Flat Roofing Market Report UK 2019-2023 – New Report from AMA

Since 2014, the annual installed area of flat roof waterproofing systems has declined slightly.   This has primarily been due to a decrease in the UK supply and imports of rolled bitumen products.   However, our estimates also include applications other that flat roofs on which either single ply and /or liquid waterproofing systems are used; new curved and wave-form roofs, profile steel roof refurbishment, balconies & walkways, car park decking and structural elements.

The recent decrease in …..

….. imports of rolled bitumen products began in 2014 but the rate of decline accelerated from 2016.   This was in part due to the impact of reduced bitumen processing capacity with the closure of around a quarter of EU refineries.   The other factor has been increasing competition from other waterproofing systems.

The main type of bitumen waterproofing systems used are 2 or 3 layered reinforced bitumen membranes (RBMs), which for many years have been the dominant products used on flat roofs.   However, RBMs have been losing share to single ply membranes (SPMs) in the specification market, and to EPDM membranes and GRP in the private housing RMI sector (extensions and garage re-roofing/repairs).

Overall market values are estimated to have grown.  The stronger rate of growth, compared to area installed, has largely been due to an increase in the installation of added value SPM systems on a number of large-span installations such as distribution centres, out-of-town office park developments and leisure facilities.   PVC, TPO/TPE and PIB SPMs are typically more costly than RBMs and liquid roofing systems.

Over the last half dozen years, key market drivers for waterproofing systems have been strong activity levels in core markets; commercial offices newbuild, schools RMI, new retail distribution centres, infrastructure & utilities buildings membranes RMI, social housing and private housing RMI.   The housing RMI sector has been buoyant with growth in single storey extensions driving up demand for GRP and EPDM.

The Flat Roofing Market Report – UK 2019-2023 is available now and can be ordered here.