As the industry looks ahead to 2026, the challenge is no longer just about winning work, but about earning trust in a more informed, more demanding and more regulated environment, according to Sam Davies, technical manager at FENSA.

Across the fenestration and home improvement industries, the past few years have been characterised less by sharp decline, and more by a prolonged plateau. While overall installation volumes have stabilised, the structure of the industry itself is shifting.

“We’re seeing a lot of experienced installers leaving the sector through retirement,” explains Sam Davies, technical manager at FENSA. “But that doesn’t mean the work is disappearing. In reality, it’s being redistributed. Fewer installers are doing more work, which creates opportunity for those who are prepared.”

That opportunity, however, comes with pressure. Consumer behaviour is evolving rapidly, driven by access to online information, comparison platforms and, increasingly, AI-powered search tools.

Homeowners now arrive at the quoting stage armed with terminology, assumptions and expectations that didn’t exist a decade ago.

“An end-user may already know about energy ratings, U-values, ventilation and safety requirements before the installer even walks through the door,” says Sam. “We’re seeing the rise of the ‘overnight expert’, and whether that information is perfectly accurate or not, it shapes their expectations. Installers need to be ready for that conversation.”

This shift is expected to intensify through 2026, as a younger, more research-led generation of homeowners becomes a larger part of the home improvement market. For installers, technical competence alone is no longer enough; credibility must be visible and provable.

At the same time, the wider construction landscape remains uncertain. Other sectors are grappling with the withdrawal or redesign of government-backed funding schemes. By contrast, the glazing industry remains largely driven by the able-to-pay consumer, offering a degree of stability that should not be underestimated.

“That independence gives this sector resilience,” Sam explains. “It’s not reliant on sudden policy changes in the same way others are. But it does mean installers have to work harder to stand out and justify their value.”

This is where FENSA’s role becomes increasingly important. As regulatory requirements continue to tighten and Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) becomes embedded, installers need more than reminders that rules exist; they need practical support to meet them.

“Compliance shouldn’t feel like a moving target,” says Sam. “Our focus going into 2026 is on giving installers clear guidance, accessible tools and real people they can speak to when they need help.”

Being a FENSA installer provides that structure, adds Sam. From self-certification and recognised compliance to up-to-date guidance documents and direct access to technical expertise, he explains that FENSA helps installers demonstrate professionalism in a market where reassurance matters.

“In a world where consumers are doing more of their own research, installers need something solid behind them,” Sam continues. “Being FENSA registered shows that your work stands up to scrutiny and that you’re supported by a credible, independent body.”

Looking ahead, FENSA expects 2026 to be a year of consolidation rather than contraction, one where prepared installers can thrive by adapting to changing expectations rather than resisting them.

“The work is there,” says Sam. “The challenge is how you present yourself, how you evidence what you know, and how confidently you can answer the questions customers are now asking. FENSA’s role is to help installers meet that challenge head-on.”