The choice of roof glass for your roof lantern primarily depends on the orientation and sun exposure. Understanding your roof's position and daily sunlight patterns is crucial for selecting the correct glass specification.
Quick Selection Guide by Roof Position:
South-Facing Roofs (Maximum Sun Exposure - 6+ hours direct sunlight)
- Best Choice: Ambi Ultra Grey (91% heat reflection) or Ambi SunShade Blue (82% heat reflection)
- Why: These orientations receive intense sunlight throughout the day, requiring maximum solar control
- Alternative: Ambi Aqua (78-82% heat reflection) for slightly more natural light
East/West-Facing Roofs (Moderate Sun Exposure - 3-6 hours direct sunlight)
- Best Choice: Ambi Aqua or Ambi SunShade Blue for morning/evening sun control
- Alternative: Ambi Blue (60% heat reflection) or Ambi Neutral (60% heat reflection) for balanced performance
- Consideration: East-facing gets morning sun, west-facing gets intense afternoon sun
North-Facing Roofs (Minimal Sun Exposure - Less than 3 hours direct sunlight)
- Best Choice: Ambi Neutral or Clear Low-E for maximum light transmission with energy efficiency
- Alternative: Clear Clear for absolute maximum light (but poor thermal performance)
- Why: These orientations need to maximise available natural light rather than control heat
Partially Shaded/Sheltered Roofs
- Best Choice: Ambi Neutral or Ambi Blue for moderate control with sound light transmission
- Consider: Clear Low-E if thermal efficiency is a priority over solar control
Special Considerations:
Privacy Required: Choose any Ambi Satin Privacy combination (maintains 75% light transmission)
Extreme Heat/Entertainment Use: Ambi Ultra Grey creates a calm, shaded environment ideal for TV viewing or recreational spaces
Energy Efficiency Priority: Any Low-E option (U-Value 1.0-1.2) regardless of tint
Maximum Natural Light: Clear Clear (81% light transmission) or Clear Low-E (65% light transmission)
Making Your Final Decision
Now that you understand the specifications, you must decide which glass type best suits your specific needs. Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Step 1: Assess Your Priorities
- Do you need maximum heat control or maximum light?
- Is energy efficiency more important than natural brightness?
- Do you require privacy without losing natural light?
- Are you willing to sacrifice some light transmission for better solar control?
Step 2: Match Specifications to Your Requirements
- For hot, sunny locations: Choose higher heat reduction percentages (77-89%)
- For maximum brightness: Prioritise higher light transmission percentages (47-81%)
- For balanced performance, look for moderate specifications in both categories.
- For privacy: Consider Ambi Satin Privacy options
Step 3: Consider the Trade-offs. Remember that higher heat reduction typically means lower light transmission. You cannot maximise both - you must decide which is more important for your specific roof lantern installation and intended use.
Step 4: Review Your Roof Position. Combine the technical specifications with your roof's orientation and sun exposure patterns, as outlined in the guidance above, to make an informed decision that will provide optimal performance for your specific situation.
Step 5: Consider Existing Light Sources. Also, consider the light loss through windows that may now be under the roof . Suppose your roof lantern is replacing or covering existing windows. In that case, you may need to prioritise higher light transmission glass to compensate for this reduction in natural light from the side windows.
