How would you like to flood your home with natural light? A new roof lantern is the perfect solution. Why settle for a flat skylight when you can add an elegant architectural design feature that has been gracing homes since the Victorian times, when they were used primarily to lighten up dark stairwells.
Roof lanterns successfully introduce light to the central areas of your living spaces. Today, they are popular for kitchen/living extensions, orangeries and other roof options, even lofts and bathrooms, making a real visual impact and even contributing to energy efficiency.
What defines a roof lantern? They consist of several panes of glass, joined together to create a window to the sky that rises above the roof level. Available in both contemporary and modern designs, they will enhance the general feeling of spaciousness and add curb appeal to your home.
Average cost of a roof lantern in the UK
The most popular aluminium roof lanterns will cost from £1,560 for a small unit up to £3,516 including VAT for larger sizes. Flat designs are also cheaper. Timber-framed roof lanterns are more expensive as they have to be custom-made. A small timber-framed roof lantern will cost from £2,400 upwards.
Benefits of a roof lantern
What could a roof lantern add to your home? There are several important benefits brought by this stunning centrepiece.
- A roof lantern will reduce artificial lighting and introduce natural light into a space which could otherwise be quite dark and unappealing, bringing the outside in and making your room feel larger
- You can enhance the introduction of natural light directly into the centre of the room, for example, over an island unit in your kitchen or a dining area
- You can see a reduction in energy bills – in cooler seasons, they attract and trap heat from the sun, bringing it into the home, creating natural ambient warmth, and will also reduce your need for electric lighting
- There are even roof lantern designs which incorporate ventilation features, helping to keep rooms cooler during the summer months
- Roof lanterns make a real contribution to your home’s overall curb appeal.
In this blog, we’ll look closely at the key issues affecting the specification, installation and overall cost of roof lanterns rather than traditional skylights.
What affects roof lantern costs?
The cost of installing a roof lantern is influenced by many factors; these are the common variables affecting the cost.
Size of roof lantern
The size of your roof lantern will have a major determining effect on the installed price, and it is important to match the size of the lantern with the room it will grace – a small lantern will not have the same effect as a larger one in a room of significant dimensions, whilst equally an enormous roof lantern will be out of place in a small space.
Most roof lanterns of all sizes will make a significant impact on any room, letting natural light stream in throughout the day. You may even choose to add more than one to bring sunshine into different areas.
At Creating Spaces Group, we install roof lanterns ranging upwards in size from 1000mm by 1000mm, and flat skylights from 600mm by 600mm. In 2025 roof lantern cost for one metre by one metre unit start at £1480 + VAT, with flat skylights at 600mm by 600mm starting from £920 + VAT.
These prices are for the lantern unit only and do not include roof lantern installation costs which are discussed below.
Glazing
All our roof lanterns and flat skylights feature 24mm double-glazed units. Glass options include clear, bronze, and blue tints, depending on customer preference. Flat skylights can be either clear or blue-tinted; there is no premium option for tinted glass.
Triple glazed glass is also available but is less common for inclusion in roof lantern design. This tends to be reserved for windows and can improve security, enhance insulation and energy performance.
Low U-Value
Roof lanterns are thermally efficient, too. For glass panels, the lower the U-value, the more energy-efficient and well insulated the unit is. At Creating Spaces, our low U-value glass can help save on heating and electricity bills. The typical overall U-value for our roof lanterns is 1.2 W/m2K.
Frame Type
Roof lanterns are available in three materials; aluminium, uPVC and timber. At Creating Saces, we focus on uPVC and aluminium cappings, with 12 options available. Timber roof lanterns can be extremely expensive and require more maintenance than other materials.
uPVC roof lantern options are the most affordable, but may have reduced strength and durability when compared with aluminium; the material can be more subject to weather variations.
Aluminium roof lanterns are the most popular choice. They are strong and long-lasting, less subject to shrinkage and distortion
The shape of the roof lantern
The shape of your chosen roof lantern will also affect the eventual roof lantern cost. In general, prices increase based on the dimensions of the unit. A 1200mm by 1200mm roof lantern will be around £400 more expensive than a 100mm by 100mm unit.
Other more complex shapes than squares and rectangles are available, but these will be bespoke units which will add to the cost.
Labour costs
Roof lantern installation costs will also be dependent upon your home, the situation of the proposed roof lantern, accessibility and other issues such as structural strengthening which may prove necessary; roof lanterns are subject to British building regulations approvals.
