Should I get a Rooflight or a Roof Lantern?
Rooflights vs Roof lanterns: Which is better for your home?
If you are contemplating adding more light into your room at home, then you might be trying to decide between whether to get a rooflight installation or a roof lantern installation.
Whilst it is true that both options would be a welcome addition to your home, there is not much between the two options, and it might be the case that you are unsure whether you would prefer a flat rooflight, or a roof lantern in pyramid form, such as the Korniche lanterns that we offer here at Glazing Hub.
Both installations have their advantages and disadvantages, and at the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preferences.
In this article, we'll look at what each alternative has to offer in terms of design, lighting, pricing, insulation, and cleaning so you can make an informed decision about which installation you want to invest in for your home.
How do roof lights and roof lanterns differ in design?
While flat roof lights may appear to be more suited to modern structures due to their slender, clean lines and contemporary frames that blend in with the rest of the building's architecture, Korniche roof lanterns also provide a modern style that offers roof lights some competition. The one advantage that roof lights have over roof lanterns is that they are rarely visible from the garden and do not obscure upper windows.
If you want a more modern and minimalistic style, flat glass roof lights may be appropriate for you since they allow a clear view to the sky and an unobstructed view to the outside, whereas Korniche roof lanterns feature beams that structure the pyramid of the lantern. Korniche roof lanterns, on the other hand, feature astonishingly thin aluminium frames that serve to produce an exceedingly elegant form that rivals the simplicity of a roof light.
Why should you choose a roof lantern for your home?
Roof lanterns can be used to give architectural interest to a structure. These goods are popular among Victorian homeowners since the bigger structures tend to blend in with the rest of the house. When choosing roof lanterns, consider the height of a lantern in a single-story flat roof expansion, since you may have façade windows on the second level of the existing main house that are partially obscured by the lantern.
How do roof lanterns and rooflights differ in terms of lighting?
Flat glass rooflights let in the most light possible in crisp, unbroken bands, making them perfect for interiors that feel too tiny or gloomy. When you select a flat glass rooflight that is constructed to internal specifications, it will allow up to 25% more natural light into your room than other flat roof windows. The numerous forms available provide you greater choice in how the light is used inside the area, with long, thin rooflights lighting the room like a cascade made of pure daylight and circular windows producing intriguing pools that vary around the space over the day.
One of the key advantages of choosing a roof lantern over a rooflight is the beautiful effect that you get from them when sunlight falls on them, as the light is broken up and reflected by the lantern intersections. If your space is already well-lit and you want extra daylight for artistic impact rather than merely illumination, lanterns provide a far more creative effect for your house and are a much better alternative when it comes to lighting.
How does the pricing of the two alternatives compare?
Flat glass rooflights are normally somewhat cheaper per square metre for the same quality product, but the difference isn’t so significant that it would stop you from picking a lantern if that is your heart’s desire. The initial price difference between the two types is not significant. What is more important is the installation and product quality. Roof lanterns that are pre-assembled are quite unusual. Our roof lanterns, on the other hand, are created with the installer in mind, and we have an installation video and step-by-step installation guide PDF accessible on our site, making assembly a breeze and a Korniche roof lantern worth investing in.
Which option has better insulation, rooflights or roof lanterns?
Lanterns and flat roof windows can both be effectively insulated. Nonetheless, lanterns have historically provided worse insulation due to the seams between the product's glass panes. There is always the possibility of heat loss when two pieces of glass are connected. A flat rooflight has just one connection between the top unit and the upstand, which means it frequently has a considerably superior insulating efficiency. However, if you choose a Korniche roof lantern, your home's room temperature will be maintained because their low U-value (as low as 1.2 on the Ambi-Neutral glazing option) ensures that the lantern edge is thermally sealed and there are no holes for air to escape, resulting in excellent heat retention.
Are rooflights or roof lanterns easier to clean?
A flat rooflight is more difficult to clean than a roof lantern because the glass on a roof lantern is more slanted, which means that rain will clean and remove dust, leaves, and debris easier over time. Furthermore, the Ambi range of Korniche roof lanterns that we have available are all self-cleaning, so you will only have to wipe the glass a couple of times each year!