The UK Flat Roof Waterproofing Market Forecast to Return to Growth

FLAT ROOF WATERPROOFING has fallen an estimated 13% in volumes installed due to the impact of COVID-19, according to the latest market report from AMA Research.

Since 2016, the market for flat roofs has grown largely due to an underlying improvement in newbuild and refurbishment output across the schools, higher education, offices, warehousing, infrastructure buildings and apartment sectors.

Until the disruption caused by the pandemic, the annual installed area of flat roof waterproofing had been increasing as construction activity across most key end use sectors had grown. However, in 2020 the area installed declined from around 35 million m² to 30.7 million m².

Flat Roof Waterproofing Market

Alex Blagden, Senior Research Manager at AMA Research comments on the current state of the flat roof market: “While there are current issues around disruptions to the building materials supply chain – in particular shortages of a wide range of products and materials, and the shortages of roofers, among other trades, over the medium term to 2025 – demand for flat roof waterproofing is forecast to increase.

“2021 has seen a surge in construction activity as the UK emerges from Covid-19 restrictions and there is a trade agreement with the EU now in place, which has seen investor confidence begin to return across the commercial & industrial newbuild sector”.

Brexit

Brexit and immigration issues have also had an impact on the significant skills shortage among trades and professionals in the construction industry, as a substantial number of workers from EU countries may well have left the UK. The roofing trade is one of the worst affected. No construction trades are currently included on the skill shortage occupations list to qualify for a work visa.

There are, however, several factors that will sustain demand for flat roofing systems in the commercial and industrial market. For example, the need to increase retail distribution centre capacity; growth in the Build-to-Rent apartment block sector; and growing demand for green roofs. In urban areas, factors likely to drive up demand for green roofs include increasing concerns about rainfall run-off, pollution and air quality and lack of private outdoor space. In rural areas to date, the main driver has been planning requirements demanding that buildings merge in with surrounding areas.

Growth Rates

Over the medium term to 2025, growth rates for flat roof waterproofing are forecast to increase. 2021 has seen a surge in construction activity as the UK emerges from the COVID-19 restrictions and with a trade agreement with the EU now in place, which has seen investor confidence begin to return across the commercial & industrial newbuild sector.

The Flat Roofing Market Report – UK 2021-2025 is available from AMA Research.

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