Skylight blinds & solar control for London: the essentials
For London homes and buildings we offer skylight blinds & solar control: electric blinds, blackout and solar-control upgrades for rooflights. We measure first, specify to the opening and confirm any planning or building-control points before quoting.
Mansard and loft conversions are common across London, and roof windows are often set out alongside dormers on the rear slope. Typical uses for skylight blinds & solar control include bedrooms, nurseries and south-facing kitchens.
London is the main town we list in Greater London; we also cover nearby Pimlico and Islington.
Choices for your London project
- Insect screens on opening units
- Solar-powered remote blinds
- Solar-control glass replacement
- Electric pleated or roller blinds
- Integral blinds within the glass
- Cuts summer heat gain
- Electric or solar-powered operation
Things we check at survey
- Cord safety rules apply to blinds in homes with children
- Electric blinds need a power supply or solar panel
Planning and building rules for London
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. 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.
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. 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.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
Skylight blinds & solar control prices in London
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| 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 |
How the job runs
- Tell us what you have. Send the EC1A postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Fixed quote. Product, work and price in writing — nothing is ordered until you agree.
- Fit and make good. We fit, seal, test and finish the reveal, then hand over the paperwork.
Skylight blinds & solar control near London
Other services in London
Skylight blinds & solar control in London: questions
Are electric blinds worth it?
For high rooflights you cannot reach, yes. Solar-powered models avoid new wiring.
Can I get full blackout?
Blackout fabrics in side channels give near-total darkness.
Will a blind stop a rooflight getting hot?
An internal blind helps with glare but some heat still gets in behind it. Solar-control glass or an external shade does more for heat.
Will I need planning permission in London?
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.
How do I book a survey in London?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
