Low-pitch popularity

Over a third of replacement roof opportunities are low-pitch lean-tos, according to data revealed by Ultraframe.

Alex Hewitt, Ultraframe’s marketing director, said: “The low-pitch and ultra-low-pitch lean-to type conservatories that were incredibly popular back in the 80s and 90s are now, as we predicted, ready for refurbishment, accounting for at least a third of the replacement market opportunity.”

Ultraframe said its Livinroof is the only solid roof system in the market that can achieve a pitch between 5º and 10º, and with low ceiling heights often associated with lean-tos, the flexible glazing of Livinroof enables the retailer to maximise the light and feeling of space.

“What we’re seeing in all parts of the market, the lean-to being no exception, is a strong tendency for homeowners to switch to a solid roof product,” Alex said. “For Ultraframe retailers this is where Livinroof comes into its own as the only replacement solid roof system that can achieve the ultra-low pitches required in the lean-to market.

“While other roof systems can achieve gradients of 12º, the vast majority of lean-to extensions require a pitch of less than 10º. To put some figures around this, of our total lean-to Livinroof installations this year, half have required a pitch less than 12º.”

Dax Duckett, managing director at Clyde Windows, Ultraframe’s newest UltraInstaller, said: “We’re replacing about ten lean-tos a month and typically the homeowner wants a solid roof solution.”