By Jason Pascoe, general manager – Aluminium Division, Frame Fast UK.

As someone who’s worked in the aluminium glazing industry for many years, I’ve seen plenty of trends come and go. But some shifts are more than trends – they become standard expectations. And flat roof windows are very much in that category.

At Frame Fast, we’ve seen a steady rise in demand for flat rooflights over the past few years. What started as a niche product for high-end architects is now a common feature in everyday extension projects, kitchen refurbishments, and rear additions. For many homeowners, the idea of adding space without adding natural light simply doesn’t make sense anymore.

This shift mirrors what’s happening across the wider market. Globally, the flat roof window sector is expected to surpass $230 million in value by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of over 4%.

Here in the UK, the trend is being driven by the continued popularity of single-storey extensions and open-plan kitchen diners – often with flat roofs due to planning constraints. As these spaces become the heart of the home, homeowners are demanding more natural light and a greater sense of openness. A flat rooflight is one of the simplest and most elegant ways to deliver that.

At Frame Fast, we manufacture our flat roof window system in-house at our Wetherby Road site using the Aliver Rooflight system from Smart Systems. We chose it because it combines the visual simplicity that designers want with the technical reliability that installers need. The aluminium frame is thermally broken, it supports double or triple glazing, and it achieves U-values as low as 1.0 W/m²K. It’s a high-performance unit that looks fantastic – both inside and out.

We supply these units fully fabricated and ready to install, making things easier on site. There are no visible internal fixings, so the finish is clean and minimal. From outside, the unit sits low on the roof, giving a discreet profile that blends into modern or traditional schemes.

But just as important as the product itself is how it fits into our wider offer. At Frame Fast, we pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for the trade. Installers can come to us for aluminium and PVC-U windows, entrance doors, bi-folds, sliders, conservatory roofs, and yes, roof glazing too. That level of integration is important. When you’re juggling multiple trades, schedules, and systems, working with a single, reliable supplier makes a huge difference.

We’ve built our range with this mindset: high-quality products, made in-house, delivered on time, and supported by people who understand the pressures of the trade. Adding flat roof windows to our range hasn’t changed that – it’s just made our service even more complete.

For us, the growing popularity of rooflights isn’t a surprise. It reflects how people want to live today: bright, open, connected to the outdoors. And for installers, it represents a real opportunity – an easy upsell, a value-adding feature, and a way to stand out in a competitive market.

If flat rooflights aren’t already part of your regular quote package, it’s worth considering. With demand rising and homeowners expecting more from their living spaces, now is a great time to offer a solution that’s both practical and visually striking – backed by the reliability and support you know to expect from Frame Fast.