Skylights & Rooflights – everything you need to know

With lots of us looking to extend and improve instead of moving, the popularity of renovations such as adding skylights and rooflights is on the up.

As with most renovation projects, the planning and installation process of installing skylights naturally brings up a whole load of questions. While they might offer more light in a room, do they also make it colder in winter? And what about direct sunlight and heat in the summer months? And what’s involved if you decide to install one in your home?

Skylights and rooflights – the lowdown
What is a skylight?
A skylight is essentially a window, located in the roof, that brings daylight, into a room. They're a popular design choice for residential new builds and extensions with limited natural daylight. They can also offer the added benefit of supplying a room with fresh air through opting for an opening skylight for ventilation. However, not all rooflights are the same and there are some key differences worth considering.

Skylight/rooflight
Both terms refer to a window, located in the roof. A roof window is as it sounds – essentially a pane, or panes, of glass installed into a flat or pitched roof.

Roof lanterns
These have the appearance of small conservatories - they can be fitted to a flat or pitched roof.

Whether you’re installing a roof window, a skylight or a roof lantern there are various options available. These can allow for ventilation or limiting the amount of light which enters your room.