The UK curtain walling market is set to witness a register a valuation of USD 3.13 billion in 2025. The industry is poised to grow at 4.2% CAGR from 2025 to 2035, reaching USD 4.73 billion by 2035.
The market is poised for a steady and strategic growth, supported by the country’s evolving urban infrastructure, emphasis on energy efficiency, and architectural modernization. Curtain walling systems-non-structural external cladding solutions employed to enclose buildings-are increasingly perceived not just as structural elements but also as leading contributors to performance, design, and sustainability. In the United Kingdom, there is demand driven by both commercial and residential applications, where aesthetic appeal and thermal performance have become central aspects of building design and compliance with regulation.
Another significant driver for industry expansion is the country's policy momentum towards net-zero carbon buildings and higher energy performance standards. Low-carbon construction methods promoted by novel building regulations encourage the use of curtain walling systems with internal insulation, thermally broken solar control glazing, and glazed frames. They reduce energy wastage and lead to low running costs in the lifetime of a building-something that catches the attention of developers and end-users alike.
The commercial real estate industry, especially in urban centers such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham, continues to be the primary source of revenue in the industry. Office skyscrapers, shopping malls, and hotels are adopting high-performance curtain walling to meet top international design standards and green movements. Residential high-rise towers, on the other hand, are also heading in the direction of curtain wall façades to enhance the beauty of the city while delivering occupants better views, daylight, and energy efficiency.
Overall, the industry is on a strong growth trajectory through 2035. With regulatory drivers, sustainability targets, and regeneration in urban areas, curtain wall systems will remain a fundamental architectural solution-combining functionality, aesthetics, and environmental performance in the built environment of tomorrow.
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 3.13 billion |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 4.73 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.2% |
Explore FMI!
Book a free demo
The UK curtain walling market is indicative of varied priorities throughout major stakeholders such as architects, contractors, material suppliers, and building owners. Building owners and architects share strong interest in aesthetics, flexibility in design, energy efficiency, and structural strength, highlighting their focus on new, sustainable building envelopes fitting design and performance objectives.
Contractors are concerned with cost-effectiveness, building regulation compliance, and the ease of installation, seeking to simplify project delivery and budget constraints.
Material suppliers have a high value for cost and fit issues, satisfying the provision of timely, inexpensive solutions that are suitable to fit into construction sequences.Building owners also care about energy performance and maintenance simplicity, essential for long-term savings on operational costs as well as meeting sustainability requirements.
This scenario depicts a balance of design vision, technical performance, and long-term value, with energy codes and urban architectural trends dictating demand in the industry.
Consumer Priorities by Segment in the Market
| Criteria | Aesthetics & Design Flexibility |
|---|---|
| Architects | High |
| Contractors | Medium |
| Material Suppliers | Medium |
| Building Owners | High |
| Criteria | Structural Integrity |
|---|---|
| Architects | High |
| Contractors | Medium |
| Material Suppliers | Medium |
| Building Owners | High |
| Criteria | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|
| Architects | Medium |
| Contractors | High |
| Material Suppliers | High |
| Building Owners | Medium |
| Criteria | Energy Efficiency & Insulation |
|---|---|
| Architects | High |
| Contractors | Medium |
| Material Suppliers | Medium |
| Building Owners | High |
| Criteria | Compliance with Building Codes |
|---|---|
| Architects | High |
| Contractors | High |
| Material Suppliers | Medium |
| Building Owners | Medium |
| Criteria | Installation Time & Complexity |
|---|---|
| Architects | Medium |
| Contractors | High |
| Material Suppliers | High |
| Building Owners | Medium |
| Criteria | Maintenance Requirements |
|---|---|
| Architects | Medium |
| Contractors | Medium |
| Material Suppliers | Low |
| Building Owners | High |
From 2020 to 2024, the curtain walling industry in the UK was shaped by a rise in urban redevelopment projects and growing attention toward energy-efficient building envelopes. Manufacturers like Kawneer and Schüco focused on supplying thermally broken aluminum systems and high-performance glazing, supporting commercial buildings in meeting basic energy codes.
The shift towards integrating daylighting methods into office and institutional buildings led to increased demand for traditional unitized and stick systems. In order to meet delivery schedules, manufacturers adopted just-in-time delivery and began adding early-stage digital model support for architects and engineers. Between 2025 and 2035, the industry is likely to gain momentum toward modular, sustainable, and smart curtain walling systems.
