Roof lantern - any regrets?

[bamboowarrior]

We are adding a room onto the kitchen main feature is bifold doors that open onto the garden- hurrah!

We are not sure whether to add a roof lantern or sky light as well- any thoughts on overheating/ glare from the modern glass lanterns etc?

Many thanks mumsnetters!

We've had an extension with bifold doors and 2 roof lanterns.
Love them.
One is over the island and one on the other side.
It's great seeing the rain! And we don't find glare, but really appreciate the extra light

My parents have one in their kitchen and I am soooo jealous of it!

I have a roof lantern it’s great. I had bifold doors and hated them. They never worked properly and I’ve friends who say the same. Now I’d go for crittal style or sliding doors.

Great thanks! We have already bought the bifolds so will have to go with them this time! We are going to go for the lantern, fingers crossed it won't be too hot!

I love them and I think you need one if your extension is creating an internal area which is a long way from any windows, otherwise that area is always dark. BUT would strongly recommend you get one that opens (or at least has one opening panel). Will make a lot of difference to ventilation (as heat escapes upwards) and also allows all those trapped buzzing insects to escape! Also if it’s an open plan kitchen it will let out cooking smells.

We’re having one opening and one fixed and I’m already slightly wondering if the fixed one should have been opening instead.

We had one planned for our kitchen (the only room in the house we now use!!! ), but the cost was so high (15 years ago), that we cut it out of the spec. We have been fine without it, but a 10 mt. wall is bi-fold, so there is a fair bit of light. I remember there was an automatic mechanism on the one specified, which would close if it started raining - we thought that was so cool.