Timber vs Aluminium Roof Lanterns: Which Is Best for Your Home?

Material and construction

Timber-framed roof lanterns

Our Classic and Linear collections use painted Sapele hardwood internally, combined with aluminium capping externally. This provides the warmth and detailing of timber inside while protecting the exterior from the weather and reducing maintenance.

The Classic collection uses more traditional glazing-bar layouts, while Linear retains the timber construction but reduces the number of rafters for a cleaner, lighter appearance.

Aluminium roof lanterns

Our Urban and Hybrid collections are manufactured in aluminium. Urban uses slender 40mm box sections and minimal framing for a contemporary appearance, while Hybrid uses the same aluminium profiles with a more traditional multi-pane arrangement. 

Appearance

Timber-framed lanterns are particularly well suited to period properties, traditional extensions and orangeries where warmth, moulded detailing and a more classical internal appearance are important.

Aluminium creates a cleaner, more minimalist look. Its slim profiles allow larger areas of glass and work particularly well in modern kitchen extensions and contemporary renovations.

Hybrid sits between the two visually: it is an aluminium lantern, but its glazing layout gives it a more traditional character than Urban. 

Rafter design and sightlines

The choice of material is not simply a question of “thick timber versus thin aluminium”.

Our timber ranges use relatively slender painted rafters, while the Urban and Hybrid aluminium ranges use 40mm box sections. The main visual difference often comes from the number and arrangement of the rafters, rather than a dramatic difference in their individual width.

Classic has the more traditional multi-rafter appearance, Linear reduces the framing, Urban is deliberately minimal and Hybrid combines slim aluminium with a more traditional glazing pattern. 

Kerb dimensions and installation

Correct kerb or upstand dimensions are essential whichever material you choose, but the measurement convention differs between ranges.

Our timber collections are generally specified using the internal kerb opening, whereas our aluminium collections use the finished external kerb size. Builders should therefore always work from the relevant timber upstand detail or aluminium upstand detail supplied for the chosen lantern rather than assuming the same setting-out method applies to every system.

Whichever system is chosen, the supporting kerb should be square, level and structurally suitable for securely fixing the roof lantern.

Exterior appearance and maintenance

Although timber and aluminium lanterns look different internally, the distinction is less pronounced externally because our timber systems use weather-resistant aluminium capping.

That means the external timber is protected from direct exposure to the weather, while the aluminium collections are naturally very low maintenance. Both will still benefit from routine cleaning of the frame and glazing and from keeping surrounding roof drainage clear.

Thermal performance and glazing

The overall thermal performance of a roof lantern depends on both the frame and the glazing specification.

Modern aluminium lanterns incorporate thermal breaks, while timber itself offers naturally favourable thermal characteristics. High-performance double glazing, low-emissivity coatings and solar-control options can then be selected according to the size and orientation of the lantern and the way the room will be used.

The Urban range, for example, combines thermally broken aluminium framing with energy-efficient glazing. 

Standard and bespoke options

Both timber and aluminium designs are available across a wide range of standard sizes.

For projects that cannot be accommodated by the standard collections, made-to-measure roof lanterns can also be considered. Bespoke designs may allow changes to size, shape, pitch and glazing specification, depending on the chosen system and project requirements. 

Cost

Timber roof lanterns will generally cost more than a comparable standard aluminium lantern because of the hardwood materials, joinery, finishing and more labour-intensive manufacturing involved.

Aluminium lanterns are generally more economical in standard sizes and benefit from efficient extrusion and manufacturing processes. However, the final price of either material will depend on the size, glazing, colour, vents, complexity and whether the lantern is standard or bespoke.

Which should you choose?

There is no single material that is best for every project.

Choose timber if traditional detailing, warmth and architectural character are priorities.

Choose aluminium if you prefer slimmer sightlines, contemporary styling and minimal maintenance.

And if you like the practical benefits of aluminium but want a more traditional glazing pattern, the Hybrid collection provides a useful middle ground. 

You can also browse our full range of timber and aluminium roof lanterns or contact us if you would like help comparing the options for your project.