SCA (Specialised Campers Accessories) is one of the UK's best-known pop-top roof manufacturers. Based in Lancashire, they have been manufacturing elevating roofs for van conversions since the 1990s. Their roofs are fitted by professional converters and DIY builders across the UK.
An elevating roof — also called a pop-top or a raising roof — cuts the roof panel from your van and replaces it with a hinged fibreglass or ABS plastic section that lifts to create standing headroom and a sleeping area. When lowered, the van retains its original height for parking in multi-storeys, driving through low bridges, and reducing fuel consumption.
This guide reviews SCA elevating roofs, compares them with the main competitors (Remi and HiTop), and covers what you need to know before buying.
SCA Roof Range
SCA offers three main roof models, each designed for specific van platforms.
SCA Elevating Roof — Standard Model
The standard SCA roof fits the Ford Transit Custom, Volkswagen Transporter (T6/T6.1), VW Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter (907/910), and Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro.
Specifications:
- Material: hand-laid GRP (glass-reinforced plastic, i.e. fibreglass)
- Pop-top height: approximately 450mm (internal standing room)
- Bed size: standard double (1,880mm × 1,350mm). The roof bed uses high-density foam (100mm thick) as standard.
- Roof weight: approximately 38kg (including bed frame, foam, and canvas)
- Bellows: heavy-duty acrylic canvas, available in silver, grey, black, or cream
- Opening: gas-strut assisted. One gas strut each side. The roof lifts easily with one hand.
- Windows: two zippered mesh windows, one on each side. UV-resistant acrylic.
- Warranty: 5 years on the GRP shell, 2 years on bellows and components.
Price: £1,850-£2,100 (unpainted, DIY fit). Painting adds £200-£350. Professional fitting adds approximately £800-£1,200.
Fitting time: Professional: 2-3 days. DIY: 5-10 days depending on experience.
SCA XL Roof
The XL version extends the roof further towards the rear of the van, creating a larger bed area (1,950mm × 1,400mm) and slightly more headroom (approximately 480mm). It fits the same van platforms as the standard model but requires more roof panel to be cut.
Price: £2,200-£2,500. Professional fitting adds £800-£1,200.
Best for: Taller people (the 30mm extra bed width and 30mm extra height make a noticeable difference). If you are over 6ft, choose the XL.
SCA Low-Profile Roof
A lower-profile version that sits 25mm lower than the standard roof when closed. Designed for vans used as daily drivers where every millimetre of parking height matters. The internal headroom is also reduced (approximately 400mm).
Price: £1,950-£2,200.
Best for: Vans that need to fit into underground car parks. The Ford Transit Custom is 1.97m tall standard — with a low-profile roof closed, it stays under 2.0m total height.
Build Quality
SCA roofs are hand-laid GRP. This means a fibreglass mat is placed into the mould by hand and saturated with resin. The alternative is vacuum-infused GRP (used by Remi), which produces a stronger, lighter panel with more consistent thickness, but at a higher cost.
Hand-laid GRP is not inherently worse — it is the traditional boat-building method and produces a strong, repairable panel. The differences:
- Consistency: Hand-laid panels vary in thickness by 0.5-1mm across the roof. This does not affect strength.
- Weight: Hand-laid panels are 10-15% heavier than vacuum-infused equivalents. The standard SCA roof weighs 38kg; a Remi roof weighs approximately 32kg.
- Repairability: Hand-laid GRP is easily repaired with a fibreglass repair kit. Vacuum-infused panels require professional repair if damaged.
- Finish: SCA roofs are gel-coated in the mould, giving a smooth, glossy finish that matches most van paintwork when painted. The gel coat is approximately 0.5mm thick and provides UV protection.
The bellows material is heavy-duty acrylic canvas — the same material used for marine hoods and covers. It is water-resistant, UV-stable, and breathable. SCA uses a double-stitched seam with a bonded internal waterproof strip. Bellows typically last 8-12 years before needing replacement (approximately £250-£350 for replacement bellows).
SCA vs Remi vs HiTop
Remi Roofs
Remi is SCA's main competitor. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Remi uses vacuum-infused GRP construction and a honeycomb core structure.
- Price: £2,800-£3,500 (significantly more expensive than SCA)
- Weight: Approximately 32kg (lighter than SCA by 6kg)
- Bed size: 2,000mm × 1,400mm (larger than SCA XL)
- Headroom: Approximately 500mm
- Warranty: Lifetime on the GRP shell
- Fitting: Professional fit only (Remi will not sell a roof for DIY fitting)
The Remi advantage: The honeycomb core roof panel is stronger and lighter. The bed is larger. The headroom is better. The lifetime warranty reflects confidence in the vacuum-infused construction.
