Clapham · Greater London
Roof Lanterns in Clapham
If your skylight in Clapham drips with condensation or leaks around the frame, we can survey it and quote for a modern, thermally broken replacement.
- SW4
- SW8
- SW11
- Guide from £1,095
Flat roof skylight across Clapham
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.
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.
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.
In England, Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for rooflights, calculated in the horizontal position, for both new and existing homes. A kerb or upstand built on site should achieve 0.35 W/m²K or better. Ask for the lantern's declared horizontal U-value, not a vertical figure.
What's included
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
Working in Clapham
- Postcodes covered
- SW4, SW8, SW11 and the surrounding area, including Brixton, Chelsea and Streatham
- Coast
- Clapham is well inland, around 35 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Clapham 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 Clapham
| 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
Replacing windows and doors with similar ones is usually permitted development for houses in England. Flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas or covered by an Article 4 direction can need permission, so check with the council first.
Choosing your roof lanterns
Rectangular hipped lantern
A long ridge with hipped ends, suiting most rectangular extensions and kitchens, sized to the opening and the room below.
Frame colours
Powder-coated aluminium in grey, black, white or other RAL colours, often dual colour to suit the roof and the room.
Opening vents
Manual or electric vents in the lantern or skylight, with optional rain sensors that close them automatically in wet weather.
Roof Lanterns in Clapham: questions
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.
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission for a roof lantern?
Sometimes. In England, rooflights on a house are usually permitted development if they project no more than 150mm above the roof plane and are no higher than the highest part of the roof. Raised lanterns often exceed that, and flats, listed buildings and conservation areas have extra controls, so check with your council first.
Do you cover Clapham for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Clapham and the surrounding Greater London area, including postcode districts SW4, SW8 and SW11, and nearby Brixton, Chelsea and Streatham. 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 Clapham
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.