Most can be installed within a single day, dependent upon size, at an installation cost ranging from £450 upwards.
Where scaffolding is required, this is costed on a job-by-job basis, depending on height and safety measures. Scaffolding hire can add between £200 and £1000 to the total installation cost.
Optional extras
Roof lanterns may also be specified with many additional options. These include:-
- Adding trickle vents, provides additional ventilation to a room in compliance with building regulations
- Automatic openers – when your roof lantern is situated at a height, having the facility to operate any integral opening units is a valuable feature
- Integrated blinds – some roof lanterns can be supplied complete with integrated Venetian style blinds to shade from the sun or for added privacy in certain locations.
- Self cleaning glass is also available on some models of roof lanterns. This is a low maintenance option beneficial when the lantern is high or difficult to access for the homeowner.
Guide roof lantern prices
Creating Spaces Group offer two different types of roof lanterns, the Ultrasky and Flat Skylight options.
Ultrasky lantern cost
Ultrasky Lanterns offer an elegant choice of styles, wherever you are locating your new feature. They are designed using fewer and slimmer bars to make up the sections, providing an open and clean finish to enhance interior space.
Just a few of the key benefits of Ultrasky roof lanterns include:-
- A strong ridge requiring fewer support bars for a cleaner, clearer finish
- Fully tested to withstand high wind speeds and snow loadings for optimum performance over time
- Thermally efficient double glazing
- Reduced condensation performance
- 10 year manufacturer warranty for peace of mind
Prices on Ultrasky roof lanterns start from £1630 + VAT and installation, based on a small roof lantern measuring 100mm by 1000mm and uPVC cappings, coloured white inside and out (other colours are available).
A medium sized roof lantern will start at £1920 + VAT and installation.
A large roof lantern will cost from £2930 + VAT and installation.
Flat Skylight lantern cost
Flat skylights also enhance the amount of natural light streaming into your home. From the interior, they appear completely frameless using contemporary edge-to-edge glass design, installed flush with interior plasterboarding to create a sleek, contemporary finish..
Ideal for any property style, Ultrasky Flat Skylights from Creating Spaces Group bring light into your home exactly where you need it. Frames are fully insulated and weather tight to avoid draughts or water ingress.
Just a few of the key benefits of Ultrasky roof lanterns include:-
- A comprehensive range of sizes to match your home, including bespoke sizes for individual applications
- Uninterrupted sightlines
- Noise reducing glass and thermal efficiency with a fully insulated core for superior thermal performance
- Edge-to-edge frameless glazing technology
- Available as standard in grey, black and white, and also any RAL colour as a bespoke option.
Prices on a flat roof lantern start from £1300 + VAT and installation, based on a skylight measuring 600mm by 600mm.
Summary
Roof lanterns are a desirable addition to any home, filling your living spaces with natural light, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing any room with a real wow factor.
They can also increase your property’s overall value and increase desirability should you decide to sell.
Whatever the cost, with Creating Spaces Group, you can also explore if finance is a good fit for you. This can mean getting the home improvements you desire now and spreading the cost with zero or low-interest options, depending on your circumstances.
Talk to Creating Spaces Group for a no-obligation consultation to see how roof lanterns could elevate your own living space.
FAQs
The average cost of a roof lantern in the UK typically ranges from £920 to £3,500, depending on the size, glazing type and frame material. Larger roof lanterns or bespoke designs with premium glazing can further increase the price, particularly when installation costs are included.
Roof lantern installation usually costs between £450 and £1,500, depending on the lantern’s size and the complexity of the roof opening. Costs may increase if structural work or roof modifications are required.
Several factors influence roof lantern pricing, including:
Size of the lantern
Glazing type and insulation performance
Frame material (timber, aluminium or uPVC)
Installation complexity
Roof structure and access
Larger lanterns and premium materials generally increase the overall cost.
Timber roof lanterns are often more expensive than aluminium or uPVC alternatives due to the craftsmanship involved and the quality of materials used. However, they are popular in traditional homes and period properties for their natural appearance and durability.
Roof lanterns can add value to a property by improving natural light and enhancing the design of extensions or kitchen spaces. Many homeowners install roof lanterns as part of a kitchen extension or orangery project to create a brighter and more open living area.
