Welcome to Prestige Roof Lanterns

Specialists in all forms of Roof Lanterns for the DIY, Trade and retail market.

Prestige Roof Lanterns is a specialist company that designs luxury, handcrafted hardwood roof lanterns. We are renowned for our innovative and creative designs, making our products the choice for architects over many years.

Our ranges, such as the Edwardian range of roof lanterns come in a number of standard sizes. Details of our ranges, their sizes, and also the prices can be found on the prices & sizes pages. We also have among us, a team of specialist designers who, using the latest computer technology, can produce designs for stunning architectural and curved roof lanterns which can then be manufactured for you. Both the architectural and curved roof lanterns are fast to fit, with minimal re-decoration required afterwards, for both professionals and competent DIYers. For further information and estimates on our range of timber roof lanterns please contact us direct.

So, whether you are an architect looking to add that little extra to your design, a private customer wanting to add a more natural light into a room or a builder commissioned for a project that you want to make that bit special we are the people to talk to. We can provide everything and help you through the whole process from the design through to the finished roof lantern.

"Don't forget, you can also pair your wooden roof lantern up with one of our stunning hardwood conservatories to create a grand spacious and light environment for the whole family to enjoy!"

Timber windows and timber doors

We also manufacture timber windows and doors, providing the client with a company that can cover all there extension needs.

Our timber windows and doors are manufactured to the highest standards, using engineered timbers in the sub-structure.

We provide a range of products from timber flush windows or timber storm proof windows - to a single timber door or a set of sliding bi-fold doors spanning 15 metres, we can provide a service which encompasses all your needs.

 

Roof Lantern forecast for August

After a strong July where sales reached an all time high, it would seam more and more people are looking to invest money into there own property rather than move.  Our roof lantern range was proving to be the market leader, with any colour, size or shape of roof lantern being available.

As you can see from this AOL money website loans for home improvements -http://money.aol.co.uk/home-improvement-loans-up-20percent/article/20080801203159005887606, shows that lending is still strong.

We at Prestige Roof Lanterns feel that the addition of a roof lantern to your home, greatly enhances the value of your property, and adds character to your home.

Our forecast for roof lantern sales has been increased again, as demand is contining to grow.

Roof lantern orders

Prestige roof lanterns have introduced a fast-track roof lantern system for its standard sizes, allowing the client to order a roof lantern and have it delivered from point of confirmed survey in just 2 weeks.  This means that any bespoke roof lantern size or shape can be produced very quickly, allowing rooms to be sealed and dry - moving a build project along.

Please contact us to discuss our roof lantern fast track production system, or for any other roof lantern enquiries.

Roof Lantern production

Roof lantern production has remained up, month-on-month since the beginning of the year.  With an order book filling up, we are finding that architects and builders use us for our low lead times, from order to manufacture; and our roof lantern product is so easy to install when they reach site.

Architects find that all are sections are very much in keeping with tradition, but are very advanced in quality.  After recent expansion we are looking to acquire more architects to help with the Prestige Roof Lantern brand. 

So please visit our contacts us page, to discuss our Prestige Roof Lantern range.

Roof Lanterns

Enquiries for hardwood roof lanterns reached its peak this month, with more roof lantern enquiries than ever before.  More and more people are extending there home, and with Prestige roof lanterns windows, doors and hardwood roof lanterns; we provide a total solution for your extension needs.

Prestige roof lanterns suppliers across the uk for roof lanterns

We supply roof lanterns across the Uk.  Our Uk coverage of roof lanterns is second to none, with the whole of the Uk and Ireland covered.  We also supply to companies in America with hardwood roof lanterns.

Curved and Domed roof lanterns

 

As this fine example shows when using multiple curved roof lanterns, a wondrous visual image can be created.  This example stamps authority on the skyline blending tradition and craftsmanship with the surrounding forest.

Curved roof lanterns can be manufactured as small or as large as the client wishes.  With multiples levels of roof lanterns available, in a range of styles and curves.  

Roof lantern sales

Roof lantern sales for July are as strong as June and show no signs of slowing down.  Our roof lantern production facility in Buckinghamshire is producing 5 timber roof lanterns per day at present with plans to expand this further.  With more and more builders using Prestige Roof Lanterns to take the headache of the production away, we feel our company will go from strength to strength.

