Islington · Greater London
Roof Lanterns in Islington
Is the middle of your extension in Islington too dark? A roof lantern or skylight brings in light that wall windows cannot reach.
- EC1
- EC2
- EC1A
- EC2A
- EC1M
- EC3P
- Guide from £1,095
Islington: flat roof skylight
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.
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.
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.
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.
What's included
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
Working in Islington
- Postcodes covered
- EC1, EC2, EC1A, EC2A, EC1M, EC3P, EC1R, EC1V, EC1Y, N1, N5, N7, N19 and the surrounding area, including Camden, Hackney and Stamford Hill
- Coast
- Islington is well inland, around 34 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Islington 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
- 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.
- 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 Islington
| 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.
What you can choose
Flat framed skylight
A low-profile framed rooflight on a flat roof upstand, fixed or opening, for bathrooms, landings and smaller rooms.
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 Islington: questions
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.
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.
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.
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 Islington for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Islington and the surrounding Greater London area, including postcode districts EC1, EC2, EC1A, EC2A and EC1M, and nearby Camden, Hackney and Stamford Hill. 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 Islington
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.