Chris Cooke, commercial director at Sheerline Bespoke, reflects on three decades of change in the conservatory and roofing sector after more than 30 years in the industry – from the dominance of white Victorian conservatories in the ’90s to today’s demand for sleek, aluminium-framed solid and glazed roof systems.

It’s safe to say that, over the last 30 years, the landscape of the home improvement market was a very different place. Looking back to when I launched Prefix Systems in 1996, if you were adding space to your home back then, chances are it was a white, three-bay Victorian conservatory with a polycarbonate roof – and more often than not, it was made from PVC.

We started to see the market evolving with the emergence of the white three bay Victorian conservatory in the early 90s. Fast forward almost 30 years, and it’s clear just how far we’ve come. Homeowners no longer just want an ‘add-on’ room. They’re investing in extensions that look and feel like a part of their home – a more useable and open space and with architectural glazing, minimalist lines, and quality finishes. The transformation in this sector has been one of the most significant shifts I’ve seen during my time in the industry.

At its peak around 2005–2006, the conservatory market was delivering around 250,000 units a year. But over time, consumer expectations changed. Today, the number sits at around 80,000 to 90,000 units. While that has been a steady decline, the reality is that the roofing sector has grown in both scale and scope.

What used to be a one-product market has evolved into a diverse, much broader offering, to include lantern roofs, conservatory roofs with high performance glazing, and tiled, solid systems to flat rooflights and hybrid solutions.

The single biggest shift has undoubtedly been the move from PVC to aluminium across the window and door market, that of course influences the conservatory and roofing market – and that’s no accident.

Aluminium has a lot going for it; it’s more robust, durable and versatile, plus it offers stability in colour and finish that simply doesn’t fade over time, something that’s especially important in the UK, where weather conditions can put any product through its paces. Aluminium also supports the kind of sleek, contemporary designs that today’s homeowners are asking for.

Architectural trends have played a big role in this evolution. Gone are the overly decorative, fussy rooflines of the 90s. Today, it’s all about clean, square lines – lean-to’s, flat roofs, and bold, minimalist lanterns that suit the modern home. And with the growing popularity of wide-span bi-fold and sliding doors, roofing systems have had to adapt to span larger openings while maintaining performance.

What we’re seeing now is a much closer relationship between the roof and the rest of the property. Where the old white Victorian conservatory was a cheaper way of adding some extended living, it never felt like part of the house, today’s glazed or solid roof structures are part of a much bigger picture – designed to bring more light in, create usable, open space all year round, and connect indoor and outdoor living.

This demand for higher-end, design-led solutions is exactly why we’ve developed our Sheerline Bespoke range. But more broadly, it’s about making sure we’re giving fabricators and installers the tools they need to meet modern expectations of today’s consumer.

Installers aren’t just putting a roof on a structure anymore – they’re helping deliver part of someone’s dream home. That means products need to be well-designed, easy to install, and engineered to last.

It’s why we’ve put so much thought into the likes of our S3 architectural roof system, which really has its finger on the pulse in terms of where the market is heading and is a roof that not only performs but looks the part, especially for projects at the higher end of the market.

For me, having been part of this industry for over 30 years, it’s exciting to see how far we’ve come in a short space of time, and it’s certainly a more interesting space today. The pace of change is only accelerating, and it’s being driven by customers who are more design-conscious than ever before.

Whether it’s a flat roof extension or a contemporary aluminium-framed lantern, the bar is constantly being raised. Which is how we like it!

Ultimately, this is a sector full of opportunity. And with the right products, the right partners, and a clear understanding of where the market is heading, I believe the next chapter in roofing is going to be the most exciting yet.