How to plan a kitchen extension with skylights

modern kitchen diner extension with up and over rooflight

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Adding a kitchen extension with skylights will help you create a sun-filled social space to enjoy whatever the weather.

Skylights and roof windows offer many benefits that go beyond being an architectural feature in your new space. Increasing natural light inkitchen extensionsreduces our dependence on artificial lighting during the day and can help improve our wellbeing.

Rooflights can also be used to bring natural light deeper into your home, which can be important when adding a new extension.

Take a look at different ways glazing in the roof can be installed into a new kitchen extension with inspiration from real-life projects.

Can I put skylights in my kitchen extension?

你只能把天窗厨房扩展if it is single storey, or you intend to add a two-storey extension with a double-height void above the kitchen or living space. Skylights can be added to pitched, lean-to and flat roof extensions, but try to ensure you won't be overlooked by neighbours.

The terms skylight androoflightor roof windows can be used interchangeably, which can be confusing when searching online for products and advice.

1. Bring in extra light to a dark kitchen extension

modern pitched roof extension to brick terrace house with rooflight — (Image credit: David Barbour)

Incorporating a roof window into a kitchen extension design will immediately add architectural depth to even the simplest form.

Bringing in light from above is a beautiful way to create new passages of light throughout a kitchen and illuminate workspaces with natural light. The illusion of a rooflight also helps to makesmall kitchen extension ideasfeel taller and wider.

In this side return extension, a wide skylight was added above the cooking zone for this exact reason, while the old exterior window has also been retained for the darker internal spaces to benefit from this feature, also.

2. Combine skylights with other types of glazing in a rear extension

black modern kitchen extension with sliding doors and rooflight — (Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Bringing in light from multiple different angles usingceiling glazing or rooflightsis a great idea if your extension doesn't benefit from lots of direct sunlight.

Taking its cue fromkitchen conservatory extensions, this modern rear extension uses multiple glazing designs to let light infiltrate the space. First, the long rooflight brightens the cooking and island area, while the picture window and sliding doors provide a view of the garden.

3. Embrace different kinds of light

grey modern kitchen with up and over rooflight — (Image credit: Future)

Todesign a kitchen extensionthat suits your individual lifestyle, one factor to consider is when you will use the room most.

Early risers and those that have breakfast together will benefit from an easterly-facing extension, while if your space will double as akitchen diner extensionin the evening, west-facing light might suit better.

Thanks to their overhead nature, skylights benefit from multiple types of light throughout the day. While the position of the extension will dictate which will infiltrate your kitchen space, the illumination should last for a longer amount of time.

Not only will this increase your sense of wellbeing in the kitchen space, but also will reduce reliance during the day on artificial lighting, saving on energy bills.

Plus, if your kitchen moonlights as a home office for some of the week, this ambient lighting throughout the day will help increase productivity.

4. Include standard-sized skylights to keep to a kitchen extension to a budget

white shaker kitchen side extension with standard skylight — (Image credit: Future)

For smaller spaces or those being built to a tight budget, there is lots of potential in standard-sized or off-the-shelf skylights.

Bespoke sizes increasekitchen extension costs, as do slimmer sightlines and electric or solar powered openings, so if you're keeping an eye on finances these are good elements to really examine if you need them.

Plus, cheaper or smaller skylights might mean you can install more of them around the kitchen to illuminate different areas.

5. Look at breaking up rooflights in a kitchen extension

rustic kitchen with long green island and recessed skylight — (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

One downside of a kitchen extension that includes skylights is overheating in summer. Copious amounts of overhead glazing can create a space so warm the thought of cooking feels out of the question.

One way to circumvent this is to install opening rooflights – which may beelectric roof windows– as opposed to fixed, which will encourage ventilation throughout the kitchen. Another alternative is to shield the space from direct light when the sun is directly overhead.

Working in a similar way to a brise soleil, this rustic kitchen's roof trusses have been extended below the recessed skylight.

6. Install a large roof lantern

large roof lantern in traditional kitchen diner extension — (Image credit: Vale Garden Houses)

For maximum impact and to create extra height in your kitchen extension, think about installing aroof lanternrather than a skylight.

This design will only work if your extension will have a flat roof, but their elegance and architectural impact should put them in consideration alongside skylights.

In the example above, the large lantern rains light down onto not just the kitchen but the dining and sitting areas as well.

Do skylights require planning permission?

If you're applying for planning permission to build your kitchen extension, the design of the skylights will be considered and approved within this application, so you don't need to apply for permission separately.

For those building an extension underpermitted developmentrights, this is also acceptable but be wary of adding too much glazing to the design overall. The new extension must be in keeping with the original house and anything too different from this style might fail to qualify under permitted development. (Bear in mind too that permitted development rights do not apply to all homes.)

However, if your kitchen extension has already been built and you're introducing new skylights, note that skylights must not protrude no more than 150mm than the existing roof line to fall within PD rights.

Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.