As the UK construction industry looks ahead, the outlook for 2026 is increasingly positive. According to the Glenigan Construction Industry Forecast (June 2025–2027), the market is beginning to move beyond a challenging period marked by inflationary pressures, skills shortages and programme disruption.
In this article, we look at the sectors set to thrive and how our strong track record of delivering façade installations positions Eden Facades as the ideal partner as activity increases.
Glenigan forecasts that the total value of underlying UK construction project starts (under £100m) will rise from approximately £70bn in 2025 to more than £85bn by 2027, representing double-digit annual growth in the latter years of the forecast period. While 2025 acted as a year of transition for many organisations, momentum is expected to build from 2026 onwards, driven by:
Residential construction is forecast to be the single largest contributor to industry growth over the next three years. Private housing starts are expected to increase by 10% in 2026 and 18% in 2027, while social housing activity is also set to grow steadily as government funding supports the delivery of affordable homes.
Eden Facades continues to support high-quality residential developments, as demonstrated by our work at Longwater in Reading. Working with Berkeley Group, we delivered façade installation works across two large-scale residential projects.
On the first project, our scope included the installation of fire barriers, cladding, soffits, fascias, copings and fins. The second project involved the installation of SFS, Y-Wall Board, insulation, Hardie Plank cladding, copings, aluminium soffits, fascias and fins.
Berkeley Group was delighted with the quality of work delivered across both projects, with our teams consistently demonstrating high standards and attention to detail. Together, these schemes showcased our commitment to quality, effective project management and the development of long-term client relationships.
Following a short-term contraction in 2025, education construction is expected to return to growth from 2026. Project starts are forecast to rise by approximately 4% year-on-year through to 2027. Schools continue to account for around 75% of all education construction activity, supported by capital investment and the ongoing School Rebuilding Programme.
Eden Facades has extensive experience delivering façade solutions for educational environments. A notable example is our work at Little Reddings School in Hertfordshire, where we installed an External Wall Insulation (EWI) system for a new-build education facility. The system was designed to deliver durability, strong thermal performance and a robust external envelope suitable for a busy school environment.
Morgan Sindall was so pleased with the quality of work delivered that they extended our scope to include the installation of fascias and soffits at the building entrance. This reflected the high level of trust established during the project.
We also delivered the EWI installation for Fairview PRU School in Basildon, a specialist education setting. Working within a constrained site, our approach prioritised low maintenance, regulatory compliance and programme efficiency, ensuring minimal disruption while delivering a resilient, high-quality façade solution.
Healthcare construction is forecast to regain momentum from 2026, with sector growth of 3% expected in 2026, accelerating to 8% in 2027. This growth is underpinned by increased NHS capital funding and long-term investment programmes to upgrade and expand healthcare estates.
Eden Facades brings proven expertise in delivering durable, compliant and aesthetically considered façade solutions for healthcare environments. Examples of our healthcare projects include:
· Colchester Hospital – Working with MTX, we installed a brick-slip system on the lower levels, rainscreen cladding on the upper elevations, louvre screens, insulation, and fire barriers for the £64 million Essex & Suffolk Elective Orthopaedic Centre.
· Kingsley Healthcare, Holt – In partnership with long-term collaborator RG Carter, we installed cream Petrarch rainscreen cladding using a mechanically fixed system.
As construction projects increase in scale and complexity, selecting the right delivery partner is critical. Eden Facades manages risk through rigorous quality assurance processes, detailed planning and experienced project management, ensuring consistently high standards at every stage of delivery.
Our commitment to quality underpins everything we do and is reinforced through respected third-party accreditations, including KIWA, SWIGA, and the IAA. To ensure our services continue to meet and exceed regulatory requirements, we invest heavily in continuous training, professional development and mentorship. This approach equips our teams with up-to-date knowledge and advanced skills in a constantly evolving industry.
We aim to ensure clients feel valued and supported as trusted partners, delivering projects safely, on time, within budget and with clear assurances around quality and programme certainty.
The Glenigan forecast presents a clear picture: growth from 2026 onwards will be led by housing, education and healthcare, supported by rising public investment and improving market confidence.
“While there have been clear obstacles across the industry during 2025, I remain optimistic about the years ahead,” says Tony Hill, Managing Director of Eden Facades.
“We are well placed to support projects as confidence returns to the market. Our teams have the skills, expertise and knowledge to deliver, and we are committed to providing certainty for our clients – delivering high-quality façade solutions on time and to budget.”
By continuing to invest in our people, systems and collaborative ways of working, Eden Facades is well-positioned to support clients as the market gathers pace.
As the construction industry regains momentum, specialist expertise, early engagement and reliable delivery will be essential. Eden Facades is proud to play its part in supporting sustainable growth well beyond 2026.
If you would like to learn more about how we can support you and your projects, please get in touch with our team by calling us on 01268 744199 or by emailing us at office@edenfacades.co.uk
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