The Remi disadvantage: Significantly more expensive. Cannot be DIY-fitted (must go to an approved Remi fitter — typically £1,500-£2,000 fitting cost on top of the roof price). Lead times are 8-16 weeks.
Verdict: Remi makes the best pop-top roof on the UK market. The price reflects that. If budget is not a limiting factor, Remi is the better choice.
HiTop Roofs
HiTop (also called Hilo or Hi-Lo depending on the specific brand) is a budget alternative, typically made in Poland or China and imported to the UK.
- Price: £1,200-£1,600
- Weight: 35-45kg (varies by manufacturer)
- Bed size: Varies by model, typically 1,800mm × 1,300mm
- Headroom: 400-430mm
- Warranty: 2-3 years on most models
The HiTop advantage: Cheaper than SCA. Some models are compatible with smaller vans (Berlingo, Partner, Kangoo). Lead times are shorter (2-4 weeks).
The HiTop disadvantage: Build quality varies significantly between batches. Canvas bellows are thinner and less UV-resistant. Gas struts fail more frequently (every 2-3 years vs 5-7 years for SCA). Resale value is lower — a secondhand van with a HiTop roof sells for less than one with an SCA or Remi roof.
Verdict: A budget option for low-budget conversions. Fine for weekend use. Not recommended for full-time van life where the roof is raised and lowered daily.
SCA Fitting Considerations
Fitting an SCA elevating roof involves cutting a large hole in the roof of your van. This is not a casual weekend job for someone without experience cutting body panels.
Key steps:
- Remove the van interior headlining and any roof fittings
- Mark the cutout using SCA's template (supplied with the roof kit)
- Cut the roof panel using a jigsaw with a fine-tooth metal blade (use a cutting lubricant to prevent the blade from overheating)
- Clean and deburr the cut edge
- Apply the sealant gasket around the roof opening (SCA supplies a butyl rubber sealant strip)
- Lower the roof onto the van, centring it carefully
- Clamp the roof in place (do not rely on the bolts alone — use G-clamps or ratchet straps to hold the roof in position during alignment)
- Mark and drill the bolt holes through the roof frame
- Bolt the roof down (M8 stainless steel bolts, supplied, every 10-15cm around the perimeter)
- Fit the internal frame, bed boards, and foam mattress
- Attach the canvas bellows to the roof frame and the van body
- Fit the gas struts
Common mistakes:
- Cutting the hole too large — the roof has a tolerance of approximately 5mm. Measure three times before cutting.
- Not sealing the bolt holes — each bolt hole through the roof panel must be sealed with a bead of Sikaflex or similar polyurethane sealant. Water ingress through bolt holes is the most common SCA roof problem.
- Incorrect gas strut orientation — the struts must be fitted with the narrow end upwards (the strut body contains oil and the seal is designed for this orientation).
- Overtightening the bolts — the roof panel will crack if the bolts are over-tightened. Tighten to hand-tight plus a quarter turn.
Is an Elevating Roof Worth It?
An elevating roof adds approximately £2,500-£4,000 to the cost of a van conversion (roof + professional fitting + painting). It also adds 38kg of weight and increases the closed roof height by approximately 20mm.
Reasons to fit one:
- Standing headroom — essential if you are building a van that is less than 2.0m internal height at the roof point
- A fixed bed — the roof bed eliminates the need to convert the seating area to a bed every evening
- Ventilation — the roof bellows can be partially opened for airflow even in rain
- Natural light — mesh windows in the bellows brighten the interior
- Resale value — a van with a reputable pop-top roof sells for £2,000-£4,000 more than a standard-height van
Reasons not to fit one:
- Cost — £2,500-£4,000 is a significant portion of a budget build
- Complexity — cutting the roof is irreversible and requires skill
- Weight — 38kg at the highest point of the van affects handling slightly
- Security — a pop-top roof is a point of entry for determined thieves
- Cold bridge — the canvas bellows are less insulated than a solid roof, even with the thermal liner
The Verdict
SCA is the best mid-range pop-top roof for UK van builds. It is not as refined as a Remi, but it costs approximately £1,000 less, can be DIY-fitted, and has a reliable reputation built over 30 years in the UK market. The standard model at £1,850-£2,100 represents good value for a fibreglass elevating roof from a UK manufacturer with 5-year warranty.
Choose SCA if: you have a budget of £2,000-£3,000 for a roof, you are fitting it yourself, and you want a known brand with UK support.
Choose Remi if: budget is not a constraint, you want the lightest and largest roof, and you are paying a professional for installation.
Choose HiTop if: you are building a budget weekend van and cannot justify the SCA premium. Accept that the roof will need more maintenance over its lifetime.
