Roof Windows and Skylights – Do You Need Permission to Build Them?

If you are planning to develop your loft, it is worth checking what permits and documentation are required to carry out the necessary work. There are many doubts to be addressed, including whether planning permission is required for roof windows and skylights.

 

Roof Windows and Skylights - Building Regulations

If you are building or converting an existing building, you should make sure that you comply with current building regulations at every stage. This is essential even for something as simple as a roof window.

The good news is that in the UK and Wales, you do not need to apply for planning permission to install new glazing in the loft. Current restrictions and requirements can be found on the government's planning portal. There you will find Schedule 2, Article 3, Section 1, Permitted Class C Buildings, as well as many other interesting regulations

 

Skylights vs. Building Regulations

The installation of roof windows allows for the best interior lighting while ensuring efficient heating of rooms and access to varied lighting. When designing your home, it is worth investing in new skylights made using innovative technologies.

There is no need to apply for permission to install them. All you have to do is comply with the regulations in force:

• skylights must not protrude more than 150 millimetres from the existing roof pitch;
• the modifications must not exceed the largest part of the existing roof;
• window openings in the attic should be 1.7 metres above the floor.

 

Roof Windows vs. Building Regulations

Although you do not need planning permission to install a roof window, it is important not to ignore existing building regulations. You must remember to comply with minimum design and safety standards. The most important parts for the builder are Sections J and L of the Building Regulations. These contain the following guidelines:

• the roof window, like all other glazing and doors in the house, must meet the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations for the amount of heat that can pass through it – L-1B, Table 1;
• any roof windows installed should have sufficient insulation to limit heat loss and be highly energy efficient;
• if the roof plane allows a roof window to be installed close to the edge, it is worth considering the fire resistance of the glazing.

Pitched and flat roof windows, such as lantern roofs, are manufactured using innovative technology, offer a way of eliminating energy waste and bringing natural light into the interior. At the same time, it is essential to get building regulations approval to ensure the safety of the property.

Current building regulations allow more energy to be saved through the use of innovative systems, including modern roof windows. These will reduce electricity bills, which is what every builder aims for.

 

How does the Planning Portal work?

The Planning Portal, set up by the UK Government, allows you to check all the building regulations relating to roof window developments. You can find out if you need planning permission to install them in a particular shape. This comprehensive knowledge is essential to avoid penalties and to carry out building work in accordance with current building regulations.

The Planning Portal provides permitted development rules as well as tips to consider at each stage of project development.

 

Do I Need Permission to Replace Roof Windows and Skylights?

Roof windows and skylights have been very popular for a long time. Their main purpose is to provide interior lighting, air tightness and adequate thermal insulation. They also add a striking element of interior ventilation. But do you need planning permission to install them?

In most standard cases, the installation of roof windows and skylights does not need planning permission. Under the current Building Regulations, which can be checked and verified on the Planning Portal on an ongoing basis, the primary concern when making aesthetic improvements to the roof involving the addition of glazing is to ensure that the whole structure functions as it should.

Approval may be required for the installation of roof windows if the investment requires a significant change to the roof structure to create a new opening in a completely different location from the existing one. In addition, if there were no rooflights on the roof before, the investment in the proposed works must be notified to the Building Control Department. The structure has to be able to support the new weight, which means it has to be reinforced. This results in additional work being carried out.

In other standard cases, there is no need to apply for permission for the planned development. The important thing is to comply with the regulations and ensure that the whole project is as safe as possible.

 

Building Control Approval and Regulations

Before any decision is made to extend or build a house, it is worth visiting the local planning authority to ensure that the development is not in a listed building or conservation area. This changes things considerably and building control takes a much more sophisticated form.

The most important of these is Article 4 of the Building Regulations, which states that no changes can be made to a building if it is located in a conservation area. In this case, any change, such as investing in solar panels or new central heating, must be agreed with the conservation officer. The installation or replacement of roof lights and windows is no exception. Planning permission will be required. You should be aware that due to the complicated nature of the matter, there may be a longer wait for approval.

Permission to carry out such alterations also applies to tenants of buildings. You will need to get permission from the landlord or managing agent to carry out the work.

 

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you a clearer understanding of the permitted development of your property, particularly in the context of investing in new roof windows and skylights with innovative technology.

Before making any changes to a property, it is always advisable to consult a specialist in a particular field, as building regulations change dynamically. One year the roof ridge may have to meet different requirements to maintain proper loft insulation, while the next year there may be different guidelines for double glazing in roof windows.

Knowing the current permitted development rights will allow you to purchase roof windows and skylights that are installed in accordance with the current regulations.