Roof lanterns: dated? Disastrous?

[Marmaladegin]

Happily planning refurb of the house we are buying. Intending a single story extension across width of house which will contain dining room and sun room. House is north facing so I thought roof lantern won’t be too boiling and will make for a pleasant room. But are they dated? and has anyone got any words of warning? (or encouragement?)

It isn't something that goes in and out of fashion, it's an architectural feature that is sometimes necessary.

What style is your house? Are you considering a traditional Victorian style lantern like what you find in an orangery, or something more contemporary in style?

We have a huge one in our kitchen. The natural light it brings in is lovely but heat is a real issue (we’ve had to install an air con unit in there) and the glass is never perfectly clean (leaves, debris, etc). My advice would be to keep it on the smaller side if you can. Choose bigger windows in the walls instead to maximise light

@puppyparent I am just wondering whether to ditch it as an idea and just go for big windows… it’s a 1920s house… we’re intending to keep the extension sympathetic but modern

It doesn't matter whether it's 'dated' or not. If you like it and it's the best solution for your house, go with it. I prefer large windows because I like bright airy spaces and to enjoy the stunning views.

Just go for nice big windows is my advice.

Really depends how deep the extension is and how dark the rooms beyond will be with or without it. I'm sure there are calculators online you can use to demonstrate the difference.

We've got 2 large roof lanterns in a long extension as well as 2 sets of large glass sliding doors. Love them. Let in loads of light. They are self cleaning glass. We had one issue with it and the builders came back and sorted it. Bees do get stuck up there - I've got a long handled bee capturer to help with that.

Cleaning the inside is something that we've been ignoring for 5 years and all seems good so far. But it'll need a tall ladder when we do get round it.

The room faces west and isn't too hot in summer.

Also think about you lighting. We've got LED strip lights round the top of them on a separate switch which I find a bit startling and rarely use. I'm pondering getting a pendant lamp put in so we don't have to use those strip lights. We have other spotlights etc.

Also have a bit of think about the view through them ours is off a not particularly attractive window upstairs. But people are usually looking at the view of the garden out the sliding doors so that's fine.

I would say maybe roof lights instead, and get them symmetrically or aligned with the architecture. I had wanted a huge expanse of glass on the ceiling as was worried our north facing kitchen would be dark. Our architect and builder cautioned against it, and I’m so pleased they did. It’s now bright and airy, but not too much/too bright. It would definitely feel dreary without the roof lights however

We have them, also north facing. Generally I really like them but.....they can be very noisy when it's tipping it down or hailing. Flying insects find their way up here but can't get back down so they buzz around up there until they die and then drop down onto whatever is underneath. We also have LED strip lights hidden around the boxed in section and this works really well.