MOVING FORWARD IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WITH LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

While some areas of construction continue to face challenging market conditions, Deceuninck Commercial says schemes backed by long-term investors are maintaining momentum. Specify & Build reports.

As the UK construction sector continues to be battered by strong headwinds, with a sluggish economy, bad weather and the fallout from the Iran conflict all taking their toll, many housebuilders have struggled to keep schemes viable.

Fighting rising costs, economic uncertainty and subdued consumer confidence, many are choosing to delay projects until conditions become more favourable.

In the commercial market, however, a different approach is facilitating progress despite the challenges faced by the wider construction sector. Although commercial investment decisions have become more considered, many schemes continue to move forward, particularly where investors are taking a long-term view.

This means focusing on assets capable of delivering sustainable returns over many years.

“There are two camps of decisions going on in the sector at the moment,” says Peter Dyer, UK Head of Commercial & Specification Sales at Deceuninck.

“You’ve got your long-term investors with the cash, and they’re looking for projects where they can see some return in five, 10, 15 or 20 years. It is with those kinds of stakeholders that we are seeing the commitment to move schemes forward.”

This contrasts with the private housebuilding sector, where cash flow challenges, overheads and a fluctuating material cost base are fuelling a greater reticence to build.

While private developers often need to respond quickly to changing market conditions, sales rates and borrowing costs, long-term investors place greater focus on the lifetime performance of an asset.

Whether the development is residential, mixed use, social housing or purpose-built student accommodation, the priority is creating buildings capable of generating value for decades, rather than simply delivering an immediate return.

This places greater emphasis on specification. With products expected to deliver excellent thermal performance, withstand intensive use, minimise maintenance requirements and support increasingly demanding sustainability targets, whole-life value has become just as important as initial cost.

Combining strong thermal performance with durability, low maintenance and manufacturing consistency to help building owners reduce operational costs, commercial PVC-U window and door systems such as Deceuninck’s Elegant are well suited to these requirements.

Capable of achieving U-values as low as 0.7W/m²K, Elegant exceeds current Building Regulations while supporting lower operational energy demand.

Its insulated thermal sash combines ThermoFibra glass fibre technology with Deceuninck’s Forthex material, removing the need for traditional steel reinforcement without compromising strength or stability.

Alongside a contemporary, minimalist appearance, the system also offers the consistency and repeatability required across large commercial developments, giving contractors confidence that products can be manufactured and installed to the same high standard throughout an entire project.

As well as providing products such as Elegant that fit the bill, understanding investor requirements is equally important for fabricators, contractors and specifiers working in the commercial sector.

“Understanding the contrasting needs and wants of your stakeholders allows you to pick your way through the marketplace to add as much value as you can to the right area,” says Peter.

For Deceuninck Commercial, that means supporting its customers through the specification process is key, as well as supplying quality windows and doors.

“I think the responsibility right now, as we sit in 2026, is still that education of the marketplace,” Peter continues. “We are very committed to bringing demand to our supply chain. We want to support our customers to grow.”

While parts of the construction market continue to wait for confidence to return, commercial investment has not ground to a halt.

Projects backed by long-term investment are continuing to move forward, creating opportunities for businesses that can deliver what they need.

For fabricators, contractors and specifiers, that means selecting products that can offer lasting performance and working with partners that can add value throughout the design, specification and delivery process.

As investment becomes increasingly selective, those qualities are set to become even more important in the years ahead.