How we approach glass links & glass box roofs in Reading
Thinking about glass links & glass box roofs in Reading? The short answer: frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Across the South East, single-storey kitchen extensions on 1930s semis and post-war detached houses are where most flat rooflights and lanterns go. In Reading, as anywhere, glass links & glass box roofs are the usual choice for listed and period buildings where the old wall should stay visible.
Reading is the main town we list in Berkshire; we also cover nearby Earley and Henley-on-Thames.
Specification options
- Frameless sliding or pivot doors
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Solar-control and low-iron glass
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Keeps period walls on show
- Designed around the existing building
Things we check at survey
- Abutments with old masonry need careful weathering
- Listed building consent or planning permission is commonly needed
Consents for glass links & glass box roofs in Reading
In England a rooflight on a house is usually permitted development under Class C if it projects no more than 150 mm beyond the roof slope and sits no higher than the ridge. 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.
Under Approved Document L, a rooflight added to an English home must achieve at least 2.2 W/m²K (horizontal plane), and a roof window 1.4 W/m²K or Window Energy Rating Band B. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published in March 2026, apply from 24 March 2027 and keep the 2.2 W/m²K limit for rooflights.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
Guide prices for Reading
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Reading, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fully frameless link with glass beams | £20,395 – £35,995 | £16,995 – £29,995 |
| Glass roof and glazed sides Typical | £13,195 – £20,395 | £10,995 – £16,995 |
| Glass roof between existing walls | £9,595 – £13,195 | £7,995 – £10,995 |
How the job runs
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Reading, measures and checks structure and access.
- Written price. You receive a fixed price listing the unit, the work and the lead time.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Neighbouring towns
Related work in Reading
Glass links & glass box roofs in Reading: questions
Can a glass link be warm enough to use all year?
With insulated glass units, solar control and good detailing, yes — though it will always be brighter and more exposed to temperature swings than a solid room.
How long does a link take?
Design and manufacture are the long part. Fitting is often two to five days.
How is the glass joined to the old wall?
Usually by a slim channel or flashing set into the masonry, sealed and weathered so the old wall can move without cracking the glass seal.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Reading?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
Is the survey in Reading free?
Yes for new installations. Repair visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we book.
