Flat RoofingContractors

Upgrades

Rooflights in flat roofs across Herefordshire

Across Herefordshire, 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
£3,000–£5,250
Survey
Free for new and replacement roofs
Quote
Fixed, in writing
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

Herefordshire at a glance

Largest towns
Hereford
Postcode areas
HR
Building control
Herefordshire Council
Neighbouring areas
Worcestershire · Gloucestershire · Bristol · West Midlands
Guide price region
West Midlands (baseline rates)

How much does a rooflight upstand cost in Herefordshire?

Guide prices including VAT at West Midlands 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£3,000–£5,250
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation£2,800–£4,900
Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof£4,400–£8,100

Which flat roofs are common in Herefordshire?

Flat roofs in Herefordshire sit on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, low-rise post-war blocks of flats and terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year and the West Midlands sits close to that, so falls and outlets are the difference between a roof that drains and one that ponds. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building regulations in England

Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Herefordshire the application goes to Herefordshire Council. More on the rules.

Do rooflights in flat roofs need building regulations approval?

Usually, yes, for a new opening, because cutting through the roof and trimming joists is a structural alteration. Approval may also be needed because the roof itself is being re-covered.

New rooflights need to meet the energy efficiency standards for glazing, so that the unit doesn't become a weak point in an insulated roof. Many rooflights have a laminated inner pane, so that if the glass breaks it stays in place rather than falling into the room, which is worth asking for over kitchens, living spaces and stairs. Close to a boundary, the fire performance of the roof, including any rooflights, can matter under the fire safety rules.

Whether you need planning permission depends on the property and the unit. A raised lantern changes the roofline more than a flat rooflight, and listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules, which also differ between the four nations. We handle building control or building standards where it is needed. The building regulations page and the planning guide explain more.

Should I choose a fixed or an opening rooflight, or a lantern?

Choose a fixed rooflight if you only want daylight, an opening one if the room needs ventilation, and a lantern if you want a raised, pitched glazed feature over a larger space.

  • Fixed flat rooflights are the simplest and usually the cheapest option. They have the fewest moving seals, and the upstand detail is straightforward.
  • Opening rooflights can be manual or electric, and electric units often include a rain sensor that closes them automatically. They need a power supply planned in before the ceiling is finished. Some are designed as hatches to give access to the roof.
  • Roof lanterns have a framed, pitched glazed top that brings in more light and adds height to the room. They are heavier and larger, so the upstand has to be strong, level and square, and the joists around the opening may need strengthening.

Whatever you choose, it helps to settle on the unit before the roof is built, so the upstand can be made to the maker's sizes. If you've already chosen one, we build the upstand to suit it.

Which towns in Herefordshire do we cover?

Rooflights in flat roofs in Herefordshire: questions

Which towns in Herefordshire do you cover?

All of Herefordshire. 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 Herefordshire?

£3,000–£5,250 for a 20 m² insulated EPDM extension roof with one rooflight upstand, at West Midlands guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which postcode areas do you cover in Herefordshire?

All of Herefordshire, including the HR postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.

Can I walk on a flat rooflight?

No, unless it is a unit specifically designed and rated for foot traffic. Treat standard rooflights and the roof around them as fragile.

Why does my rooflight drip in winter?

If it only drips in cold weather and not when it rains, it is probably condensation on a cold, poorly insulated upstand or older glazing. Better ventilation helps, and an insulated kerb and modern unit usually fix it.

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 Herefordshire →

Get a fixed price for your flat roof

Free survey and a written fixed quote for replacement and new roofs. No obligation.

Call usGet a guide price