On a roof, tiredness, distraction, stress or feeling overwhelmed can affect judgement, communication, balance, concentration and decision-making.

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) has launched the third campaign as part of its Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategy. Titled “Weather the Storm”, the campaign is dedicated to making wellbeing part and parcel of Health and Safety.

On a roof, tiredness, distraction, stress or feeling overwhelmed can affect judgement, communication, balance, concentration and decision-making. That matters because one lapse can have serious (and sometimes fatal) consequences.

The campaign, officially launched today with an in-person member event at Pets Corner, Harlow, provides practical advice, tools and guidance to enable people to feel confident about how to prioritise wellbeing, recognise the signs of themselves or someone else in need and know where to go for help and support.

The key theme of the campaign is a ‘check-in scale’, designed as a wellbeing forecast from sunshine to stormy.

Speaking about the concept, Joanne (Jo) Lear, Mental Health Advocate and executive assistant to technical and training for NFRC, said “We wanted to create something that roofers could relate to and came up with the idea of a wellbeing forecast. Working on a roof means paying close attention to the weather conditions to stay safe, but wellbeing is equally important”.

Each tier of the check-in-scale; Sunny, Cloudy, Raining, Stormy, outlines how an individual might be feeling and what can help.

“It’s not just about taking action when something feels wrong,” continues Jo, “we’re encouraging people to recognise when they’re feeling their best and building small habits to sustain positive wellbeing.

“A quick check of the scale, just like checking the weather, takes seconds, but being conscious of how we feel, can help keep us and the people around us, safe,” concludes Jo.

Weather the Storm is the final instalment of NFRC’s Health & Wellbeing campaigns launching during 2026, all of which are designed with prevention and best practice at their core.

Any organisation can pledge support for the campaign, and in return will receive a campaign kit containing a certificate, poster and guidance resources.

NFRC provides security for homeowners and roofers. 

Citizens Advice has revealed that roofing complaints rose by around 10% year on year, from 8,136 to 8,985 between September 2025 and August 2026. Of these, 2,205, roughly a quarter, were suspected scams, most involving doorstep sales tactics.

NFRC’s sympathy is with everyone who has been targeted. These incidents can leave people out of pocket and feeling unsafe in their own homes. NFRC’s desire to combat this behaviour and provide homeowners with a trusted way to secure roofing work sits at the core of our work as the U.K.’s largest and longest-standing roofing and cladding trade association. Homeowners can protect themselves, and we want them to know how.

What NFRC membership actually means

Every NFRC member must pass a site and office inspection before joining. Members then undergo site and office inspections every three years to maintain their membership. Inspectors assess technical competence and commercial capability.

To maintain membership NFRC businesses must meet high standards, including:

• Comply with relevant Building Regulations, British Standards and other national standards, and follow NFRC technical guidance
• Meet mandatory health and safety requirements set out in NFRC guidance, including requirements under the Building Safety Act
• Be independently reviewed for their financial standing
• Evidence adequate annual employers’ and public liability insurance
• Meet waste and pollution regulations, and show they can manage recycling and product procurement
• Provide evidence of the skills, employment and training of their workforce

A complaints process that works

If a customer is unhappy with work carried out by an NFRC member, they can raise a complaint with NFRC free of charge, and we will then attempt to resolve disputes between the dissatisfied customer and our member company. Participation in this process is a mandatory condition of membership. The number of complaints NFRC receive through this avenue is orders of magnitude lower than that which Citizens Advice sees, despite our members completing 70%+ of roofing activity in the U.K. It is so much lower because we do the initial work of ensuring the business operates to a high standard before they are granted membership. 

Find NFRC roofers on the NFRC website only

The only reliable way to find an NFRC member is the directory on the NFRC website: https://www.nfrc.co.uk/trade-member-directory.html

A business may claim NFRC membership, or be listed on another website as a member. There is no guarantee it is genuine. NFRC is aware of firms making false or misleading claims about their status and is regularly stamping out this behaviour.

Homeowners should:

• Find a contractor through the NFRC website directory
• Check the company name, address and contact details match the directory entry exactly
• Contact NFRC on 020 7638 7663 or helpdesk@nfrc.co.uk if they are unsure or cannot find a match

Many websites claim to list trusted or vetted traders. Most do not check the competency of a firm’s workforce or the quality of its work. NFRC does, through inspection of members before they join and every three years after.

