Donegal based roofing and rainwater specialist Kytun has picked up the Most Innovative Product award for its Performance Plus Aluminium Slate Trim at the 2025 Pitched Roofing Awards, reinforcing its position as one of the UK and Ireland’s most forward-thinking roofing manufacturers.

Held in November at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, the awards celebrate technical excellence, innovation and best practice across the pitched roofing sector. Kytun also sponsored the Best Use of Slate for a Domestic Project category, reflecting its long-standing commitment to quality slate detailing and the installers and designers who deliver it on site.

Innovation driven by real-world roofing challenges

The pitched roofing sector is undergoing a clear shift. Traditional mortar-based solutions are increasingly being replaced by dry fix systems that offer improved durability, faster installation and consistent performance over time. At the same time, pressure is growing around sustainability, waste reduction and long-term compliance.

Performance Plus was developed to address these challenges head-on, delivering a continuous dry fix solution for slate and tile roofs, removing the need for additional materials or multiple installation stages. By combining form, function and speed, it creates a cleaner roof edge and viable alternative to traditional methods that are vulnerable to weathering and failure.

For installers, the benefits are obvious: Performance Plus can reduce installation time by up to 50%, enabling efficient installation without compromising finish or performance. The system installs cleanly, creates consistent alignment along the verge, and eliminates the variability often associated with mortar applications.

Performance, durability and long-term good looks

Performance Plus has been cleverly engineered for both speed and longevity, so Kytun can confidently provide a 30-year warranty as standard.

Aesthetically, the slim aluminium profile provides a sharp, uniform finish that complements both contemporary and traditional builds: an increasingly important consideration as homeowners and designers place greater emphasis on detailing.

From a performance perspective, the use of aluminium also supports wider industry movement towards durable, low-maintenance materials that perform consistently over time.

Sustainability as standard, not an afterthought

The Roofing Awards judges highlighted innovation and sustainability as key factors in Kytun’s win, and rightly so.

By reducing material waste, removing wet trades from the verge installation process, and extending product lifespan, Performance Plus aligns with more responsible building practices. Aluminium’s recyclability further strengthens its sustainability credentials, supporting circular economy principles increasingly valued across residential and commercial construction.

This focus is not isolated to a single product. Kytun’s broader dry fix roofing systems range reflects a manufacturer-led approach to sustainable innovation, one that starts with real installer feedback and ends with practical, compliant solutions that stand up to scrutiny.

Supporting excellence across the industry

Kytun’s sponsorship of the Best Use of Slate for a Domestic Project category reinforced its ongoing support for craftsmanship and technical skill within the roofing industry. The category showcased how high-quality materials, thoughtful specification and skilled installation can deliver outstanding results, particularly in slate roofing where detailing matters.

Speaking after the event, the Kytun team highlighted the awards as recognition not just of a product, but of a wider commitment to performance-led design, manufacturing quality and installer-focused innovation.

Setting the benchmark for modern dry fix systems

Winning Most Innovative Product at the 2025 Pitched Roofing Awards positions Performance Plus as a benchmark for modern verge solutions – one that reflects where the industry is now, and where it is heading.

As regulation tightens, sustainability expectations grow, and time pressures on site increase, solutions that combine speed, durability and clean detailing are no longer optional. They are becoming the standard.

For Kytun, this recognition signals more than a successful awards night. It underscores a clear mission: to design roofing systems that perform better, last longer and make life easier for the professionals who install them.

Find out more about Performance Plus at kytun.com