Glass links & glass box roofs in Edinburgh and the Lothians: the essentials
Glass links & glass box roofs in Edinburgh and the Lothians means frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. Every quote follows a survey of the roof and the room below.
Scottish weather is hard on roofs, so we specify rooflights and roof windows with exposure in mind and fit upstands with generous heights. Many Scottish homes have dormers and attic rooms where an extra roof window adds light without a full dormer.
Towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Specification options in Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Frameless sliding or pivot doors
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Heated glass on some systems
- Visually light connection between buildings
- Bright circulation space
Planning and building rules in Scotland
In Scotland most rooflights on houses fall under Class 2B permitted development; in a conservation area, or on a listed building, consent is needed. Flats and tenements are outside householder permitted development, so check with the planning authority first.
Scotland's Technical Handbook (section 6) asks for windows, doors and rooflights in an extension to average 1.4–1.6 W/m²K, with no single unit worse than 3.3 W/m²K. Forming a new opening normally involves structural work, so check with the local authority verifier whether a building warrant is needed.
Glass links & glass box roofs prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Guide prices for glass links & glass box roofs in Edinburgh and the Lothians are the same as anywhere we work — what changes the price is the job: access, structure, scaffold and finishing.
| 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
Who designs it?
Your architect, or we produce a survey-based design that the glass manufacturer engineers.
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 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.
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.
Will I need planning permission in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Planning rules in Scotland differ: rooflights are treated as external alterations under Class 2B, with no permitted development in conservation areas.
