Growing focus on sustainability in the UK Flat Roof Waterproofing Market

In the newly released UK Flat Roof Waterproofing Market Report 2024-2028, there is a growing focus on sustainability and the environment, particularly with the UK government drive towards carbon net zero by 2050.

As a result, there is a growing demand for more sustainable flat roof coverings on commercial & industrial buildings such as green roofs, rainfall managed blue roofs, bio-solar roofs, and cool roofs. This trend has supported the market for SPMs, liquid roofing and RBMs specially developed for such applications.

To give you a sample of the insight featured within our market research reports, Editor Claudia Charquet has shared 5 key facts found in the Flat Roof Waterproofing Report below.

A Positive Forecast

The UK flat roof waterproofing market is forecast to be worth almost £430 million at MSP in 2028, representing a +2% increase when compared to projected market size for 2027.

Product Mix

Bitumen membranes is the largest flat roof waterproofing product sector with almost 50% share by area installed. However single ply membranes and liquid roofing have taken share from RBMs in the last 2-3 years and now each account for 25% of the market, with the remainder being mastic asphalt.

Drivers of the Market

The construction industry is a key driver of demand for flat roof waterproofing. Since 2021 the market has been driven by positive conditions in core end-use applications – namely schools RMI, new industrial warehousing & factories, infrastructure & utilities buildings RMI, also private housing RMI.

Distribution

In terms of distribution, roofing merchants and specialist distributors are the leading channel of distribution with over 50% of the market by value. Direct supply from manufacturer to the contractor has around 30% share, with builders’ merchants and other channels representing the remainder.

Market Value

The UK roofing activities industry is estimated to be worth over £6 billion in 2024. The roofing contracting sector is polarised between a large number of very small, local firms and a relatively small number of national & large regional businesses.

However, with the commercial & industrial sector accounting for around three quarters of flat roof installations, there are fewer companies providing flat roofing services.