Extension roof: Flat with roof lantern or pitched with sky lights - velux ?

[evie2468]

Advice please. We are adding a small extension 2.5m depth by 10m wide. We will put in glass doors across the back.

BUT can't decide on a flat or pitched roof. I believe there are now few issues with modern flat roofs. My main concern is the light and heat. The room is south facing and benefits from the lovely warmth of the sun.

My concern is it getting too hot from a roof lantern. Also the TV will be at the garden end of this room on the wall below the lantern. Will this be a problem with reflection. At the moment we just close our curtains. Thanks

Lantern roofs look horrible.

Different kinds here

https://roof-maker.co.uk/products/?utmterm=skylight%20roof&utmmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&gbraid=0AAAAADvXiE9NBPbQuUVqRaQmPo42Si5VS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xbMwgnXGWDixTXBXJU-bJmlvhyy-I3LLW3zCqiG2wL44EAZTfqizicaAkodEALw_wcB

We had this issue last year when extending but velux had just released velux for low pitched roofs. Perfect timing as think our pitch was 14 degrees, just under the cut off. So happy with our velux windows and glad didn't go flat roof.

Thanks, good link.

We have a flat roof opening skylight from the company in the link. Would recommend

Thanks for all the replies, some very interesting points made.

Anyone has issues with the heat from the roof lantern and/or velux windows?

That’s a good link. I hate the types that look like half a plastic conservatory bunged on the roof

Pitched roof every time. Looks better, and flat roofs are an ongoing expense. If well built, flat roofs are better than they used to be when they only lasted on average about 10 years, but compared to a pitched roof, they are still a money pit in the longer term.

I think I was too!!

We have veluxes with blinds- Velux's own ones are pricey but very good at keeping a room cool. If the roof will be high and you have the funds, electric lifting ones are very concenient and it's not difficult to fit the Velux electric blinds to them yourself afterwards, they're very well designed and their helpline is good if you get stuck for any reason.

(and our room is South-facing, BTW)

Another vote for pitched. We have one with velux windows , let’s in amazing light, but we have automatic blinds if we want to watch tv during on a sunny day ( not used very much though, so I would hold off and see if you need them! )
Neighbours have fabulous modern (this year) flat roof. It leaked in a month.
Our very experienced roofer does not recommend a flat roof.

Yes, pitched with velux, and maybe pay a bit extra for light-stop blinds you can work with a solar-recharging remote. So you'll get (1) less risk of leaking (2) ability to get a breeze (3) a bit of future proofing as we get more heatwaves.

We have a beautiful lantern in our extension roof. It's north facing. Certainly wouldn't consider it in a South facing room

We have a flat roof and a flat rooflight the same size as a roof lantern but we just didn't like the look of roof lanterns. It's triple glazed as we are south facing and no issue with heat so far. Going to need to get a big ladder so we can climb up on the roof and clean it but otherwise its absolutely fabulous

Pitched. A flat roof will always leak, it is just a matter of when.

We are going for flat roof and lantern. We don't have any problems with our existing flat roofs and don't have the height available for a pitch.

We are very excited. That link is great, lots of lovely options