What do glass links & glass box roofs in St Albans involve?
For St Albans 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.
Larger gardens in much of the South East mean deeper rear extensions, and deeper rooms need light from above rather than only from the doors. In St Albans, as anywhere, glass links & glass box roofs are the usual choice for listed and period buildings where the old wall should stay visible.
We work across Hertfordshire, including St Albans, and in neighbouring towns such as Harpenden and Hatfield. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
Specification options
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Heated glass on some systems
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Solar-control and low-iron glass
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Bright circulation space
- Structural glass roof with concealed fixings
Things we check at survey
- Listed building consent or planning permission is commonly needed
- Abutments with old masonry need careful weathering
Planning and building rules for St Albans
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. Replacing a rooflight or roof window can be self-certified by an installer registered with an authorised competent person scheme; otherwise building control approval is needed.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
Guide prices for St Albans
Guide prices for glass links & glass box roofs in St Albans 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 |
What happens next
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- 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.
Nearby towns
Other services in St Albans
Common questions
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 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 long does a link take?
Design and manufacture are the long part. Fitting is often two to five days.
Do you fit glass links & glass box roofs in St Albans?
Yes. We survey and fit glass links & glass box roofs in St Albans and across Hertfordshire. Send your postcode and we will offer a survey date when we reply.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in St Albans?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
