How we approach roof lanterns in Greenwich
For Greenwich homes and buildings we offer roof lanterns: hipped glass lanterns that lift the ceiling of orangeries and extensions. We measure first, specify to the opening and confirm any planning or building-control points before quoting.
London homes often run deep from front to back, so the middle of the ground floor is the darkest space — exactly where an overhead rooflight earns its keep. Roof lanterns suit rooms that need height as well as light.
We work across Greater London, including Greenwich, and in neighbouring towns such as Blackheath and Lewisham. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
Options we can specify in Greenwich
- Aluminium or uPVC systems
- Opening vents with electric control
- LED lighting in the plaster box
- Rectangular, square or bespoke sizes
- Solar-control or self-cleaning glass
- Light from every angle across the day
- Can include opening vents
Things we check at survey
- Some designs project above the roof enough to affect planning on certain houses
- Plaster-box depth affects how the lantern looks from below
Do you need permission in Greenwich?
Most rooflights on English houses do not need planning permission, provided they keep within 150 mm of the roof surface and below the ridge line. A rooflight on a side-facing slope must be obscure-glazed, and fixed shut unless the opening part is more than 1.7 m above the floor.
For English homes the energy rules ask for rooflights of 2.2 W/m²K or better and roof windows of 1.4 W/m²K (or WER Band B); most modern double glazed units meet both. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published in March 2026, apply from 24 March 2027 and keep the 2.2 W/m²K limit for rooflights.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
What do roof lanterns cost in Greenwich?
Guide prices for roof lanterns in Greenwich are the same as anywhere we work — what changes the price is the job: access, structure, scaffold and finishing.
| 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
- Get in touch. Use the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool with your Greenwich address.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Fixed quote. Product, work and price in writing — nothing is ordered until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Nearby towns
Related work in Greenwich
Roof lanterns in Greenwich: questions
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.
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 Greenwich?
In England a rooflight on a house is usually permitted development under Class C if it projects no more than 150 mm beyond the roof slope and sits no higher than the ridge.
How do I book a survey in Greenwich?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
