Speke · Merseyside
Roof Lanterns in Speke
Is the middle of your extension in Speke too dark? A roof lantern or skylight brings in light that wall windows cannot reach.
- L24
- L26
- L25
- Guide from £1,095
Opening skylights in Speke: what to know
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 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.
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.
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.
What's included
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
Working in Speke
- Postcodes covered
- L24, L26, L25 and the surrounding area, including Halewood, Garston and Runcorn
- Coast
- Speke is about 1 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 Speke 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
- 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 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 Speke
| 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
If the glass sits in a fire-resisting door or screen, such as a flat entrance door or a commercial corridor screen, it must be replaced with fire-rated glazing tested as part of that system. Ordinary toughened glass is not a substitute.
Choosing your roof lanterns
Flat framed skylight
A low-profile framed rooflight on a flat roof upstand, fixed or opening, for bathrooms, landings and smaller rooms.
Square or octagonal lantern
A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.
Solar-control glass
Neutral or blue-tinted coatings that reduce heat build-up under south or west-facing lanterns while keeping daylight levels high.
Roof Lanterns in Speke: questions
How do I clean a roof lantern?
Self-cleaning coated glass lets rain lift most dirt, but a rinse with clean water in long dry spells helps. Clean from a safe position at the roof edge or from a suitable platform, never by standing on the lantern. Wipe the inside glass with mild soapy water, and keep leaves clear of the upstand and roof outlets.
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.
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 you cover Speke for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Speke and the surrounding Merseyside area, including postcode districts L24, L26 and L25, and nearby Halewood, Garston and Runcorn. 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 Speke
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.