The basics of skylight installation explained easily for you!

Every property has unique needs for flat roof skylights. This is true for every category of properties including residential, commercial and industrial, etc. As a homeowner or a businessperson why would one prefer a flat roof skylight? This question itself is quite relevant and must be addressed in the first place. As a property owner everyone wants to have abundant quantities of natural light from the sun. Moreover, there is the eternal requirement for natural flow of air or ventilation in living or working areas as well as basements of any property. These requirements for any property are simply essential to promote health and hygiene. When a business is concerned it is also crucial to enhance the existing working environment as well as productivity of employees to facilitate growth. Skylights cater to all these requirements and more. It is relevant to mention in this context a properly installed skylight ensures performance of the roof windows in the long run along with maximising the return on its investment. 

The following sections of this post are meant for DIY enthusiasts who would enjoy installing skylights in their properties on their own without the intervention of any professional. Now let us explore the steps that you have to take as a self-builder for sky light installation in your property.

Now before we start here are a few things that you should take into consideration before moving ahead on your DIY installation project. Basically, these are few obvious questions and common topics that pop up automatically while DIY fitting a skylight. Once you are aware about these answers then executing the project becomes easier, simpler and freer of hassles.

How much usually professionals charge to install skylight?

Before answering the question directly, here is something crucial that you should be made aware about. A typical skylight measures 2 ft by 4 ft. now Let us see what are the tasks involved in this installation procedure.

• The roof needs to be cut and opened; the rafter frame also needs to be changed. Professionals usually charge within the range from £150 to £160 for this task.
• The next task involves installing the skylight and flashing it. The standard cost of this task ranges from £150 to £250. But if you have a tiled or metal roof, then the cost will go up by around 30% than mentioned above.
• A chase needs to be created from the skylight installed to the interior ceiling. This task costs within the range from £800 to £1200.
• The ceiling beneath the skylight also requires little decoration. The cost comes around £200. However, the cost will be higher if you have an open plan space in the ceiling beneath the skylight.
• When you add up all these individual costs the total cost of installation comes around £1500.

A skylight invariably adds up value to any property

When you are concerned about figures, a skylight does not make any difference between two properties, one of which has a skylight whereas the other one does not. Yet it is fact that a skylight invariably adds value to any property! How is that possible? Presence of a skylight makes any property appear more spacious, welcoming and cosier explain professionals with years of experience in skylight installation in London. When a property has a skylight installed it gets much greater proportions of natural light during daytime. This is how the property looks much bigger and more spacious that it actually is explain the professionals. When any indoor space gets flooded with natural daylight, even though it is pretty modest in size yet it appears much bigger than what it is. As a result, the homeowner may get a sale price which is at the higher end of total valuation of the property.  

Installation of roof windows – necessary permissions and compliances

There is no need to get permission from the Building Regulations department in order to install a skylight or roof window across England and Wales provided the installation project complies with latest the conditions and limits included in the Planning Portal of the government under Schedule 2, Article 3, Part 1, Class C permitted development.

The relevant norms for flat roof skylight installation that are currently in the rulebook include the following –

• A newly installed flat roof skylight cannot project above the height of 150 mm.
• There cannot be any alteration greater than the highest part of an existing roof.
• The side facing the window needs to be obscure glazed with the opening made only at 1.7 mm from the floor surface.

How long do roof window installations last?

As far as the United Kingdom is concerned you can expect a rood window installation to last anywhere between 20 and 30 years on average. However, you can make your roof window installations last longer.  If at any point of time it starts leaking or gets broken beyond repair in those circumstances you must have it replaced promptly without delay. The warranty period of your purchased roof window also gives an idea how long the item may last. Now let us explore few popular products in the range of roof window that have a high demand in the UK.

It is relevant to mention in this context that roof lanterns or roof windows need to be properly installed in the first place to last longer and function smoothly.

Timbre roof windows

The range of products is made from impregnated pine wood and includes a toughened outer plane.

Velux roof windows

The range of products comes with the guarantee of lasting for ten years although in reality most of these roof lights installations remain intact and smoothly functional for over 30 years after which a replacement is needed.

Galaxy Lite roof lanterns

This range of roof lanterns easily lasts 25 years or a quarter century ensuring value for money.

Standard replacement cost or roof skylights

The average cost of replacing flat roof skylights in the United Kingdom ranges from around £500 to £800. This cost includes both – the price of the new replacement window unit and the installation charge. However, disposing the existing sky lantern is also a factor in every replacement project and for that you are likely to incur an additional charge.

The task of installing a skylight is quite simple and does not involve many intricacies. But still, it is much better to leave the job to professionally trained experts. If the installation is not carried out correctly then your roof lantern will not last longer ad is also not likely to function smoothly.

One of the most assured places to hire technically sound and experienced professionals for the job in London is the Glazing Works London. Give us a call today to book our service.