Roof lantern

Prestige Roof Lanterns is currently manufacturing a triple curved roof lantern for a shopping centre.  Pictures will soon be available of the finished roof lantern product.

 

Hardwood conservatories

Why have a Hardwood conservatory?

Many people select hardwood conservatories over there softwood contertparts due to durability over the many years after installation.

Softwoods tend to rot and break down in composition far to easily and a well selected hardwood conservatory, should provide 50 - 60 years of use; with only maintainance to the paintwork needed periodically.  Even upvc is susceptible to the sunlight and the colours will break down over time.  With poor quality upvc conservatories, the frames can discolour over 10 years; once this happens the only alternative is to replace.

Hardwood conservatories also allow the purchaser to personalise the room with detail to posts, roof elements even the windows and doors can have chamfers or ovule's added to the corners to enhance appearance.

Hardwood conservatories can be stained or painted depending on the architecture of the property.  With any RAL or BAS number being used in the spray refinish.  Farrow & Ball or Dulux colours can also be used in the refinish process allowing total control of the colour match process.

A timber conservatory is also very environmentally friendly against its plastic counterpart.  If the timbers are used from sustainable forests, then sustainability and the environmentare both protected.   Unlike upvc conservatories, windows and doors which cannot be reused easily after replacment.

A hardwood conservatory will always add a unique addition of architecture to a property, and will also provide piece of mind for the purchaser for many many years.

 

 

DIY market

We have found over the past few years the hardwood DIY roof lantern market has grown considerably, with more people than ever selecting the self build option for there roof lantern needs.  With a DIY range of windows, doors, conservatories and roof lantern; prestige roof lanterns has the complete package for the avid DIY'er.

Timber Roof lanterns

Prestige roof lanterns is manufacturing 20 timber roof lanterns, for a new build project for a new build developer in Scotland.  The timber roof lanterns will be incorporated into the kitchen area, to maximise light into the kitchen / diner space.

The developer chose us as he was impressed with the slender detail to the internal rafter sections, and the spray coated paint finish we apply to all the roof lantern timber sections.

Hardwood Conservatories

DIY hardwood conservatories - We specialise in the manufacture of diy hardwood conservatories, and diy hardwood conservatory.  Our hardwood DIY windows are incredibly easy to install and can be pre-glazed.  Please click through the links provided to our parent company site.

Hardwood Conservatory roofs

We also specialise in replacement timber glass roofs for conservatories, and all forms of glass roofs within properties or commercial glass roofs.

We carry out a number of hardwood conservatory replacements, or timber conservatory replacements every year.  Please check our areas covered page.

We will remove your old timber conservatory and replace with a new DIY hardwood conservatory or indeed we will install our products for you.

We are hear to help, so if you have any questions about glass timber roofs, or wish to receive a quote for the replacement of your timber conservatory roof or the whole hardwood conservatory structure - please go to the contact us page and register your details.

Curved roof lantern

We have recently just manufacture a 5 Metre in circumference curved roof lantern for a client.  The roof lantern will be transported to a luxury new build development in Wimbledon London, where installation will begin over the next two weeks.  The curved roof lantern made in European Oak, will be the focal point to a circular staircase central to the house.

The roof lantern was manufactured externally in white aluminium capping's, with a selected stain for the internal oak beams.

Pictures of the oak roof lantern to follow soon.

Roof lantern sales

With a record month for roof lantern sales in June, we have set an even bigger target for July.  With build projects normal commissioned in July, Prestige Roof Lanterns volume of work and enquires normally increase again by half during this busy month.  We have found that our strength in bespoke roof lanterns has secured a number of roof lantern projects, that other roof lantern companies did not have the capabilities to produce.

 

Roof lantern sales forecast for July

With a record month for roof lantern sales in June, we have set an even bigger target for July.  With build projects normal commissioned in July, Prestige Roof Lanterns volume of work and enquires normally increase again by half during this busy month.  We have found that our strength in bespoke roof lanterns has secured a number of roof lantern projects, that other roof lantern companies did not have the capabilities to produce.

 

Hardwood Roof lantern

The term hardwood applies to timber from broad-leaved (mostly deciduous, but not in all cases necessarily, in the case of tropical trees) or angiosperm trees. Hardwood contrasts with softwood, which comes from conifer trees. As a rule, a hardwood is of a much higher density and hardness than softwood, durability is more so, but there is considerable variation in actual wood hardness in both groups, with a large amount of overlap. Hardwoods have broad leaves and enclosed nuts or seeds such as acorns. They often grow in subtropical regions like Africa and also in Europe and other regions such as Asia. The dominant feature separating hardwoods from softwoods is the presence of pores, or vessels.

