Conservatory Roof Lanterns & Skylights Cost UK 2026: Velux, Atlas, Korniche Compared

Roof lanterns and skylights for a conservatory cost £450 to £3,500 per unit fitted in the UK in 2026. The price depends on size, opening type (fixed or opening), glazing spec (standard, self-cleaning, solar-control), and whether you are adding to an existing conservatory roof or specifying as part of a new tiled conversion. Most homeowners pay £450–£750 per Velux unit for a standard fixed double-glazed skylight on a tiled conservatory roof, and £1,800–£3,500 for a feature roof lantern on a kitchen-extension conservatory.

This guide breaks down the cost of every roof window and lantern type, where each makes sense, and the install gotchas that catch homeowners out. All prices are verified against quotes from approved installers in May 2026 and the Velux, Fakro, and Atlas Roof Lanterns trade catalogues. For the wider context, see our conservatory roof replacement cost guide and the polycarbonate to tiled conversion guide, which covers roof window placement in a tiled conversion.

Skylights vs Roof Lanterns: What Is the Difference?

Skylights and roof lanterns are different products at different price points for different purposes. A skylight is a single rectangular roof window, typically 78x118cm, fitted flush into a tiled or glazed roof. A roof lantern is a multi-pane raised structure (pyramid or hipped) typically 2x3m to 4×2.5m that becomes a feature element of the roof. Most conservatory installs use 2–4 skylights; only larger kitchen-extension conservatories or orangery-style designs use roof lanterns.

For a typical conservatory roof replacement, skylights are the right choice. Lanterns are only worth specifying when the conservatory is functioning as a kitchen extension or orangery, or when you want a single dramatic light feature rather than distributed daylight from multiple skylights.

Velux and Fakro Skylight Cost

Velux is the dominant skylight brand in the UK at around 75% market share, with Fakro the main alternative at around 15%. Velux GGL and Fakro FTP are the standard ranges fitted into conservatory tiled roofs. Both achieve U-values of 1.0–1.4 W/m²K depending on glazing spec, with 25-year glass warranties standard.

The most common spec we see in tiled conservatory roof installs is the Velux GGL MK06 manual centre-pivot at £450–£750 fitted. This is the "default" choice for installers and balances cost, daylight contribution, and ease of operation. Centre-pivot is preferred over top-hung because it allows easy cleaning of the outer pane from inside.

Roof Lantern Cost

Roof lanterns are typically fitted to flat-roofed sections of conservatory or kitchen extensions, not to standard pitched conservatory roofs. Atlas, Korniche, and Roof Maker dominate the UK lantern market. All three offer slim aluminium frames with double or triple-glazed panels, U-values of 1.0–1.4 W/m²K, and 10-year warranties.

The most common lantern install we see in 2026 is a Korniche or Atlas at the 3x2m size, fitted as the central feature of a kitchen-extension conservatory at £2,400–£2,900. The lantern dominates the room's natural light and creates a strong design statement, particularly when paired with bi-fold doors opening onto a garden.

Premium specs (Roof Maker Luxlite, Atlas Aurora at 4×2.5m+) push above £3,500 fitted and are typically only specified on bespoke architect-designed extensions where the lantern is the focal point of the room.

How Many Skylights Should Your Conservatory Have?

For a typical 12–18m² tiled conservatory roof we recommend 2 to 4 Velux skylights. The exact count depends on the roof shape and orientation. Skipping skylights entirely saves £1,500–£3,000 but the room loses 60–75% of its natural light versus the original glass or polycarbonate roof.

• Lean-to (under 10m²): 1–2 standard Velux units. The single roof pitch limits placement options.
• Edwardian (12–18m²): 2–3 standard Velux units. Standard placement is 2 on the rear pitch + 1 on the side pitch if applicable.
• Victorian (15–20m²): 3–4 standard Velux units. The faceted bay end allows placement on multiple smaller pitches.
• P-shape / L-shape (20m²+): 3–4 standard Velux units, possibly one large unit (134x140cm) on the main pitch.
• Kitchen extension conservatory: Often 1 large lantern at 3x2m+ rather than multiple skylights, particularly when the conservatory functions as the main kitchen-diner space.

The best position for skylights is on the south or west elevation to maximise afternoon and evening light, ideally not directly above seating to avoid summer glare. North-facing skylights give consistent daylight without overheating but feel cooler. East-facing skylights give morning light only.

Opening vs Fixed: Which Should You Pick?

Opening skylights add £200–£400 per unit over the fixed equivalent and provide ventilation in the conservatory. Whether to specify opening or fixed depends on three things: the room's ventilation needs, your willingness to pay the premium, and accessibility for cleaning the outer pane.

• Fixed (cheapest): £380–£680 per unit. No ventilation. Best for conservatories with adequate ventilation from doors and trickle vents on the side windows.
• Manual centre-pivot: £450–£750 per unit. Standard choice. Allows ventilation and easy cleaning from inside.
• Top-hung opening: £620–£920 per unit. Better for unobstructed views. Harder to clean – requires reaching outside.
• Electric (Velux Integra): £850–£1,250 per unit. Includes rain sensor that auto-closes when rain starts. Worth specifying on hard-to-reach skylights or for accessibility.
• Manual with extension pole: Add £30–£50 for the operating pole. Required for Velux units higher than 2.5m above floor level.

