What are rooflight upstands & kerbs?
Our rooflight upstands & kerbs service in East Sussex covers insulated kerbs built and waterproofed to suit your rooflight. We survey every job before fixing the price.
Orangery-style extensions with lanterns are popular across the South East, and solar-control glass makes a big difference on south-facing gardens. Across the South East, single-storey kitchen extensions on 1930s semis and post-war detached houses are where most flat rooflights and lanterns go.
Towns in East Sussex
Specification options in East Sussex
- Upstands to suit single-ply, felt, GRP or liquid roofs
- Upstand repairs and rebuilds
- Internal plaster-box linings
- Timber upstands with insulation
- Raised upstands for deep green or ballasted roofs
- Built square to the rooflight size
- Matched to your roof covering
Planning and building rules in England
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. 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.
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.
Guide prices
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| 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
Can I build the upstand myself?
Your builder can, to our drawing. We check it before the rooflight is fitted, because the unit must sit square and level.
Why is my rooflight cold around the edge?
Usually an uninsulated upstand. Insulating the kerb and lining the reveal fixes most cold spots.
Does every rooflight need an upstand?
Flat and dome rooflights do. Pitched roof windows use flashing kits instead.
Can an old upstand be reused?
If it is sound, square, insulated and the right size. Often it is cheaper to rebuild than adapt.
Will I need planning permission in East Sussex?
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.
