Roof lanterns for St Andrews: the essentials
Thinking about roof lanterns in St Andrews? The short answer: hipped glass lanterns that lift the ceiling of orangeries and extensions. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Tenements and flats are common in Scottish towns and cities, where rooflights over stairwells and top-floor flats need the owners' and factor's agreement. Typical uses for roof lanterns include rooms that need height as well as light.
We work across Fife, including St Andrews, and in neighbouring towns such as Cupar and Anstruther. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
What you can choose
- Internal and external colours
- Solar-control or self-cleaning glass
- LED lighting in the plaster box
- Aluminium or uPVC systems
- Rectangular, square or bespoke sizes
- Slim aluminium bars, more glass
- Double or triple glazed with solar-control options
Things we check at survey
- Some designs project above the roof enough to affect planning on certain houses
- Larger lanterns may need a steel or timber ring beam
Planning, building control and St Andrews
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. Listed buildings need listed building consent where the work affects their character.
Under the Scottish building standards, replacement rooflights should average 1.6 W/m²K or better, and no individual unit should exceed 3.3 W/m²K. Forming a new opening normally involves structural work, so check with the local authority verifier whether a building warrant is needed.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
What do roof lanterns cost in St Andrews?
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In St Andrews, as elsewhere, making good inside and access equipment are the main variables.
| 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 |
What happens next
- Tell us what you have. Send the KY16 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Roof lanterns near St Andrews
Related work in St Andrews
Questions about roof lanterns in St Andrews
Do roof lanterns get hot?
They can in summer if clear glass is used on a south-facing roof. Solar-control glass and an opening vent make a big difference.
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.
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.
How do I book a survey in St Andrews?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
Is the survey in St Andrews free?
Yes for new installations. Repair visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we book.
