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Rooflights in flat roofs across East Lothian

Across East Lothian, as everywhere, most rooflight leaks start at a low or poorly finished upstand rather than at the glazing. When we fit a rooflight or lantern as part of a flat roof job, the opening, the kerb, the membrane and the joint with the frame are all done together and checked before we leave.

Rubber membrane being dressed up the timber upstand of a new flat rooflightComputer-generated example image
Guide price
£2,850–£4,950
Survey
Free for new and replacement roofs
Quote
Fixed, in writing
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

East Lothian at a glance

Largest towns
Musselburgh, Tranent, Dunbar, Haddington
Postcode areas
EH
Building standards
East Lothian Council
Neighbouring areas
Midlothian · City of Edinburgh · Scottish Borders · West Lothian
Guide price region
Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a rooflight upstand cost in East Lothian?

Guide prices including VAT at Scotland rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

JobGuide price inc VAT
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, insulation + 1 rooflight upstand£2,850–£4,950
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation£2,650–£4,650
Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof£4,200–£7,700

Which flat roofs are common in East Lothian?

Flat roofs in East Lothian sit on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats and 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building standards in Scotland

In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. Section 6 of the technical handbooks sets a domestic roof benchmark of 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. In East Lothian the application goes to East Lothian Council (building standards). More on the rules.

Why is my flat rooflight leaking, and should it be repaired or replaced?

Most rooflight leaks come from the upstand detail rather than the glass: the membrane has split or pulled away at a corner, the upstand is too low, or the flashing at the top has failed. Repair the detail if the unit and the roof around it are sound.

Drips on the inside of the upstand in cold weather may be condensation rather than a leak, especially on older, uninsulated kerbs or single-glazed domes. Warm, moist air from a kitchen or bathroom meets the cold surface and condenses.

If the roof covering is near the end of its life, it is usually better to rebuild the upstand properly as part of a replacement, ideally with a new insulated kerb, rather than patching the old detail. Our repair or replace guide and flat roof repairs page cover the options.

Which towns in East Lothian do we cover?

Rooflights in flat roofs in East Lothian: questions

Which towns in East Lothian do you cover?

All of East Lothian. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.

How much does a rooflight upstand cost in East Lothian?

£2,850–£4,950 for a 20 m² insulated EPDM extension roof with one rooflight upstand, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which council handles building standards for a flat roof in East Lothian?

It depends on where the roof is: in East Lothian that's East Lothian Council. In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. We confirm which applies at the survey.

Will an opening rooflight let rain in if I leave it open?

Many electric opening rooflights include a rain sensor that closes them automatically when it starts raining. With manual units, it's up to you to close them.

Can a lantern go on a warm roof?

Yes. The upstand is built and insulated to the full height of the warm roof build-up, so the lantern sits at the right level above the finished surface.

Do you supply rooflights and lanterns?

We fit rooflights and lanterns as part of a flat roof job, but we don't sell them as a separate product. If you've chosen a unit, we'll build the upstand to suit it.

Everything about rooflights in flat roofs → · All flat roofing in East Lothian →

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