Roof Lantern Cost

Looking to find out how much installing a roof lantern costs?

Roof lanterns, sometimes referred to as skylights, are glass-covered openings in the roof. These stylish features are popular with homeowners as they are a great way of letting natural light into a space.

Roof lanterns come in a variety of different shapes and styles, and they can often be fitted to any shape or size of the roof.

Our detailed cost guide includes supply-only costs for different types of roof lanterns, the cost of roof lantern installation, as well as additional costs — all up to date for 2026.

Check out our full guide below.

How Much Does a Roof Lantern Cost?

The average cost for installing a roof lantern in the UK is around £2,250, but installation costs vary widely, with the biggest factors determining the price being the size of the roof lantern and the material it is made from.

You can get a small roof lantern made from uPVC fitted for between £1,000 to £1,700. A more popular choice of material is aluminium. This is because it is not the most expensive option, but it does provide good quality and can be made using thinner struts to support the glass.

A small aluminium roof lantern will cost £1,280 to £1,650. A mid-sized aluminium roof lantern will cost £1,880 to £2,300.

The most expensive options are timber-framed roof lanterns. They all have to be custom-made, which is why the cost is much higher. A small timber-framed roof lantern will cost £1,350 to £2,000.

Roof Lantern Installation Prices

The cost of your roof lantern installation will depend on the specific size, type, and material you choose.

The table below shows the typical costs for installing roof lanterns of different material and shape, based on the sizes for small and average-sized roof lanterns.

Bigger or more complex designs could increase these costs significantly, but larger roof lanterns will have the added benefit of letting much more natural light into your space.

Roof Lantern Installation Costs

The labour costs for fitting a roof lantern will vary depending on the size of your window and the type of fitters you hire.

Here's what you need to know:

• If you have a very large window, such as 3,000mm x 5,000mm and above, a bigger team will be needed to install it safely, increasing your daily cost.
• For a mid-sized roof lantern, such as 1,500mm x 2,000mm, a team of two should be sufficient. In this case, you can expect to pay around £325 per day.
• The whole process should take 2 to 3 days. This means your total labour costs will be in the range of £650 to £975.

Factors That Impact Roof Lantern Costs

Roof lantern prices vary depending on a few factors:

Size Of Roof Lantern

The size you choose will be the biggest factor in your lantern roof cost.

Put simply, the larger the roof lantern, the higher the supply and labour costs.

Type of Roof Lantern

The shape of the roof lantern will also impact the cost. The more complicated the shape, the higher the price.

However, this effect is relatively small compared to the size of the roof lantern.

The bigger price change comes from the material you choose for the frame. uPVC is the cheapest option, aluminium is the middling option, while the most expensive by far is timber.

Location Of The Property

If your property is hard to access, or it is not easy to get material to the location of the roof lantern, the job will take longer. This will have an impact on your labour costs.

You should also expect to pay a premium for labour if you live in London or the south east of the UK.

Type of Glass

The glass you choose for your window can also affect the cost. There are quite a few options to choose from, but they will mostly depend on which brand of roof lantern you decide to use.

Let's take a look at a few of the options:

Glazing Type

If you choose double or triple-glazed glass, this will cost around 2 to 3 times the cost of single-glazed glass.

Tinted Glass

You can get clear or tinted glass for your roof lanterns. Some manufacturers charge the same for both types, while others charge a small extra fee for the tinted options.

Toughened Glass

If trees overhang your roof lantern, or you have windows above, you may want to pay extra for toughened glass. These panes are more resistant to damage.

Self-Cleaning Glass

You can get glass that encourages the water to run off in sheets rather than collect in droplets, which helps to clean the glass, and reduces the maintenance needed. This option will, however, attract a higher supply cost.

Low U-Value Glass

The U-value is a measure of how efficient your roof lantern is at trapping heat in your home.

The lower the U-value, the more effective, and the warmer your home will be. There will be a slight increase in the price of more efficient glass.

Ready to get a quote?

Join more than 1 million people across the UK who use MyJobQuote every year to find local tradespeople!

Submit a few details about what you're after and roofing companies near you will reach out to give you a free, no obligation quote for a roof lantern installation.

Additional Roof Lantern Installation Costs

Most quotes for a straightforward roof lantern installation will cover labour and materials, but there are a few extra costs worth budgeting for. Always ask for an itemised quote before work begins.

Scaffolding

You will probably need to have scaffolding installed for most roof lantern installations, especially for installations on two-storey properties or where a large roof lantern is being installed.

