Roller garage doors with vision and vent laths

• Vision laths let daylight into the garage through the curtain
• Vent laths let air through for a better-ventilated garage
• Number and position agreed and written into your quote
• Added to a new door as a priced extra

What are vision and vent laths on a roller garage door?

Vision and vent laths are special laths built into the curtain of a roller garage door: vision laths have see-through sections that let in daylight, and vent laths have openings that let air through.

They sit among the ordinary solid laths and coil into the box with the rest of the curtain when the door opens. From outside they show as a row or band across the door, so they change its look as well as letting light or air into the garage.

You choose how many to have and where they go in the curtain, and that's recorded in your quote. They're added when the door is made, so it's worth deciding at the survey rather than later. The laths themselves come in the door's finish, and if you're choosing a RAL colour or woodgrain, our coloured and woodgrain roller garage doors page covers the finishes.

Should I choose vision laths or vent laths for my garage?

Choose vision laths if you want daylight in a garage with no window, and vent laths if you want air to move through a garage that feels stuffy or damp.

Vision laths suit a garage you work in, such as a workshop or home gym, where a little natural light makes the space more pleasant during the day. They also let you see whether it's light outside without opening the door. They're not a substitute for proper lighting, though.

Vent laths suit a garage where air tends to sit still, such as one used to store garden machinery, a car that's often put away wet, or things that dislike damp, stale air. If you're unsure, describe how you use the garage at the survey and we'll explain how each option would work in your space. You can have both on the same door if that suits you.

Do vision or vent laths affect insulation or security?

They can affect both: a vent lath lets air through by design, a vision lath isn't as insulating as a foam-filled lath, and on a security-rated door they need to be covered by the model's certificate.

If you're choosing insulated laths to keep the garage warmer and quieter, think about how many vision or vent laths you add. A row of vent laths works against the draught-proofing an insulated curtain gives you, so it's a trade-off between airflow and comfort. A small number of vision laths has less effect, but they still won't hold heat like a solid insulated lath.

On security, a rating such as LPS 1175 belongs to the manufacturer's door as it was tested. If you're considering a security-rated roller garage door, ask whether vision or vent laths are covered by that model's certificate before adding them. Also think about privacy: vision laths can let people glimpse what's stored inside when the garage is lit.

How much do vision and vent laths cost on a roller door?

Vision or vent laths add £145–£345 inc VAT to the price of a new roller garage door.

That extra is added to the door price for your width band and type. For example, a manual single-skin door for an opening up to 2.4 m wide costs £895–£1,295 inc VAT, and an insulated electric door for the same opening costs £1,495–£2,295 inc VAT. Each door price includes supply, fitting and the removal and disposal of your old roller or up-and-over door, with VAT at 20%.

You can combine vision laths with other extras, such as a RAL colour or woodgrain finish at £95–£245 inc VAT. All the door bands are on our prices page. Your written quote lists the vision or vent laths as a separate line, along with how many there are and where they sit in the curtain.

What happens at the survey and fitting of a door with vision laths?

At the free survey we agree the type, number and position of the vision or vent laths along with the measurements, and on fitting day they arrive built into the curtain.

The surveyor measures the width, height, headroom and side room, and checks the lintel, floor, access and, for an electric door, the power supply. It helps to think in advance about the height you want the laths at, for example level with a workbench or high enough to keep the inside private. Your written quote states the lath position, and once you accept it the fitting date is confirmed in writing, depending on installer availability.

On the day, the old door is removed and the new curtain is fitted like any other roller door. Check the vision or vent laths sit where you agreed before the installer finishes. Electric doors are then commissioned and handed over with their paperwork.

Guide prices for roller garage doors with vision and vent laths

Guide prices for homes, supplied and fitted, including removal of an old roller or up-and-over door. The written quote after your free survey is the price.

Guide prices for homes, last reviewed 25 October 2026. Your written quote is the price. See the full price list.

What happens after I ask for a price?

1. STEP 01

   Guide price

   Answer four quick questions online and see a price range for your opening.

2. STEP 02

   Free survey

   We measure the opening, headroom, side room, lintel and power, and talk through options.

3. STEP 03

   Written quote

   You get the price inc VAT, what is included and the payment stages in writing.

4. STEP 04

   Fitting day

   Old door out, new door in, commissioned and handed over with the paperwork.

Questions about roller garage doors with vision and vent laths

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