NFRC Policy and External Affairs Manager, Gray Gibson, said:

“Roofing is a high trust trade, and scams remain common. Homeowners should not have to guess who they can trust. NFRC members are inspected, insured and held to recognised standards, with sanctions for breaches of our Code of Practice and Terms and Conditions. If something goes wrong, our free complaints procedure helps resolve disputes between dissatisfied customers and our member companies. We urge anyone looking for a roofer to find them through our directory, get multiple written quotes and check every detail before agreeing to work.”

By The Coffee Shops®. 

NFRC renews their warning for contractors to watch for potentially noncompliant roofing battens and shares tips on verifying their materials.  

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is urging roofing contractors, merchants, housebuilders and the wider construction supply chain to remain vigilant after receiving photographs of roofing battens with markings that appear inconsistent with BS 5534 requirements. Although the products’ origins and the circumstances surrounding their markings have not been established, NFRC advises treating questionable battens as potentially noncompliant until their grading, documentation and traceability are verified. 

Why is this such a big deal?  

Roof battens are pieces of wood that are fixed to the roof deck to support roofing materials. Not only do they provide structural reinforcement of the deck, but they also help with alignment and drainage. The installation of substandard battens can negatively affect the durability and performance of a completed roof.  

Further, battens are often used as footholds during roofing work when operatives are navigating between supports. A substandard batten can easily cause a devastating jobsite injury or even death if it goes unnoticed. 

What installers should do 

Before installation, businesses should check each batten’s dimensions, visible knots, defects and individual markings. A nominal 25 mm-thick batten should measure between 25 mm and 28 mm and must never be less than 25 mm thick. Battens should also be examined for wane, fissures, distortion, split ends, decay, insect infestation and damage caused after grading. 

Once a batten is considered usable based on physical appearance, you should take time to check markings on the material. These should identify: 

• The name of the supplier responsible for grading the battens, rather than only the distributor.  
• The origin or timber species.  
• Confirmation that the battens have been graded in accordance with BS 5534:2014+A2:2018.  
• The basic size or sizes.  
• The type of preservative and method of treatment, where applicable.  

These markings, colour and bundle labels are a great start to ensuring your battens are safe, however they should not be accepted as proof in isolation. Delivery documentation must support the product’s grading and traceability claims. 

If anything about a batten appears suspicious, NFRC recommends quarantining the material, documenting markings and defects, retaining delivery records and contacting the supplier for evidence. Concerns should also be reported to NFRC. 

Learn more about identifying and managing potentially substandard roofing battens through NFRC’s Technical Bulletin TB33 and Toolbox Talk TBT01. 

By The Coffee Shops®. 

NFRC says new government measures could help distinguish reputable businesses from rogue traders, but only if oversight and public education follow. 

Rogue traders are a big issue in the home improvement industries, like roofing. The BBC describes these individuals as “[people who] offer to fix what seems like a small problem, before pressuring people into paying for much larger jobs. They can target people through doorstep cold calls, leaflets, phone calls, websites or social media.” The negative impact of rogue traders is not only felt by the individuals who have been targeted, but also reputable members of the trades who face distrust due to these bad players.  

The good news is that the government has made moves to check rogue traders. National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reports that the government has “announced a new Approved Code Scheme for home improvement businesses, alongside a new payment system designed to protect homeowners’ money by linking payments to key project milestones.” 

NFRC welcomes this direction, noting that its members already must meet standards for competence, professionalism, customer service and compliance. However, the association also stressed that the Approved Code’s requirements must be meaningful and supported by active oversight. Without this type of clear recognition, monitoring and enforcement, the government’s code runs the risk of creating more confusion rather than increase consumer confidence. As Gray Gibson, NFRC’s Policy and External Affairs Manager, put it, “The requirements for the new Approved Code must be meaningful enough to distinguish professional businesses from those simply looking for another badge to put on their website.” 

