Viewpoints
VIEWPOINTS: UK fenestration sector at a crossroads as regulation, skills shortages and net zero drive change
The UK fenestration sector — the network of manufacturers, fabricators and installers that supply glazing systems to homes and commercial buildings — is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its modern history.
Once a relatively predictable market centred around cost and durability, the post-pandemic environment, coupled with urgent decarbonisation targets and regulatory tightening, has triggered a wholesale shift in how the sector must operate. A recent deep-dive analysis using a DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) methodology, commonly used by consultancy firms such as McKinsey, reveals a landscape under pressure, but ripe with strategic opportunity.
From Energy Efficiency to Regulatory Shock
At the heart of this evolution is regulation. The upcoming Future Homes Standard and recent changes to Part L of the Building Regulations have radically raised the bar for thermal efficiency. Products that were once market leaders are now being phased out in favour of units offering lower U-values and tighter air leakage performance.
While most manufacturers agree the regulation is necessary, many are struggling with the pace of adaptation. “The investment required to redesign product lines and ensure compliance by 2025 is significant,” one Midlands-based systems company director commented. “Yet it’s also a chance to lead, if you can get there first.”
Indeed, this regulatory shift has already started to reshape demand. Sales of triple glazing and vacuum-insulated glass units, once considered niche, are beginning to see double-digit growth. However, widespread adoption is tempered by consumer price sensitivity and installer hesitancy.
Fragmentation in the Supply Chain
The report also reveals a fragmented supply chain under stress. Manufacturers face inflationary headwinds from raw material costs and rising energy bills. Fabricators are caught in the middle, often squeezed by both supplier and customer expectations. Meanwhile, small installation firms — which still make up the majority of the market — are battling with inconsistent workloads, staffing shortages, and falling lead conversion rates.
“The pandemic exposed just how brittle the supply chain is, and Brexit didn’t help,” said one East Anglia-based fabricator. “We’ve been forced to reduce SKUs and focus on what sells fast — but that’s not a long-term strategy.”
Digital tools, however, offer a glimmer of hope. Adoption of cloud-based quoting, ordering and scheduling software is on the rise, especially among progressive installers. Several companies are also trialling AI-driven diagnostic tools to help consumers assess window performance and quote replacements automatically.
Sustainability or Greenwashing?
Sustainability remains a loaded term. While many brands have embraced recycled PVC and low-carbon aluminium, only a minority offer full lifecycle carbon data or participate in third-party environmental certification.
The report calls out a growing risk of greenwashing as firms race to appear compliant without meaningful action. “There’s pressure to talk the talk, but few can walk the walk when it comes to ESG transparency,” it warns.
At the same time, pressure from property developers, housing associations, and local councils is pushing fenestration firms to clean up their emissions profiles. Carbon offsetting is no longer enough; embedded carbon in frames and glass is under growing scrutiny.
Skills Crisis: The Sector’s Silent Threat
One of the most critical — and under-reported — challenges remains labour. The fenestration workforce is ageing, and apprenticeship uptake is not keeping pace with retirements. Some regions report installer shortages of up to 30%, impacting project delivery times and quality assurance.
Efforts to professionalise the sector have had mixed success. The report recommends joint public-private initiatives to expand trade skills education, accelerate apprenticeships and create clearer career pathways in installation and manufacturing.
Time to Act
In response to these challenges, the report sets out a series of strategic interventions. These include accelerating product innovation, investing in modular systems, diversifying material sourcing, and expanding digital sales platforms.
Perhaps most importantly, the sector must improve how it measures and manages its own performance. The adoption of KPIs — from compliance readiness and operational efficiency to workforce health and installer performance — will be key to staying competitive.
“Fenestration may not be a glamorous industry,” the report notes, “but it is pivotal to the UK’s carbon strategy, housing ambitions and energy future. Stakeholders who align with the new reality will thrive. Those who cling to legacy practices will be left behind.”
In short, the window of opportunity is open — but not for long.
By John Cowie
UK Fenestration Reporter
Why this matters: The UK market is a mirror of many of the markets in Europe and beyond. The key is how those operating in these markets react to the changing landscape – those that are quick off the blocks will see a prosperous and lucrative future.
