A roof lantern in its traditional form is basically a glass and wood roof light, very much like a miniature conservatory roof, which is included, generally into an area of flat roof, in order to present light into the area below.
It is also possible to include a roof lantern into the ridge of a roof, and there are other locations where a roof lantern can work well if the design and installation are performed properly.
When the first orangeries and conservatories were being constructed, roof lanterns were initially used in the Georgian period at a time. The roof lantern permitted light into the stairwell of a residential or commercial property and into other areas of the house, an essential consideration when without electrical or gaslight, candle light power was the only lighting offered and interiors could be dim and dark even on bright days.
At the time glass was still made by hand and was therefore expensive, so at first architects had to book using roof lanterns when designing great town and country houses for wealthy customers.
In the 2nd half of the Victorian era, glass began to be device made and became more affordable. At the same time society ended up being more upscale and the interest in glass structures influenced by the Crystal Palace developed for the Great Exhibition of 1851, caused a greater demand for glass to be utilized in the building of houses,
Both the Victorian's and Edwardian's used roof lanterns wherever they were required for both useful and visual factors - domestically to present light over landings and stairwells, in billiard spaces, reception rooms and kitchen areas. Roof lanterns were also included into the design and architecture of hotels and in places of education and public structures such as town halls and town libraries.
It is unfortunately true that a number of these fine and imposing structures were prone to leakage, due to the restriction of modern construction and sealing products. What's more, single glazing suggested that they enabled heat to get away, so the areas underneath them could be metal industrial desks costly or uncomfortable to heat throughout the winter. Sadly, this meant that the owners typically reduced the size of the roof lantern, and with it the readily available light, or boarded them over completely so that the location beneath needed to be illuminated with electrical light.
Ventilation was likewise sometimes needed in these early roof lanterns and this could just be supplied by manual opening through a crank rod to turn the window system open or closed. Very bothersome if it suddenly began to rain.
Modern Roof Lanterns & Skylights
Today we have the benefit of modern-day dry double glazing techniques, advanced sealing substances and automated electric systems for closing and opening roof lantern windows.
These improvements, together with using sealed double glazed panels ensure that contemporary roof lanterns can keep a standard appearance while offering, structural Stability and toughness together with great insulation homes.
What's more, using long lasting wood timber and high quality microporous paints and spots makes sure that a modern roof lantern will last for several years with minimum upkeep.
It is sadly true that numerous of these fine and enforcing structures were prone to leakage, due to the constraint of contemporary building and sealing products. Exactly what's more, single glazing meant that they enabled heat to get away, so the areas beneath them might be costly or unpleasant to heat throughout the winter. This implied that the owners frequently lowered the size of the roof lantern, and with it the available light, or boarded them over totally so that the location underneath had to be illuminated with electric light.