Roof lanterns, in their traditional forms, are made up of a combination of glass and timber roof light. They usually resemble a miniature conservatory roof incorporated into a predefined area on a flat roof in order to allow light directly into the area below. Apart from this type of set up, it is also possible to incorporate roof lanterns onto the ridge of a roof. In fact, there are areas in which these lanterns can work perfectly well particularly in the event that the design and installation is properly done.
Looking back, lanterns were first adopted for use during the time when the first ever orangeries and conservatories were being set up. They were mainly installed to allow for light onto the stairwells of properties as well as other areas of the homes. It is equally very important to take into consideration the fact that this type of lanterns really help provide light in the absence of gaslight, candle power and electricity. Without them, interiors would be dim and very dark even on sunny days.
Back then glass was still being made by hand hence it was very expensive. That being the case, architects initially opted to reserve the use of the lanterns to only when designing country and fine town houses for wealthy clients. Interesting thing is, during the second half of the Victorian era, glass steadily started being made using machines making it more affordable. Society slowly started becoming more and more affluent with their interested in using glass
These lanterns were adopted for use not only for aesthetic reasons but also for practical reasons. Lanterns were also incorporated into the architecture and design of hotels as well as in the design of public buildings e.g. town halls, educational institutions and public libraries. Unfortunately, most of these early structures were most prone to leaking as a result of the limitation of contemporary sealing and construction materials. What’s more, single glazed designs allowed heat to escape making the areas directly beneath them very uncomfortable or very costly to heat during winter season.
As a result of this, home owners opted to reduce the size of their lanterns some evening choose to have them boarded completely instead choosing to have the areas right beneath illuminated with electricity. Since ventilation was sometimes required the lanterns could be set to open manually through a crank rod specifically designed and fitted to allow turning the window open or closed. This in turn made lanterns very convenient in the event the weather changed and it started raining.
Presently, there is the benefit of modern dry double glazing techniques coupled with highly advanced automatic electrical mechanisms which collectively make operating the lanterns much easier. All of these improvements coupled with the adoption of using sealed glazed panels made it possible for modern lanterns to be able to maintain their traditional appearance while at the same time still providing unique structural integrity and durability besides the improved insulation properties
In addition to the above, the adoption of using hardwood timber as well as high quality porous paints and stains has helped make sure that modern roof lanterns are extremely durable and very easy to maintain.