How we approach roof lanterns in Edinburgh
Our roof lanterns service in Edinburgh covers hipped glass lanterns that lift the ceiling of orangeries and extensions. Every job starts with a survey of the opening, the roof covering and the room below, and a fixed written price.
Scottish weather is hard on roofs, so we specify rooflights and roof windows with exposure in mind and fit upstands with generous heights. Typical uses for roof lanterns include rooms that need height as well as light.
Edinburgh is the main town we list in Edinburgh and the Lothians; we also cover nearby Musselburgh and Dalkeith.
Specification options
- Internal and external colours
- Solar-control or self-cleaning glass
- Opening vents with electric control
- Aluminium or uPVC systems
- LED lighting in the plaster box
- Light from every angle across the day
- Can include opening vents
Before you order: points to check
- Some designs project above the roof enough to affect planning on certain houses
- Larger lanterns may need a steel or timber ring beam
Consents for roof lanterns in Edinburgh
Planning rules in Scotland differ: rooflights are treated as external alterations under Class 2B, with no permitted development in conservation areas. Flats and tenements are outside householder permitted development, so check with the planning authority first.
Scottish energy standards for glazing, including rooflights, use an area-weighted average of 1.4–1.6 W/m²K in extensions, so most modern units comply comfortably. Forming a new opening normally involves structural work, so check with the local authority verifier whether a building warrant is needed.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
Roof lanterns prices in Edinburgh
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Large or bespoke aluminium lantern | £5,995 – £10,795 | £4,995 – £8,995 |
| Mid-size aluminium lantern (2 × 3 m) Typical | £3,955 – £5,995 | £3,295 – £4,995 |
| Small lantern (1 × 2 m) | £2,995 – £3,955 | £2,495 – £3,295 |
From enquiry to finished job
- Tell us what you have. Send the EH1 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Edinburgh, measures and checks structure and access.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fit and make good. We fit, seal, test and finish the reveal, then hand over the paperwork.
Nearby towns
Other services in Edinburgh
Common questions
Do they leak?
Modern lanterns are sealed systems. Leaks usually trace back to the kerb or roof membrane detail, which we form and check ourselves.
Aluminium or uPVC?
Aluminium gives slimmer bars and a longer life; uPVC costs less. We fit both.
Roof lantern or flat rooflight?
A lantern adds height and sky from all sides; a flat rooflight is lower-profile and cleaner from outside. Our guide compares them in detail.
Will I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
Scottish householder permitted development (Class 2B, other external alterations) can cover a rooflight that projects no more than 1 metre from the roof, but the right does not apply in conservation areas.
How do I book a survey in Edinburgh?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
