Saltash · Cornwall
Roof Lanterns in Saltash
Homeowners in Saltash can get a written roof lantern quote that fixes the price for the size, shape, glass, colour and vents shown.
- PL12
- Guide from £1,095
Saltash: roof lanterns
The price of a roof lantern or skylight depends on the size and shape, glass specification, frame colour, opening vents or electric operation, and whether the upstand already exists or needs building. Access to the roof and lifting large units add labour. See the guide prices for typical ranges.
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.
Cutting a new opening for a roof lantern or skylight usually means trimming joists or rafters, so the roof can carry the load around the hole. Building regulations approval is generally needed for a new rooflight, covering structure, energy performance and, near a boundary, fire performance.
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
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
Working in Saltash
- Postcodes covered
- PL12 and the surrounding area, including Plymouth, Liskeard and Launceston
- Coast
- Saltash is about 1 km from the coast or a tidal estuary, so salt air and wind-driven rain are worth planning for. Coastal lanterns face salt deposits on the glass and frames and strong uplift from wind on exposed roofs. Marine-grade coatings, stainless fixings and secure fixing to a well-built upstand matter, and salt film may need rinsing more often than self-cleaning glass manages alone.
- Daylight and sun
- In Saltash the midwinter sun reaches about 16° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.8 hours of daylight, rising to about 63° and 16.2 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 Saltash
| 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.
Specification choices
Frame colours
Powder-coated aluminium in grey, black, white or other RAL colours, often dual colour to suit the roof and the room.
Solar-control glass
Neutral or blue-tinted coatings that reduce heat build-up under south or west-facing lanterns while keeping daylight levels high.
Flat framed skylight
A low-profile framed rooflight on a flat roof upstand, fixed or opening, for bathrooms, landings and smaller rooms.
Roof Lanterns in Saltash: questions
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.
Does fitting a roof lantern need building regulations approval?
A new roof lantern or skylight generally needs building regulations approval, because the roof structure is cut and must be supported, and the unit must meet energy standards. Fire performance also matters near a boundary. Replacing a lantern on an existing sound upstand is simpler, and we explain which route applies at survey.
How long does it take to fit a roof lantern?
Fitting a roof lantern on a prepared upstand usually takes a day or less for a typical size, longer for large or complex shapes. The lantern is made to order first, and the lead time depends on its size, shape and colour. Building or rebuilding an upstand is separate roofing work that comes before fitting.
How do I clean a roof lantern?
Self-cleaning coated glass lets rain lift most dirt, but a rinse with clean water in long dry spells helps. Clean from a safe position at the roof edge or from a suitable platform, never by standing on the lantern. Wipe the inside glass with mild soapy water, and keep leaves clear of the upstand and roof outlets.
Do you cover Saltash for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Saltash and the surrounding Cornwall area, including postcode districts PL12, and nearby Plymouth, Liskeard and Launceston. 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 Saltash
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.