Hardwoods are used in a large range of applications including construction, furniture, flooring, utensils, joinery (windows, doors, conservatories and orangries etc.

Hardwoods are generally more resistant to decay than softwoods when used for exterior work.  Making Sapele the hardwood of choice, as its stability and density is superior to most.  When painted or stained the application is much smoother with no staining or bleaching that occurs with other hardwoods.

Roof lantern manufacture from Prestige Roof Lanterns will always use Sapele hardwood in all roof lantern applications, or furniture grade Oak when specified. 

 

Haunch of Venison Gallery

Haunch of Venison Gallery is positioned centrally just off New Bond Street and the premises were erected in the 18th Century, later transformed into a car dealership and then re-converted in to storage space for Phillips Auctioneers in the 20th Century. It is highly likely that as part of the conversion to the rear of the premises, to allow the car dealership in the early 1900s - gave rise to the generous roof lantern top lit space: and with the introduction of the glazed link to the Georgian building on New Bond Street it creates a stunning lit lantern top space.  The lantern roof is constructed in hardwood surrounding by a plasterboard internal fascia.

Roof lantern sales record for June 08

Prestige Roof Lanterns have recorded a record month of sales for June 08, outstripping previous sales over the companies 7 year history of specialist hardwood roof lantern manufacturing.

Constant advertising a recommendations throughout the building and archetectural sectors have positioned Prestige Roof Lanterns as the, number one company when selecting a hardwood roof lantern.

Roof lantern external cappings.

Prestige Roof Lanterns is now using the Exitex aluminium powder coated system for its external roof capping's.  Using the Exitex system will insure a leak free glazing system to work in conjunction with our hardwood timber beams. 

The Exitex system can easily be colour coordinated to match the colour of roof lantern to the colour of the capping's.

 

Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (Mitchell Park Glass Roof Domes or The Domes)

Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (Mitchell Park Glass Roof Domes or The Domes) is a glass framed conservatory located at Mitchell Park in Milwaukee. It is principally owned and run by the Country Park, and replaced the original Milwaukee Conservatory structure which survived from 1898 to 1955. The three glass roof domes show a wondrous array of plant life.

The Conservatory is sectioned into three beehive-shaped glass domes that stretch 140 feet (43 m) in diameter and are 85 feet (26 m) high. The structure properly named as the world's first conoidal domes. They span 45,000 square feet (4,200 m²) of display area and were built in stages from 1959 to the late 1980s.

Linking the three domes is a centrally located lobby, which features an educational center and gift shop. A far smaller dome behind the Conservatory holds replacement plants and an impressive orchid collection. This section is closed to the public and is for special private viewing only.

At present the Conservatory has sustained budget problems and the result is repair problems have not been fixed over the last few years. A 32 million dollar (US) plan to rejuvenate "The Domes" as they are more commonly known was put forward in May of 2005.

 

 

Flat Roofs

Many flat roof companies use our services when replacing existing flat roof areas.  They are usually asked to replace a clients existing roof, but can then very easily add a roof lantern to the roof space above - transforming the internal look of a room.  This provides a unique selling point for the roofing company and additional revenue to the project.

A flat roof is a flat covering of a building. As opposed to the pitched type of roof, a flat roof is horizontal or almost horizontal in appearance. Materials used to cover the flat roofs should allow the water to run off freely, even though the flat roof may only have a slight pitch.

Traditionally flat roofs used a tar and gravel based surface which, as long as there was no pooling of water, was sufficient to stop water penetration. However, these surfaces would tend to fail due to climate change, as cracking would occur.

Modern flat roofs tend to use a continuous membrane covering which is better resisting pools of standing water. In application these membranes are applied as a continuous cover where possible, though many sealants and adhesives are available to allow for bonding sheets and dealing with structures penetrating the roof surface.

Today many flat roofs are a GRP construction with fiberglass being used, with many companies providing guarantees in excess of 25 years.

Modern day architecture viewed the flat roof as a living area. Le Corbusier'stheoretical works, particularly Vers une Architecture, and the influential Villa Savoye and Unité d'Habitation prominently feature rooftop terraces.

