Rooflight upstands & kerbs in Harlow: what is involved?
Our rooflight upstands & kerbs service in Harlow covers insulated kerbs built and waterproofed to suit your rooflight. Every job starts with a survey of the opening, the roof covering and the room below, and a fixed written price.
Coastal towns in the East of England see salty air, so we specify frame finishes and fixings with exposure in mind. Typical uses for rooflight upstands & kerbs include new flat-roof openings and rooflight replacements.
From Harlow to Hoddesdon, Bishop's Stortford and Waltham Abbey, the same survey-first process applies: measure, specify, fix the price, then fit.
What you can choose
- Upstands to suit single-ply, felt, GRP or liquid roofs
- Proprietary insulated kerbs
- Raised upstands for deep green or ballasted roofs
- Upstand repairs and rebuilds
- Internal plaster-box linings
- Insulated to avoid a cold bridge
- Correct height above the finished roof
Things we check at survey
- Minimum upstand height is set by the rooflight manufacturer — commonly 150 mm above the finished roof
- Insulation continuity around the upstand affects condensation
Do you need permission in Harlow?
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.
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. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published in March 2026, apply from 24 March 2027 and keep the 2.2 W/m²K limit for rooflights.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
What do rooflight upstands & kerbs cost in Harlow?
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 |
What happens next
- Tell us what you have. Send the CM17 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- 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.
Neighbouring towns
More we do in Harlow
Common questions
Does every rooflight need an upstand?
Flat and dome rooflights do. Pitched roof windows use flashing kits instead.
Why is my rooflight cold around the edge?
Usually an uninsulated upstand. Insulating the kerb and lining the reveal fixes most cold spots.
Can an old upstand be reused?
If it is sound, square, insulated and the right size. Often it is cheaper to rebuild than adapt.
How do I book a survey in Harlow?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
Will I need planning permission in Harlow?
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.
