Glass links & glass box roofs in Edinburgh: what is involved?
For Edinburgh homes and buildings we offer glass links & glass box roofs: frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. We measure first, specify to the opening and confirm any planning or building-control points before quoting.
Short winter days in Scotland make every square metre of overhead glass count, so rooflight sizing matters. Typical uses for glass links & glass box roofs include joining a period house to a new extension or annexe.
Edinburgh is the main town we list in Edinburgh and the Lothians; we also cover nearby Musselburgh and Dalkeith.
What you can choose
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Heated glass on some systems
- Solar-control and low-iron glass
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Frameless sliding or pivot doors
- Can include frameless doors
- Designed around the existing building
Things we check at survey
- Abutments with old masonry need careful weathering
- Structural calculations are part of the design
Planning and building rules for Edinburgh
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. Replacing a rooflight, frame included, does not need a building warrant, but the work must still meet the building standards.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
Guide prices for Edinburgh
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Edinburgh, as elsewhere, making good inside and access equipment are the main variables.
| 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.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Written price. You receive a fixed price listing the unit, the work and the lead time.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Neighbouring towns
Other services in Edinburgh
Common questions
How long does a link take?
Design and manufacture are the long part. Fitting is often two to five days.
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 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.
Will I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
Planning rules in Scotland differ: rooflights are treated as external alterations under Class 2B, with no permitted development in conservation areas.
Can you work alongside my builder in Edinburgh?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
