Gateshead · Tyne and Wear
Roof Lanterns in Gateshead
Our glaziers fit roof lanterns across Gateshead, glazing and sealing each unit onto its upstand and explaining any building regulations approval the work needs.
- NE8
- NE99
- NE1
- Guide from £1,095
Flat roof skylight in Gateshead
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.
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.
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.
What's included
- Made-to-measure aluminium roof lantern or framed skylight
- Removal and disposal of an old lantern or skylight
- Sealed double glazed units with laminated inner pane options
- Fixing, glazing and sealing onto the prepared upstand
Local details for Gateshead
- Postcodes covered
- NE8, NE99, NE1 and the surrounding area, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Felling and Gosforth
- Coast
- Gateshead sits roughly 13 km from the nearest coastline, close enough that exposure on open or high ground is worth considering. 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 Gateshead the midwinter sun reaches about 12° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 6.9 hours of daylight, rising to about 58° and 17.1 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 Gateshead
| 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
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.
Flat framed skylight
A low-profile framed rooflight on a flat roof upstand, fixed or opening, for bathrooms, landings and smaller rooms.
Roof Lanterns in Gateshead: questions
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.
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.
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.
Do you cover Gateshead for roof lanterns?
Yes. We can quote for roof lanterns across Gateshead and the surrounding Tyne and Wear area, including postcode districts NE8, NE99 and NE1, and nearby Newcastle upon Tyne, Felling and Gosforth. 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 Gateshead
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.