What do roof lanterns in Birmingham involve?
We handle roof lanterns across the West Midlands, including Birmingham. In short: hipped glass lanterns that lift the ceiling of orangeries and extensions. The survey checks structure, weathering and orientation, so the quote reflects your actual roof.
Bungalows are common across parts of the Midlands, and sun tunnels or roof windows are a quick way to brighten internal hallways. In Birmingham, as anywhere, roof lanterns are the usual choice for rooms that need height as well as light.
We cover all of Birmingham and the B1 district, and nearby Smethwick and West Bromwich.
Specification options
- Solar-control or self-cleaning glass
- Internal and external colours
- LED lighting in the plaster box
- Aluminium or uPVC systems
- Opening vents with electric control
- Slim aluminium bars, more glass
- Double or triple glazed with solar-control options
What to check first
- Plaster-box depth affects how the lantern looks from below
- Some designs project above the roof enough to affect planning on certain houses
Planning and building rules for Birmingham
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. 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.
Building Regulations Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for new or replacement rooflights in existing homes, measured in the horizontal plane; roof windows need 1.4 W/m²K or a Band B energy rating. In an extension, glazing including rooflights is normally limited to 25% of the new floor area plus any windows or doors the extension covers, unless a whole-house calculation shows otherwise.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
Guide prices for Birmingham
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
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- 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 Birmingham
Questions about roof lanterns in Birmingham
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.
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.
Will I need planning permission in Birmingham?
English householder permitted development (Class C) normally covers rooflights that stand no more than 0.15 m proud of the roof plane and stay below the highest part of the roof.
Do you fit roof lanterns in Birmingham?
Yes. We survey and fit roof lanterns in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. Send your postcode and we will offer a survey date when we reply.