The types of flat roof material are listed below:

• Asphalt Built Up Flat Roof - The most common type of flat roof is the asphalt built up roof (BUR). It is made up of multiple layers of reinforcing plies and asphalt. The reflectivity of built up roofs depend on the surfacing material used. Gravel is the most common and they are referred to as tar and gravel roofs. Asphalt degradation is a growing concern. UV-rays oxidise the surface of the asphalt and produce a chalk-like residue. As plasticisers leach out of the asphalt, asphalt built up roofs becomes brittle. Cracking and alligatoring inevitably follows, allowing water to penetrate the system causing blisters, cracks and leaks. Compared to other systems, installation of asphalt roofs is energy-intensive (hot processes typically use natural gas as the heat source), and contributes to atmospheric air pollution (toxic, and green-house gases are lost from the asphalt during installation).
• Turbo Seal Flat Roof- Self healing gel like membrane that never cures. Made of 45% recycled tire rubber, it goes on top of existing tar roofs then capped with a sheet membrane.
• CSPE Flat Roof- Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene is a synthetic rubber roof. It is more popularly known as Hypalon.
• EPDM Flat Roof- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.
• Modified Bitumen Flat Roof
• PVC Flat Roof- Polyvinyl Choride
• TPO Flat Roof- Thermoplastic Polyolefin
• Curon- Cold-curing glass-reinforced polymer composite.
• IB Flat Roof- IB is simply one manufacturer of Seamless modern membrane roof systems. Others include Carlise,Firestone, GAF, JohnsManville,etc. Warranty terms and pricing all differ yet none has been empirically proven to outperform the other, since most applications of the different competing technologies have yet to complete life cycles. Singly Ply Thermoplastic roof systems are relatively recent and changing technologies. PVC and TPO membranes are taking over the thermoplastic roof market, replacing the EPDM roof system. PVC membranes are shown to be more stable because the chemical formula used to create it is more defined and specific than that of the multi-olefin formula's used to make different TPO membranes. However, TPO has its advantages. Being more like rubber than plastic, it tends to withstand UV rays and thermal shock better than plastic like PVC's. PVC is the more expensive product.

Flat Roofs

Many flat roof companies use our services when replacing exsisting flat roof areas.  They are usually asked to replace a clients existing roof, but can then very easilyadd a roof lantern to the roof space above.  This provides a unique selling point for the roofing company and additional revenue to the project.

Hardwood conservatories and hardwood orangries

Hardwood conservatories and Hardwood orangeries, also provide light into what otherwise would be an enclosed room.  Roof lanterns are often an integral part of an orangery design - incorporating a flat roof area with lantern, providing both flooded light from the sides and directly into the room from above.

Features of our roof lanterns include hand crafted details into the ridge and rafters beams.  With a carved boss - central to the meeting point of the lantern roof rafters.

If you wish to have hardwood windows and hardwood doors in the sides, these can also be hand sculpted to provide traditional joinery with modern sustainable appearance.

Roof lantern sales

Roof lantern sales have continued to grow during June and show no signs of slowing down.  With architects and interior designers alike using our services, roof lanterns seem to be the most popular way of transforming a property.

Roof lantern works with developers

Prestige Roof Lanterns has secured a deal which over 2 years will see us produce 80 hardwood roof lanterns - which will be incorporated into a kitchen / dining area.  The main roof lantern will be the focal point from the garden.

 

We have another developer who may be interested in using roof lanerns for entrance halls on 3 luxury new build houses.  More news will follow soon.

The Whitehouse (Glass roofs)

This is a very old photograph showing how the White House once had a substantial glazed roof structures and very large orangery section.  This was at some stage removed and converted into an extension of the private buildings.  I have included a quote from Erik Kvalsik -

The passage between the West Colonnade and the White House is glazed and used much as the orangery (hothouse) was when it flourished from 1835-1857 and contained fruit trees and camellias.  A large area of the White House was dedicated to the growing of wild plants but was taken down

Erik Kvalsik

 

 

United States Botanic Garden (USBG

 

The (USBG) is a botanic garden on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., near Garfield Circle.

The Botanic Garden is funded and overseen by the Congress however the Architect of the Capitol, is responsible for upkeep and maintanance of  the grounds of the United States Capitol. The USBG is open every calendar day of the year, including  holidays (except on June 3). It is the oldest continually-operating botanic garden in the United States.

