How we approach glass links & glass box roofs in Swanley
Thinking about glass links & glass box roofs in Swanley? The short answer: frameless glass links joining old and new buildings. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Across the South East, single-storey kitchen extensions on 1930s semis and post-war detached houses are where most flat rooflights and lanterns go. Think of glass links & glass box roofs for listed and period buildings where the old wall should stay visible.
From Swanley to Bexley, Orpington and Sidcup, the same survey-first process applies: measure, specify, fix the price, then fit.
What you can choose
- Concealed gutters and drainage
- Structural glass beams and fins
- Frameless or slim-framed glass
- Frameless sliding or pivot doors
- Heated glass on some systems
- Can include frameless doors
- Designed around the existing building
Before you order: points to check
- Structural calculations are part of the design
- Thermal performance of large glass areas must be calculated
Planning and building rules for Swanley
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. Listed buildings need listed building consent, flats have no householder permitted development rights, and an Article 4 direction can remove the rights in some conservation areas.
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. 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.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
What do glass links & glass box roofs cost in Swanley?
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 |
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
More we do in Swanley
Questions about glass links & glass box roofs in Swanley
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.
Who designs it?
Your architect, or we produce a survey-based design that the glass manufacturer engineers.
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.
Can you work alongside my builder in Swanley?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
Will I need planning permission in Swanley?
English householder permitted development (Class C) normally covers rooflights that stand no more than 0.15 m proud of the roof plane and stay below the highest part of the roof.
