Sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Ilford: what is involved?
Thinking about sun tunnels & tubular skylights in Ilford? 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.
Mansard and loft conversions are common across London, and roof windows are often set out alongside dormers on the rear slope. In Ilford, as anywhere, sun tunnels & tubular skylights are the usual choice for small internal rooms where a full rooflight will not fit.
Jobs in Ilford are planned around access: whether the roof can be reached from the garden, whether a hoist or crane is needed, and where we can park. We check this when we measure.
Options we can specify in Ilford
- Integrated electric light
- Diffusers in several sizes
- Pitched or flat-roof flashings
- Ventilation adaptor
- Rigid (brighter) or flexible tubes
- Optional ventilation or lighting kit on some models
- Daylight where no window is possible
Things we check at survey
- Tube runs need insulation in cold lofts to limit condensation
- Not a substitute for a habitable-room window
Planning, building control and Ilford
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. 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.
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.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
Sun tunnels & tubular skylights prices in Ilford
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Ilford, 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 |
From enquiry to finished job
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Ilford, measures and checks structure and access.
- 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.
Nearby towns
Related work in Ilford
Common questions
Rigid or flexible tube?
Rigid tubes carry much more light. Flexible tubes are easier where the loft is cluttered, but lose light faster.
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.
Can it work at night?
Some models include a light fitting in the diffuser.
Is the survey in Ilford free?
Yes for new installations. Repair visits are charged, and we tell you the price before we book.
Can you work alongside my builder in Ilford?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