In 1838, Charles Wilkes set out on the United States Exploring Expedition commissioned by Congress to circumnavigate the globe and explore the Pacific Ocean. During this trip (the "Wilkes Expedition"), Wilkes collected live and dried specimens of plants and was one of the first to use wardian cases to maintain live plants on long voyages. Wilkes returned in 1842 with a massive collection of plants previously unknown in the United States.

The dried specimens comprised the core of what is now the National Herbarium, a herbarium curated by the Smithsonian Institution'sNational Museum of Natural History. The live specimens and seeds came to be housed in the Old Patent Office greenhouse, and were cared for there until 1850. At that time, a botanic garden was built to house under the large glass roof structure and roof lanterns the collection in front of the Capitol, where the Capitol reflecting pool is now located.

In 1933, the building was moved to its present location, just to the southwest of the Capitol, bordered by Maryland Avenue on the north, First Street on the east, Independence Avenue on the south, and Third Street on the west.

The building was closed for renovations on September 1, 1997 where much work was carried out to the main large roof lantern and huge glass roof structure, and reopened to the public on December 11, 2001. At the time of closure for renovation, plants in the collection were placed in storage at the United States Botanic Garden Production Facility, retired to glasshouses in Florida, or composted

The USBG proper consists of three locations: the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park, and the Production Facility.

The Conservatory is a conservatory housed in a Lord & Burnhamgreenhouse. It is insected into separate rooms divided by roof lanterns, each housing a different habitat:

• The Garden Court
• Rare and Endangered Plants (rare species, endangered species)
• Plant Exploration
• Orchid House (orchids)
• Medicinal Plants (medicinal plants)
• Desert (desert species)
• Oasis (oasis)
• Garden Primeval (primeval)
• Plant Adaptation
• Jungle (jungle species; this is the largest of the rooms, and includes a second-story catwalk so that the jungle canopy may be observed from both below and above)
• Children's Garden (courtyard; features many thriving temperateannuals used to encourage interest in plants)
• Meditation Garden (courtyard; this includes many tropical plants, is on the south side of the building, and is surrounded by glass walls, receiving more warmth. It features many plants from the Southeast and Southwest, which would not be able to live in the colder District of Columbia climate if not for the micro-climate)

Except for the Oasis and the administrative offices, none of the garden has air conditioning. Each room is closely monitored by a computer-operated sensors to maintain the environment best suited to the plants in that room. Humidity, sunlight and temperature are regulated by means of a misting system, retractable shades and levered windows. All plants are watered daily by hand. Construction was completed on the three-acre National Garden on the the Botanic Garden's west border, an annex of the Botanic Garden, in October 2006. The National Garden is funded by the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden and includes a regional garden of plants native to the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a rose garden, a butterfly garden, and the First Ladies Water Garden, a water garden in memory of the First Ladies of the United States.

Bartholdi Park lies just south of the Conservatory, across Independence Avenue. It is named for the fountainin the garden's centre designed by Frédéric Bartholdi. One of the goals of this garden is to provide inspiration and ideas for home gardeners who visit it. It displays a variety of small structured and non-structured gardens, and infuses colour, shape, and planting themes. One section of the garden is certified as a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat. The Park also houses the main administrative building for the United States Botanic Garden.

The Production Facility in southwest D.C. is used for growing and storing plants for propagation, for collection maintenance, or for display in upcoming annual shows.

The USBG participates in CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which means that it cares for plants seized by Customs. It specializes in orchids and succulents.

Roof lanten within an entrance hall

This stunning roof lantern, which sits over a galleried landing shows again just how a timber roof lantern can add architectural merit to any space in a property.

This was one of two examples commsioned recently.

All of our roof lanterns simply clip together making the largest and most complicated roof lantern designs easy to install on site.

 

Upvc roof lanten, aluminium roof lantern or plastic roof lanterns

If you require a upvc roof lantern, pvcu roof lantern, aluminium roof lantern, plastic roof lantern, or timber clad roof lantern then Prestige Roof Lanterns also has design ideas for you.  If you require a different type of roof lantern material other than our timber roof lantern range, please still contact us and speak with a designer.

Hardwood Conservatories

Prestige Roof Lanterns also supply roof lanterns and glass roof for conservatory applications.  Companies who manufacture windows and doors: but who are not specialised in the manufacture of roofs, use our services to great effect.

