COST GUIDES
How much does a roof lantern installation cost?
Updated 07/26
If you're looking to maximise the natural light in your home, roof lanterns are a great way to do that. In this guide, we look at the average roof lantern installation cost in the UK.
Fast Facts
Installing a roof lantern costs between £2,550 and £2,550 for both supply and labour
Aluminium roof lanterns cost more than uPVC options
A roof lantern, also known by some as a skylight, were a big deal for the Victorians and they've made it back on the list of popular features for modern British homeowners.
But how much does a roof lantern cost? Read on for 2026 UK prices for each type of roof lantern, so you can build an accurate budget before getting quotes.
How much does it cost to install a roof lantern?
| Item | Range - Low | Range - High |
|---|---|---|
| Labour (two man team) 2- 3 days | £3,600 | £9,000 |
| Standard roof lantern with installation cost | £2,550 | £22,500 |
| Small roof lantern made from uPVC fitted 750mm x 750mm | £1,500 | £8,400 |
| Small aluminium roof lantern 750mm x 750mm | £2,400 | £13,500 |
| Small timber-framed roof lantern 750mm x 750mm | £2,700 | £15,000 |
| Mid-sized aluminium roof lantern | £4,000 | £30,000 |
| Additional cost - Finial roof lantern detail | £30 | £300 |
| Additional cost - automatic openers | £750 | £3,000 |
| Additional cost - trickle vents per vent | £50 | £450 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
A standard roof lantern costs anywhere between £2,550 and £22,500 to supply and install.
Supply-only prices start from around £1,500 for a small uPVC unit.
Labour for a two-person team to install it, assuming the job takes two to three days, costs around £3,600–£9,000 overall.
For accurate prices, speak to local roof lantern installers to get detailed quotes in your area.
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How does size affect the cost?
Roof lanterns are available from around 750mm × 750mm for a small flat-roof opening, up to bespoke sizes of 3m × 4m or more.
A small uPVC lantern (750mm × 750mm) sits at the lower end of the cost scale, costing between £1,500 and £8,400.
A mid-sized aluminium lantern costs much more, between £4,000 and £30,000.
A bespoke large roof lantern costs even more. You'll need a bespoke quote to get an accurate idea of the cost.
If you're not sure which size is right for your room, a roof lantern installer can advise you. The standard guide is that the lantern footprint should be no more than 20–25% of the room's floor area.
Additional costs for roof lantern installation
When planning your budget, it's worth considering extra costs you might need to cover.
The condition of your roof matters: if there are any issues with existing roof damage, you'll need to get it fixed before or at the same time as fitting the roof lantern.
If you're planning an extension with a roof lantern, the cost should be built into the total cost of the extension project. For more details on the price of an extension, take a look at our house extension cost guide.
Other things you may need to budget for include:
Additional roof or ceiling work
VAT
Extras, such as self-cleaning glass
Adding automatic openers
Due to the location of a roof lantern, it can be tricky to open the windows manually. A simple solution is adding automatic openers, which will cost in the region of £750–£3,000 per window.
Adding trickle vents
The average cost for trickle vents is around £50-£50 per vent.
To make sure you comply with British building regulations, you need to make sure there is sufficient ventilation in the room where your roof lantern is installed. One way to ensure this is by adding trickle vents to your roof lantern.
Roof lantern blinds cost
Roller blinds for a roof lantern typically cost an average of £2,500 to supply and fit, depending on the size and whether you choose manual or electric operation.
Electric blinds are popular for larger lanterns where reaching a manual pull cord isn't practical. For supply and installation of a motorised set, budget between £2,790 and £9,150 depending on the size of your window.
For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our roof lantern blinds cost guide.
Roof lantern blinds cost guide
Roof lanterns have become a popular staple in single storey extensions, but sometimes that wonderful source of additional light flowing into the room needs a bit of controlling – that’s where roof lantern blinds come in. In this roof lantern blinds cost guide, we look at the types of blinds available and the average prices in the UK.
Replace a flat roof cost
If in the process of installing your roof lantern it becomes clear that the flat roof it is going on is damaged or in bad repair, it might be a good idea to get your flat roof replacement done at the same time. The same goes for a fibreglass or rubber flat roof.
You don't want to install a roof lantern then have issues on the roof surrounding it a few years later.
Expect to pay an average of £75 per m2 to have your flat roof replaced.
Scaffolding hire cost
If scaffolding is required to access your roof and install the roof lantern, budget around £875 (for a two-storey semi-detached house).
Some roof lantern specialists will supply their own scaffolding to carry out the work, but others might need you to organise it for them.
When discussing the roof lantern installation find out whether they will need scaffolding to be arranged separately.
You can find out more about prices in our scaffolding cost guide.
Labour costs and timescales
Labour costs for roof lantern installation are typically around £1,200 per day.
A standard job is two to three days for a two-person team, so labour alone is roughly £3,600–£9,000 for most installs.
As with most home improvement projects, labour costs will vary depending on individual tradespeople, the work involved, and where you live. London and the South East typically run higher than other regions.
Find a roof lantern installer near you
How long does it take to install a roof lantern?
Installing a roof lantern takes a two-person team two to three days. That's the baseline for a straightforward flat-roof fit on an existing opening in good repair.
If the installers need to cut a new opening into the roof structure, or install a particularly large bespoke lantern, the project may take longer. It may even require sign-off from a structural engineer, which will add extra time.
Other things that can extend the timeline include access issues, structural modifications, and bespoke designs.
What affects the cost of a roof lantern?
To help you plan the costs for your new roof lantern, here are some of the other factors that will directly affect the total price of the work.
Size of roof lantern
As you'd expect, the bigger the roof lantern the more expensive it will be. Both materials and labour costs will increase with bigger roof lanterns.