Depending on the height and how long it's required, you could expect to pay between £500 and £1,500 for your scaffolding hire.

Roof Modification

If you're having a roof lantern installed in an existing roof, this is going to require some modifications to be made to accommodate the new skylight - this could include reinforcing the area, as well as making space for the lantern.

Significant structural work can have a big impact on the cost of your project, so depending on what's required, you could expect the modifications to add £500 to £2,000 to the project costs.

Automatic Window Openers

If your roof lantern opens, this can be operated manually, but automatic openers are a much more convenient way to control the ventilation from your skylight - especially if you have high ceilings or your roof lantern is not easily accessible.

There are different types of opening systems available, with wired and wireless options, and depending on which one you go for you could expect to pay around £265 to £320 per window.

Trickle Vents

With building regulation requirements for ventilation within properties, trickle vents are a great way to provide a gentle, but steady flow of fresh air - which helps reduce condensation and maintain good air quality.

Having trickle vents installed is relatively inexpensive and should cost around £40 per vent.

What's Involved in Installing a Roof Lantern?

Installing a roof lantern involves cutting into your roof structure, reinforcing it, and achieving a precise weathertight seal. A poorly fitted roof lantern can cause significant water damage and structural issues.

Let's take a look at the typical process of getting a roof lantern installed:

Before the Job

• Roof is Assessed — Your installer will inspect the roof structure to confirm it can support the new lantern and identify whether any reinforcement or modification is needed before work begins.
• Scaffolding is Erected — Scaffolding is typically put up at this stage, particularly for two-storey properties or larger roof lanterns.
• Area is Protected — The room below is sealed off to contain dust and debris during the installation.

During the Job

• Opening is Cut — A hole is made in the roof and the surrounding structure is reinforced, with new timber spanning either side of the opening to maintain the integrity of the roof.
• Upstand is Built — A raised ledge is constructed using materials that match the existing roof, providing the base on which the lantern frame will sit.
• Frame is Sealed Into Place — The lantern frame is positioned onto the upstand and sealed with silicone to create a weathertight finish.
• Glass Panels are Fitted — The glazing bars are constructed and the glass panels are fitted into position, with the method varying depending on the brand of roof lantern chosen.
• External Caps are Applied — Caps are fitted over the frame to fully seal the installation and make it weatherproof.

After the Job

• Installation is Checked — Your installer will carry out a weatherproofing check to confirm the lantern is correctly sealed and there are no gaps or leaks.
• Site is Cleared — All waste materials and scaffolding are removed from site.
• Certificate is Issued — If your installer is FENSA-registered, you'll receive a FENSA certificate confirming the installation meets building regulations. This may be required when you sell your home.

Choosing a Roof Lantern

Roof lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, and while you should have plenty of options to choose from, some of your decisions will be limited by the space that you are working with.

Roof lanterns date back to the Victorian era, and the more traditional styles of roof lanterns seen today are often Victorian in appearance, which tend to be more architectural in their look.

These lanterns will have height and be made from several panes of glass, while modern designs tend to be sleeker in appearance, with a subtle profile.

If you have a structured roof lantern, you will be able to see the glazing bars. These are the pieces of wood or metal that support the glass. They are designed to be beautiful, as well as functional.

You can have a glass that lies flat to the roofline, like a Velux window, or you can have something that stands above the roofline. They can be fitted to both flat and pitched roofs.

Let's take a closer look at some of the most common roof lantern options:

The table below summarises the typical installed cost for each main type and material, based on a small to medium-sized roof lantern.

Shape of Roof Lantern

The shape you choose will depend on the space you have.

Rectangle Roof Lantern Cost

These are based on the traditional Victorian shape. They are long and thin and are often placed over hallways.

They work well in open-plan spaces and can be used to define the flow of a space.

The price for a medium-sized, uPVC rectangular roof lantern starts at £1,750.

Square Roof Lantern Cost

Typically, square roof lanterns are placed in the centre of a space. They are modern in appearance and are designed to be symmetrical.

They can be used in smaller spaces or to highlight points within a larger room.

The price for a small, uPVC square roof lantern starts at £1,000.

Polyhedral - Octagonal To Hexadecagonal Roof Lantern Cost

These many-sided roof lanterns give a space a feeling of grandeur. They feel a little like a tower or turret made from glass.

They work well in circular or unusually shaped spaces.

The price for a medium-sized, aluminium polyhedral roof lantern starts at £2,250.

Style of Roof Lantern

You can make some choices that are more about the style and finished look of your roof lantern. You can make these style choices with any shape roof lantern.

