Crawley · West Sussex
Glass Roofs in Crawley
Is an old glazed roof in Crawley leaking or single glazed? We can survey it and quote for a modern, laminated and coated replacement.
- RH10
- RH11
- Guide from £1,095 per m²
About side return glass roof in Crawley
A structural glass roof replaces most or all of a roof with large glass units carried on glass beams, slim steel or aluminium supports. Side-return extensions often use a single run of glass from the house wall to the boundary, giving a bright kitchen without the ridge and bars of a framed roof lantern.
Walk-on glass panels are laminated from several layers of toughened or heat-strengthened glass so the panel stays in place even if one layer breaks. The top layer usually carries an anti-slip finish, such as a fritted or etched pattern, and the panel thickness is calculated for the expected loads.
In England, Approved Document L sets a limiting U-value of 2.2 W/m²K for rooflights, calculated in the horizontal position. Frameless glass roofs and fixed rooflights are usually specified with low-E double or triple glazed units, and their declared performance should be checked against this before ordering.
The price of a glass roof or walk-on panel depends on glass size and make-up, the number of laminated layers, coatings, support beams or framing, structural design, lifting equipment and access. Bespoke shapes and very large panels cost more. See the guide prices for typical ranges.
What's included
- Site survey and structural assessment of supports
- Coordination with engineers or builders where required
- Weather sealing of joints, edges and upstands
- Lifting, positioning and fixing of every glass unit
Local details for Crawley
- Postcodes covered
- RH10, RH11 and the surrounding area, including Horley, Horsham and East Grinstead
- Coast
- Crawley is well inland, around 31 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Crawley the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.3 hours in midsummer. Overhead glass admits far more daylight than vertical glazing, especially in summer when the sun is high. South-facing glass roofs usually need solar-control coatings or fritting, while north-facing roofs can use clearer low-E glass to maximise winter light.
- Access and setting
- City glass roofs often need cranes or lifting robots, so road or pavement licences, parking suspensions and access over neighbouring property may be needed. Side returns usually sit on a boundary, so fire performance and neighbour matters should be checked early.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Crawley
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Frameless glass roof, per m² | £1,095 – £1,795 |
| Walk-on glass panel, per m² | £1,495 – £2,395 |
Get a guide price for your size
Approved Document L sets the minimum energy performance for replacement windows and doors in existing homes in England: a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, or Window Energy Rating band B for windows; doors can instead meet a Door Set Energy Rating (band B, or band C for doors more than 60% glazed); rooflights need 2.2 W/m²K.
Specification choices
Sliding access rooflight
A glazed hatch that slides or hinges open for access to a roof terrace, with weather seals and secure locking.
Glass floor panel
Laminated glass floor sections that let light through to a basement or lower floor, supported on a level, engineered frame.
Fixed frameless rooflight
A flat glass unit bonded to a minimal edge frame on an upstand, giving an unbroken view of the sky from inside.
Glass Roofs in Crawley: questions
How much does a glass roof cost?
The cost of a glass roof depends on the area of glass, the size of each unit, the glass make-up and coatings, the support beams or framing, the structural design and the access for lifting. Walk-on and very large panes cost more because of their thickness. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price.
How is a glass roof installed?
A glass roof is installed onto supports already built and checked, such as walls, steel beams, glass beams or upstands. The glass units are lifted with a crane, glass robot or vacuum lifters, set onto gaskets or setting blocks, fixed and then weather sealed. Most domestic roofs are installed in a day or two once supports are ready.
What is the difference between a glass roof and a roof lantern?
A glass roof replaces most or all of a roof with large structural glass units on minimal supports, giving a near frameless view of the sky. A roof lantern is a framed, pitched glazed structure that sits on an upstand within a solid flat roof. Glass roofs suit side returns and link extensions; lanterns suit openings in flat roofs.
Do I need planning permission for a glass roof extension?
It depends on the extension and the property. Some single-storey extensions on houses fall under permitted development, while others need planning permission. Flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas or under Article 4 directions have additional controls. Check with your council or an architect early, before the glass is ordered.
Do you cover Crawley for glass roofs?
Yes. We can quote for glass roofs across Crawley and the surrounding West Sussex area, including postcode districts RH10 and RH11, and nearby Horley, Horsham and East Grinstead. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Crawley
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.