🛠 Roofing guide
Everything worth knowing before fitting a roof window — types, real installation costs, and the leak points to watch for.
Roof windows bring natural light into loft conversions, attic bedrooms and dormer spaces that would otherwise stay dark. Velux is the best-known brand and the one most people ask for by name, but there are a few decisions worth understanding before you commit.
Centre pivot windows are the most common and most affordable option. The sash rotates around a central hinge, which makes them easy to clean from inside — you can rotate the top of the window down to reach the outer glass. Good general-purpose choice for most lofts.
Top hung windows open outward from the top, hinging near the top of the frame, and give unobstructed views and easier access when the window sits near head height — often specified where the window is low on a slope, such as above a desk or seating area.
Electric / automated windows open and close via a wall switch or remote, and can usually be linked to a rain sensor that closes the window automatically if it starts raining while you’re out. Worth considering for hard-to-reach windows, or a room where you want ventilation control without climbing over furniture.
Fitting a new roof window isn’t just cutting a hole in the tiles. A proper installation involves setting out the opening accurately against the rafters, fitting the correct flashing kit for your roof covering, insulating and lining the internal reveal so the window doesn’t become a cold bridge, and weathering the roof correctly around the frame so water is shed away from the opening.
This is why we don’t recommend DIY roof window installation. A poorly flashed roof window is one of the most common sources of a leak that appears “out of nowhere” months or years after fitting.
For a single new roof window supplied and fitted into an existing pitched roof, expect a typical range of £700–£1,400 depending on window size, type (manual vs electric) and roof covering. Electric windows with rain sensors sit toward the top of that range.
The single most common cause of leaks around roof windows, particularly on older installations.
Usually not a leak — a sign of poor ventilation or an inadequately insulated reveal.
Visible as persistent misting between the panes that doesn’t clear.
Particularly on older manual units opened and closed frequently.
If you’re not sure whether what you’re seeing is a leak, condensation, or a failed seal, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we can usually give you an initial steer before booking a visit.
Call us for honest advice on the right type and a free, no-obligation quote.
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