There are a lot of different styles and types of roof lanterns on the market today, which means you are sure to find one that is to your liking. However, it also means the task can be a rather daunting one, with so many different styles to choose from. The following overview of the roof lantern market is intended to get you started.

Skylights and roof lanterns have a long history of providing natural light and beautiful views. First produced during the Victorian period, these elegant structures are currently seeing a resurgence in popularity spurred by new designs and advances in material technology. Whether restoring an existing home or building a new one, a roof lantern is an excellent way to increase the home's appeal and value.

Although very similar in design to roof lanterns of the past, today's models are quite different in construction. Two hundred years ago, roof lanterns were usually built upon wood frames. With the perfection of steel making techniques came designs built upon steel frames. Fifty years ago, it was common to for these structures to be built out of sheet metal bent into form and soldered together. All of these techniques can still be found in today's models, but models can also be made of copper, zinc, stainless steal, iron, aluminum, and other metals. These alternatives metals offer longer life spans and different ascetics than their older steel and wood counterparts.

Glass technology has also improved greatly over the last century. Originally roof lanterns were made from standard glass, which meant they were easy to chip, crack, or break. Upon the advent of safety glazing, this problem was greatly reduced or eliminated. Today's double paned glass offers much greater energy efficiency and windows are available with a large variety of different safety glazes. Another modern twist on traditional roof lanterns is to have a decorative glass layer on the interior with a functional, energy efficient panel on the exterior. These decorative panels are able to be as elaborate as the artisan's imagination allows since they don't have to worry about keeping the elements out.

The entry of conservatory companies into the roof lantern market has created a boom in low cost models that are essentially conservatory roof tops converted into roof lanterns. These companies keep costs down my reusing the same basic design for multiple functions. On the other hand, they have also brought their engineering skills to the market and created elaborate, custom designs that are sure to please even the pickiest consumer.