We have a number of companies who buy our roofs to fit on to the glazed walling, completing the conservatory package.  If you wish to purchase a hardwood conservatory or orangery with the side glazing please visit our parent company website www.countryhardwood.co.uk.

Hardwood Conservatories

Prestige Roof Lanterns also supply roof lanterns and glass roofs for conservatory applications.  Companies who manufacture windows and doors: but who are not specialised in the manufacture of roofs, use our services to great effect.

We have a number of companies who by our roofs to fit on to the glazed walling, completing the conservatory package.  If you wish to purchase a hardwood conservatory or orangery with the side glazing please visit our parent company website www.countryhardwood.co.uk.

Sales forecast for June

Prestige Roof Lanterns is heading for a record month of sales this month, smashing previous midway point sales figures for the last 7 years.

We are currently producing 3 roof lanterns for a large hotel chain with a total square metre size of 100 sq metres.  Making one of the lanterns the largest commisioned by an architect using the Prestige Roof Lanterns range.

We have found many builders using our services direct to finish orangery projects -where they have struggled to find a roof lantern / or glass roof supplier that can CAD design roof lanterns or glass roof structures to order.

 

CAD Designer

Prestige Roof Lanterns has employed its 2nd CAD designer today, as the demand for hardwood lantern roofs and bespoke commercial roof lanterns had out grown our CAD capabilities. 

We are constantly striving to improve facilities and invest heavily on machinery to perfect our roof lantern designs.  We continually look to strengthen our team, so if you are a talented individual within the industry please do not hesitate to contact us by sending your CV to our address : Prestige Roof Lanterns, Unit 2, Shucklow Business Park, Shucklow Hill, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK19 6GG.

 

Our timber range of roof lanterns

We at Prestige Roof Lanterns utilise all types of timer for our roofs, all taken from sustainable forests. We have a unique system for our Softwood roof lanterns, Oak roof lanterns and Sapele roof lanterns using the latest spray finish technology, to work with all types of timbers within our range. An extensive range of stains and colours are available to complement each timber. Our Oak roof lanterns are the pinnacle of roof lantern technology; all are hand crafted to marry detail with the grandeur of the furniture grade Oak..

We currently have secured a deal with a new developer to supply Oak roof lanterns to 5 new build houses. Making a circular roof lantern feature over the kitchen / diner area.

The Holy Trinity Uniate church in Greater Svorotva, Belarus

The Holy Trinity Uniate church in Greater Svorotva, Belarus

The centralised roof lantern space form with a plan characterised by more than one symmetry axes (circles have an infinite number of symmetry axes, octagon roof lantern 16, hexagon roof lantern 6, square roof lantern 4, equilateral triangle roof lanterns 3) was suited well to the symbolic functions attributed to a cult or a commemoration of an individual or an event in time. This article is limited to considerations of sacred space. The central central roof lantern form alone makes the space monumental, independently of its size. A truly excellent example of such an impression made by a central roof lantern space form is the Tempietto di San Pietro in Montorio church in Rome, built on a circular plan and rather small in dimensions.

The use of a centralised plan is indicative to a number of types of temples with roof lanterns built as tombs of persons considered holy. A fine and grand example of it is the many so-called "marabouts"  frequently on a square plan built in Arab countries. Many of these buildings of central space forms lend to the leading architectural works of their epochs. The un-built neoclassical Newton's Cenotaph , also should be mentioned. A symbolic memorial of the great scientist it was to be in the form of a giant, 150 m in diameter, hollowed sphere with a timber roof lantern located centrally. The focal point of the sphere is accessible, and allows a perception of this centrality.

An analysis of small wooden Orthodox churches in the territories of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth depict that, among central plans, as: the octagonal roof lantern plan, the octagonal plan appended with a cross of four squared arms gives a regal, witchcraft feel.

The curved or domed roof lantern, is often regarded as one of the Gothic style types of architecture. Many of the great buildings of time lend there architecture to the grand and sweeping spheres, or orbs.  Many had the main carcass of the roof lantern in wood, clad in either glass or lead.  It is believed that the curve or sphere of the roof lanterns, assisted in summoning of the demons and spirits.

Frederiksberg Castle Garden (A history of roof lanterns)

At the end of the Great Northern War King Frederik IV requested architect Johan Cornelius Krieger, royal gardener to the Rosenborg Castle, to erect him a small entertaining palace, where the palace farm was located. Krieger erected the French inspired baroque palace 1720-1726. The King himself took a hands on role in the planning and execution of the building, and the landscaping of the grounds. The person responsible for the actual construction was Building Master Craftsman Johan Conrad Ernst, he was also the man who built the Frederiksberg Palace.

