Greater Manchester · England
Roof Lanterns in Greater Manchester
Is the middle of your extension in Greater Manchester too dark? A roof lantern or skylight brings in light that wall windows cannot reach.
- Guide from £1,095
- 40 towns covered
- Postcode areas BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN
About roof lanterns in Greater Manchester
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.
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.
In England, a rooflight on a house is usually permitted development if it projects no more than 150mm beyond the roof plane and is no higher than the highest part of the roof. Raised lanterns often stand taller than that, so check with the council before ordering.
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.
Towns we cover for roof lanterns in Greater Manchester
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
- Altrincham
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Atherton
- Bolton
- Bury
- Chadderton
- Cheadle Hulme
- Denton
- Droylsden
- Dukinfield
- Eccles
- Failsworth
- Farnworth
- Hazel Grove
- Heywood
- Hindley
- Hyde
- Leigh
- Manchester
- Middleton
- Old Trafford
- Oldham
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Rochdale
- Royton
- Saddleworth
- Sale
- Salford
- Stalybridge
- Stockport
- Stretford
- Swinton
- Tyldesley
- Urmston
- Walkden
- Westhoughton
- Whitefield
- Wigan
What applies in Greater Manchester
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.
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.
Parts of Greater Manchester are within about 17 km of the coast, where exposure to wind and salt air is 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.
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
| 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.
Rectangular hipped lantern
A long ridge with hipped ends, suiting most rectangular extensions and kitchens, sized to the opening and the room below.
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 Greater Manchester: questions
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.
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.
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.
How much does a roof lantern cost?
The cost of a roof lantern depends on its size and shape, the glass specification, frame colour, any opening vents, and whether the upstand exists or needs building. Access to the roof and lifting a large lantern also affect labour. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your exact specification.
Which parts of Greater Manchester do you cover for roof lanterns?
We cover the whole of Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton and Stockport, and postcode areas BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN. Building rules for roof lanterns here follow the regulations for England. 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.
Other glazing services in Greater Manchester
- Replacement Glass in Greater Manchester
- Misted Glass Repair in Greater Manchester
- Emergency Glazing in Greater Manchester
- Safety Glass in Greater Manchester
- Window Repairs in Greater Manchester
- Window Film in Greater Manchester
- uPVC Windows in Greater Manchester
- Aluminium Windows in Greater Manchester
- Sash Windows in Greater Manchester
- Composite Doors in Greater Manchester
- Bifold Doors in Greater Manchester
- Sliding Doors in Greater Manchester
- Secondary Glazing in Greater Manchester
- Glass Balustrades in Greater Manchester
- Frameless Glass in Greater Manchester
- Shower Screens in Greater Manchester
- Glass Splashbacks in Greater Manchester
- Bespoke Mirrors in Greater Manchester
- Glass Roofs in Greater Manchester
- Shopfront Glazing in Greater Manchester
- Curtain Walling in Greater Manchester
- Glass Partitions in Greater Manchester
- Property Glazing in Greater Manchester
All glazing in Greater Manchester · Roof Lanterns & Skylights across the UK
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