The natural light that pours in through skylights and roof lanterns makes them desirable additions to any home. Skylights are a great way of brightening a loft extension while a roof lantern makes for a spectacular focal point in a kitchen or hallway.

Yet it’s important to be able to control the amount of light that comes in; no one wants to find themselves squinting at the TV due to glare from direct sunlight, or feeling uncomfortably hot in a bedroom. That’s why it pays to consider the best treatments for your windows.

Roof Lanterns vs Skylights – Key Differences

When choosing the right blind solution for your overhead glazing, it’s essential to understand whether you have a roof lantern or a skylight, as each requires specific treatment approaches and offers different blind options.

Roof Lanterns

A roof lantern is a multi-panel glazed structure that sits proudly on top of a flat roof, creating both height and dramatic architectural interest. These box-like, multi-panel installations often feature pyramid or pitched designs that protrude upwards from the roof surface. Roof lanterns are specifically designed for flat roofs and serve as stunning focal points while flooding interior spaces with excellent, dispersed natural light.

The superior light distribution of roof lanterns makes them ideal for kitchens, hallways, and living areas where you want maximum illumination and a greater sense of space. However, this abundant glazing also means they require sophisticated blind solutions to manage light levels, reduce glare, and control heat gain effectively.

Skylights

In contrast, a skylight is typically a single-pane window installed flush within the roofline. These smaller, standalone windows can be fitted to both flat and pitched roofs, making them a versatile lighting solution. While skylights provide focused beams of natural light rather than the room-filling illumination of roof lanterns, they’re often more budget-friendly and suitable for a wider range of architectural styles.

Skylights work particularly well in loft conversions, bathrooms, and bedrooms where you want natural light without the dramatic architectural impact of a roof lantern.

Choosing the Right Blind Solution

Understanding your glazing type is crucial for selecting the most effective blind system:

• For Roof Lanterns: Require robust systems like our Markilux 779/879 under-glass shade systems or Safeguard RL lantern blinds, designed to handle large glazed areas and complex angles
• For Skylights: Can utilise more compact solutions such as our Pleated Duette roof-light blinds or smaller Markilux systems, depending on size and orientation
• Budget Considerations: Skylight blinds are generally more cost-effective, while roof lantern blind systems represent a larger investment due to their size and complexity

Blinds are a great option for windows fitted at a height as they can be custom-made to exact dimensions and are easy to adjust from below. But it can be daunting to navigate the huge range on offer. This is where Aquarius Blinds can help. Our knowledge and years of experience means we can advise on choosing the right blind for you, then get it installed in your home. Whatever the requirements of your window, we will help you find the solution.

Our systems can cover areas of up to 6.8 x 13 metres, meaning they can be fitted on even the largest opening. Blinds come in a wide variety of colours and fabrics and include features such as thermal heat reduction and anti-glare solutions. They are compatible with home automation systems – allowing you to open or close them at the touch of a switch, or remotely via an app – and with voice automation. If you haven’t used this technology previously, we’ll talk you through it and have you up and running in no time.

So, let’s look at some of our favourite options for skylights and roof lanterns.

Safeguard RL

Whether you choose the motorized or manual option, slim Safeguard RL lantern blinds offer an elegant and discreet solution. Choose from a range of blackout or screen fabrics, all produced for

longevity and stability even in harsh light. Optional extras include a sun sensor for automatic operation, a choice of wireless wall switches and mobile app control.

 

Markilux 779/879 under-glass shade system

German-engineered by Markilux – renowned as one of the world’s best sunshade manufacturers – you are assured of sophisticated craftsmanship and great aesthetics when you choose this system.

Angular guide tracks and a clever tensioning system mean this model is ideal for large glass areas, both horizontal and vertical, and can cover windows of up to 27sqm. Choose from a square or round cassette style and add lighting combinations in both LED spots and strip lights to lend atmosphere and drama.

 

Markilux 770 over-glass awning system

This clean and sleek exterior awning is designed for medium-sized flat or pitched glass roof lanterns and is great for keeping interiors cool and inviting on sunny days. Able to cover areas 4000mm wide by 4000mm long, it comes in seven standard frame colours with fixing brackets to suit almost any design or angle. A choice of 240 fabrics offers the opportunity to incorporate your own colour scheme, making for a seamless fit in any interior.

 

Pleated Duette roof-light blinds

These stylish blinds can be fitted to almost any window but are especially well suited to roof lanterns, skylight windows, conservatories and orangeries with horizontal or sloping windows.

Whatever your requirements, there’s a Duette blind to suit. Our L1 and L2 systems are available as manual, electric or rechargeable and can be integrated into most home automation systems. Controlling your blind is simple whatever option you choose; extendable operating poles reaching up to 3m make it simple to adjust manually or they can be operated electrically with either a handheld remote, wall switch or via your phone or iPad.

If you would like to learn more about our blinds, give one of our friendly experts a call today.