Manufacturers are investing in AI-optimized design, prefabricated façade modules, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) to achieve ambitious carbon-neutral targets. Manufacturers are also moving towards cradle-to-cradle certified materials and automation of assembly processes.With retrofitting of current structures emerging as the key growth driver, suppliers will offer adaptable modular kits and cloud-based monitoring for maintenance to allow long-term performance and adaptation with evolving UK building regulations.
| 2020 to 2024 | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Urban development, daylight requirements, baseline energy efficiency | Net-zero regulations, circular economy aims, digital design adoption |
| Stick and unitized curtain walls | Double-skin façades, BIPV-integrated solutions, modular kits |
| Cost-effective, compliance-based procurement | Value-based, energy performance and lifecycle-focused procurement |
| Use of thermal breaks, acoustic insulation, enabling BIM coordination | Dynamic façades, AI-enabled modeling, cloud-enabled monitoring systems |
| Enhanced U-values, passive solar shading capabilities | Recycling, cradle-to-cradle certifications, façades that generate power for buildings |
| Generic customization of standard systems; leveraging digital coordination technology | R&D investment in smart façades, modular manufacturing, production & design automation |
The market, while exhibiting indications of moderate growth upon urban development as well as the trend of sustainable construction, faces a series of serious threats that could impact its trajectory.The foremost concern is economic uncertainty. Volatility in interest rates, inflation, and post-Brexit trading regulations continue to influence construction pricing and investor sentiments. These would slow down or even cancel key commercial and residential projects, lessening demand for curtain walling systems.Supply chain interruptions are yet another highly visible risk.
All materials used in curtain walling, such as aluminum, glass, and specialty sealants, are generally imported. Supply chain disruptions, increased shipping charges, and global conflicts can lead to delays and added costs that affect project duration and profitability. Regulatory and compliance pressures have also become tighter in response to the Grenfell Tower fire, requiring stricter fire safety standards and building codes.
As understandable as these are, they require suppliers of curtain walling to expend heavily on compliance, certification, and product development at the potential cost of higher prices and reduced availability.Labor shortages in construction trades are operationally high-risk. Qualified installers and engineer shortages can impact installation delays and lower quality, especially in high-volume schemes.
Environmental expectations are rising. With the UK's push towards net-zero carbon, curtain walling systems must become more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. Failure to innovate or comply with green building regulations can reduce industrycompetitiveness.These threats will be addressed through strategic investment in local value chains, R&D, and human capabilities, as well as close monitoring of regulatory regimes and trends in markets.
Unitized systems will command 63% of the market share in 2025 and stick systems will have 30% of the market share.
Unitized curtain walls are gaining popularity as they are highly prefabricated, manufactured, and quickly installed on-site. Pre-construction of the system saves effort and helps in reducing costly errors on-site. Current trends towards sustainability in the UK have also contributed to the rise in demand, driven by portioned energy efficiency.
One of the best-proven ones is the fact that unitized wall systems increase energy efficiency through less heat loss. With a definite preference from all top real estate developers in the UK, this kind becomes practical for the modern infrastructure of urban projects to expedite.
Although stick systems command a very small portion of the total industry, they remain particularly relevant to low- and mid-rise buildings, where design flexibility and on-site assembly are crucial. They provide the flexibility for unusual shapes of construction, which may require modification during installation.
Additionally, their capital cost is relatively low, making them attractive for tighter-budget projects. However, stick systems have their shortcomings, including long installation times because of much exposure to the weather before, during, and after erection.
As the UK construction industry moves toward more sustainability and energy efficiency, unitized systems are likely to hold their dominant position because of their advantages in technology, cost, and performance compared to stick systems, which will still be used for specialized applications where customization and flexibility are needed.
Glass is poised to hold the largest share at 45% in 2025, followed by aluminum at 35%.
Glass curtain wall systems have gained widespread popularity due to their aesthetic appeal, natural light optimization, and energy efficiency. Modern architectural trends emphasize transparent facades, which enhance building aesthetics while promoting daylighting and reducing artificial lighting costs.
Moreover, advancements in double-glazing and low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings have improved the thermal performance of glass curtain walls, making them a preferred choice for commercial buildings aiming to meet sustainability and energy efficiency standards. As the UK enforces stricter building regulations on carbon emissions and energy performance, glass curtain walls are expected to remain in high demand.
Aluminum, with a 35% market share, is favored for its lightweight nature, durability, and corrosion resistance. It is widely used as a framing material for curtain wall systems, particularly in unitized systems, due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to support large glass panels. Additionally, aluminum is fully recyclable, making it a sustainable choice for developers prioritizing green building certifications. However, rising raw material costs and energy-intensive production processes may impact its growth compared to other materials.
