West Midlands · England

Roof Lanterns in West Midlands

Old polycarbonate lanterns in West Midlands that leak, rattle or have yellowed can usually be replaced with a double glazed aluminium lantern on a sound upstand.

Guide from £1,095
24 towns covered
Postcode areas B, CV, DY, WS, WV

Roof lanterns across West Midlands

The price of a roof lantern or skylight depends on the size and shape, glass specification, frame colour, opening vents or electric operation, and whether the upstand already exists or needs building. Access to the roof and lifting large units add labour. See the guide prices for typical ranges.

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.

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.

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.

Roof lantern above a kitchen island in an open-plan extension

Towns we cover for roof lanterns in West Midlands

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

What applies in West Midlands

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.

Listed buildings in England need listed building consent for most changes to historic windows or glass, and conservation areas can restrict changes visible from the street. Speak to the council's conservation officer before ordering.

West Midlands is inland, around 76 km from the nearest coast at its closest point, so salt exposure is rarely a factor.

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 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

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.

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 West Midlands: questions

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 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.

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.

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.

Which parts of West Midlands do you cover for roof lanterns?

We cover the whole of West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall, and postcode areas B, CV, DY, WS, WV. 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.

Other glazing services in West Midlands

All glazing in West Midlands · Roof Lanterns & Skylights across the UK

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