Glass links & glass box roofs in Hornchurch: what is involved?
Our glass links & glass box roofs service in Hornchurch covers frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. Every job starts with a survey of the opening, the roof covering and the room below, and a fixed written 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. Think of glass links & glass box roofs for listed and period buildings where the old wall should stay visible.
From Hornchurch to Romford, Dagenham and South Ockendon, the same survey-first process applies: measure, specify, fix the price, then fit.
Specification options
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Heated glass on some systems
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Frameless sliding or pivot doors
- Keeps period walls on show
- Visually light connection between buildings
Things we check at survey
- Listed building consent or planning permission is commonly needed
- Thermal performance of large glass areas must be calculated
Planning, building control and Hornchurch
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.
Building Regulations Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for new or replacement rooflights in existing homes, measured in the horizontal plane; roof windows need 1.4 W/m²K or a Band B energy rating. In an extension, glazing including rooflights is normally limited to 25% of the new floor area plus any windows or doors the extension covers, unless a whole-house calculation shows otherwise.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
What do glass links & glass box roofs cost in Hornchurch?
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 |
The process, step by step
- Get in touch. Use the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool with your Hornchurch address.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Nearby towns
Other services in Hornchurch
Glass links & glass box roofs in Hornchurch: 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.
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.
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.
How do I book a survey in Hornchurch?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
Is the survey in Hornchurch free?
Yes for new installations. Repair visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we book.
