Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association

What Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association does

The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) is a UK not-for-profit trade association founded in 1979 and rebranded under its current name in 2010, headquartered in London with 1-10 employees. It represents the leading manufacturers of liquid applied waterproofing membranes, approved contractors, and related materials suppliers operating in the UK liquid roofing and waterproofing sector. Its underlying technology scope covers PMMA, hot-applied polymer-modified bitumen, polyurethane, and reinforced bitumen membrane systems used across flat roofs, balconies, walkways, terraces, car parks, and buried applications.

LRWA's core service offering comprises technical guidance and standards (Codes of Practice, Guidance Notes, contribution to British Standards including BS 6229:2025), the Liquid Roofing Finder product register, the LRWA Online Training Academy and the Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) leading to NVQ Level 2 and CSCS cards, the annual LRWA Awards & Gala Dinner, and industry representation through partnerships with NFRC, SPRA, CITB, Build UK, CPA, IoR, GRO, and the Rooflight Association. The association is governed by a member-elected board, currently chaired by Chris Bott (appointed June 2026) with CEO Sarah Spink leading operations.

The business model is membership-based: recurring subscription dues from manufacturers, contractors, and suppliers constitute the primary revenue stream, supplemented by income from events (Awards gala, Dragon Boat Regatta, regional social events), training programmes (Trainee, Experienced Worker, Manufacturer Product Training, Online Academy), and CPD delivery to specifiers. Specific membership fees are not publicly disclosed. As a non-profit, LRWA has no external investors, parent company, subsidiaries, or funding rounds, and is structured as a private limited company (company number 03954421) registered in England.

Name

Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association

Legal name

Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association Limited

Website

https://lrwa.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LRWA is the UK trade association representing manufacturers, approved contractors, and materials suppliers in the liquid applied waterproofing sector, delivering technical standards, training, the Liquid Roofing Finder product register, and the annual Awards programme since 1979.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association — Roofing & Waterproofing

akta.pro primary industry

Water Systems & Treatment (Pumps/Boilers/Water Heaters/Filtration) (IMAIABAK)

Keywords

• Liquid applied membranes
• Waterproofing standards
• Roofing trade association
• Industry training
• Technical guidance

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: LRWA generates revenue through membership fees from manufacturers of liquid applied waterproofing, approved contractors, and related materials suppliers. Membership provides access to technical guidance, training, industry representation, and networking opportunities.
2. Events and Awards: Revenue generated from LRWA Awards & Gala Dinner events, Dragon Boat Regatta, Charity Team Challenge, and regional social events.
3. Training programmes: Training and CPD courses including Liquid Roofing Trainee, Experienced Worker Training, Manufacturer Product Training, and LRWA Online Training Academy. Members can access funding support for training through CITB partnership.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) is the UK trade association for the liquid applied waterproofing membrane industry. It represents leading manufacturers, approved contractors, and related materials suppliers, providing technical guidance, codes of practice, industry standards (including BS 6229:2025), a Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP), an online training academy, CPD presentations, an annual awards programme, and the Liquid Roofing Finder product register.

Product overview

The Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA) is a trade association representing manufacturers of liquid applied waterproofing, approved contractors, and related materials suppliers in the UK. Founded in 1979, the LRWA provides technical guidance, training programs, industry standards, and an annual awards ceremony. The association's core services include the Liquid Roofing Finder product registration tool, Technical Guidance & Standards documentation, the LRWA Training Academy with online courses, and the Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) equivalent to an apprenticeship. Member case studies demonstrate applications across sectors including education, heritage buildings, commercial, and transport. Member manufacturers produce various liquid applied membrane products including hot-melt systems (Radmat PermaQuik), cold-applied PMMA systems (WestWood Wecryl), polyurethane systems (Sika Decothane Ultra), and specialist deck coatings (Deckshield, Triflex DeckFloor, Proteus Pro-Cold).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liquid Roofing Finder An online product register that helps specifiers, architects and contractors find suitable liquid applied waterproofing products and approved LRWA contractors in the UK.
• Technical Guidance & Standards Comprehensive technical documentation including codes of practice, guidance notes, regulatory guidance and standards for liquid applied membrane installation and specification, available to members and the wider industry.
• LRWA Online Training Academy Online training platform delivering courses for liquid roofing professionals, including trainee programmes, experienced worker training and manufacturer product training modules.
• Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP) Apprenticeship-equivalent training programme for the liquid roofing sector that trains roofers in the expert installation of liquid-applied membranes, leading to an NVQ Level 2 qualification and CSCS card.
• LRWA Awards & Gala Dinner Annual awards ceremony recognising excellence in liquid roofing and waterproofing projects across categories including project size, sustainability, training and individual contribution.
• LRWA Membership Membership offering for manufacturers of liquid applied waterproofing products, approved contractors and related materials suppliers, providing access to technical guidance, training, awards, networking events and industry representation.
• BS 6229:2025 Flat Roofs Standard Updated British Standard for flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coatings, effective 31 December 2025, covering roof falls, drainage, deck quality, blue roofs, inverted warm roofs and thermal performance.
• Hot Melt Code of Practice (2025 Edition) Comprehensive guidance on design, specification, installation and maintenance of hot-applied polymer-modified bitumen systems, updated to reflect single-layer hot melt systems and inverted roofs, available as a free download.
• Guidance Note 18: Electronic Integrity Testing LRWA guidance note describing non-invasive Electronic Integrity Testing (EIT), a method that applies electrical current across a waterproofing membrane surface to detect defects and potential leaks.
• CPD Presentations Continuing Professional Development sessions delivered to architects, surveyors and specifiers on liquid roofing products, design and technical best practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• BS 6229:2025 provides updated guidance on flat roof design, installation and performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, minor and core.

• PolyroofflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 January 2026Headline sponsor for LRWA Awards 2026 & Gala Dinner on 25 March 2026 at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool. Polyroof has been an LRWA member for over 35 years.
• SikamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor and active member of LRWA. Richard Aldred of Sika appointed as Vice Chair of LRWA Board.
• BaudermajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award category sponsor and LRWA member supporting industry events and awards.
• Proteus WaterproofingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor and LRWA member supporting awards and industry recognition.
• WestWood Liquid TechnologiesmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor and LRWA member. Gary Hemmings, MD of WestWood, previously LRWA Chair.
• Emperor RoofingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor and LRWA member. Robert Whitton from Emperor Roofing appointed as LRWA Board Director.
• Quantum Insulation (QI)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award category sponsor for Liquid Roofing Project of the Year in a Buried Application.
• Polyfoam XPSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor for Liquid Waterproofing Project of the Year category.
• Unilin InsulationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor for Student of the Year and Sustainability Project of the Year categories.
• InstarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 January 2026Award sponsor for Liquid Roofing Project of the Year Under 1000m² category.
• LandAidcoreOthers · 1 January 2021LRWA's chosen charity since 2021. LandAid brings together property and construction industries to end youth homelessness, investing over £2 million annually in projects across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
• Rooflight AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Rooflight Association to provide specialist knowledge and support across both memberships. The Rooflight Association (formerly NARM) rebranded in 2023 and extended membership to installers, specifiers, distributors. Providing rooflight training as part of LRWA's Specialist Applied-skills Programme (SAP).
• SPRA (Single Ply Roofing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA works with SPRA to raise the roofing industry's profile and achieve shared goals. SPRA is the voice of the single ply roofing industry established in 1992.
• NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA is a member organisation and acknowledged specialist representing liquid waterproofing within NFRC. This arrangement facilitates close communication to create a more 'joined up' UK roofing industry.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCITB is the Industry Training Board for construction in England, Scotland and Wales. LRWA works closely with CITB when developing specialist training courses for liquid waterproofing industry.
• Build UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA members have access to Build UK benefits. Build UK represents in excess of 40% of UK construction, bringing together clients, main contractors, and trade associations representing over 11,500 specialist contractors.
• CPA (Construction Products Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPA represents UK manufacturers and distributors of construction products. LRWA is represented on CPA board to influence high-level issues affecting members.
• GRO (Green Roof Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGRO is a partnership of industry and stakeholders developing guidance for specification, design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of Green Roofs.
• CPD UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA works with CPD Certification Services to provide liquid roofing professionals with CPD learning opportunities.
• TAF (Trade Association Forum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAF is the leading representative body for associations in the UK, helping members engage, improve and lead their sectors.
• IoR (Institute of Roofing)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA is represented on IoR board. IoR promotes improvement of skills and knowledge for individuals working in UK roofing industry.
• Go ConstructminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLRWA and members pledge support to Go Construct initiative encouraging people into construction careers.
• Roofing TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia supporter providing coverage of LRWA news and events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC): UK trade association for the roofing industry. LRWA is itself an acknowledged specialist member of NFRC, and both serve overlapping roofing contractor and manufacturer bases with technical standards, training, and industry representation.
• Rooflight Association: UK trade association (formerly NARM) covering rooflights. It co-develops training and technical content with LRWA via the SAP programme, reflecting a close peer relationship in the building envelope.
• Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA): UK trade association representing single-ply roofing membranes. It mirrors LRWA's model for an adjacent waterproofing technology, sharing industry advocacy, training, and standards roles for UK roof specifiers.
• Institute of Roofing (IoR): UK professional body promoting improved skills and knowledge across the roofing industry. LRWA holds a board seat there, sharing the same mission of training and competency development for roofers.
• Green Roof Organisation (GRO): UK partnership of industry and stakeholders setting guidance for green roof specification, design, installation, and maintenance. GRO is a formal LRWA partner, targeting the same UK specifier audience with adjacent roofing content.

Broad incumbents

• Build UK: UK umbrella body representing clients, main contractors, and trade associations covering over 40% of UK construction. LRWA members access Build UK benefits, positioning it as a broader-incumbent ally with overlapping influence.
• Construction Products Association (CPA): UK trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of construction products. LRWA sits on the CPA board, indicating CPA is a broader-incumbent peer influencing high-level policy affecting the same member base.
• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB): UK statutory Industry Training Board for construction. CITB partners with LRWA on specialist training funding and SAP programme development, making it a broad-incumbent peer in construction skills and training.

Regional players

• National Insulation Association (NIA): UK trade association for the insulation industry. NIA is a comparable specialty trade association model targeting UK construction contractors and specifiers, with overlapping training and standards activities.

Others

• Trade Association Forum (TAF): UK representative body for trade associations. LRWA is a member of TAF, providing sector-wide governance and best-practice support analogous to LRWA's role within the roofing sub-sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@liquidroofingandwaterproofing9576
• Facebookfacebook.com/lrwassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/liquid-roofing-and-waterproofing-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/lrwassociation
• Xx.com/LRWAssociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association