Caernarfon · Gwynedd & Anglesey
Roof Lanterns in Caernarfon
A roof lantern in Caernarfon can flood a dark extension or kitchen with daylight from above, and our glaziers check the roof and upstand before you receive a fixed written quote.
- LL55
- Guide from £1,095
Caernarfon: roof lantern replacement
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.
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.
A roof lantern is assembled from an aluminium ridge, hip bars and glazing bars that hold sealed glass units on each pitch. It sits on an upstand built around the roof opening. The upstand should be level, weathered into the roof covering and insulated, because a poor upstand causes most leaks and cold spots.
Roof lanterns are not designed to be walked on, so never stand or lean on the glass or bars. Cleaning and inspection should be done from safe access at the edge of the roof. Keep leaves and debris away from the upstand and roof outlets so water drains freely.
What a typical job includes
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
Caernarfon at a glance
- Postcodes covered
- LL55 and the surrounding area, including Bangor (Gwynedd), Pwllheli and Holyhead
- Coast
- Caernarfon is about 2 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 Caernarfon the midwinter sun reaches about 13° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.3 hours of daylight, rising to about 60° and 16.7 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 Wales
- In Wales, Approved Document N covers safety glazing: safety glass is needed in and around doors and in low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Guide prices in Caernarfon
| 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
Like-for-like replacement windows on houses in Wales are usually permitted development, but flats, listed buildings and conservation areas can need permission. Check with the local planning authority.
Choosing your roof lanterns
Square or octagonal lantern
A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.
Flat framed skylight
A low-profile framed rooflight on a flat roof upstand, fixed or opening, for bathrooms, landings and smaller rooms.
Rectangular hipped lantern
A long ridge with hipped ends, suiting most rectangular extensions and kitchens, sized to the opening and the room below.
Roof Lanterns in Caernarfon: 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.
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 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.
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.
Do you cover Caernarfon for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Caernarfon and the surrounding Gwynedd & Anglesey area, including postcode districts LL55, and nearby Bangor (Gwynedd), Pwllheli and Holyhead. 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 Caernarfon
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.