Cupola Roof Lantern Cost

A cupola is a secondary structure on top of a roof lantern. It makes the lantern stand higher above the rest of the roof.

These are often used on larger homes to make the roof lantern look more proportional from the outside. The cost of a cupola will depend on what sort of roof lantern you get and the material it is made from.

They are custom-made, so prices can vary.

Double/Triple Lantern Roof Lantern Cost

Multiple lanterns can be used to divide up a space or provide a larger glass area. They can be directly one after the other or separated by part of the original roof.

There is no extra cost for having a double/triple lantern. It is just the cost and installation for all the lanterns you choose.

Finial Roof Lantern Cost

A finial is a shaped piece that sits at the apex of your lantern. The most popular option is a round ball shape. More minimal designs may look better with no finial at all.

The average cost of a finial is around £35.

Frame Material for Roof Lantern

The material you choose for the frame will greatly impact your roof lantern. The frame is the most visible part of a roof lantern so it will determine the final look.

The choice of frame material can also have a large impact on the cost of your roof lantern.

uPVC Roof Lantern Cost

This is the lower-cost option. They have been around for a while and are easy to find. There are many options, and you can even get fake woodgrain finishes.

Prices for a small, uPVC roof lantern start from £1,000.

Pros

• ✔ Lots of colour choice
• ✔ Cheaper than other roof lantern materials

Cons

• ✖ Can expand in the heat
• ✖ The weakest option, needing wider struts

Aluminium Roof Lantern Cost

Aluminium is a more modern option. It is a higher-end option. However, it is useful for creating a modern, minimal look. The strength of aluminium means that it can support larger panes of glass.

Prices for a small, aluminium roof lantern start from £1,280.

Pros

• ✔ Strong and Durable
• ✔ Can use thinner rafters and support large panes

Cons

✖ Shorter lifespan than uPVC

✖ More expensive than uPVC

Wooden Roof Lantern Cost

This is the most expensive and time-consuming option. The frame has to be custom-built. The final look is very traditional and is timeless.

Prices for a small, timber-framed roof lantern start from £2,400.

Pros

• ✔ Traditional Look
• ✔ High-quality craftsmanship

Cons

• ✖ Most expensive option
• ✖ Require regular maintenance

Benefits of Installing a Roof Lantern

Roof lanterns are a popular choice for good reason. Here are the main advantages they offer.

• Increases natural light — A roof lantern lets light flood into the room all day, which can make a dramatic difference in spaces with few or no windows — up to 3 times more light than a standard vertical window.
• Reduced energy costs — With more natural light during daylight hours, you'll rely less on artificial lighting. Roof lanterns also offer strong thermal performance, which can help reduce heating bills in winter.
• Makes rooms feel larger — The additional light and views of the sky create a more open atmosphere, making a space feel bigger than it actually is.
• Brings the outside in — Whether it's sunlight during the day or stars at night, a roof lantern creates a visual connection with the outdoors that's hard to replicate with standard windows.
• Increased home value — Roof lanterns are an attractive architectural feature associated with premium homes. Properties with roof lanterns can achieve higher sale prices and spend less time on the market.
• Low maintenance — Most roof lanterns are designed with self-cleaning glass and weather-resistant seals, meaning they require very little upkeep and can outlast other parts of the roof.

Checklist: Hiring a Local Roof Lantern Installer

Hiring the right installer is important, as a poorly fitted roof lantern can lead to leaks, structural issues, and costly repairs down the line.

Here are a few points to consider when searching for a local roof lantern specialist:

• Do they have experience with roof lanterns? Roof lantern installation is a specialist job. Look for a contractor who is familiar with the specific brand and type of lantern you want — you don't want them learning the process on your home.
• Are they FENSA registered? FENSA-registered installers can self-certify that your roof lantern meets building regulations, saving you the cost and effort of a separate local authority application. Always ask to see their registration before work begins.
• Do they provide written, itemised quotes? Always ask for a written quote that clearly breaks down the cost of the lantern, labour, scaffolding, and any additional work such as structural modifications or waste removal.
• Are they insured? Make sure your installer holds public liability insurance. This protects you in the event of accidental damage to your property during the installation.
• What are their reviews like? Check customer reviews and ask to be put in touch with previous clients where possible. This gives you a clearer picture of the quality of work and reliability you can expect.
• Will they provide a completion certificate? A reputable installer should provide relevant documentation on completion, such as a FENSA certificate. This may be required if you sell your home in the future.

FAQs