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Forty years of the flat roof 

  • Specify & Build
  • 10 hours ago
  • 5 min read

As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, ICB Waterproofing looks back at how roofing trends, challenges and good practice have evolved. 


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In 1985, the UK’s construction landscape looked very different. Flat roofs were often specified with performance in mind, but sustainability wasn’t yet part of the conversation. Four decades later, environmental impact, whole-life cost, and regulatory compliance have become core considerations – and companies like ICB Waterproofing, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary year in 2025, have had a front-row seat to these changes. 

 

“Over the past four decades we’ve seen a real shift in priorities,” says Rob Jackson, CEO of ICB Waterproofing. “Performance is still essential, but now it sits alongside environmental responsibility, recyclability, and lifecycle cost in the decision-making process.” 

 

How specification has changed 

The evolution of roofing specification has been shaped by both design and regulation. There’s greater demand for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, and specifiers are increasingly seeking full system packages from a single source, with membranes, vapour control layers, insulation, and edge details all designed to work together and supported by technical guidance. 

Detailing has become a more critical skillset too. Complex roof forms and numerous penetrations have driven growth in liquid-applied systems, valued for their flexibility in challenging layouts. 

 

“Modern architecture is pushing the boundaries of form and function,” Rob adds. “That means detailing is more complex — and the wrong approach early on can be costly later. Liquid-applied systems have also grown in popularity, largely due to their flexibility in accommodating intricate layouts and penetrations.” 

 

Another notable change has been the rise in early-stage collaboration between manufacturers and specifiers. This upfront engagement helps match design intent to buildability and ensures that the chosen system will perform as intended. 

 

Getting specification right 

ICB’s long experience in the industry means that the company can offer sound technical advice for specifiers working on flat roof projects to help them get the design right first time. First, think holistically about the roof’s purpose: is it purely protective, or does it need to host plant, solar panels, access routes, or even green spaces? The most appropriate system isn’t necessarily the most expensive – it’s the one that meets performance, buildability, and durability needs for that specific project. 

 

Early engagement with manufacturers can also prevent mismatches between design and reality. “At ICB, we offer detailed technical input at the planning and design stage to help specifiers avoid mismatches between design intent and on-site reality,” Rob says. “Buildability assessments at the design stage are also hugely valuable. We often help identify issues before they reach site.” 

 

Compatibility is key – both within the roof system itself and where the roof meets adjoining building elements. Some membranes work with bitumen, others don’t; and those differences affect detailing and long-term performance. And while it’s tempting to rely on generic specifications, every project has unique requirements. Manufacturer-specific specifications reduce the risk of under-performance and help ensure warranties are valid. 


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 Sustainability remains a challenge 

Sustainability is the most pressing long-term challenge. Specifiers can influence this by selecting products with Environmental Product Declarations, favouring long-life systems, and opting for solutions that can be refurbished or recycled rather than replaced, reducing material waste at end of life. 

 

The industry is also facing a skills shortage, with fewer trained installers entering the trade. This shortage can undermine installation quality, making robust training and approved contractor schemes more important than ever. 

 

A third challenge is the pace of regulatory change, particularly around fire safety. Requirements such as BROOF(t4) and updates to Part B of the Building Regulations demand close attention. Manufacturers who understand and can advise on these requirements, such as ICB Waterproofing, are valuable allies for specifiers. 

 

Avoiding common pitfalls 

Many issues ICB’s technical team is called in to resolve relate to detailing at penetrations and interfaces. Trying to apply a standard solution to an unconventional roof geometry is a common cause of failure. Early engagement allows bespoke details to be designed before construction begins. 

 

Late-stage changes are another culprit. “When M&E plant or access routes are added late, it can compromise the waterproofing strategy,” Rob warns. Fixing layouts early and involving all disciplines from the start can prevent such conflicts. 

 

Rob adds: “Another recurring issue is poor coordination between disciplines – for example, when M&E installations, maintenance access routes or plant are added late in the process, compromising the waterproofing strategy. This can be mitigated by early and collaborative design development, as well as ensuring the roof layout is fixed and signed off before construction.” 

 

Warranty misunderstandings are also frequent. The safest route is a single-source waterproofing system from a reputable supplier, with a clearly defined guarantee covering the entire system, and all backed by robust technical support. 

 

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Four decades in context 

As the flat roof industry has evolved, ICB has grown along with it. Founded by Michael Steinbach in 1985 as the UK distributor for German-made alwitra membranes, the company has grown from a home-based business in Poole to a nationwide group with three specialist arms: 

  • ICB (Waterproofing) Ltd is the UK’s sole distributor of alwitra membranes. It delivers robust waterproofing solutions for flat roofing, supported by expert technical advice, detailed specifications, and condition surveys. 

  • ICB (Projects) Ltd, launched in 2008, offers design, supply, and installation of ancillary flat roof technologies – including solar PV, green roofs, battery storage, roof edge protection, and rooflights. 

  • ICB (Fabrications) Ltd, also established in 2008, specialises in bespoke metal fabrications. These are custom-designed, manufactured, and finished in-house to meet project-specific demands and intricate designs – including finishes in any RAL colour. 

 

The Group’s facilities now span more than 44,000 square feet of office, warehousing and training space, including ICB Central, near Nottingham – a combined showroom and training centre with conference rooms and modern office space. ICB Central showcases not only the company’s comprehensive product range but also completed projects and real-life applications. The facility reflects ICB’s continued investment in customer experience, training, and the future of roofing technology in the UK. 

 

Recent diversification has seen ICB Fabrications move into decorative aluminium products such as planters and wall art, using the same precision engineering skills developed for complex roofing details to create products for outdoor environments. 

 

Looking forward 

Rob Jackson continues: “Entering our 40th year, we’re experiencing an exciting period of growth. Sustainability and innovation are central to our future, and we aim to pair the best products with the best technical support and customer service.” 

 

As the flat roofing sector continues to grapple with sustainability targets, skills shortages, and evolving regulations, the lessons from the past four decades are clear: success lies in early collaboration, tailored specifications, and an eye on the whole life of the roof. 

 

The technologies may have changed since 1985, but the principle remains the same — getting the specification right at the start is the surest way to deliver a roof that performs for decades to come. 

 
 

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