Howells Patent Glazing

What Howells Patent Glazing does

Howells Patent Glazing Ltd is a family-owned UK specialist in patent glazing and rooflight systems, operating from a manufacturing base at Triton Works, Woods Lane, Cradley Heath (West Midlands) for over 50 years since founding circa 1970. The company extrudes aluminium glazing bars in-house through its proprietary HG series product line (HG1, HG2, HG3, HG50, HG57, HGVR44, HGR1) and produces an extensive range of rooflight configurations including flat, hipped, faceted, double-pitched, mono-pitched, lantern, northlight, and gable-ended designs, alongside canopies, pergolas, and electrically operated roof vents. Additional technical capabilities include 39mm structural glass rafters (Class 2 safety glass) and a proprietary crane assessment methodology for safe installation of oversized glazing under LOLER-certified stillages.

The company serves three primary segments: large-scale commercial/industrial roof glazing (shopping centres, schools, airports, industrial buildings), residential home improvements (kitchen extensions, orangery rooflights), and heritage/conservation projects (Grade I and II listed buildings, scheduled monuments). Notable customers and projects span Merlin, Aldi, Carphone Warehouse, Barkers (Northallerton), the University of Gloucestershire, Kingswood Academy (Hull), Hull College, Leeds City College, Alton Towers Resort, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (world's first iron-frame building restoration), the Environment Agency's Foss Barrier flood defence upgrade in York, Salford Museum & Art Gallery, and Tileyard North's Grade II Rutland Mills regeneration in Wakefield.

The revenue model is project-based, with free no-obligation quotations issued per project on either supply-only or supply-and-installation terms. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales for major commercial, heritage, and public sector contracts (engaged via main contractors and architects) with inside sales (phone at 01384 820060 and website quote requests) for residential and smaller commercial enquiries. Distribution is direct, with no retail or e-commerce storefront, and all manufacturing and nationwide installation operates from the single West Midlands facility. Certifications and compliance credentials include ISO 9001:2015 (certificate 1048-4_9_2025), PAS24 and Police Standard security performance, Constructionline Gold, NARM full membership, and SMAS Worksafe compliance.

Name

Howells Patent Glazing

Legal name

Howells Patent Glazing Ltd

Website

https://howellsglazing.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned UK specialist in patent glazing and rooflights, manufacturing proprietary aluminium glazing bar systems in-house and serving commercial, residential, and heritage/conservation projects nationwide from its West Midlands base for over 50 years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Glazing and Rooflight Manufacturing

NAICS

Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321), Glass and Glazing Contractors (238150), Glass and Glazing Contractors (23815)

SIC

Prefabricated Metal Buildings & Components (3448), Sheet Metal Work (3444), Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)

akta.pro primary industry

Skylights, Roof Glazing & Glass Roofing Systems (IMADAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Glazing & Fenestration (Curtain Wall, Windows, Storefronts, Skylights) (IMAFAMAC), Roofing Systems & Waterproofing (Membranes, Shingles, TPO/EPDM, Liquid-Applied) (IMAFAMAA), Specialty Glazing (Acoustic, Blast, Bullet-Resistant, Smart/Electrochromic) (IMADAHAL)

Keywords

• Patent glazing
• Aluminium glazing bars
• Rooflights
• Roof glazing systems
• Heritage glazing

Headquarters

HQ city

Warley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales and Installation: One-time sale and installation of bespoke patent glazing systems, rooflights, and canopies for commercial and residential projects. Supply-only or supply-and-install options available. Revenue generated per project based on scope, materials, and installation requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Howells Patent Glazing designs, manufactures and installs bespoke patent glazing and roof glazing systems for commercial, residential and heritage projects across the UK. Its core competence is in-house extrusion of aluminium glazing bars (HG series) used in rooflights, canopies and pergolas, with both supply-only and supply-and-install options provided nationwide from its West Midlands manufacturing base.

