How we approach sliding rooflights in Gillingham
We handle sliding rooflights across Kent, including Gillingham. 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 Gillingham, as anywhere, sliding rooflights are the usual choice for walk-out access where a hatch would feel cramped.
Gillingham sits about 2 km from Chatham and 3 km from Rochester, and we cover the whole ME7 postcode district and the roads in between.
Specification options
- Integrated balustrade on some ranges
- Double or triple glazing
- Rain sensor
- Electric drive with safety edge
- Anthracite, black or RAL frames
- Glazed box sides keep the headroom open
- Electric operation with safety stops
Things we check at survey
- Needs space on the roof for the lid to slide clear
- Electric units need a dedicated supply and commissioning
Do you need permission in Gillingham?
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. 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.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
Guide prices for Gillingham
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Gillingham, 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 |
What happens next
- Tell us what you have. Send the ME7 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Gillingham, 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.
Sliding rooflights near Gillingham
Related work in Gillingham
Common questions
What if it is raining?
Fitted with a rain sensor, an electric unit closes automatically. Most also have a manual override for power cuts.
How heavy is it?
Box sliders weigh hundreds of kilograms, so delivery may need a crane or lifting gear, and the structure must be checked.
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.
Can you work alongside my builder in Gillingham?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Gillingham?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
