Skylight Installations in Reading

Transform Your Reading Home with Natural Light

CrownPeak Roofing installs, replaces, and repairs skylights across Reading and the wider Berkshire area. Whether you're adding a Velux window to a loft conversion in Caversham, fitting flat roof skylights to a kitchen extension in Tilehurst, or replacing an old, leaking skylight in Earley, our experienced team delivers clean, watertight installations that flood your home with natural light.

Skylights are one of the most cost-effective ways to increase natural light and ventilation in a Reading property. A well-placed roof window can transform a dark loft room, brighten a hallway, or bring daylight into a single-storey extension. From Victorian terraces in central Reading to 1930s semis in Caversham and modern estates in Lower Earley — and we have experience fitting skylights to every type of roof structure found across the RG1, RG2, RG4, RG6, RG30, RG31 postcode area.

Why Reading Homeowners Are Adding Skylights

Loft conversions remain one of the most popular home improvements in Reading, and skylights are central to making that converted space feel open and liveable. Under permitted development rules, most Reading properties can add rear-facing roof windows without planning permission — though conservation areas in Woodley and surrounding areas may have additional requirements we can advise on.

Beyond loft conversions, flat roof skylights are increasingly popular for Reading kitchen and living room extensions. Modern fixed and opening lantern skylights create a dramatic focal point while solving the natural light deficit that plagues many single-storey extensions.

Choosing the Right Skylight for Your Reading Property

The right skylight depends on your roof type, pitch, and what you want to achieve. For pitched roofs across Reading, centre-pivot Velux windows (GGL/GGU range) are the most popular choice — they're suitable for pitches between 15° and 90° and provide excellent ventilation. Top-hung windows work better in loft rooms where furniture sits beneath the window.

For flat roofs and low-pitch extensions common in Whitley and Southcote, we recommend Velux flat roof windows or custom-made structural glass units. These provide maximum light ingress and can be specified with self-cleaning glass, electric opening, and integrated rain sensors for hands-free ventilation.

Our Skylight Installation Process in Reading

Every skylight installation in Reading begins with a thorough site survey. We assess your roof structure, pitch angle, tile type, and internal layout to recommend the optimal window size, position, and type. For loft conversions, we consider head height, natural light distribution, and Building Regulations requirements for means of escape. Our survey includes a written recommendation with product specifications and a fixed-price quotation — no obligation, no pressure.

On installation day, we create the opening by carefully removing tiles and cutting through battens and felt. We install a structural timber frame (trimmer), fit the skylight window with its manufacturer flashing kit, and integrate it seamlessly with your existing roof covering. Every installation includes internal finishing — plaster boarding, insulation around the frame, and a clean, flush internal reveal. For Reading properties, we typically complete a single skylight installation in one full working day, leaving your home weathertight throughout.

Skylight Installation Costs in Reading — What to Expect

Skylight installation costs in Reading vary based on the window type, size, and your roof configuration. A standard centre-pivot Velux window (780x980mm) including supply, flashing kit, and full installation costs £900-£1,400. Larger units (1140x1180mm) run £1,200-£1,800. Top-hung windows for rooms where furniture sits beneath the window are slightly more at £1,100-£1,600. All prices include full internal finishing and waste removal.

Flat roof skylights for kitchen and living room extensions in Reading cost more due to the structural requirements and specialist flashing systems: fixed flat glass units range from £1,200-£2,500, while electric opening units with rain sensors cost £2,000-£3,500. Large format lantern lights (1m x 2m and above) for extensions typically run £3,500-£7,000 installed. We can supply and fit all major brands including Velux, Fakro, and Keylite, and we are happy to work with architect-specified custom units.

When to Replace or Upgrade Your Skylight in Reading

If your Reading property has skylights more than 20 years old, upgrading to modern units can transform both the room and your energy efficiency. Older skylights typically have single or early double glazing with U-values of 3.0+ W/m2K — modern equivalents achieve 1.0 W/m2K or better, dramatically reducing heat loss. Common signs that replacement is overdue include persistent condensation between the glass panes, difficulty opening or closing the window, visible discolouration or warping of the frame, and any sign of water ingress around the edges.

New skylight installations are most popular in Reading during spring and early summer, but we install year-round. Our weatherproofing methodology ensures your home is never left exposed — we seal the opening before any other work begins, so even if work spans two days, there is no risk of water ingress. For loft conversion projects across Caversham, Tilehurst, and Earley, we coordinate with your builder to install skylights at the optimal stage of the conversion process.

Skylight Solutions for Reading Properties

Reading housing stock offers varied opportunities for skylight installations. Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Caversham and Tilehurst often have deep, dark hallways and stairwells that benefit enormously from a strategically placed sun tunnel or small skylight. Loft conversions in these properties typically require two or more Velux windows to meet Building Regulations for natural light and ventilation, and our team knows exactly how to position them for maximum impact while respecting the property character.

For modern extensions on Reading properties across Woodley, Whitley, and Southcote, flat roof skylights and lantern lights have become essential design elements. These transform what would otherwise be a dark, enclosed space into a bright, open-plan living area. We work with homeowners, architects, and builders across Reading to specify and install skylights that complement the extension design. From minimal-frame fixed units that maximise glass area to electrically opening vents with integrated rain sensors, we fit the full range of modern flat roof glazing products.

Pitched Roof vs Flat Roof Skylights — Choosing the Right Option for Your Reading Home

For pitched roofs (the sloped main roof of most Reading houses), centre-pivot or top-hung skylights from Velux, Fakro, or Keylite are the standard choice. Centre-pivot windows suit pitches between 15 and 90 degrees and rotate around a central axis for easy cleaning. Top-hung windows open outward from the top, providing more usable space beneath and better views when open — ideal for loft bedrooms and home offices where you want to look out rather than up.

For flat or low-pitch roofs (commonly found on kitchen extensions, garages, and modern additions across Reading), dedicated flat roof skylights are required. These use a kerb or upstand to raise the glass above the roof surface, ensuring proper drainage. Options range from simple fixed dome lights (most affordable, from £400 installed) through fixed flat glass units (contemporary look, from £1,200) to electric opening units with rain sensors (premium, from £2,000). Lantern lights provide the most dramatic effect, creating a lantern of glass that draws the eye upward and floods the room with light from multiple angles.

What Reading Customers Say

Verified Reviews

Simon Foster

Caversham, Reading

“Two Velux windows fitted in our loft conversion — the room is completely transformed. Installation was clean, the flashing work is watertight, and they left everything spotless.”

Zara Begum

Tilehurst, Reading

“CrownPeak installed a flat roof lantern skylight over our kitchen extension. The natural light is incredible now. Professional team who clearly know what they're doing.”

Sarah Collins

Earley, Reading

“Had an old, leaking skylight replaced with a modern Velux unit. The difference in light and insulation is remarkable. Quick, tidy installation with no fuss.”

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Steven X.

Reading

“Three sun tunnels installed in our hallway and landing. What a difference — areas that were permanently dark are now bright and welcoming. CrownPeak made the whole process effortless.”

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Olivia S.

Reading

“CrownPeak fitted an electric opening Velux in our en-suite bathroom. The ventilation is brilliant and the rain sensor closes it automatically. Installation was flawless from start to finish.”