Roof windows, skylights and sun tunnels
Roof window supply, installation and replacement across Flintshire, Deeside, Chester and Wrexham — fitted and flashed to stay watertight.
Getting light into a dark space
Loft conversions, landings, bathrooms, kitchens at the back of a house — there are plenty of rooms where a standard window either isn't possible or wouldn't help much. A roof window brings light in from above, which is a far more effective way of lighting a room than most people expect.
What we install
| Roof windows | Centre-pivot and top-hung roof windows for pitched roofs, in a range of sizes and finishes. |
|---|---|
| Replacements | Swapping out older roof windows that have failed, misted or started leaking — usually within the existing opening. |
| Skylights | Rooflights for flat roofs on extensions, dormers and garages. |
| Sun tunnels | For rooms with no external wall and no direct roof access — internal bathrooms, hallways, landings. |
Fitting is where they leak
A roof window is a hole cut into a weathered surface. The window itself is rarely the problem; the flashing kit around it is where a bad installation shows up.
Each window needs the correct flashing kit for the covering it's going into — a kit for interlocking tiles is not the same as a kit for slate or for a low-profile covering. The underlay has to be cut and dressed correctly so water that gets past the tiles still runs out over the top of the flashing rather than into the roof space. And the batten framing around the opening has to be set out properly so the window sits square.
Get those three right and a roof window will sit there for decades. Get any one wrong and you'll be chasing a leak that seems to come and go with the wind direction.
If an existing roof window has misted between the panes, is stiff to operate, or is leaking around the frame, replacement within the existing opening is usually straightforward and much less involved than a new installation. Sizes have been fairly standardised for a long time, so a like-for-like swap is often possible.
Things worth thinking about before you decide
- Position. Where the window goes is dictated partly by where the rafters are. We work with the structure rather than cutting through it wherever possible.
- Size. Bigger isn't automatically better — two smaller windows often light a room more evenly than one large one.
- Orientation. A south-facing roof window will bring in a lot of heat as well as light. Blinds or a solar-control glazing option are worth considering at the outset rather than afterwards.
- Building control. Cutting a new opening in a roof can bring building regulation requirements into play, particularly in a loft conversion or where the opening affects the structure. We'll flag it where we think it applies.
- Access. New installations mean working from both inside and outside, and usually need scaffold or tower access.
What affects the price
- Whether it's a new opening or a replacement in an existing one.
- Window size and specification.
- The roof covering, which determines the flashing kit.
- Access and scaffolding.
- Any internal finishing — we'll be clear about what's included and what would be a job for a plasterer or joiner.
What people ask about roof windows.
Can you fit a roof window in any roof?+
Most pitched roofs, yes. What matters is the pitch, the rafter spacing and what the covering is. Very low pitches and some unusual coverings need a different approach. We'd look at the roof before committing to anything.
Do I need planning permission?+
Often not for a roof window on a standard house, but it depends on the property, how far the window projects, and whether you're in a conservation area or the property is listed. Building regulations are a separate question from planning and can apply even where planning doesn't. Check with your local authority — we'll tell you when we think it's worth asking.
Can you replace my old Velux?+
Yes. Replacing a failed roof window within its existing opening is one of the more straightforward jobs we do, and much less disruptive than a new installation.
Will it leak?+
Not if it's fitted with the correct flashing kit for your covering and the underlay is dressed properly. Nearly every leaking roof window we're called to is a fitting problem rather than a product problem.
How long does it take?+
A like-for-like replacement is usually a day. A new opening in a pitched roof typically takes longer and involves internal work as well as external.
What about a sun tunnel — how much light do they actually give?+
More than people expect for a small opening, but they're not a substitute for a window. They work well for internal bathrooms, hallways and landings that currently have no natural light at all.
Thinking about more daylight?
Call to talk through what's possible on your roof, or request a quotation and we'll come and measure up.