Guide · 4 min read 
Aluminium or uPVC roof lantern: which should you buy?
Sightlines, colours, sizes, lifespan and price: an honest comparison of aluminium and uPVC roof lanterns.
Both do the same job. The difference is in how much frame you see, how many colours you can have, how big you can go and what you pay.
| Aluminium | uPVC | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame size | Slim | Bulkier |
| Colours | Any RAL, different inside and out | Mostly white, some foils |
| Maximum size | Larger | Smaller |
| Thermal performance | Thermally broken frame | Insulating frame |
| Guide price | Higher | Roughly a fifth less |
Our view
For a kitchen or living extension you will look up at every day, aluminium is usually worth the extra. For a small porch, utility, garden room or rental where price matters most, uPVC is a sensible buy.
Written by the Buy Roof Lanterns team. Last reviewed 19 October 2026. General guidance only; your designer, building control body or council confirms what applies to your project.