Rooflight upstands & kerbs for Birmingham: the essentials
Thinking about rooflight upstands & kerbs in Birmingham? 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.
Industrial and commercial units around Midlands towns often still have their original rooflight sheets, which are due for replacement. Typical uses for rooflight upstands & kerbs include roofs where the old kerb is low, cold or leaking.
We cover all of Birmingham and the B1 district, and nearby Smethwick and West Bromwich.
Choices for your Birmingham project
- Timber upstands with insulation
- Raised upstands for deep green or ballasted roofs
- Upstands to suit single-ply, felt, GRP or liquid roofs
- Proprietary insulated kerbs
- Upstand repairs and rebuilds
- Correct height above the finished roof
- 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, building control and Birmingham
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.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
What do rooflight upstands & kerbs cost in Birmingham?
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Birmingham, 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
- Get in touch. Use the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool with your Birmingham address.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Birmingham, measures and checks structure and access.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Neighbouring towns
Related work in Birmingham
Common questions
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.
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.
Do you offer rooflight upstands & kerbs in Birmingham?
Yes. We carry out rooflight upstands & kerbs in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. Send your postcode and we will offer a survey date when we reply.
Will I need planning permission in Birmingham?
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.
