What do frameless structural rooflights involve?
Our frameless structural rooflights service in Greater London covers minimal glass rooflights with no visible frame from inside. We survey every job before fixing the price.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces with narrow side returns are typical of much of London, and a glass roof or long flat rooflight is the usual way to keep the back rooms bright once the return is built over. Party walls are a fact of life in London terraces, and rooflights close to a shared wall need detailing that keeps the neighbour's side dry too.
Towns in Greater London
Options we can specify
- Solar-control coatings
- Shadow-gap or plastered reveal
- Butt-jointed runs for long openings
- Triple glazing
- Heated glass on some ranges
- Double or triple glazed structural units
- Can run along party walls and side returns
Planning and building rules in England
English householder permitted development (Class C) normally covers rooflights that stand no more than 0.15 m proud of the roof plane and stay below the highest part of the roof. A rooflight on a side-facing slope must be obscure-glazed, and fixed shut unless the opening part is more than 1.7 m above the floor.
For English homes the energy rules ask for rooflights of 2.2 W/m²K or better and roof windows of 1.4 W/m²K (or WER Band B); most modern double glazed units meet both. Replacing a rooflight or roof window can be self-certified by an installer registered with an authorised competent person scheme; otherwise building control approval is needed.
Guide prices
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Greater London, scaffold, a hoist for heavy glass, or a new structural opening can move the figure, which is why we survey first.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Long-format or jointed run | £6,595 – £11,995 | £5,495 – £9,995 |
| Large single pane Typical | £4,795 – £7,195 | £3,995 – £5,995 |
| Standard frameless unit | £3,595 – £4,795 | £2,995 – £3,995 |
How the job runs
- Tell us about the roof. Send the postcode, rough sizes and a photo or two through the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool.
- Free survey. For new installations a surveyor measures the opening, checks the roof build-up and talks through glass and options.
- Fixed written quote. You get the product, the work and the price in writing. Nothing is ordered or paid for until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We fit, seal and make good, then hand over product data, warranties and any certificate paperwork.
Frameless rooflights in nearby areas
Common questions
Can a frameless rooflight be walked on?
Only if it is specified as a walk-on unit. Most frameless rooflights are for light only.
How is it lifted onto the roof?
Larger panes go up with a vacuum lifter, a hoist or a crane. We plan access at survey.
Will I see the edge of the glass?
From inside, the reveal is finished up to the glass so the edge is hidden. From outside you will see the glass and its edge seal.
Can it open?
Some frameless designs include a sliding or hinged opening element, but most are fixed. Pair with an opening unit if you need ventilation.
Will I need planning permission in Greater London?
Most rooflights on English houses do not need planning permission, provided they keep within 150 mm of the roof surface and below the ridge line.
