If you research either product on the internet, you will find the words are interchangeable, which can be confusing.
There is technically no difference between these terms. Some claim it depends on whether you use UK or US English, other companies will claim that rooflights are fitted within the plane of the roof while skylights are often bespoke and stand out from a design perspective.
Even more confusing is that the term skylight tends to be used more by homeowners whereas manufacturers, architects and builders will use the phrase rooflight.
None of this matters.
Essentially skylights and rooflights are the same product – they are designed to maximise the amount of natural light entering a home. They can also increase ventilation if you choose an option that opens. So instead of talking about the differences, we’re going to take a look at all the reasons why having a skylight/rooflight is a ray of sunshine to your home.
Skylights and Rooflights
Skylights and rooflights are often bespoke. For example at Roof Maker, each order is made-to-measure to the customer’s unique size and specification. A choice of glazing options, tints and blinds allows you to personalise the product to suit your requirements.
What are the benefits of a skylight or rooflight?
Adding more natural light
The main purpose of a skylight or rooflight is to increase the natural light entering a room. Often a renovation of your home can involve an extension or a new roof. The biggest benefit (and most obvious) of adding a skylight is to introduce more natural light which can create a lighter, brighter room without losing any wall space.
Additionally, exposure to natural light has lots of great health benefits too which you can read about in our blog link. This includes improving working from home efficiency, mood, vitamin D and more.
Skylights can also help with home heating and provide an additional source of ambient temperature.
If you’d like to know more, we recommend browsing our range of rooflights or getting a quote online. If you’d like to talk to our team directly, contact our sales team on .
Adding ventilation
There are many considerations for where and what skylight or rooflight to install in your home. Ventilation is a big factor and this leads many homeowners to choose a skylight or rooflight that opens – this can be useful if you’re planning to place the rooflight in a room which needs extra ventilation such as a kitchen or bathroom, or a hallway that is landlocked with no external windows.
Our rooflights can be installed on flat roofs or pitched roofs with various options to impact performance and aesthetics. At Roof Maker, we offer the following rooflights to suit your needs:
Ventilation in the home is a key consideration so it’s well worth considering the extra investment hinged skylights offer as fresh air is beneficial to our well-being, especially for children.
What is a Roof Lantern?
We couldn’t talk about rooflights without mentioning roof lanterns! Unlike skylights and rooflights, there are obvious differences which make roof lanterns unique.
First and foremost, roof lanterns are an architectural showstopper! They’re an alternative to flat rooflights and come with added visual interest and more headspace. Designed for flat roofs, the 3D structure and angled glass channels allow light into the room below. They also add height, making rooms not only brighter but also appear bigger and more spacious.
If you think a roof lantern is a perfect choice for your home, then consider a Roof Maker Slimline® Roof Lantern designed with an ultra-slim aluminium frame allowing even more light in. These units are bespoke and we offer made-to-measure sizes and bespoke RAL colours to match your interior. You have the option to add vents (electric or manual), and electronically controlled vents can have an automatic rain sensor for extra convenience.
So, all of this means that regardless of whether you call it a skylight or a rooflight, or want something truly unique like a roof lantern, the bottom line is that they’re ultimately designed to achieve the same purpose. To introduce light, heat your home, and make your living space a welcoming place to relax and unwind.
Get in touch
If you need expert advice, or a quotation, call the team on or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.
Updated 16/08/2024