We supply and fit skylight and roof light windows in Wimbledon Chase, for lofts, kitchens, landings and flat-roof extensions. This page is for owners who want more daylight and fresh air in a dark room. You will see the types we fit, how we fit them, what affects the cost and what the rules say.
Every roof window is sized to your roof and fitted with the right flashing kit, so it stays dry for years. Our fitters are FENSA registered, and each job comes with a 10-year guarantee. For the full range, see our main skylights page, or go back to our Wimbledon Chase home page.
Skylights in Wimbledon Chase: local notes
The roofs here shape which roof lights work best. Most of the homes we see are Interwar semis and terraces, with some newer flats near the station, and the pitch, tile type and loft space all play a part.
- Planning: Most houses here are not in a conservation area, but check with the council before making changes to the front of a house.
Building control for the area is run by Merton Council.
Types of skylight we fit
The right type depends on your roof and the room below. We look at both at the survey.
- Pitched roof windows: set into a sloping tiled or slate roof. They suit loft rooms, landings and bathrooms. They can be centre-pivot or top-hung.
- Flat roof lights: fixed or opening units on a kerb, for single-storey extensions and garden rooms.
- Walk-on roof lights: strong glass panels you can stand on, for roof terraces or light wells.
- Lantern roof lights: a raised glass roof with sloping sides. They bring light into the middle of a deep kitchen or living room.
- Sun tunnels: a small dome on the roof and a mirror tube down to the ceiling. They light halls and bathrooms where there is no space for a full window.
- Conservation roof lights: low-profile units with a slim bar down the middle. They sit flat with the tiles and suit older roofs.
Opening, fixed and electric options
A fixed roof light lets in light but no air. It is the lowest cost and suits rooms that already have a window to open.
An opening unit lets warm, damp air out at the highest point of the room. That helps in kitchens, bathrooms and loft bedrooms, which can get hot in summer. Centre-pivot windows are easy to clean, as you can turn the glass to face inside.
For high ceilings, you can choose electric or solar-powered units with a remote. Many come with a rain sensor that shuts the window when it starts to rain. Blinds and blackout fittings are made to fit each window, so they sit neat and stay out of the way.
Glass, heat and noise
A roof light faces the sky, so it loses more heat at night and gains more in summer sun than a wall window. Good glass makes a big difference.
- Low-E double glazing: our standard unit, with argon gas and a warm-edge spacer to keep heat in.
- Solar control glass: cuts summer heat on south-facing roofs, so rooms stay cooler.
- Laminated inner pane: holds together if it breaks, which is required over rooms where people stand.
- Self-cleaning outer pane: a coating that helps rain wash dirt away.
- Triple glazing: for loft bedrooms and north-facing roofs. See our page on triple glazing for how the third pane helps.
Rain can be loud on a roof window. Acoustic glass and a laminated pane soften the sound, which matters most over a bedroom.
How we fit a roof light
On a pitched roof, we strip back the tiles or slates and cut the roof timbers to size. We fit trimmers to carry the load, then fix the frame and a flashing kit made for your roof cover. The flashing laps under and over the tiles, so water runs past the window and not into the roof.
Inside, we fit a vapour barrier and insulation around the frame. This stops warm, moist air reaching the cold roof and turning to damp. We then line and plaster the reveals, ready for you to decorate.
On a flat roof, we build a timber kerb, tie it into the roof cover and seal it fully before we set the roof light on top. Most single roof windows are fitted in a day.
Our how we work page explains the steps from survey to aftercare.
Planning permission and Building Regulations
Most roof lights count as permitted development. That means you do not need planning permission if the window does not stick out more than 150mm from the roof slope and is not higher than the ridge. Roof lights on a slope that faces the road may face stricter rules.
You will need to check with the council if your home is listed, sits in a conservation area or is a flat. In those cases, a slim conservation roof light often gets approval where a standard unit would not.
If your home in Wimbledon Chase is in a conservation area, ask us before you choose a style, and we will tell you what the council is likely to accept.
A roof light must also meet Building Regulations. The rules cover heat loss, safety glass, fire escape from loft rooms and the strength of the roof once the timbers are cut. We check all of these at the survey and handle the paperwork.
What affects the cost of a skylight
We do not list fixed prices on this page, because every roof is different. These are the main cost drivers:
- The size and type of roof light.
- Fixed, manual or electric opening.
- The glass spec, such as solar control or triple glazing.
- The roof type, pitch and tile or slate cover.
- Access, as high roofs need a tower or scaffold.
- Work inside, such as new trimmers, insulation and plaster.
After a free survey, you get a written, fixed quote with each item listed. Payment stages are set out in the quote. You can book your free survey here. For other products, see our page on double glazing across Merton.
Looking after your roof light
A roof light needs little care, but a few checks each year help it last.
- Clean the glass and frame with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
- Clear leaves and moss from around the flashing.
- Check the seals and wipe any dirt from the vent filter.
- Oil the hinges on manual units once a year.
If you see damp on the ceiling near the window, call us early. A small flashing fault is quick to fix if it is caught in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a roof light go into a tiled roof without big structural work?
In most cases, yes. If the window fits between the rafters, we only need to add small trimmers above and below. Wider windows mean cutting a rafter, so we fit stronger timbers to carry the load. We check the roof at the survey and explain what is needed. Either way, we leave the roof as strong as it was before.
Will a skylight make the room too hot in summer?
It can on a south-facing roof, which is why the glass matters. Solar control glass cuts the heat that comes through. An opening unit lets hot air escape at the top of the room. Blinds on the outside block the sun before it hits the glass. We suggest the right mix based on the way your roof faces.
Are roof lights noisy when it rains?
Rain on glass is louder than rain on tiles, but good glass helps a lot. A laminated inner pane and an acoustic unit soften the sound. Some roof windows also have a special outer coating that breaks up the drops. If the window is over a bedroom, tell us at the survey, and we will suggest the quietest option.
Will a roof light raise your home insurance?
A roof light fitted to Building Regulations and backed by a certificate should not raise your premium. It is still wise to tell your insurer about any change to your roof. Keep the certificate, the guarantee and the product details with your house papers. They show the work was done properly if you ever need to claim.
Can you fit a roof light next to solar panels?
Yes, as long as there is room on the roof and the panels do not shade the window. We leave a clear gap so the flashing and the panel fixings do not clash. Some roof windows can also run on solar power, so there is no need for new wiring. Tell us about any panels at the survey and we will plan around them.