What do sliding rooflights in Reading involve?
We handle sliding rooflights across Berkshire, including Reading. In short: box rooflights whose glass lid slides back for walk-out roof access. The survey checks structure, weathering and orientation, so the quote reflects your actual roof.
Across the South East, single-storey kitchen extensions on 1930s semis and post-war detached houses are where most flat rooflights and lanterns go. In Reading, as anywhere, sliding rooflights are the usual choice for staircases that rise to a roof terrace.
We cover all of Reading and the RG1 district, and nearby Earley and Henley-on-Thames.
Specification options
- Rain sensor
- Electric drive with safety edge
- Integrated balustrade on some ranges
- Anthracite, black or RAL frames
- Box (glazed sides) or flat sliding lid
- Lockable from inside
- Electric operation with safety stops
Before you order: points to check
- The stair opening and headroom must meet Building Regulations
- Weight and point loads need a structural check
Do you need permission in Reading?
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.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
What do sliding rooflights cost in Reading?
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Reading, scaffold, a hoist for heavy glass, or a new structural opening can move the figure, which is why we survey first.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Large box slider with electric drive | £11,995 – £20,395 | £9,995 – £16,995 |
| Standard box slider Typical | £8,995 – £13,195 | £7,495 – £10,995 |
| Flat sliding lid | £7,195 – £9,595 | £5,995 – £7,995 |
From enquiry to finished job
- Tell us what you have. Send the RG1 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.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Sliding rooflights near Reading
Other services in Reading
Common questions
Can children open it?
Controls can be key-switched or placed out of reach. We will set the controls up to suit the household.
What if it is raining?
Fitted with a rain sensor, an electric unit closes automatically. Most also have a manual override for power cuts.
Is a sliding rooflight better than an access hatch?
For daily use, usually yes — you walk out under open sky instead of climbing through a hinged hatch. A hatch costs less and suits occasional access.
Is the survey in Reading free?
Yes for new installations. Repair visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we book.
How do I book a survey in Reading?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
