What are sun tunnels & tubular skylights?
Across Cheshire, our sun tunnels & tubular skylights work covers light pipes that bring daylight to halls and bathrooms with no window. Survey first, fixed price second, fitting third.
Converted mills and warehouses in the North West often have large rooflights or glass roofs that need specialist replacement. The North West gets more rain than most of England, so upstand height, membrane detailing and rain sensors on opening units are not optional extras.
Towns in Cheshire
What you can choose
- Ventilation adaptor
- Diffusers in several sizes
- Rigid (brighter) or flexible tubes
- Pitched or flat-roof flashings
- Insulated tube sections
- Optional ventilation or lighting kit on some models
- Daylight where no window is possible
Planning and building rules in England
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.
Guide prices
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Cheshire, 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 rigid tunnel, long run | £1,675 – £2,275 | £1,395 – £1,895 |
| Standard rigid tunnel Typical | £1,315 – £1,795 | £1,095 – £1,495 |
| Compact flexible tunnel | £1,075 – £1,435 | £895 – £1,195 |
How the job runs
- Tell us about the roof. Send the postcode, rough sizes and a photo or two through the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool.
- Free survey. For new installations a surveyor measures the opening, checks the roof build-up and talks through glass and options.
- Fixed written quote. You get the product, the work and the price in writing. Nothing is ordered or paid for until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We fit, seal and make good, then hand over product data, warranties and any certificate paperwork.
Sun tunnels in nearby areas
Common questions
Can it work at night?
Some models include a light fitting in the diffuser.
Can it go through a flat roof?
Yes, with a flat-roof flashing and upstand.
How much light does a sun tunnel give?
A good rigid tunnel on a bright day lights a hallway well. Output depends on tube diameter, length and the number of bends.
Do sun tunnels need planning permission?
Usually not on a house, provided the dome does not project too far and the property is not listed. Check if you live in a conservation area or a flat.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Cheshire?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