How can the government make sure that their reforms are robust, proportionate and easy to understand? NFRC stressed the importance of educating consumers in tandem with the release of reforms:  

Consumers have an important role to play too. A reputable contractor that employs competent people, invests in training, maintains appropriate insurance, complies with regulations and stands behind its work will inevitably have higher costs than someone who does not... the Approved Code is to have a meaningful impact, it must help consumers understand the difference between a properly qualified and compliant contractor and someone offering a cheap price. 

Overall, NFRC argues that, while the new Approved Code Scheme is a step towards curbing rogue traders, sustained government support and a long-term change in consumer behaviour are crucial to the reform’s ultimate success.  

Learn more about rogue traders and government reforms.

By The Coffee Shops®.  

Learn how this regional award gives contractors an opportunity to take the national stage for the U.K. Roofing Awards. 

Every year, the Scottish Roofing Awards gives National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Scottish Members an opportunity to showcase their skill and have their craftsmanship recognised by their peers! As Scott Miller, chairman of NFRC Scotland, described it, “Making an entry for an award alone gives a chance for a contractor to pause and look back at a project... It allows recognition for the skills, craftsmanship and teamwork within their organisation to make a job excellent.” 

And while getting one of these awards is already a huge accomplishment, many of the Scottish Roofing Award recipients haven’t stopped there! Winning a Scottish Roofing Award is an automatic qualification for entry into the U.K. Roofing Awards and many Scottish tradespeople have found success on that national stage!  

For example, in 2024, Marley Contract Services (top of header image) won back-to-back at the Scottish and U.K. awards in the solar category for a project called Social Housing in North Ayrshire. Then in 2026, Aim Developments Ltd (middle of header image) won at both award ceremonies for their single-ply project Robin House. That same year, Premier Specialist Contractors (bottom of header image) took home wins at both award ceremonies for leadwork done on the Kings Theatre project.   

These are just a few examples of how Scottish contractors are showcasing incredible talent and skill on both the regional and national levels! Scott explained, “We have an incredible response to the Scottish Roofing Awards every year but knowing that our members’ projects then go on to be victorious on a greater scale at national level is really something special, and a very big incentive to put your entry forward for the Scottish Awards.” 

Learn more about the Scottish Roofing Awards and how contractors can put their projects forward for recognition.

By Emma Peterson. 

Why making technical and leadership career pathways visible benefits both workers and employers. 

With rising building demands, recruitment and retention of talented and skilled individuals is more important than ever in the roofing trade. And one of the best ways to bring in new blood and keep the people you already have is by ensuring that roofing career paths are clear, realistic and accessible.  

What do we mean by that? Many people don’t realise that the roofing industry is a multi-billion pound sector with a wide variety of career options. And a big part of why people don’t know about the opportunity in this trade is because a career in roofing doesn’t follow the same corporate ladder we’re taught about in school. 

Instead of jumping into an office as a junior associate, a roofing career often starts with an apprenticeship. This apprenticeship period is all about helping newcomers to the field develop key skills and experience. As National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) describes, “At this stage, quality, reliability and technique become key... As trainees gain hands-on experience and build foundational skills [in their apprenticeships], they move into qualified roles performing roofing work independently.” 

From there, when peers in the corporate world may be looking at jumping into a senior associate position, roofers get a choice:  

1. Follow a technical/compliance track that sees them specialise in a specific aspect of roofing, becoming a master of that part of the trade. 
2. Jump into a management and leadership positions where they supervise teams, plan projects, manage businesses and interact with clients.  

And once you start on either of these tracks, the sky is truly the limit. As a roofing company, making sure that these pathways to progression are clear and employees are supported as they try to pursue different career goals is key. As NFRC puts it, “When staff see a realistic, supported path forward, they’re more likely to stay and grow within the business... This not only benefits the individual but also the employer as it attracts new talent and aids retention.” 

How do you make the ladder clear to your employees, both current and potential? One of the best things employers can do is invest in internal programs like coaching and performance reviews that give employees touchpoints to help them see how their day-to-day work is building their long-term career.  

Want to learn more about building a clear roadmap to a roofing career at your company? NFRC’s team is always ready to answer questions and offer further support!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

SpeedFlash® is a flashing system designed to simplify solar photovoltaic installations on slate roofs.

