Business premises often need more regular maintenance access than residential properties, and with the construction sector seeing an upswing, office roof rails may be in greater demand in the years to come as well.
Figures from the Construction Products Association, published by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, show an estimated 7% increase in construction of commercial offices in 2014.
In 2015 this growth is predicted to accelerate even further, to reach 10%, while infrastructure activity is expected to mirror the trend at growth of 10.1% in 2014 and 7.2% the following year.
With many of these buildings likely to be several storeys high – particularly in Central London where demand is at its highest – office roof rails will be an important addition to allow safe roof access for maintenance workers, without the risk of falling from the edge.
Dr Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, says: “Commercial, the largest sector, is expected to grow each year up to 2017.
“The offices sub-sector in particular has recently shown growth.”
Industrial properties are also predicted to grow, with more factories and warehouses to be built through to at least 2017, and again roof guardrails could prove an important safety addition, with walkovers for any weaker parts of the roof.