Cardiff · South Glamorgan
Roof Lanterns in Cardiff
Homeowners in Cardiff can get a written roof lantern quote that fixes the price for the size, shape, glass, colour and vents shown.
- CF10
- CF11
- CF24
- Guide from £1,095
Roof lanterns in Cardiff: what to know
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.
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.
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.
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
- Survey of the roof, opening, upstand and drainage
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
- Written guarantee terms and manufacturer documentation
About Cardiff for this job
- Postcodes covered
- CF10, CF11, CF24 and the surrounding area, including Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry
- Coast
- Cardiff is about 3 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 Cardiff 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 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 Cardiff
| 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
Wales sets its own energy standards in the Welsh Approved Document L. Replacement windows, doors and rooflights must meet the limiting values set there, which your quote will reference.
What you can choose
Solar-control glass
Neutral or blue-tinted coatings that reduce heat build-up under south or west-facing lanterns while keeping daylight levels high.
Opening vents
Manual or electric vents in the lantern or skylight, with optional rain sensors that close them automatically in wet weather.
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 Cardiff: questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do you cover Cardiff for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Cardiff and the surrounding South Glamorgan area, including postcode districts CF10, CF11 and CF24, and nearby Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry. 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 Cardiff
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.