Build a DIY roof lantern or have one made to measure?

What goes into building a DIY roof lantern?

A roof lantern is more than glass on a frame. It is part of the roof that has to cope with rain, snow, wind and temperature changes for years. If you build it yourself, you need to get four things right: watertightness, insulation of the frame, the weight of the glass and the safety of whoever sits underneath.

For a shed, carport or summerhouse the bar is lower. There you often choose polycarbonate, which is light and easy to work with. The difference with glass is explained in glass or polycarbonate.

Where DIY builds often go wrong

Watertightness. Water does not only run over the glass but also along edges, bars and the connection to the roof. That is why a roof lantern has drainage profiles and an upstand that rises above the roof covering. Without those details a leak soon develops, one you only notice when the ceiling is already damp.

Thermal break. An aluminium profile without a break conducts cold inside. The result is condensation and sometimes mould on the frame. Factory profiles have an insulating strip between the inner and outer part. That is not something you can copy at home.

• Leaks along edges and bars
• Condensation on a frame without a thermal break
• Glass that is too heavy for the frame
• Glass without a safety function above your head

Glass weight and safety

Double glazing weighs roughly 20 to 30 kilos per square metre, triple glazing more. A roof lantern of a few square metres is therefore heavy, and the frame has to carry that weight plus snow and wind without sagging. That calls for a structure that is sized for it.

Glass above your head must stay in place if it breaks. That requires laminated safety glass to the NEN standard. Why that matters so much is explained in safety glass and laminated glass. Ordinary single glass from a DIY store is not suitable for this.

Made to measure, fitted yourself

There is a middle way. DagLichtDesign makes the roof lantern to measure in its own factory in Barneveld, and you or your builder fit it. You receive a printed and digital installation manual with the connection details and a step-by-step plan. For questions there is phone support on weekdays from 7:00 to 17:00.

Need a common size? Look at a mono-pitch roof lantern. The 1, 2 and 3 metre sizes are always in stock.

• Thermally broken frame
• HR++ double glazing as standard, safety glass to NEN standard
• Installation manual with connection details per roof type
• Fit it yourself or through your own builder

Frequently asked questions