Performance-Based Glass Options
Ambi Ultra Grey
Maximum Solar Performance
- Solar Heat Reduction: 89% - the highest performance in the Ambience range
- Light Transmission: 9% - creates a very dark, shaded environment
- Appearance: Striking ultra-dark grey tint
- Best For: Recreational spaces, entertainment areas, south-facing roof lanterns in very hot climates
- Special Features: Market-leading solar control, exceptional glare reduction
- U-Value: 1.0 (Low-E version) - excellent thermal insulation
Ambi SunShade Blue
High-Performance Blue Tint
- Solar Heat Reduction: 77% - excellent heat control
- Light Transmission: 27%
- Appearance: Traditional sky blue tint - aesthetically pleasing
- Best For: South-facing roof lanterns, areas with intense sunlight
- Glare Reduction: Significant reduction with increased glare control
- U-Value: 1.0 (Low-E) or 2.7 (Clear)
- Popularity: One of the most popular in the Ambience range
Ambi Aqua
Superior Aqua Performance
- Solar Heat Reduction: 76%
- Light Transmission: 33%
- Appearance: Visually stunning aqua/greenish-blue tint
- Temperature Reduction: Can reduce internal temperature by up to 9°C in summer
- Best For: South-facing roof lanterns, hot climate areas
- U-Value: 1.0-2.7, depending on version
Aesthetic Practical Options
Ambi Blue
Classic Blue Appeal
- Solar Heat Reduction: 60%
- Light Transmission: 47%
- Appearance: Delicate blue tint - striking but subtle
- Glare Reduction: 53%
- Best For: Homeowners wanting style with moderate solar control
- U-Value: 1.2 (Low-E) or 2.7 (Clear)
Ambi Bronze
Warm Colour Coordination
- Solar Heat Reduction: 55%
- Light Transmission: 38%
- Appearance: Warm bronze tint to match modern conservatory colours
- Glare Reduction: 62%
- Best For: Roof lanterns with bronze or warm-toned frames and fittings
- Design Purpose: Developed to complement dynamic roof lantern colour schemes
- U-Value: 1.2 (Low-E) or 2.7 (Clear)
Ambi Neutral
Natural Look
- Solar Heat Reduction: 60%
- Light Transmission: 37%
- Appearance: Least tinted in the range - natural, clear appearance
- Glare Reduction: 63%
- Best For: Homeowners preferring minimal tint with natural room aesthetics
- Benefits: Maintains natural lighting while providing solar control
- U-Value: 1.2 (Low-E) or 2.7 (Clear)
Privacy Solutions
Ambi Satin Privacy
Complete Privacy with Light
- Light Transmission: 34% - good natural light penetration
- Solar Heat Reduction: 54%
- Privacy Level: Total seclusion with opaque finish
- Appearance: Frosted satin finish - milky-white interior appearance
- Best For: Overlooked properties, areas requiring privacy without losing light
- Special Feature: Allows maximum privacy while maintaining excellent light transmission
- Construction: Can be combined with any tinted exterior glass (Aqua/Satin, Blue/Satin, etc.)
Basic Glass Options
Clear Clear
Standard Transparency
- Light Transmission: 81%
- Solar Heat Reduction: 24% - minimal heat control
- Appearance: Completely transparent with no tint
- Best For: North-facing roof lanterns, areas with minimal sun exposure
- Cost: Most budget-friendly option
- Drawbacks: Poor energy efficiency, no UV protection, no glare control
- U-Value: Typically 2.7+ - poor thermal performance
Clear Low-E
Enhanced Clear Glass
- Light Transmission: 65%
- Solar Heat Reduction: 52%
- Thermal Performance: U-Value as low as 1.0-1.2
- Appearance: Nearly identical to clear glass with very slight blue-green tint
- Benefits: Reflects heat to its source, reduces energy costs
- Best For: Homeowners wanting maximum light with improved energy efficiency
- Cost: More expensive than clear glass, but more energy efficient
Key Decision Factors
Climate Considerations:
- Hot/South-facing: Choose Ambi Ultra Grey or Ambi SunShade Blue
- Moderate climates: Ambi Aqua, Ambi Blue, or Ambi Neutral
- Cold/North-facing: Clear Low-E or Ambi Neutral
Priority Factors:
- Maximum solar control: Ambi Ultra Grey (91% reflection)
- Best light transmission: Clear Clear (90%+) or Ambi Satin Privacy (75%)
- Privacy needs: Ambi Satin Privacy options
- Energy efficiency: Any Low-E option (U-Value 1.0-1.2)
- Natural appearance: Ambi Neutral or Clear Low-E
- Style coordination: Ambi Bronze for warm tones, Ambi Blue for cool tones
Self-Cleaning Technology:
All Ambience range glasses include self-cleaning properties certified to EN 1096-5 European Standard, using photocatalytic and hydrophilic coatings that break down dirt with UV light and sheet water away cleanly.
U-Value Performance Rankings:
- Best (1.0): Ambi Ultra Grey Low-E, Ambi SunShade Blue Low-E
- Excellent (1.2): Most Ambi Low-E versions
- Moderate (2.7): Clear versions of tinted glass
- Poor (2.7+): Standard Clear Clear glass
Please note that all U-values shown are for the combined glass and lantern roof structure. Transparent/Clear has a U-value of 2.7; all the other glass units have a U-value of 1.2.