Glass links & glass box roofs in County Antrim: the essentials
Glass links & glass box roofs in County Antrim means frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. Every quote follows a survey of the roof and the room below.
Many Northern Irish homes have later flat-roofed kitchen extensions where an old dome can be swapped for glass. Wind and rain off the Atlantic make upstand and flashing details important on Northern Irish roofs.
Towns in County Antrim
Specification options in County Antrim
- Heated glass on some systems
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Solar-control and low-iron glass
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Designed around the existing building
- Visually light connection between buildings
Planning and building rules in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's householder permitted development allows rooflights within limits — no more than 15 cm projection on road-facing slopes and a 0.5 m margin from ridge, eaves and party walls. A side-facing window within 15 m of a neighbouring boundary must be obscure-glazed, and non-opening unless the opening part is more than 1.7 m above the floor.
Technical Booklet F1 (2022) asks for replacement windows and rooflights in existing homes to reach WER Band C or a U-value of 1.6 W/m²K, assessed in the vertical position. New dwellings must average 1.40 W/m²K across windows, roof windows and rooflights.
What do glass links & glass box roofs cost in County Antrim?
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| 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
- 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.
Glass links in nearby areas
Common questions
Is structural glass safe?
Structural glass is laminated so it stays in place if a ply breaks. The manufacturer designs it for the loads involved.
How long does a link take?
Design and manufacture are the long part. Fitting is often two to five days.
Do glass links need planning permission?
Often, yes — and listed building consent if either building is listed. We can provide drawings and product data for your application.
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.
Will I need planning permission in County Antrim?
Most rooflights on houses in Northern Ireland are permitted development under Class B, but not in a conservation area or on a listed building's curtilage.
