Adding roof lanterns is one of the most changing things you can do for your home. They bring natural light and architectural beauty to rooms that were previously dark. Many homes, though, aren’t sure what the installation process is all about or how it will affect their daily lives. If you know what to expect when roof lanterns are placed, you can get ready for the job and make sure it goes smoothly from beginning to end.
The process of getting roof lanterns installed on your home starts long before any work is done. During the first consultation phase, experts will come to your home to see if installing roof lanterns in the spot you choose is structurally possible. This evaluation is very important because roof lanterns need strong structural support, and the roof structure must be able to handle the extra weight and the changes that need to be made. The surveyor will look at the roof joists, take accurate measurements, and decide if any extra steelwork is needed to safely hold your new roof lanterns.
After the survey, you’ll get thorough quotes and technical drawings that show how the roof lanterns will fit in with your current building. In the UK, this kind of installation needs to be approved by the building rules, and this paperwork is needed to do that. The application to the building rules will be taken care of by most reputable installers, but the process could take a few weeks. The building control officer will need to check on the work at different times, so it’s important to be patient during this part of the planning process if you want to use roof lanterns.
Once everything is okay, the preparation part can start. You can expect some changes to your regular schedule before the installation team gets there. There should be no furniture in the room below where the roof lanterns will go. You may also want to move or cover valuable items in rooms nearby to keep them safe from dust. Professional workers do their best to keep the mess to a minimum, but cutting through a roof will always leave some pieces behind. Many people choose to temporarily move to a different part of their home or even leave their home during the most disturbing parts of installing roof lanterns.
It usually takes between two and five days to place roof lanterns, but it depends on how big and complicated the job is. The installation team will set up their work area and start by putting up scaffolding or other access tools on the first day. When working at a height, safety is very important, and you should expect to see a lot of safety measures in place the whole time. When they start opening up the roof to make room for the roof lanterns, the team will also put down safety coverings inside your home to catch any falling debris.
The most exciting part of the fitting process is when the old roof covering is taken off to make room for your roof lanterns. To make sure the weathertightness stays the same throughout the process, this step needs skilled work. Professional installers work carefully to keep your property out of the weather for as little time as possible, and they often use temporary covers if the weather turns bad. Many homeowners are worried about rain at this point, but skilled teams keep a close eye on the weather forecasts and plan their work to protect your home while they place roof lanterns.
Cutting through roof timbers and placing supporting steelwork or engineered timber beams is how the structural opening for roof lanterns is made. Building codes say that this structural work has to be done in a certain way, and this is usually where the first review by the building control officer will happen. The installation team will carefully calculate the load-bearing requirements and make sure that the rest of the roof structure can hold both the roof lanterns and any snow or wind loads they may face. This level of structural stability is a must for installing roof lanterns safely.
Once the hole in the structure is ready, the roof lanterns can be put in place. Modern roof lanterns are usually put up as whole pieces that are carefully moved into place and attached to a kerb or upstand that has already been prepared. To ensure good water drainage and weather resistance, the kerb raises the roof lanterns above the flat roof surface. The process of installing your roof lanterns is exciting because you can see right away how they change the look of your home’s roof and start to enjoy the natural light they’ll bring inside.
It takes a lot of care to make sure that roof lanterns are weatherproof. Around the outside, special flashings and seals are put in place to keep water out, and they must be installed exactly the way the maker says to. The assembly team will also make sure that the roof lanterns are properly sealed on the inside, making sure that any gaps between the frame and the opening in the structure are filled and finished. This weatherproofing is very important for the long-term performance of roof lanterns because it stops drafts, condensation, and water from getting in.
After the roof lanterns are put up, work is done on finishing the inside. You will need to build and finish the show between the roof lanterns and your ceiling. This is usually done with plasterboard that is skimmed smooth. This light shaft or tube inside the room is important because it helps the light from your roof lanterns reach every part of the room. Some homes like it when the reveals are spread out to let more light in, while others like it when they are vertical. There are a lot of different ways to finish the openings around roof lanterns, so you can make them fit your home’s style.
When installing electrically controlled roof lanterns with built-in blinds or fans that open, more electrical work will need to be done. If your roof lanterns have these features, you should expect a trained electrician to be part of the installation team. The electrician will put in the necessary wires and control switches and make sure that everything follows the rules for electricity use right now. Although they make the construction process more difficult, remote-controlled roof lanterns are a great way to control how much light comes in and how much air flows through.
In the last steps of installing roof lanterns, there is specific work to be done on both the inside and outside. The roof lanterns’ external roofing materials need to be put back on and made waterproof. Before decorating can start, the plastering inside must be finished and left to dry. In the weeks after installation, the materials will probably settle down some, which could cause small cracks that need to be fixed. This happens naturally when roof lanterns and the structures that hold them up fall into place.
The last official step in installing roof lanterns is a building control check. The person in charge of building codes will check that the work was done according to the accepted plans and building rules. When they’re happy, they’ll give you a completion license, which is important for keeping track of your property. If you ever decide to sell your house, this certificate may be needed to show that the roof lanterns were put up legally and safely.
Once the installation crew leaves and your roof lanterns are set up, you’ll need some time to get used to the new look. Particularly in rooms that were previously dark, the added natural light from roof lanterns can be quite dramatic. Many homeowners find that they need to change how they light their homes, where they put their furniture, and even what they decorate with in order to get the most out of the extra light that roof lanterns give off. It will also be easier to see how the seasons change the natural light, and roof lanterns will look especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Maintenance for roof lanterns is pretty basic, but you should make it a habit to keep them clean and check the seals and flashings every so often. Most roof lanterns can be cleaned from the inside with normal glass cleaners. However, cleaning the outside may need professional help because it can be hard to get to. Checking the weatherproofing around your roof lanterns on a regular basis will help you find any problems before they get worse.
Putting in roof lanterns is a big job that needs to be carefully planned, approved by the government, and done by skilled professionals. Even though the process will cause some problems in your home, the end result will be worth it. If you know what to expect at each step, from the first survey to the final inspection, you can install your roof lantern with confidence, knowing that the end result will be a beautifully lit space that makes your home more useful and increases its value over time.