How we approach skylight blinds & solar control in Greenwich
Thinking about skylight blinds & solar control in Greenwich? The short answer: electric blinds, blackout and solar-control upgrades for rooflights. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces with narrow side returns are typical of much of London, and a glass roof or long flat rooflight is the usual way to keep the back rooms bright once the return is built over. Typical uses for skylight blinds & solar control include rooflights that let in glare, heat or early light.
Neighbouring towns include Blackheath (2 km) and Lewisham (3 km). We offer a survey date when we reply to your enquiry.
Choices for your Greenwich project
- Integral blinds within the glass
- Blackout blinds
- Insect screens on opening units
- Solar-control glass replacement
- Solar-powered remote blinds
- Electric or solar-powered operation
- Retrofit to most rooflights
What to check first
- Cord safety rules apply to blinds in homes with children
- Integral blinds are specified with a new glass unit
Planning and building rules for Greenwich
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. 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.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
What do skylight blinds & solar control cost in Greenwich?
Guide prices for skylight blinds & solar control in Greenwich are the same as anywhere we work — what changes the price is the job: access, structure, scaffold and finishing.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Integral blind in a new glass unit | £715 – £1,435 | £595 – £1,195 |
| Electric or solar blind Typical | £595 – £1,075 | £495 – £895 |
| Manual pleated or blackout blind | £355 – £595 | £295 – £495 |
What happens next
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Skylight blinds & solar control near Greenwich
More we do in Greenwich
Common questions
Can you fit a blind to my existing rooflight?
Usually, yes — if there is enough depth in the reveal for the cassette and rails. We measure first.
What is an integral blind?
A blind sealed between the panes of the glass unit. It never gets dusty or damaged, but is ordered with the unit.
Do blinds work on roof lanterns?
Lantern blinds exist but are complex; solar-control glass is often the better answer.
Will I need planning permission in Greenwich?
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.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Greenwich?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
