Mumford & Wood, the sash window specialist manufacturer of outstanding, high performance, factory finished and energy rated timber windows and doors, have recently introduced a bespoke range of conservatories and orangeries in the Garden Room collection. In this offering is the elegant and functional roof lantern which is capable of transforming a dark and uninteresting space with the simple introduction of natural light and ventilation and are individually designed in traditional and contemporary styles.
The glazed apex adds a feeling of height and space to an otherwise flat, low-ceilinged room. Beautifully made using the same premier-grade, knot-free engineered timber, manufacturing and assembly skills as Mumford & Woods award-winning windows and door systems, roof lanterns by Mumford & Wood are a perfect way to add drama and architectural impact. The multi-layer structure of engineered timber is particularly effective in resisting warping and finishing as the opposing grains even out natural moisture movement.
Usually supplied for a flat roof, our lanterns provide an attractive feature over a variety of room types, says Giles Henman, Conservatory Director, Mumford & Wood Garden Rooms. Used atop the flat roof of an orangery, the roof lantern will flood the room with beautiful light and become a focal point.
The glazing bars used in a Mumford & Wood roof lantern comprise a two-stage aluminium capping which provides a weather-tight seal while concealing unsightly screw heads. The glass is supported by neoprene gaskets and secured externally with maintenance-free powder-coated capping. Each element of the roof including rafters, hips and ridge, is finished in this way and can be colour-matched to suit the style of the orangery or conservatory. Internally, the roof structure reveals deep timber mouldings and trims, decorated to include authentic detailing of the period.
Increasingly featured in architect-designed schemes, designers recognise the value of the roof lantern which represents an affordable alternative to many conventional roofing treatments. They can take many forms from spectacular pyramid lanterns and elegant octagons, to the larger rectangular hipped roof lantern and are usually positioned to define a specific feature of the room, such as over a kitchen island or stairwell.