Glass News hears from Freefoam Building Products Ltd on the latest colour trends in roofline, rainwater, and cladding and other home improvements.
Colour is increasingly being used to upsell home improvement products. It differentiates the stockists and installers who sell a broad range of options, with shades that appeal to the higher end of the market. While the price premium might put off the ‘Have Nots’, homeowners with money to spend are more likely to choose colour, because they can, but also because they want to match building elements they’ve already invested in,...
Glass News hears from Freefoam Building Products Ltd on the latest colour trends in roofline, rainwater, and cladding and other home improvements.
Colour is increasingly being used to upsell home improvement products. It differentiates the stockists and installers who sell a broad range of options, with shades that appeal to the higher end of the market. While the price premium might put off the ‘Have Nots’, homeowners with money to spend are more likely to choose colour, because they can, but also because they want to match building elements they’ve already invested in, eg roofline and cladding that complements windows and doors.
Home improvement product shades were limited for many years; window and conservatory sales were dominated by white, with the same choice of woodgrain foils trailing behind: Mahogany, Rosewood, or Oak. However, the options have expanded rapidly in the last decade, used as a tool to replace second and third generation replacements, allowing homeowners to see windows and doors as a stylistic choice rather than a commodity purchase.
Colour now accounts for approximately one-third of the total window market, with a higher proportion in the premium sector. Data from quotes on Tommy Trinder software in the Window & Doors Market Trends report shows that 47% of PVC windows are foiled. And a number of window systems companies report that colour and woodgrain make up around 60% of their sales.
“In PVC cladding and roofline,” comments Aidan Harte, CEO of Freefoam, “demand has driven an expansion in the choice of design – but especially colour - as the markets have grown. Some of our cladding ranges now have 10 choices, with accessories to match. But colour choices are changing.”
Colour choice: what’s hot and what’s not
Richard Jackson, Freefoam’s UK Sales Director, explains: “Latest (2024) analysis of colour trends - from a leading foil provider for the UK and Ireland - shows that Anthracite Grey foils make up 37% of foil sales, overwhelmingly the preferred shade, followed by Black at 22% and then Rosewood at 13%. White and Agate Grey make up 4% each, while Golden Oak, Cream, and Slate Grey make up 3% respectively.”
“Greys in cladding particularly are really popular in the UK,” adds Aidan, “as well as the continental market (we offer four greys in our Fortex® textured cladding range, for example) and have been for the past few years. There’s a lot of opportunities in cladding as it’s still growing strongly; the choice of colours can really help.
“Anthracite Grey, which we launched a couple of years ago, remains very popular. Sales of this hue in our Fortex® range (including Fortex® Double Shiplap, Weatherboard, and the recently launched Shadow Gap) grew most strongly last year, up nearly 12% in 2024 compared to 2023, although lighter shades of grey such as Slate Grey and Storm Grey dropped slightly, as did grey-greens including Misty Grey and Sage Green.”
Ones to watch
Interior design trends have shown a preference for warmer neutral shades over the past couple of years. Two of the main colour trends for 2025 predicted by Homes & Gardens and Good Housekeeping magazines were dark, earthy colours (eg chocolate or charcoal/dark grey), and warm neutrals, while Pantone’s colour of the year is Mocha Mousse. But as paint and furnishings are easier to change there’s a natural colour lag in home improvements. Richard comments: “We will definitely be reviewing sales of Pale Gold, Sand, Cappuccino and Argyl Brown at the end of 2025 to see if this interior trend has transferred to the exterior sector.”
“Meanwhile,” continues Aidan, “although the roofline market has expanded,sales of white roofline products have declined almost year-on-year since 2016 to 2024, by just over 11% overall, while Woodgrain products are up nearly 10% in the same period, and our Colourmax® products (using patented technology for colour variety and fastness) have also increased. Black and Brown roofline has remained steady. One in five of Freefoam’s roofline sales are now foil or colour.”
Whatever products you offer in your portfolio, it’s essential to choose a supplier that can offer the reassurance that the options homeowners pay a premium for won’t fade or discolour in a couple of years – and that you have the marketing support to sell colour. Freefoam offers market-leading guarantees on our colour and white products, with samples, swatches, online Visualisers, and more to help stockists and installers.
See the full range of products and colours at www.freefoam.com or call 0800 002 9903 to find out how Freefoam can help you win more sales with colour.