Newbury · Berkshire
Roof Lanterns in Newbury
Is the middle of your extension in Newbury too dark? A roof lantern or skylight brings in light that wall windows cannot reach.
- RG14
- RG20
- Guide from £1,095
Roof lanterns in Newbury: what to know
Roof lanterns are made in rectangular, square and octagonal shapes, with hipped or gable ends. Frames are usually powder-coated aluminium, often grey or black outside and white inside. Manufacturing lead times depend on size and colour, and the expected timescale is confirmed in writing with the quote.
Glass for lanterns usually comes with a self-cleaning outer coating that helps rain wash away dirt, and a choice of clear, neutral or blue-tinted solar-control glass. Solar-control glass limits heat build-up under a south-facing lantern, while clear low-E glass suits shaded or north-facing rooms.
The Rooflight Association recommends laminated glass for the inner pane of glass rooflights, because laminated glass stays bonded together if it breaks instead of dropping fragments into the room below. Toughened inner panes are still used, but laminated is the safer choice over kitchens, stairs and seating areas.
Old polycarbonate or single glazed roof lanterns can be replaced with double glazed aluminium lanterns on the existing upstand, if the upstand is sound, level and the right size. Upstands that are rotten, uninsulated or out of level should be rebuilt first, which the survey identifies.
Included as standard
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Fixing, glazing and sealing onto the prepared upstand
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
Local details for Newbury
- Postcodes covered
- RG14, RG20 and the surrounding area, including Thatcham, Wantage and Basingstoke
- Coast
- Newbury is well inland, around 56 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Newbury the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 hours in midsummer. Overhead glazing receives far more light than a wall window of the same size, especially when the sun is high in summer. South-facing lanterns may need solar-control glass, while low winter sun and north-facing rooms benefit from clear, high light-transmission low-E glass.
- Access and setting
- Rural roofs collect more leaves, moss and bird debris, so lanterns need clear upstand drainage and regular checks. Exposed sites see higher wind loads and driving rain, and older outbuildings may need the roof structure strengthening before a lantern is added.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Newbury
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Lantern 1500 × 1000 mm, fitted to a kerb | £1,395 – £1,795 |
| Lantern 2000 × 1000 mm | £1,695 – £2,095 |
| Lantern 3000 × 1500 mm | £2,795 – £3,695 |
| Flat glass rooflight 1000 × 1000 mm | £1,095 – £1,395 |
Get a guide price for your size
In England, replacing a whole window, roof window or glazed external door is building work. It has to be notified to building control, either by an installer registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or Certass, or through a building notice to the council. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is a repair and is not notifiable.
What you can choose
Rectangular hipped lantern
A long ridge with hipped ends, suiting most rectangular extensions and kitchens, sized to the opening and the room below.
Solar-control glass
Neutral or blue-tinted coatings that reduce heat build-up under south or west-facing lanterns while keeping daylight levels high.
Square or octagonal lantern
A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.
Roof Lanterns in Newbury: questions
Will a roof lantern make my room too hot?
A roof lantern can add heat on sunny days, especially facing south or west, because overhead glass receives sun for much of the day. Solar-control glass, opening vents and blinds help keep the room comfortable. The glass is chosen at survey based on the lantern's size and orientation and how the room is used.
What guarantee comes with a roof lantern?
Manufacturer guarantees apply to the frame, coating and sealed units, and the terms are confirmed in writing. The upstand and roof covering may be covered separately, depending on who builds them. Guarantee terms for the installation are set out in writing with your quote, so you know exactly what is covered before going ahead.
Can I replace my old polycarbonate roof lantern with glass?
Yes, in most cases. A glass lantern is heavier than polycarbonate, so the upstand and roof structure must be able to carry it. If the upstand is sound, level and the right size, a new aluminium lantern can usually sit on it. If not, the upstand is rebuilt first, which the survey will identify.
Should the inner glass in a roof lantern be laminated?
Laminated inner glass is the safer choice and is recommended by the Rooflight Association. If a laminated pane breaks, the interlayer holds the pieces together, so glass is far less likely to fall into the room below. This matters most over kitchens, dining tables, stairs and seating, and it is offered as a standard option.
Do you cover Newbury for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Newbury and the surrounding Berkshire area, including postcode districts RG14 and RG20, and nearby Thatcham, Wantage and Basingstoke. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Newbury
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