Edinburgh & the Lothians · Scotland

Roof Lanterns in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Is the middle of your extension in Edinburgh & the Lothians too dark? A roof lantern or skylight brings in light that wall windows cannot reach.

Guide from £1,095
14 towns covered
Postcode areas EH

Edinburgh & the Lothians: roof lanterns

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.

Warm, moist air rises and collects in a roof lantern, so condensation can form on cold winter mornings, especially over kitchens and bathrooms. Thermally broken frames, warm-edge spacers and good room ventilation reduce it, and opening vents in the lantern can release warm air in summer.

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.

Opening skylights and lantern vents can be manual or electrically operated, often with a rain sensor that closes them automatically when it starts to rain. Electric vents need a power supply planned before plastering, so the wiring route is agreed at survey when an opening option is chosen.

Roof lantern above a kitchen island in an open-plan extension

Towns we cover for roof lanterns in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.

What applies in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.

Replacement windows in Scotland can need planning permission in conservation areas, on listed buildings and on some flats. The local planning authority can confirm.

Edinburgh & the Lothians has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. 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.

Getting a large lantern onto a terraced flat roof may mean carrying it through the house or lifting it over neighbouring property, so access is planned at survey. Lanterns near a boundary raise fire performance questions, and conservation areas may restrict raised glazing.

Guide prices

Guide prices inc VAT for typical jobs. Remote and island locations are quoted by arrangement. Your written quote fixes the price after measuring.
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

Choosing your roof lanterns

Opening vents

Manual or electric vents in the lantern or skylight, with optional rain sensors that close them automatically in wet weather.

Frame colours

Powder-coated aluminium in grey, black, white or other RAL colours, often dual colour to suit the roof and the room.

Square or octagonal lantern

A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.

Solar-control glass

Neutral or blue-tinted coatings that reduce heat build-up under south or west-facing lanterns while keeping daylight levels high.

Roof Lanterns in Edinburgh & the Lothians: 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.

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.

Why does my roof lantern get condensation?

Condensation forms when warm, moist air from cooking, bathing or drying clothes meets the colder glass and frames at high level. Older single glazed or non thermally broken lanterns suffer most. Thermally broken frames, warm-edge spacers, extractor fans and opening vents reduce it. Some condensation on very cold mornings is normal and clears as the room warms.

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.

Which parts of Edinburgh & the Lothians do you cover for roof lanterns?

We cover the whole of Edinburgh & the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg, and postcode areas EH. Building rules for roof lanterns here follow the regulations for Scotland. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.

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