The palace complex was comprised of a small, almost square, one-and-a-half storey tall main palace, with dome lanterns and traditional set roof lanterns. It is positioned exactly at the centre point of what is termed as a "hunting star", a large number of straight intersecting paths in a game hunting reserve. During the hunt shooters were allowed to fire freely straight along the long paths, which shot out from the centre under the main roof lantern. The lantern dome hall measured 15 x 15 m, and had a height of 27 m. The sumptuous roof lantern featured in stucco by C.E. Brenno.

In front of the main building was placed an octagonal courtyard encircled by the single-storey servant's wings, called Red Wing., It is the only single red building at Fredensborg Palace, and  has an open timbers under a red tiled roof.

East of the octagon were the riding ring and the long stables building; To the east and adjacent to the main palace was an Orangery and the one-storey building called Margrave House. The Orangery, which was equipped with huge glasshouse windows, was to allow maximum light into the room.  This was connected to the main building by a small secret passage close to the main roof lantern, so that the Royal Family and the courtiers could amble to the chapel without fear of getting their feet wet.

The palace chapel stood proud in the middle of the two out-buildings, and has an over exaggerated copper spire set around wood roof lanterns, a pilaster façade directly adjacent to the riding ring, and a heavily hand carved gable.

 

Traditional Roof Lantern

A traditional roof lantern encompasses all that is grand in a room, applying a wondrous feel of space and light.  It adds architectural merit to what other wise is a flat roof section to a property.  Equally when replacing a flat roof area a traditional roof lantern can be added, providing the structural integrity of the roof can sustain the weight.  All of our traditional roof lantern range are crafted in the finest hardwoods, and fully refinished in any Farrow & Ball colour or RAL / BS colour.

Our domed range is for the true connoisseur, truly regal in every way.  Using the latest CNC Router technology, coupled with unique engineering and modern day material - we create a traditional feel with modern day practise.

So transform your property with a prestigious roof lantern and add archetectural magic to your home.

Domed or Curved roof lanterns

Our range of domed oval or curved roof lanterns add a prestigious look to any roof, and are particularly regal above a spiral staircase or focal point in a room. It has taken many years of design to perfect our domed roof lantern range, with standard sizes available. We also pride our company on being able to produce any bespoke curved roof lanterns, with single, double or triple height lanterns available. If you are an architect please contact us, we can then supply CAD drawings on request for our standard curved roof lantern range.

We often work with architects in the initial design stage of the project, to provide CAD support and design solutions - thus broadening the choice of roof lantern available to the client.

Our parent company Countryhardwood Conservatories also specialise in the design and manufacture of conservatories, orangeries, windows and doors for large or small projects. Anything is possible to achieve with the Prestige Roof Lantern CAD design team.

Cupola or roof lantern

In architecture, a cupola or lanternis a radially symmetrical ornamental structure (often dome-shaped or quadrilateral) placed onto a larger roof or dome, this is often used as a vantage point or alternately to allow in light and provide ventilation. The word comes, through Italian, from the lower Latin cupula (classical Latin cupella from the Greek kupellon) small cup (lat. cupa) depicting a vault resembling an upside down cup.

In some instances, the whole of the main roof of a tower can form a single cupola. More often, however, the cupola consists of a much smaller structure which sits on top of the main roof. If the cupola can be reached by climbing a stairwell within the building, it is known then as a belvedere. Some cupolas, called lanterns, have small windows which allow light into the areas below.

In Victorian architecture, cupolas are often seen as a small room that protrudes above the main roof line. They may be square roof lanterns, rectangular roof lanterns, octagonal roof lantern or round in shape. In local folklore, they are regarded as Indian lookout points, but they may also have been used simply to offer a scenic view, which fits with the other name, belvedere, an Italian term denoting a fair view.

New RSS Feed

Prestige Roof Lanterns has proudly launched a new RSS feed today, to keep architects and trades people up to date with the latest news on timber roof lanterns, there application and the current market place.

More news will follow soon on a possible new development, that will see Prestige Roof Lanterns supplying a developer with 80 hardwood traditional roof lanterns to be incorporated into luxury homes in Surrey.