Roof lantern upstands
Every roof lantern sits on an upstand, also called a kerb: a raised frame around the opening that lifts the lantern above the roof surface so water cannot run into it. You can build a timber kerb on site or buy a prefabricated insulated upstand made to match the lantern.
Get a price for a roof lantern upstand
Send your kerb size and we will reply with a fixed written quote.
In short: Insulated upstands and kerbs that raise the lantern above the roof finish. Guide prices start from £245 including VAT for a 1000 × 1500 mm insulated upstand, supply only.
Why does the upstand matter so much?
Most roof lantern leaks start at the upstand, not the lantern. The roof membrane must be turned up the outside of the kerb and properly sealed, and the kerb must be high enough above the finished roof that standing water and splashback cannot reach the lantern seal. Manufacturers commonly ask for at least 150 mm, but always follow the instructions for your range.
The kerb also needs to be level, square and to the exact external size of the lantern. An out-of-square kerb is the most common reason a lantern will not sit correctly.
Timber kerb or insulated upstand?
A site-built timber kerb is cheap and flexible but needs insulating and careful detailing. A prefabricated insulated upstand arrives square, to size and pre-insulated, which reduces cold bridging and speeds up the roofing. Prices for insulated upstands are shown below.
What does an insulated upstand cost?
Upstands are priced by the lantern size. Guide prices below include VAT and are for supply only.
Roof lantern upstand prices by size
| Lantern kerb size | Perimeter | Insulated upstand, guide |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 × 1000 mm | 4.0 m | £245£204 ex VAT |
| 1200 × 1200 mm | 4.8 m | £245£204 ex VAT |
| 1000 × 1500 mm | 5.0 m | £245£204 ex VAT |
| 1000 × 2000 mm | 6.0 m | £295£246 ex VAT |
| 1000 × 2500 mm | 7.0 m | £295£246 ex VAT |
| 1000 × 3000 mm | 8.0 m | £345£288 ex VAT |
| 1500 × 1500 mm | 6.0 m | £295£246 ex VAT |
| 1500 × 2000 mm | 7.0 m | £295£246 ex VAT |
| 1500 × 2500 mm | 8.0 m | £345£288 ex VAT |
| 1500 × 3000 mm | 9.0 m | £345£288 ex VAT |
| 2000 × 2000 mm | 8.0 m | £345£288 ex VAT |
| 2000 × 3000 mm | 10.0 m | £395£329 ex VAT |
| 2000 × 4000 mm | 12.0 m | £445£371 ex VAT |
| 2500 × 4000 mm | 13.0 m | £445£371 ex VAT |
| 3000 × 4000 mm | 14.0 m | £495£412 ex VAT |
Guide prices include VAT, supply only. Upstands are made to match the lantern's external size.
What you get
- Purpose
- Raises the lantern above the roof finish
- Height
- Commonly 150 mm minimum above roof; follow range instructions
- Types
- Site-built timber kerb or prefabricated insulated upstand
- Sizing
- External size matches the lantern
- Key check
- Level, square, diagonals equal
Three checks
- Measure the outside of the kerb, width then length, and check the diagonals. How to measure.
- Check the glazing allowance for your extension and whether you need planning permission. See building regulations and planning.
- Plan the lift. Your quote gives the approximate weight so your installer can plan access and lifting.
Roof lantern upstands: common questions
Do I need an upstand for a roof lantern?
Yes. Lanterns are designed to sit on an upstand, never directly on the roof deck.
What height should my upstand be?
High enough to keep water away from the lantern seal, commonly at least 150 mm above the finished roof surface. Follow the instructions for your chosen range.
Can I order a lantern before the upstand is built?
Yes, if you build the upstand to the lantern's stated external size. Many people order the lantern and upstand together so they match.
Who makes the upstand weatherproof?
Your roofer, by dressing the roof membrane up the outside of the upstand. The lantern then sits over it.
Roof lantern upstands by area
We deliver roof lantern upstands across mainland Britain. Choose your area for local delivery and regulation notes.
England
- Bedfordshire
- Berkshire
- Bristol
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Derbyshire
- Devon
- Dorset
- County Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- East Sussex
- Essex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Greater Manchester
- Hampshire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Lancashire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Merseyside
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northamptonshire
- Northumberland
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Somerset
- South Yorkshire
- Staffordshire
- Suffolk
- Surrey
- Tyne and Wear
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
- West Sussex
- West Yorkshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
Wales
Scotland
- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
- Dundee and Angus
- Argyll and Bute
- Ayrshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Fife
- Forth Valley
- Greater Glasgow
- Highlands and Islands
- Lanarkshire
- Moray
- Perth and Kinross
- Scottish Borders