A roof lantern in its standard type is essentially a glass and timber roof light, quite like a mini conservatory roof, which is integrated, typically into an area of flat roof, in order to present light into the location below.
It is likewise possible to include a roof lantern into the ridge of a roof, and there are other areas where a roof lantern can work well if the design and setup are performed correctly.
When the very first orangeries and conservatories were being built, roof lanterns were initially utilized in the Georgian age at a time. The roof lantern allowed light into the stairwell of a home and into other locations of the home, an important factor to consider when without electric or gaslight, candle power was the only lighting readily available and interiors could be dim and dark even on sunny days.
At the time glass was still made by hand and was hence costly, so initially designers had to reserve using roof lanterns when developing fine town and country houses for rich clients.
In the second half of the Victorian period, glass started to be maker made and ended up being more budget-friendly. At the same time society became more wealthy and the interest in glass structures influenced by the Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibit of 1851, led to a higher demand for glass to be utilized in the structure of homes,
Both the Victorian's and Edwardian's utilized roof lanterns wherever they were required for both practical and aesthetic factors - domestically to present light over landings and stairwells, in billiard rooms, 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 lot of these fine and enforcing structures were prone to leakage, due to the limitation of modern construction and sealing products. What's more, single glazing suggested that they allowed heat to get away, so the areas underneath them could be costly or uneasy to heat during the winter season. Regrettably, this indicated that the owners typically lowered the size of the roof lantern, and with it the offered light, or boarded them over completely so that the area underneath had to be brightened with electric light.
Ventilation was also often required in these early roof lanterns and this might just be offered by manual opening by means of a crank rod to turn the window mechanism open or closed. If it all of a sudden started to rain, very troublesome.
Modern Roof Lanterns & Skylights
Luckily 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 enhancements, together with the use of sealed double glazed panels guarantee that modern-day roof lanterns can maintain a conventional look while offering, structural Integrity and sturdiness together with excellent insulation properties.
Exactly what's more, making use of durable wood lumber and high quality microporous paints and stains guarantees that a modern-day roof lantern will last for several years with minimum maintenance.
It is unfortunately real that many of these fine and imposing structures were vulnerable to leak, due to the limitation of modern building and construction and sealing materials. What's more, single glazing indicated that they allowed heat to escape, so the locations underneath them could be unpleasant or costly to heat during the winter season. This suggested that the owners often decreased the size of the roof lantern, and with it the readily available light, or boarded them over vintage industrial metal desks entirely so that the area below had actually to be brightened with electric light.