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Tyne and Wear · England

Roof Lanterns in Tyne and Wear

A roof lantern in Tyne and Wear 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.

  • Guide from £1,095
  • 15 towns covered
  • Postcode areas DH, NE, SR

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Tyne and Wear: flat roof skylight

Cutting a new opening for a roof lantern or skylight usually means trimming joists or rafters, so the roof can carry the load around the hole. Building regulations approval is generally needed for a new rooflight, covering structure, energy performance and, near a boundary, fire performance.

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.

In England, Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for rooflights, calculated in the horizontal position, for both new and existing homes. A kerb or upstand built on site should achieve 0.35 W/m²K or better. Ask for the lantern's declared horizontal U-value, not a vertical figure.

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 lantern above a kitchen island in an open-plan extension

Towns we cover for roof lanterns in Tyne and Wear

Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.

What applies in Tyne and Wear

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.

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.

Tyne and Wear has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. 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.

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.

Guide prices

Guide prices inc VAT for typical jobs. Remote and island locations are quoted by arrangement. Your written quote fixes the price after measuring.
Typical jobGuide 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

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.

Frame colours

Powder-coated aluminium in grey, black, white or other RAL colours, often dual colour to suit the roof and the room.

Rectangular hipped lantern

A long ridge with hipped ends, suiting most rectangular extensions and kitchens, sized to the opening and the room below.

Square or octagonal lantern

A pyramid or eight-sided design that suits square rooms, orangeries and spaces where a central focal point is wanted.

Roof Lanterns in Tyne and Wear: 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 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.

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.

Which parts of Tyne and Wear do you cover for roof lanterns?

We cover the whole of Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, South Shields, Gateshead and Washington, and postcode areas DH, NE, SR. Building rules for roof lanterns here follow the regulations for England. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.

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