Overall, the shift towards energy-efficient, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing solutions is driving the dominance of glass and aluminum in the industry. These materials are expected to continue shaping the future of commercial and high-rise building facades due to their performance benefits and alignment with modern architectural trends.
The UK curtain walling market is technology-led and competitive, with continued demand for energy-efficient, architecturally extreme building façades. The major players are holding investments in technology, aluminum systems, and sustainability to meet building regulations and increased demand in the commercial and mixed-use development markets. Growth is led mainly by high-value city schemes and redevelopments, particularly in key cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Kawneer UK and Schueco UK are industry leaders in the breadth of their product ranges, technical expertise, and direct relationships with architects and contractors. These businesses are known for providing high-performance curtain walling systems to satisfy demanding aesthetic and structural demands, especially in high-rise buildings. Reynaers Aluminium as well as Technal (Hydro Building Systems) are also leading the way through innovation based on advanced design software, modular solutions also the ecodesign accreditation.
ALUPROF UK has cemented its industry position with efficient supply chains and a focus on contemporary architectural design. Senior Architectural Systems uses its local production and bespoke project support to make headway. While smaller players such as Comar, Metal Technology and Charles Henshaw target niche and region-specific niches, product flexibility and responsiveness to service are guaranteed.
Market Share Analysis by Company
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Kawneer United Kingdom Limited | 18-20% |
| Schueco United Kingdom | 16-18% |
| Reynaers Aluminium Ltd | 12-14% |
| Hydro Building Systems (Technal) | 10-12% |
| ALUPROF United Kingdom LIMITED | 8-10% |
| Other Companies Combined | 30-36% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Kawneer United Kingdom Limited | Offers unitised and stick curtain wall systems with focus on thermal performance and façade engineering consultancy. |
| Schueco United Kingdom | Delivers aluminium systems with high design flexibility, automation, and energy efficiency for commercial and residential sectors. |
| Reynaers Aluminium Ltd | Provides customisable façade solutions with integrated software support, sustainability focus, and modular assembly. |
| Hydro Building Systems (Technal) | Supplies architectural aluminium façades with emphasis on recyclability, modularity, and technical advisory services. |
| ALUPROF United Kingdom LIMITED | Specialises in slimline, high-spec aluminium systems for commercial buildings with fire-rated and thermally efficient options. |
Key Company Insights
Kawneer United Kingdom Limited (18-20%) Focuses on bespoke curtain wall engineering with emphasis on sustainability and acoustic performance. Expansion into modular construction supports fast-track delivery and urban regeneration projects.
Schueco United Kingdom (16-18%) Continues leadership through digital façade integration, with growth driven by high-spec architectural collaborations and increasing demand for passive house compliance and solar integration.
Reynaers Aluminium Ltd (12-14%) Invests in automation and smart façade technologies. The company’s focus on software-enabled design and lifecycle optimisation supports its premium positioning in high-density urban builds.
Hydro Building Systems (Technal) (10-12%) Strategic emphasis on circular economy and carbon footprint reduction. Its technical design assistance is helping it win large-scale education and public infrastructure projects.
ALUPROF United Kingdom LIMITED (8-10%) Gains industry through rapid customisation and supply reliability. Aligns with modern minimalist design preferences while investing in enhanced fire safety certifications.
Other Key Players (30-36% Combined)
The industry is estimated to be worth USD 3.13 billion in 2025.
The industry is expected to witness substantial growth, reaching approximately USD 4.73 billion by 2035.
The United Kingdom itself is driving growth, with a projected CAGR of 7.2% over the forecast period.
Unitized systems continue to lead the industry due to their benefits in ease of installation, structural performance, and reduced labor costs.
Key players operating in this industry include Kawneer United Kingdom Limited, Schueco United Kingdom, Reynaers Aluminium Ltd, Hydro Building Systems United Kingdom Ltd (Technal), ALUPROF United Kingdom LIMITED, Senior Architectural Systems Ltd, Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, Metal Technology Ltd, Charles Henshaw & Son Limited, Saint-Gobain, Schott United Kingdom Ltd, Britplas, RAICO Bautechnik GmgH, Structura United Kingdom, and Pilkington United Kingdom Limited.
The industry is segmented into stick systems, unitized systems, and semi-modular.
The industry is segmented into commercial spaces and residential.
The industry includesglass, aluminum, steel, ceramic, and stone.
United Kingdom Curtain Walling Market
Thank you!
You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.
