What do rooflight upstands & kerbs involve?
Across Bristol, our rooflight upstands & kerbs work covers insulated kerbs built and waterproofed to suit your rooflight. Survey first, fixed price second, fitting third.
Western coasts take wind-driven rain, so we pay close attention to upstand height and flashing laps on exposed roofs. Holiday lets and second homes across the South West often want roof windows with blinds and remote opening for when the house is empty.
Towns in Bristol
Specification options in Bristol
- Internal plaster-box linings
- Upstand repairs and rebuilds
- Timber upstands with insulation
- Proprietary insulated kerbs
- Upstands to suit single-ply, felt, GRP or liquid roofs
- Built square to the rooflight size
- Membrane dressed up and sealed
Planning and building rules in England
Most rooflights on English houses do not need planning permission, provided they keep within 150 mm of the roof surface and below the ridge line. 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. 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.
What do rooflight upstands & kerbs cost in Bristol?
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Bristol, scaffold, a hoist for heavy glass, or a new structural opening can move the figure, which is why we survey first.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Large or raised upstand | £715 – £1,195 | £595 – £995 |
| Standard insulated upstand Typical | £475 – £715 | £395 – £595 |
| Small upstand on new roof | £355 – £475 | £295 – £395 |
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.
Upstands & kerbs in nearby areas
Common questions
Does every rooflight need an upstand?
Flat and dome rooflights do. Pitched roof windows use flashing kits instead.
How high should a rooflight upstand be?
High enough to meet the rooflight manufacturer's minimum above the finished roof surface — commonly 150 mm. On roofs with deep finishes, such as green roofs, it needs to be taller.
What roof coverings do you work with?
Single-ply, EPDM, felt, GRP and liquid-applied systems — or we coordinate with your roofer.
Why is my rooflight cold around the edge?
Usually an uninsulated upstand. Insulating the kerb and lining the reveal fixes most cold spots.
Will I need planning permission in Bristol?
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.