One of the greatest opportunities created by the launch of RoofersCoffeeShop® U.K. has been discovering innovative products developed specifically for the British roofing market. While roofing professionals around the world share many of the same challenges, the materials, installation practices and architectural traditions of each region inspire unique solutions. The U.K. roofing industry is filled with manufacturers and inventors who understand those differences and are finding smarter ways to protect the roof while helping contractors work more efficiently. 

During the 2026 NFRC U.K. Roofing Awards, our team had the pleasure of meeting the people behind Genius Roof Solutions. The awards offered an incredible look at the craftsmanship and technical knowledge found throughout the U.K., but our conversation with the Genius team stayed with us. They are roofers developing practical solutions for roofers, and that experience is clearly reflected in their products. 

One product that immediately caught our attention was SpeedFlash®, a flashing system designed to simplify solar photovoltaic installations on slate roofs. As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, roofing and solar professionals must find ways to add new technology without compromising the performance or appearance of existing roofs. That is especially important with slate, where incorrect cutting, drilling or loading can lead to cracked slates, water ingress and costly call-backs. 

SpeedFlash provides a no-drill-through-slate installation method that helps preserve the integrity of the roof. Unlike the company’s original SolarFlash® system, SpeedFlash does not require installers to remove the slates. The bracket is secured to the rafter while the flashing system maintains weather protection around the penetration point. According to Genius Roof Solutions, the approach reduces the amount of slate cutting required and can make retrofit installations significantly faster. 

That combination of speed and roof protection is increasingly important as more property owners consider solar for homes and buildings with traditional slate roofs. Slate is one of the U.K.’s most recognisable and enduring roofing materials, but it can present challenges for solar installers who do not have extensive roofing experience. A purpose-designed solution helps bridge the gap between the solar and roofing trades while supporting better installation practices. 

The innovation has already earned significant industry recognition. SpeedFlash received the Innovation Award at the 2025 Solar & Storage Live Awards, where Genius Roof Solutions was selected from a strong group of companies representing solar technology and energy innovation. It was also named Most Innovative Product at the 2024 Pitched Roofing Awards, while company founder and inventor Jimmy Hall received the Outstanding Contribution to the Roofing Industry award. 

What makes the Genius Roof Solutions story especially compelling is the experience behind the product. SpeedFlash grew from Jimmy’s decades of roofing knowledge and his determination to solve a real installation problem. Rather than asking roofers to adapt a generic product to a slate roof, the company started with the roof itself and developed a solution around maintaining its integrity. That contractor-led approach is exactly the type of innovation we love discovering and sharing. 

It is important for installers to follow the company’s technical guidance and confirm compatibility for each roof. SpeedFlash is designed primarily for slates measuring 18 inches and above, although it may be used with some 16-inch slates when the bracket and working area are suitable. It is compatible with modern composite slates installed with a three-inch headlap, but Genius Roof Solutions recommends its SolarFlash system for composite slates configured with a four-inch headlap. 

Launching RoofersCoffeeShop U.K. has opened the door to new relationships, regional expertise and products that deserve greater visibility. Genius Roof Solutions and SpeedFlash are excellent examples of what we hope to bring to our readers: practical innovation rooted in roofing knowledge and designed to help contractors deliver quality work. 

We look forward to sharing many more discoveries as RoofersCoffeeShop U.K. continues to grow. By connecting contractors, manufacturers, associations and innovators, we can celebrate the people and products shaping the future of roofing across the U.K. and beyond. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Five years after the Future (P)roof report, extreme heat is reinforcing the need to design, refurbish and maintain roofs for a changing climate. 

In 2021, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) commissioned a report, “Future (P)roof: Building resilience of roofing technologies in a changing climate,” to be made on the climate risks and built environment adaptions that could be made to address them. The report, which was conducted by the University of Southampton, identified overheating and flooding as two of the greatest climate-related risks facing the built environment. Now, five years later, the extreme temperatures and other climate impacts experienced across the United Kingdom have made the report’s focus on adaptation increasingly relevant.  

Upon reflection on the report, NFRC reemphasized their belief that “climate resilience should progressively become embedded within normal building and roof design practice.” What does this look like in action? For one, roofing professionals should consider how a system will perform throughout its service life rather than relying solely on historical weather records. This includes evaluating overheating risks in roof-level accommodation and lightweight construction, planning drainage for future rainfall and establishing clear inspection and maintenance requirements. 

