Liverpool · Merseyside
Roof Lanterns in Liverpool
Old polycarbonate lanterns in Liverpool that leak, rattle or have yellowed can usually be replaced with a double glazed aluminium lantern on a sound upstand.
- L3
- L69
- L70
- Guide from £1,095
Opening skylights for homes and businesses in Liverpool
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.
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.
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.
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.
What you get
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Fixing, glazing and sealing onto the prepared upstand
Working in Liverpool
- Postcodes covered
- L3, L69, L70 and the surrounding area, including Birkenhead, Norris Green and Wallasey
- Coast
- Liverpool 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 Liverpool the midwinter sun reaches about 13° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.2 hours of daylight, rising to about 60° and 16.8 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 Liverpool
| 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.
Options to choose between
Opening vents
Manual or electric vents in the lantern or skylight, with optional rain sensors that close them automatically in wet weather.
Square or octagonal lantern
A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.
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 Liverpool: 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.
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.
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.
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 you cover Liverpool for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Liverpool and the surrounding Merseyside area, including postcode districts L3, L69 and L70, and nearby Birkenhead, Norris Green and Wallasey. 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 Liverpool
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.