What do sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Braintree involve?
Thinking about sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Braintree? The short answer: light pipes that bring daylight to halls and bathrooms with no window. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Coastal towns in the East of England see salty air, so we specify frame finishes and fixings with exposure in mind. Think of sun tunnels & tubular skylights for small internal rooms where a full rooflight will not fit.
We work across Essex, including Braintree, and in neighbouring towns such as Witham and Chelmsford. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
Choices for your Braintree project
- Integrated electric light
- Ventilation adaptor
- Diffusers in several sizes
- Insulated tube sections
- Rigid (brighter) or flexible tubes
- Rigid or flexible tubes for awkward lofts
- Low maintenance
Before you order: points to check
- Gives light, not a view
- Tube runs need insulation in cold lofts to limit condensation
Consents for sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Braintree
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. 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.
Under Approved Document L, a rooflight added to an English home must achieve at least 2.2 W/m²K (horizontal plane), and a roof window 1.4 W/m²K or Window Energy Rating Band B. 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.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
Guide prices for Braintree
Guide prices for sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Braintree 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What happens next
- Tell us what you have. Send the CM7 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fit and make good. We fit, seal, test and finish the reveal, then hand over the paperwork.
Nearby towns
Related work in Braintree
Common questions
Can it work at night?
Some models include a light fitting in the diffuser.
Will it get condensation?
Insulating the tube where it passes through a cold loft prevents most condensation.
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 Braintree?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
Can you work alongside my builder in Braintree?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