For most conservatory installs, the standard manual centre-pivot at £450–£750 fitted is the right choice. Step up to electric Integra if the unit is positioned above an awkward seating arrangement (over a sofa, over a dining table) where reaching for manual operation is impractical.

Glazing Specification

The glazing inside the Velux or lantern unit affects three things: U-value (thermal performance), summer solar gain, and maintenance. Standard double-glazing is the default; upgrades cost £100–£250 per unit and pay back in different ways.

• Standard double-glazed: U-value 1.4. Toughened outer pane, laminated inner pane (safety standard).
• Solar-control: +£100–£180 per unit. U-value 1.0. Cuts summer solar gain by 60–75%. Worth specifying on south-facing pitches.
• Self-cleaning (Pilkington Activ): +£120–£200 per unit. Annual cleaning interval rather than quarterly. Particularly useful on hard-to-reach skylights.
• Triple-glazed: +£200–£350 per unit. U-value 0.8–1.0. Rarely worth the cost on a conservatory skylight unless the room is being brought inside the heated envelope.
• Acoustic glass: +£120–£220 per unit. Reduces external noise by 5–10dB. Worth considering near busy roads or under flight paths.

Adding Skylights to an Existing Conservatory Roof

If your conservatory has an existing tiled roof and you want to add 1–2 more skylights, expect to pay £750–£1,200 per unit fitted. The retrofit cost is higher than a new-build install because the roof has to be opened, the rafters cut, and new flashing detailing fitted. The work typically takes 1 day per skylight.

1. Day 1 morning: Scaffolding goes up. Tiles in the skylight area are removed. Roofing membrane cut.
2. Day 1 midday: Rafters trimmed to skylight aperture size. Structural support added if needed.
3. Day 1 afternoon: Velux frame fitted, flashing kit installed (always order matching tile-flashing kit), tiles re-laid.
4. Internal: Plasterboard ceiling cut, lining trims fitted, paint touch-up. Typically half a day per skylight.

Cost breakdown: Velux unit £450–£750, flashing kit £100–£180, scaffolding hire £120–£200, labour £200–£400, internal finishing £100–£200. Total typically £750–£1,200 per unit on a retrofit.

If you are planning a full conservatory roof replacement, specify all desired skylights at the design stage rather than retrofitting later. New-build install is £450–£750 per unit; retrofit is £750–£1,200. Doing them all at once saves £300–£500 per unit. See our polycarbonate to tiled conversion guide for the full upgrade scope.

Common Mistakes

Five mistakes we see repeatedly when homeowners specify conservatory skylights or lanterns. All are avoidable at the quote stage.

• Skipping skylights to save money: A tiled conservatory roof without skylights loses 60–75% of natural light versus the original. The room feels dark, gets used about half as often, and the resale value uplift shrinks. Always budget for at least 2–3 skylights.
• Wrong matching flashing kit: Velux flashing kits are tile-specific (EDW for tiles, EDL for slate, EDH for low-pitch tiled). Wrong kit causes leaks within 1–2 winters. Always confirm the kit matches your specific tile type.
• Specifying triple-glazing on the skylight: Triple-glazed skylights are heavy and rarely deliver value on a conservatory roof. The additional weight needs frame upgrades, and the U-value gain is marginal. Stick with solar-control double-glazing.
• Putting electric Integra units in inaccessible positions: Velux Integra units need annual battery replacement. If the unit is 3m+ above floor and there is no easy access, that battery change becomes a scaffold job. Specify manual units in inaccessible positions.
• Adding a lantern when skylights would do: Roof lanterns at £1,800–£3,500 are 3–6x the cost of equivalent skylight coverage. Only specify a lantern if the conservatory is functioning as a kitchen extension or orangery and the lantern is intended as a feature. Otherwise 2–3 skylights deliver better light distribution at lower cost.

Our Verdict

For most UK conservatory roof replacements in 2026, the right specification is 2–3 Velux GGL MK06 manual centre-pivot units at £450–£750 fitted, with solar-control glazing on south-facing pitches. Total skylight cost on a typical install: £1,200–£2,500 across all units. Roof lanterns at £1,800–£3,500 only make sense on kitchen-extension or orangery installs where the lantern is intended as the room's natural-light feature.

The biggest practical mistake we see is homeowners skipping skylights to save money on the conservatory roof replacement. The resulting room is dark, feels unloved, and the property value uplift on resale shrinks meaningfully. Budget £1,500–£2,500 for proper skylight coverage as part of the roof install – it is the highest-impact spend on the whole project. See our best conservatory roof companies guide for installer shortlist or our conservatory roof house value guide for the resale uplift good skylight specification protects.

Last updated: May 2026. Skylight pricing verified against three approved-installer quotes plus the Velux, Fakro, and Atlas Roof Lanterns 2026 trade catalogues. Lantern pricing cross-checked with Korniche and Roof Maker dealer quotes.

Laura Bennet

Home Energy & Sustainability Editor

Laura leads coverage on home energy, heating, and sustainable living. With over 12 years in the UK energy sector, she writes about boilers, solar panels, insulation, and eco-friendly upgrades that reduce household costs.

Reviewed by

Tom Reynolds

Business Energy Specialist