Chatham · Kent
Roof Lanterns in Chatham
A roof lantern in Chatham 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.
- ME4
- ME7
- ME1
- Guide from £1,095
Roof lantern replacement for homes and businesses in Chatham
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.
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.
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.
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.
What a typical job includes
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
- Fixing, glazing and sealing onto the prepared upstand
Chatham at a glance
- Postcodes covered
- ME4, ME7, ME1 and the surrounding area, including Gillingham, Rochester and Strood
- Coast
- Chatham is about 4 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 Chatham 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 Chatham
| 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
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.
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.
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.
Roof Lanterns in Chatham: 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.
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.
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.
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 Chatham for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Chatham and the surrounding Kent area, including postcode districts ME4, ME7 and ME1, and nearby Gillingham, Rochester and Strood. 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 Chatham
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.