LEADING Edge’s latest reports show a market defined by consistency and trust, yet one where subtle shifts in brand perception, installation systems and contractor expectations continue to shape competition.
For almost two decades, Leading Edge has been charting the evolution of the contract flooring adhesives and smoothing compounds markets through a long-running research programme that captures the views of contractors across all major commercial sectors.
Since the first reports were published in 2007, the studies have offered a rare long-term view of how installation practices, brand preferences and specification behaviour have developed.
Over that time, the market has seen the steady rise of system-based installation, the growth of resilient floorcoverings such as LVT, and the consolidation of a handful of manufacturers who now account for the vast majority of usage.
The newly released 2025 editions continue that timeline, providing a detailed picture of two mature but still evolving markets, ones where loyalty runs deep but subtle shifts in perception and usage are beginning to appear.
Two reports, two markets
The findings are presented in two complementary publications:
- The GB Contract Flooring Adhesives Market Report 2025 — Analyses brand usage, market share and specification trends across all adhesive types, including pressure-sensitive and gun-and-hose systems.
Contractors rated brands for product quality, ease of use and value for money, and discussed what drives their choices — from habit and reliability to technical performance and specification influence. The report also includes Leading Edge’s market size estimates and growth forecasts for the contract adhesives sector. - The GB Contract Floor Smoothing Compounds Market Report 2025 — Focuses on levelling compounds, primers and damp proof membranes. It tracks usage by subfloor type, including cementitious and anhydrite screeds, and adds new insight into fine-finishing products.
Contractor feedback covers workability, drying time, consistency and perceived reliability. The report also provides market size, share and forecast data, giving suppliers a clear picture of market scale and direction.
Both reports follow the same analytical structure, combining brand ratings and contractor perceptions with market size estimates, share analysis and forecasts. This enables manufacturers and suppliers to benchmark their performance within a clear picture of market scale and direction.
Each report draws on 100 in-depth telephone interviews with UK flooring contractors working across offices, education, healthcare and retail. Both maintain trend data back to 2007, enabling suppliers to benchmark long-term change.
Adhesives: a stable hierarchy with incremental movement
The adhesives market continues to be dominated by a small group of long-established manufacturers.
F Ball & Co retains a commanding lead, followed by Ardex, Mapei, Uzin, and Kerakoll (formerly Tilemaster) – together representing about 85% of total market share. While this overall ranking remains familiar, the 2025 results point to subtle shifts in awareness and perceived strengths. Contractors continue to prefer trusted brands, yet there is growing curiosity about alternative suppliers.
A smaller proportion of contractors also mentioned brands such as Kelmore, Bostik and Instarmac, illustrating the breadth of suppliers active in the adhesives market and the continuing emergence of niche or specialist entrants.
Smoothing compounds: performance remains the defining factor
In the smoothing compounds market, F Ball and Ardex remain the clear leaders, with Mapei, Uzin and Kerakoll forming the next tier of frequently used brands.
Roughly two-thirds of contractors cite product reliability and workability as their main reasons for brand preference, while drying time and ease of mixing also rank highly.
Price remains a secondary factor, mentioned by only a small proportion of respondents.
The research again confirms system-based installation is now standard practice: around eight in 10 contractors said they typically use adhesives, smoothing compounds, primers and DPMs from the same manufacturer, valuing compatibility and single-source accountability.
New in the 2025 editions
Reflecting gradual change within these mature markets, the 2025 studies introduce several new areas of analysis: - Added insight into fine-finishing compounds
- Continued tracking of anhydrite screed usage
- An initial exploration of underfloor heating (UFH) in commercial settings
- Contractor feedback on product-innovation priorities, highlighting where manufacturers can best add value
Evolving perceptions and rising expectations
Although both markets remain steady, contractors are gradually redefining what they value most. Alongside product reliability and consistency, they are paying greater attention to availability, sustainability credentials and ease of application.
These subtle changes show that, while the fundamentals are stable, expectations continue to edge upward.
‘These are markets defined by trust and habit, but they’re not static,’ says Elly Cousin, director at Leading Edge. ‘Each new edition of our research reveals small but meaningful shifts — in brand visibility, product performance, and the way system-based installation reinforces supplier relationships.’
Together, the two reports provide one of the most comprehensive and long-running evidence bases available on the UK commercial flooring installation sector.
The GB Contract Flooring Adhesives Market Report 2025 and the GB Contract Floor Smoothing Compounds Market Report 2025 are available now.
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www.lead-edge.co.uk
Elly Cousin is director at Leading Edge