A roof lantern in its conventional form is essentially a glass and lumber roof light, quite like a miniature conservatory roof, which is incorporated, usually into a location of flat roof, in order to present light into the area listed below.
It is likewise 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 style and setup are carried out properly.
Roof lanterns were first utilized in the Georgian age at a time when the first orangeries and conservatories were being constructed. The roof lantern allowed light into the stairwell of a property and into other locations of the home, an important factor to consider when without electrical or gaslight, candle power was the only lighting readily available and interiors could be dark and dim even on warm days.
At the time glass was still made by hand and was thus pricey, so initially architects needed to reserve making use of roof lanterns when developing fine town and country houses for rich customers.
In the second half of the Victorian period, glass started to be machine made and ended up being more cost effective. At the same time society became more affluent and the interest in glass structures affected by the Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibit of 1851, resulted in a greater need for glass to be used in the structure of houses,
Both the Victorian's and Edwardian's used roof lanterns any place they were needed for both useful and visual reasons - locally to introduce light over landings and stairwells, in billiard rooms, reception rooms and cooking areas. Roof lanterns were likewise incorporated into the style and architecture of hotels and in places of education and public buildings such as city center and public libraries.
It is regretfully real that many of these fine and enforcing structures were prone to leak, due to the constraint of contemporary building and construction and sealing materials. What's more, single glazing indicated that they allowed heat to get away, so the areas underneath them could be unpleasant or pricey to heat during the winter season. Sadly, this meant that the owners frequently reduced the size of the roof lantern, and with it the offered light, or boarded them over totally so that the area below had to be lit up with electric light.
Ventilation was also often required in these early roof lanterns and this might only be offered by manual opening via a crank rod to turn the window system open or closed. If it unexpectedly began to rain, extremely bothersome.
Modern Roof Lanterns & Skylights
Thankfully today we have the advantage of modern dry double glazing methods, advanced sealing compounds and automatic electric systems for opening and closing roof lantern windows.
These improvements, together with using sealed double glazed panels make sure that modern-day roof lanterns can maintain a standard appearance while offering, structural Stability and durability together with great insulation homes.
What's more, using long lasting hardwood wood and high quality microporous paints and discolorations ensures that a contemporary 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 restriction of modern construction and sealing materials. Exactly what's more, single glazing meant that they enabled heat to get away, so the areas below them might be costly or uneasy to heat during the winter. This indicated that the owners typically decreased the size of the roof lantern, and with it the readily available light, or boarded them over completely so that the area below metal industrial desks had actually to be illuminated with electrical light.