Product overview

Howells Patent Glazing Ltd is a family-owned manufacturer and installer of aluminium patent glazing systems and rooflights, operating for over 50 years from the West Midlands. The company extrudes its glazing bars in-house and offers an extensive range of products including multiple rooflight styles (flat, hipped, faceted, double-pitched, mono-pitched, lantern, and northlight designs), glazing bar systems (HG1, HG2, HG3, HG50, HG57, HGVR44, and HGR1), canopies, and pergolas. Their products serve both large-scale commercial applications (shopping centres, schools, airports, industrial buildings) and residential home improvements (kitchen extensions, orangery rooflights, conservatory roofs). The company provides both supply-only and supply-and-installation services nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mono / Single Pitch Rooflights Single-pitched rooflight solutions for flat roof extensions, allowing natural light to enter spaces from above for residential and commercial projects.
• Lantern Lights Traditional-style roof lanterns that create elegant elevated light sources for domestic and commercial spaces.
• Facetted Rooflights Multi-faceted rooflight designs for angular roof configurations, providing daylighting with architectural appeal.
• North Lights North-facing rooflights designed to provide consistent, glare-free natural daylight without direct sun exposure, suitable for studios and industrial buildings.
• Hipped Rooflights Rooflights with hip-ended configurations for pyramid-style roofing structures.
• Double Pitched Rooflight Dual-pitched rooflight systems designed for traditional pitched roof configurations.
• Flat Rooflight Ultra-slim flat rooflights for contemporary flat roof installations, including walk-on variants and fixed kerb options, designed for thermally efficient daylighting.
• Gable Ended Rooflights Rooflights designed for installation in gable-ended roof structures, using the HG50 light duty glazing system in 6mm single glaze configurations.
• Canopies Glazed canopy structures for covered outdoor spaces, entrances and walkways for commercial and residential settings.
• Pergola Aluminium pergola systems for outdoor garden and patio applications.
• Patent Glazing Bar Systems (HG Series) The proprietary HG-series aluminium glazing bar portfolio extruded in-house, including HG1 standard patent glazing, HG2 and HG3 28mm systems, HG50 light duty, HG57 28mm heavy duty, HGVR44 box bar, and HGR1 rafter bar systems for self-supporting spans across mono-pitched, double-hipped and other roof configurations.
• Roof Vents and Motors Electrically operated roof vents with motors and control systems for natural ventilation, featuring rain sensors and temperature controls for conservatories, orangeries and commercial rooflights.
• Supply-and-Install Glazing Service Nationwide supply and installation service for patent glazing systems, rooflights, canopies and pergolas, including site survey, safe installation using the company's Crane Assessment Method, and project handover for commercial, heritage and residential clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rooflights provide at least twice as much light than a similarly sized vertical window and three times as much as a similarly sized dormer window
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sewell ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing supply chain partner for construction projects including Kingswood Academy in Hull (£4.4m extension) and Tileyard North heritage regeneration. Sewell Construction appointed Howells as the preferred glazing specialist for multiple projects based on existing relationship and skillset.
• Opera PMminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management consultancy appointed alongside main contractor Sewell Construction for Tileyard North regeneration scheme. Howells worked with Opera PM on design and installation coordination.
• DC ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for Tudor Grange Grade II conversion project in Solihull. DC Construction selected Howells based on reputation for technical design support and product expertise.
• JBA BentleyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntegrated design and build contractor appointed by Environment Agency for Foss Barrier flood defence upgrade. Howells was appointed to supply and install replacement glazing for the extended bridge structure.
• Seddon ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStaffordshire-based contractor for Alton Towers historic conservatory restoration. Howells worked alongside Seddon to complete roof lantern installation in four months.
• MACC LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper for Tudor Grange/Blossomfield Park inter-generational living development. Howells provided glazing solutions for both heritage conversion and new build elements.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Xglas (Cantifix): UK specialist in structural glass installations including glass roofs, walk-on glass, and frameless glazing. Comparable in high-end structural and heritage glass roof applications, though with a more architectural/structural glass orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Pilkington: Global glass manufacturer and supplier (part of NSG Group) providing float glass, coated glass, and glazing components used in roof glazing systems. Comparable as an upstream supplier into Howells' glazing systems and as a broad incumbent in the glazing industry.
• Velux: Global leader in roof windows and skylights with a substantial UK presence. Competes at the residential and commercial end of the roof glazing market but at significantly larger scale and with standardised rather than bespoke systems.
• Brett Martin: Established UK and Ireland rooflight manufacturer with a broad rooflight and glazing portfolio including Mardome and Roofglaze ranges. Comparable as a competing UK rooflight manufacturer, but with a much wider product catalogue and scale.
• Fakro: European manufacturer of roof windows, flat roof windows, and loft ladders. Comparable in roof glazing product category, particularly flat-roof and pitched-roof window segments, though operating more as a standardised product supplier.

Regional players

• Skyway Skylights: UK regional installer of rooflights and skylights serving the South East. Comparable as a rooflight installation provider in the UK commercial and residential market, though more focused on installation than bespoke manufacturing.

Direct peers

• The Rooflight Company: UK manufacturer of bespoke rooflights and walk-on roof glazing for residential and commercial applications. Highly comparable in bespoke design-led roof glazing for premium and heritage projects.
• Whitesales: UK specialist in flat roof rooflights and modular skylights for commercial and residential buildings. Directly comparable in flat-roof rooflight systems, though focused more on standardised modular units than heritage bespoke work.
• Sunsquare: UK manufacturer of rooflights and glass roof systems for commercial and residential projects. Comparable as a bespoke UK rooflight specialist competing in commercial and education segments.
• Glazing Vision: UK-based specialist manufacturer of rooflights, skylights, and glass roof structures for residential, commercial, and heritage projects. Directly comparable as a premium bespoke roof glazing specialist competing in similar commercial and conservation segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/howellsglazing
• Facebookfacebook.com/HowellsGlazing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howells-patent-glazing-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/howellsglazing

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Howells Patent Glazing