Type of roof lantern
If you want a more complex shape of roof lantern or even a bespoke design, you can expect to pay more.
The material you choose for the frame will also impact the price. uPVC is the cheapest option on the market, with aluminium frames somewhere in the middle, and timber being the most expensive.
Korniche is the most widely installed aluminium roof lantern in the UK - expect to pay aluminium prices for it.
The type of roof the lantern is designed for will also affect the cost. Installing a lantern in a flat roof will cost less than doing so in a pitched roof.
Type of glass
A roof lantern is a type of window, so the glass you choose will affect how much you pay. Options include:
Tinted: There may be an additional charge for this, but it can often be the same price as clear glass.
Double or triple glazing: This will cost more than single glazed glass, but it comes as standard with most windows these days. See our guide to double glazing costs for more detail.
Toughened: A sensible option if your roof lantern is directly underneath trees or other potential hazards.
Self-cleaning: A clever option to minimise the need to manually clean your roof lantern glass.
Solar glass: An innovation that can turn your window into a mini solar panel.
Low-e glass: A type of glass that reflects the worst of the sunlight - ideal for keeping your room cool in the summer.
For most UK installations, double glazing with self-cleaning glass is the most practical choice. It reduces maintenance and meets Building Regulations thermal performance requirements in one.
Do you need planning permission to install a roof lantern?
No - in most cases, you do not need planning permission to fit a roof lantern. It's generally considered permitted development.
However, there are some exceptions. If your property is in a conservation area, is a listed building, or the lantern would significantly alter the roofline, you'll need to apply for planning permission.
Always check with your local planning authority before work begins. Your installer should be able to advise too.
Although planning permission usually isn't needed, roof lanterns do need to meet building regulations for thermal performance and ventilation. Your installer should handle this.
Roof lantern cost: job estimator tool
Use our job estimate calculator below to get a cost estimate based on Checkatrade data.
Just type in a few details about your project, and the tool will give you a realistic budget range before you approach installers.
Job Estimate Calculator
Are roof lanterns worth it?
Roof lanterns are a popular choice for flat-roof extensions and kitchen diners because they flood a room with natural light without taking up wall space. The main benefits are the light gain, the architectural look, and the added value they can bring to a home.
They don't come cheap though - you could be paying five figures for the supply and installation, especially if it's a large lantern.
But for many homeowners, the light, space, and visual impact make that a worthwhile spend. If you're willing to spend the money, a roof lantern can really transform a space.
Can I install a roof lantern myself?
Probably not.
Fitting a roof lantern yourself is possible if the opening already exists and the unit is a simple frame swap.
However, most installations involve cutting into a roof structure or flat-roof deck, which needs to comply with Building Regulations and be properly waterproofed. Getting this wrong is an expensive mistake.
For most homeowners, it's safer and more cost-effective to use a qualified tradesperson who can handle the structural work and sign off the ventilation requirements.
How to find a roof lantern installer
Finding a roof lantern installer is easy with Checkatrade. We check and verify our members, so all the tradespeople in our directory meet our standards.
Enter your postcode to get started - we'll show you the Checkatrade tradespeople who offer roof lantern installation in your area, so you can browse your options.
Find a roof lantern installer near you
You can also our quick and easy request a quote feature and we'll get experienced local roof lantern installers to contact you directly. Or, download the Checkatrade app!
To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
The size and shape of the lantern you want (or the room dimensions, if you're not sure yet)
Whether the roof opening already exists, or if a new one needs to be cut
The material you'd like (uPVC, aluminium, or timber)
Any extras you're considering: blinds, automatic openers, or self-cleaning glass
Access details: whether scaffolding will be needed
You can also browse flat roof specialists near me if you're looking for local tradespeople who work on flat roofs.
Roof lantern installation cost checklist
Use our handy checklist below to track your preparation steps before you contact an installer - and make sure you know everything to expect from buying a roof lantern.
Roof lantern installation cost checklist
Roof lantern installation cost FAQs
The terms roof lantern and skylight are often used interchangeably – both meaning a glass window installed into a roof. Depending on the manufacturer or tradesperson, they may use one or other of the terms to mean the same thing.
A lantern roof costs between £1,500 and £30,000 supply and fit, depending on size and material.
A small uPVC lantern (750mm x 750mm) starts from around £1,500; an aluminium lantern starts from about £2,400. Labour for a two-person team typically adds £3,600–£9,000 to the total cost.
Yes. Even though planning permission usually isn't required, roof lanterns must comply with Building Regulations, specifically around thermal performance and ventilation.
Your installer should handle the building regulations process and provide the relevant sign-off.
Yes, a roof lantern can be fitted to an existing conservatory roof structure to replace a polycarbonate or glass panel. The cost depends on the size of the opening and the material of the lantern. Check that the conservatory's supporting framework can take the weight before ordering.
Yes. Opening vents can be added at an extra cost, which can be operated either with some sort of handle or remotely, using a motor.
It is even possible to get automatic opening vents which are part of an automated climate control system, the vents will open when the temperature rises, but will automatically close if it starts raining.
Yes, many homeowners consider it worth it - particularly for hard to reach roof lanterns.
Self-clean glass is an incredible piece of technology. Photo-Catalytic glass is used to harness ultraviolet energy to power a chemical reaction that actually breaks down organic dirt.
In addition, rather than forming droplets, the water essentially slides off the glass.
If you're an experienced and skilled DIY enthusiast then you may be able to install a roof lantern yourself, but hiring a tradesperson to do the work is highly advised.
A poorly installed roof lantern could cause a whole heap of problems down the line so hire an installer, ideally a tradesperson who is registered with FENSA.
Yes - flat roofs are the most common setting for a roof lantern. The lantern sits on a raised frame (called a kerb) above the roof surface.
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