Skylight and Lantern Installations: Bringing Natural Light to Your Manchester Home
As Manchester’s weather patterns continue to evolve, homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to maximise natural light in their homes. Skylights and roof lanterns offer excellent solutions, transforming dark spaces into bright, welcoming areas while potentially reducing energy costs. At Lords Roofing, with over 40 years of experience serving Manchester and the surrounding areas, we’ve helped countless homeowners enhance their living spaces through professional skylight and lantern installations.
Why Choose Skylights and Roof Lanterns for Your Manchester Home?
Manchester’s climate, characterised by frequent overcast days and shorter winter daylight hours, makes natural light a precious commodity. Skylights and roof lanterns can dramatically improve your home’s ambiance whilst offering several practical benefits:


Enhanced Natural Light: Skylights provide up to three times more light than vertical windows of the same size, while roof lanterns can flood large areas with natural light from multiple angles, making rooms feel more spacious and welcoming.
Energy Efficiency: By reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, both skylights and lanterns can help lower your electricity bills. Modern units also offer excellent insulation properties.
Improved Ventilation: Venting skylights and lanterns can help remove stale air and moisture, particularly beneficial in bathrooms, kitchens, and loft conversions.
Increased Property Value: Well-positioned skylights and roof lanterns can significantly enhance your home’s market appeal and value.
Architectural Statement: Roof lanterns in particular create a stunning architectural feature that can transform the entire character of a room.
Types of Skylights and Roof Lanterns Available
Fixed Skylights
Fixed skylights are the most common and cost-effective option. They’re permanently sealed and designed purely for light admission. These work excellently in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where ventilation isn’t a primary concern.
Venting Skylights
Venting skylights can be opened manually or electronically to provide ventilation alongside natural light. They’re ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and loft spaces where moisture control is important.
Tubular Skylights
Perfect for smaller spaces or areas where traditional skylights aren’t feasible, tubular skylights use reflective tubes to channel light from the roof into interior spaces. They’re excellent for hallways, closets, and internal bathrooms.
Roof Lanterns
Roof lanterns are glazed structures that sit above the roof line, typically featuring a raised frame with glass panels on multiple sides and the top. They provide exceptional light levels and create a dramatic architectural feature.
Traditional Roof Lanterns: Feature a classic design with multiple glass panels in a pyramid or rectangular structure, perfect for period properties and traditional extensions.
Contemporary Roof Lanterns: Offer sleek, modern designs with minimal framework and maximum glass area, ideal for modern homes and contemporary extensions.
Flat Roof Lanterns: Designed specifically for flat roof applications, providing the benefits of a roof lantern while maintaining the clean lines of modern flat roof design.
Considerations for Manchester Homes
Weather Resistance
Manchester’s variable climate demands skylights that can withstand heavy rainfall, strong winds, and temperature fluctuations. At Lords Roofing, we only install skylights with robust weather sealing and impact-resistant glazing.
Roof Compatibility
Different roof types require specific installation approaches:
- Slate Roofs: Common in Manchester’s older properties, requiring careful integration to maintain the roof’s integrity
- Tile Roofs: Need proper flashing and weatherproofing around the skylight frame
- Flat Roofs: Require specialised curb-mounted skylights with appropriate drainage considerations
Planning Permission
Most skylight installations fall under permitted development rights. Roof lanterns, depending on their size and your property type, may require planning permission. Larger installations or those on listed buildings typically need approval. We can guide you through the regulations and help with any necessary applications.

The Installation Process
Initial Assessment
Our experienced team begins with a comprehensive roof inspection to determine the best skylight or lantern position, considering structural integrity, roof pitch, interior layout, and the specific requirements of your chosen installation type.
Structural Considerations
We assess whether additional support is needed, particularly for larger skylights or roof lanterns, or when installing in older properties where roof timbers may need reinforcement. Roof lanterns typically require more substantial structural support due to their size and weight.
Weatherproofing
Proper flashing and sealing are crucial for preventing leaks. We use high-quality materials and proven techniques to ensure your skylight or lantern remains watertight for years to come. Roof lanterns require particular attention to perimeter sealing and drainage.
Interior Finishing
We complete the installation with professional interior finishing, including plastering around the opening and installing any necessary light wells or blinds. For roof lanterns, we also handle any required internal structural work and decorative finishing around the lantern frame.
Common Installation Challenges and Solutions
Avoiding Roof Leaks
The most common concern with skylight installations is potential water ingress. Our experienced team uses stepped flashing systems and high-quality sealants to create multiple barriers against water penetration.
Condensation Control
In Manchester’s humid climate, condensation can be an issue. We recommend skylights with thermal breaks and proper ventilation to minimise condensation buildup.
Structural Integrity
We ensure all installations maintain your roof’s structural integrity, using appropriate supports and reinforcement where necessary.
Energy Efficiency and Building Regulations
Modern skylights must comply with building regulations regarding thermal performance. We install skylights with:
- Double or triple glazing for optimal insulation
- Low-E coatings to reduce heat loss
- Proper thermal breaks to prevent cold bridging
- Appropriate ventilation to prevent condensation
Maintenance and Longevity
Regular Cleaning
Skylights should be cleaned periodically to maintain optimal light transmission. We recommend professional cleaning for hard-to-reach installations.
Seal Inspection
Annual inspection of seals and flashing helps prevent leaks. Our maintenance service includes comprehensive skylight checks.
Blind and Shade Options
We can install various shading solutions to control light levels and reduce heat gain during summer months.
Cost Considerations
Skylight and roof lantern installation costs vary depending on:
- Type and size of skylight or lantern
- Roof complexity and structural requirements
- Interior finishing requirements
- Additional structural work needed
- Material specifications (aluminium, timber, UPVC frames)
While roof lanterns typically represent a higher initial investment than skylights, both offer long-term benefits including reduced energy costs, improved property value, and enhanced living quality.
Why Choose Lords Roofing for Your Skylight and Lantern Installation?
With over four decades of experience serving Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, and surrounding areas, Lords Roofing brings unmatched expertise to every skylight and roof lantern installation. Our team understands the specific challenges of Manchester’s climate and housing stock, ensuring your installation is completed to the highest standards.
Professional Assessment: We provide free, comprehensive assessments to determine the best skylight or lantern solution for your home.
Quality Materials: We use only premium skylights and roof lanterns from trusted manufacturers, ensuring longevity and performance.
Expert Installation: Our skilled craftsmen ensure proper installation, weatherproofing, and finishing for both skylights and roof lanterns.
Comprehensive Warranty: All our installations come with comprehensive warranties for your peace of mind.
Local Knowledge: Understanding Manchester’s building styles and regulations ensures compliance and optimal results for both traditional and contemporary installations.
Conclusion
Skylight and roof lantern installations offer excellent ways to enhance your Manchester home’s natural light, energy efficiency, and overall appeal. Whether you’re looking to brighten a dark hallway with a tubular skylight, improve ventilation in a bathroom with a venting skylight, or create a stunning architectural feature with a roof lantern, professional installation can transform your home.
At Lords Roofing, we’re committed to delivering exceptional results that stand the test of time. Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, from initial assessment to final installation, ensuring your skylight or roof lantern enhances your home for years to come.
Ready to bring more natural light into your Manchester home? Contact Lords Roofing today for a free consultation and discover how skylights and roof lanterns can transform your living space while adding value to your property.