Before you can buy a roof lantern, you need to figure out what size you need. Yet answering the question of ‘what size roof lantern do I need’ can be tricky, especially if this is your first roof lantern.
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at roof lantern sizing and how you can make sure that you get the right roof lantern for your home or business. If you’re ready to learn more, then read on and let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Size of Roof Lantern for Your Home
Roof lanterns come in a large range of sizes – for instance, the Wendland Roof Lantern starts at 500mm x 500mm all the way up to 2000mm x 4000mm. Obviously, you can’t have a roof lantern larger than your roof’s usable, unobstructed space.
If you have a larger roof capable of fitting both large and small roof lanterns, you should consider how much light you want to let into your room. For instance, if you only want to add a little light to an already bright room, a smaller lantern will serve your purposes just fine, but if you’ve got a very dark room that you want to brighten up, you’ll need a much larger lantern.
You’ll also need to consider how much heat you want to add to your room – larger lanterns add more heat and smaller ones add less. Note that adding a roof lantern to a conservatory or other warm room can also make a room cooler, as opening the roof lantern will allow more airflow.
Which Direction Should Your Roof Lantern Face?
When choosing your roof lantern, you should consider the usable area of each cardinal direction on your roof. The compass direction that your roof lantern faces will make a big difference to the end results.
For instance, a north-facing roof lantern won’t heat the room as much but will add cool light throughout the day. On the other hand, having a roof lantern that faces south will add a lot more warmth to the room, while also offering constant light. An east-facing roof lantern will give you more light in the mornings, while a west-facing lantern offers more light in the evening.
Check Your Roof’s Strength
One of the key determining factors when it comes to roof lanterns is ensuring that your roof can bear the weight of your planned lantern. Roof lanterns tend to weigh anywhere from 42kg to 60kg per square meter, depending on the model. For many roofs, this won’t be an issue, but you should always check that your roof is suitable for a lantern before you purchase one.
Is Planning Permission Required?
It’s not possible to state for certain one way or the other, but in most cases, roof lanterns do not need planning permission, and most sizes will not affect this. However, the specifics will vary depending on your area and its building regulations.
Planning permission is different in certain protected areas such as in areas of outstanding natural beauty. It is also likely to be affected if your home is a listed building.
Measuring for a Roof Lantern
Measuring for a roof lantern might sound tricky, but it’s actually quite simple. It will depend on whether or not you have an upstand installed. If you do, it will be simpler, as you’ll only need to measure the exterior of the upstand and then add the overhang – this will be listed on the specifications for your roof lantern. If it fits, and your roof can take the weight, you’re all sorted.
If you don’t have an upstand, you’ll need to measure for the upstand as well as the roof lantern. For more detailed instructions, take a look at our guide on measuring for a roof lantern.
What Size Roof Lantern Do I Need? Answered
We hope that this guide has helped you answer the question of ‘what size roof lantern do I need?’
Buying a roof lantern is a big investment, so you should make sure that you know the size of the roof lantern you want. A great deal of this will come down to personal preference, but beyond that, you will also need to take your roof’s weight restrictions, the direction you want your lantern to face, and planning permission into account.
What Roof Lanterns Do We Sell?
We sell a range of roof lanterns, including:
We also stock an impressive range of rooflights and skylights, including:
More helpful blogs
- Rooflights vs Roof Lanterns
- What Is a Roof Lantern?
- Rooflight Sizes: A Complete Guide
- How Much Does a Roof Lantern Cost?
- Can I Put a Roof Lantern on a Conservatory?
- Roof Lantern Buyer’s Guide
- Flies in Your Roof Lantern: Causes and Solutions
Roof Lantern Sizing FAQs
What Size Roof Lantern Do I Need?
There’s no one recommendation – it will depend on your personal preferences and other factors such as planning permission. You should be aware that even small roof lanterns will add a lot of light to a room, so you don’t need to go for the biggest possible size if you’d prefer something smaller.
Do Larger Roof Lanterns Make a Room Hotter?
Larger roof lanterns do let in more light, so they do tend to add more heat than smaller ones. However, if it’s an opening roof lantern, larger lanterns will also have increased airflow, allowing you to cool the room more effectively.
