Ever wished you had a cosy space with plenty of daylight to curl up in on those cold winter days? Or one where you can soak up the sun’s rays on those lazier days without having to leave the house? If either of those ideas strike a chord then it may be time to consider installing a roof lantern.
What is a roof lantern?
Also known as a skylight, a roof lantern is a window in your ceiling allowing natural daylight to flood into your space. Roof lanterns are suitable for structures that have a flat roof; they could be an extension, new build, or even on an orangery. Combine a roof lantern with bi-fold doors and you can practically bring the outdoors in!
What are the benefits?
The most obvious benefit is the amount of natural daylight that you can bring into your home. This takes away the need for artificial lighting and the associated energy costs that the regular use of lighting brings. More importantly, that exposure to natural sunlight is a health and mood booster. Ideal for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – feeling low and having lower energy levels during those darker winter months when there is a reduced exposure to sunlight – a roof lantern brings the sunshine into your room, brightening your mood. It can also boost vitamin D levels which are sourced primarily from exposure to sunlight and which are important for our bodies to process calcium and phosphate.
Natural sunlight also has the indirect effect of making a space feel larger. Not only does daylight help a room feel more spacious, but you have a great view of the sky, clouds, and stars at night just by looking up, which can also have a calming effect.
Ventilation
This is an important consideration, particularly if you are considering installing a roof lantern in a room that has no external windows. Options available include:
- Trickle vents, allowing a small amount of air movement
- Top-hung opening sashes, which can be opened either mechanically or with a pole
- Opening skylights, an option for those roofs that don’t have side lights.; As with top-hung opening sashes they can be opened manually or mechanically
How expensive are they?
While it is true that you will be paying less in energy bills because you are not using artificial lights as much, the payback may not be felt for a while. However, roof lanterns need not be as expensive as you might think. With a wide range of competitively-priced options available on the market, as well as varying sizes of roof lanterns, there will be an option that is suitable for your budget.
Intrigued and want to know more about whether a roof lantern is suitable for your home? Just talk to us at 1st Scenic! You can find us on 01689 829 600 or at info@1stscenic.co.uk where we can talk you through the options and decide if it is right for you.
