The price variation between rooflight products can be significant and it’s not always obvious why one product is more or less expensive than another.
With rooflights, as with most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for, and it very much depends on the size and specification of your project and the quality of finish you are hoping to achieve, as to which rooflight is best for you.
The rooflight market is a crowded place, with products to fit every budget, from cheap imported standard size roof windows to high end, bespoke products, and everything in between!
Standard sized rooflights tend to be a less expensive option due to the fact that they are made in bulk, often overseas where production is cheaper. Whereas bespoke products, as you might expect, come at a premium due to the additional time and skill involved in their manufacture.
What makes up the majority of the cost of a conservation rooflight?
The cost of most building materials has increased over the past 18 months or so and unfortunately the main materials involved in the cost of manufacturing a conservation rooflight (glass, steel and timber) have been some of the most severely affected.
In the case of a genuine conservation rooflight, the most significant cost involved will be the manufacture of the steel frame. In addition to the sheet metal cost, the manufacturing process involves precision engineering equipment such as laser cutting, metal pressing and highly skilled welding.
The next biggest material cost is the glazing. With the huge increases the UK has experienced in energy costs, glass has become extremely expensive to manufacture. Unfortunately, as energy prices continue to soar, glass prices are unlikely to reduce any time soon.
A major consideration when it comes to the cost of a rooflight, will be whether or not they need to open. Opening rooflights are much more expensive to manufacture and can range in price depending on whether they need to be manual or electronically operated. You can also add to the cost with add-ons such as wind or rain sensors.
All steel rooflights will be finished in a specialist paint coating to offer additional protection. Again, this requires a skilled tradesperson to apply the coating and adds an additional layer of cost to the manufacturing process.
To a lesser extent, the liner of your rooflight will also contribute to the overall cost and there are an abundance of options to choose from here as well.
Ancillary costs, such as rubber seals, silicone, screws, and even the packaging that the product arrives on will be factored in to the overall cost of manufacturing.
As you can see, these costs all start to add up!
Are bespoke rooflights more expensive than standard ‘off the shelf’ products?
In short yes. This is due to the fact that bespoke rooflights are made to order and are one offs. They will require individual cad drawings and bespoke manufacturing. Making one of anything always costs more money.
Why do some rooflights cost more than others?
Rooflight Size
The obvious starting point here, is to consider the size of the rooflight required. It stands to reason that larger rooflights will cost more, as more material is required to make it.
That being said, conservation rooflights start out life as a flat sheet of steel, so if a rooflight is 1m in length or 1.2m in length there will be little difference in the price. However, a 4m long rooflight will certainly cost more than a 1m long rooflight.
Type of rooflight material
Another really important factor in the cost of conservation rooflights is the type of steel they are made from. A marine grade 316 stainless steel frame is typically 20-30% more expensive than mild or carbon steel, however, when balanced with the fact that stainless will not rust, most believe it is worth the extra investment.
Some rooflight companies will try and pass off other materials, such as aluminium or even plastic, as a conservation rooflight. While these might offer a cheaper alternative, they will rarely satisfy your Conservation Officer, who prefer the slender lines and flush fit offered by steel.
Rooflight glazing
When it comes to glazing, there is also plenty of choice which will impact price. All rooflights must comply with Part L of the Building Regulations, which govern thermal performance. However, customers can choose whether they require double or triple glazing, or options such as toughened glass. Of course, it goes without saying that the higher the specification of glazing, the higher the cost tends to be.
We have already discussed the cost difference between opening and fixed rooflights, but it’s worth also noting that winders for manually opening rooflights vary considerably between manufacturers. While some rooflights have cheap, fairly flimsy winders, others use high grade solid brass, which not only provides peace of mind that they won’t fail when lifting the heavy glass units, but also look fantastic. Of course, there is again a price premium for this type of quality finish.
The quality of electric actuators also varies, so it’s worth checking to see where these are manufactured. Of course, they should meet UK legislation regarding lifting performance, however, the cheaper ones don’t last as long as the better quality (usually German) versions.
Rooflight liners
There is also a huge difference between manufacturers when it comes to the quality (and cost) of the internal rooflight liners. While some use cheap plastic or soft wood, others use a variety of hard woods, such as American Ash. The type and quality of the liner can not only impact the internal finish, but will also affect the thermal performance.
Rooflight finish
While paint coatings will typically be either a powder coat or wet spray finish, there are still differences in the quality of paint used. This won’t necessarily have. A major impact on the price of the overall rooflight, but you may find it interesting to know that there are variances in quality here too and that the cheaper paint coverings won’t last as long as the better quality ones.
UK manufactured rooflights
Another big difference to take into consideration when considering the cost of rooflights, is where they are made. As with most things, you won’t be surprised to find that the cheaper rooflight products on the market are manufactured in Eastern Europe or Asia. If you prefer your rooflight to be made closer to home then buying British is a must, even if there is a slight premium in price.
Delivery
You may find that the delivery costs appear rather high when reviewing your rooflight quote – especially if you are looking at a bespoke rooflight quote. If this is the case then consider that some companies go to great lengths to protect their products in transit and often specialist transportation is required for delivery. Unlike the postal service, specialist transport costs are calculated on distance travelled, so if you live in a remote area or on an island, then this will impact delivery charges.
In addition, a bespoke rooflight will require an individually designed bespoke made pallet, which may cost several hundred pounds in materials!
The location of the rooflight and installation
Most rooflight companies are supply only. This means that the cost to install a rooflight is additional to the rooflight purchase itself. Larger, heavier rooflights will also cost more to install, which needs taking into consideration when working out your budget. If you have a large rooflight, the chances are it will require specialist lifting equipment, such as cranes or forklifts. It may even be necessary to apply for road closures to ensure the crane or lifting equipment has suitable access.
It’s always a good idea to check installation costs with your builder before ordering your rooflight.
From design and production through to customer service, Stella Rooflight has a single vision of doing things better than the industry standard, while providing the very best to its clients.
Stella manufacture exceptional conservation rooflights that combine a flush fitting profile while utilising the very best of materials. All rooflights are designed to perform and built to last with frames manufactured from Marine Grade 316 stainless steel to prevent issues with rusting.
Offering industry leading thermal performance and real wood interior linings, a Stella rooflight is the perfect choice for any project looking to achieve the finest quality finish.