Further, we should change our perspective to think beyond each building’s energy efficiency and carbon reduction and think about how roofs can support broader climate goals. For example, cool and reflective surfaces can reduce solar heat gain, while green and blue systems can help manage rainfall. Roof space may also support biodiversity, urban cooling and renewable energy generation when appropriate for the building. 

It is all important to acknowledge the necessity of refurbishments and updates in a world of changing weather patterns. Even what is considered a highly insulated building a few years ago may overheat in today's rising temperatures and a building that is up to code for drainage or waterproofing might be outdated in a few years.  

Overall, as climate conditions continue to change, resilience is no longer just an optional benefit. It is becoming a key part of good design and asset management. 

Learn more about how climate-resilient roof design can help buildings respond to overheating, intense rainfall and changing weather patterns by reading the full report.

Earlybird tickets available now.

Having enjoyed over two decades of success, the UK Roofing Awards are returning in 2027 and promise an even bigger and better show, with A-lister, multi-talented performer, Jason Manford confirmed as the special guest host.

NFRC is giving guests the chance to secure their tickets in advance at a special early bird rate. The event has attracted tens of thousands of roofing professionals and enthusiasts over the past twenty-one years and continues to grow, with guests travelling from as far as the United States to enjoy the celebrations.

A limited number of early bird ticket rates (holding 2026 prices) are available to purchase on a first come, first served basis. These limited tickets are available until 30 October or until sold out, at which point the standard 2027 ticket prices will kick in. NFRC encourages anyone wishing to attend to book their place/s in advance to take advantage of the discounted ticket rates to avoid disappointment. Likewise, there are some great sponsorship deals currently available to companies wanting to get on board early. Entries for the awards will open in the final quarter of 2026.

The UK Roofing Awards 2027 will take place on 16 April 2027 at the InterContinental-The O2, London.

Individual tickets are available to purchase, and tables of ten enjoy a further discounted price.

Sponsorship packages are still available for a range of award categories. To find out more, download the 2027 brochure from our website or contact Steve Laurence.

So far, confirmed sponsors for 2027 include:

• Headline: Radmat Building Products Ltd
• Receptions and single ply: Recticel Insulation UK Ltd
• Green roofing: Bauder Ltd
• Reinforced bitumen membrane: Unilin Insulation Ltd
• Project of the year and solar roofing: SIG Roofing
• Rainscreen façade: Kingspan Insulation Ltd
• Roof slating: CUPA PIZARRAS
• Roof tiling: Marley Ltd
• Individual health & safety award: ROCKWOOL UK

To take advantage of early bird tickets, please purchase before 5pm Friday 30 October. Limited quantity available.

By Emma Peterson. 

This initiative provides roofing companies with practical tools to develop employees, strengthen leadership and improve workforce retention. 

Across the United Kingdom, there is one common industry challenge top of mind for roofing tradespeople – the skill shortage. Contractors are struggling to bring in new talent and develop the skilled crews needed to meet modern construction demands. In response to this, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has developed a new initiative, Climbing the Ladder, entirely focused on building stronger teams and leaders. To learn more about the initiative, Megan Ellsworth invited Ruth Scarrott, NFRC’s head of careers, onto an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Ruth began the conversation with an explanation of the factors causing the skill shortage and workforce issues in the U.K. She pointed to two main challenges. One was time, “Most of our contractor members are what we call SMEs or small-medium-sized enterprises, usually with an employee base of about 20 people and everyone is busy, they don’t have time for anything beyond the day-to-day operations.” The other challenge is the perception of the roofing trade. As Ruth put it, “There are so many career options for young people and the public perception is why would you choose roofing.”  

What the Climbing the Ladder program aims to do is help roofers overcome these two challenges by integrating professional development into their business models. Ruth explained, “Climbing the Ladder was designed to help roofers create staff development programs. It walks you through what that process looks like and holds your hand through the whole thing with a clear step-by-step to-do list.” 

By building professional development and career growth opportunities in roofing companies, it helps these smaller businesses develop skilled crews and helps change the public perception of the roofing trade.  

Want to learn more about the Climbing the Ladder program? Read more on NFRC’s website, Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording!