrade

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

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.”

Read all reviews on Google

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