Rooflight upstands & kerbs in Watford: what is involved?
Thinking about rooflight upstands & kerbs in Watford? The short answer: insulated kerbs built and waterproofed to suit your rooflight. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Orangery-style extensions with lanterns are popular across the South East, and solar-control glass makes a big difference on south-facing gardens. Typical uses for rooflight upstands & kerbs include roofs where the old kerb is low, cold or leaking.
We cover all of Watford and the WD17 district, and nearby Bushey and Rickmansworth.
Options we can specify in Watford
- Raised upstands for deep green or ballasted roofs
- Upstands to suit single-ply, felt, GRP or liquid roofs
- Upstand repairs and rebuilds
- Timber upstands with insulation
- Proprietary insulated kerbs
- Built square to the rooflight size
- Fixings and falls agreed with the rooflight maker
Things we check at survey
- Minimum upstand height is set by the rooflight manufacturer — commonly 150 mm above the finished roof
- Membrane compatibility with the rooflight's sealants
Planning and building rules for Watford
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. 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.
For English homes the energy rules ask for rooflights of 2.2 W/m²K or better and roof windows of 1.4 W/m²K (or WER Band B); most modern double glazed units meet both. 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.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
Rooflight upstands & kerbs prices in Watford
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Watford, as elsewhere, making good inside and access equipment are the main variables.
| 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 |
The process, step by step
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Watford, measures and checks structure and access.
- Fixed quote. Product, work and price in writing — nothing is ordered until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Rooflight upstands & kerbs near Watford
Related work in Watford
Common questions
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.
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.
Will I need planning permission in Watford?
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.
How do I book a survey in Watford?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
