# Metrotile and Tilcor: modernisation and Umbraco Cloud \| Idea Makers Canonical URL: We took over two roofing manufacturer websites: a move to Umbraco Cloud, one codebase for both brands, zero downtime and pages 91% lighter. Client IKO Metals Europe Industry Roofing manufacturer Scope Modernisation, Umbraco Cloud, shared codebase Duration Since spring 2025 1 codebase for two brands instead of two separate repositories 16 site versions: 8 per brand, an international version and 7 national ones \< 5 GB of media per site after cleaning up the libraries 96\.6 average Lighthouse performance score on desktop, 10 key pages ## The challenge In 2025 the European IKO Metals team took over responsibility for the European Metrotile and Tilcor websites and was looking for a new Umbraco partner. After talking to several agencies, it chose Idea Makers. We took over the maintenance and further development of both sites, and the modernisation turned out to be more demanding than usual. ## What we did ### A foundation under our control To start, we took over and organised the code of both sites, moved it to Umbraco Cloud and automated deployments. Meanwhile, the existing sites kept running unchanged. ### Migration with Umbraco tools We moved the content with Umbraco Deploy, using our own connectors and converters, with no manual re-entry and no risk of data loss. ### Separated media We checked which files each brand uses, organised separate Metrotile and Tilcor libraries and removed unused media. After the cleanup each site takes up less than 5 GB, which reduces storage needs and hosting costs in Umbraco Cloud. ### Completed features We finished what was missing from the new version, fixed what did not work and worked through the issues from acceptance testing. We also put the technical SEO basics in place. ### Performance Two weeks after the first brand went live, we optimised the shared code: images and assets, loading, rendering and the application. The average page weight dropped from 10.8 MB to 0.9 MB. ### Switchover without downtime We only launched the new versions once they were fully ready. Metrotile went live in October 2025, Tilcor in February 2026. ## One codebase, two brands Umbraco Cloud offers shared code across sites as part of an extra subscription. We achieved the same result without additional licence costs. Diagram: one website codebase for Metrotile and Tilcor, tested before release, then a configuration for each brand with its logo and settings, and finally two Umbraco Cloud sites with their own content, images and editing panel One website codebase, two brands, separate Umbraco Cloud projects - One shared codebase for both sites, each with its own brand’s look and settings\. - We prepare fixes and new features once, and both brands benefit\. - Each brand has its own content, media and backoffice\. ### Two repositories The same code in a separate repository for each brand. - Every fix made twice ### One repository Shared code, with each brand’s content, media and data kept separate. - A change prepared once for both brands - Reaches both brands with the next deployment - Automated deployments The IKO Metals team still decides for each brand separately whether and when a change goes live, and the brands never share content or data. metrotile.eu tilcor.eu The same code and the same templates, two brands: the metrotile.eu and tilcor.eu home pages. ## Before and after Area At takeover Today Change Status at takeover \(spring 2025\) and today. ### Platform Older version Current version supported ### Hosting Own server Umbraco Cloud cloud ### Code repositories 2 1 change made once ### Media \~16 GB \< 5 GB per site ## Performance We did not start with a clean slate. The new version prepared earlier did score better on desktop than the existing site, but it was heavier, and on phones the main content appeared after 30 seconds on average instead of 7. After our optimisation the site is faster than both versions. Both brands run on the same code and templates, so the results apply to both sites. Lighthouse Existing site After our optimisation ### Performance, desktop 68 97 ### Performance, mobile 63 80 **Step 1 · the existing site vs the new version before optimisation** Metric Existing site New version before optimisation Change Lighthouse, lab tests of the same 10 pages, 1 October 2025: the existing site and the new version before launch. ### Performance score 67\.5 84\.8 ↑ \+17\.3 pt ### Performance score 63\.3 63\.9 ↑ \+0\.6 pt ### Average page weight 7\.4 MB 11\.9 MB ↓ \+61% · worse ### Largest Contentful Paint 6\.8 s 30\.5 s ↓ \+349% · worse **Step 2 · the new version vs our optimisation** Metric New version before optimisation After optimisation Change Lighthouse, lab tests of 10 key pages, 3 runs per page and device, 17 October 2025. Average performance scores: desktop 83.4 → 96.6, mobile 64.7 → 80.1. ### Pages scoring 90+ 3 9 ↑ \+6 ### Average page weight 10\.8 MB 0\.9 MB ↓ −92% ### Largest Contentful Paint 3\.00 s 1\.15 s ↓ −62% ### Largest Contentful Paint 43\.4 s 4\.7 s ↓ −89% The home page and “Why Metrotile” reached a score of 100 on desktop. The heaviest page, Inspiration, went from 28.5 MB to under 1 MB, and its load time on a phone from about two minutes to 4 seconds. ## How we worked ### Start of the partnership Spring 2025 First conversations, offer accepted and a service agreement signed. ### Metrotile migration July 2025 Content freeze, migration and start of acceptance testing. ### Fixes and shared code August–September 2025 Fixes from testing and one repository for both brands. ### New metrotile.eu goes live October 2025 Switchover without downtime, followed two weeks later by performance optimisation. ### Tilcor migration November 2025 – January 2026 Content migration and fixes. ### New tilcor.eu goes live February 2026 The second brand on the shared code, without downtime. ### Ongoing care Since February 2026 Support and hosting, Umbraco updates, new features. ## Why it worked ### Stabilise first, then change First we organised and secured the code we took over, and only then started developing it. The existing sites kept running until the new ones were ready. ### Supported tools only For the migration we used Umbraco Deploy, which is included in the Umbraco Cloud licence. We built our own connectors and converters to move the content, then verified the results. This let us repeat the migration and rehearse it before launch. ### One brand at a time Metrotile went first. Everything we learned there, from content mapping to performance fixes, was already in the shared code when it was Tilcor’s turn. ### Measure first, then optimise Before launch we compared the new version with the existing site, so the client could see exactly what had changed and why. The metrotile.eu and tilcor.eu home pages on two phones: the same layout in each brand’s colours metrotile.eu and tilcor.eu on a phone · the same code ## Client quote > What started with a simple phone call has grown into a partnership that is genuinely transforming the digital presence of IKO Metals. \[…\] Working with Idea Makers feels like working with an extension of our own team. They take every challenge seriously, whether big or small, communicate openly, deliver on their promises, and often bring that little something extra that makes a real difference. Adam Wielgołaski Marketing Coordinator Europe, IKO Metals Europe NV ## What’s next After the migration, the work moved from fixing to developing. The next step is upgrading both sites to the latest version of Umbraco, which we are already working on with the client. Thanks to the shared codebase, it is one upgrade for both brands. We are also working with the IKO Metals team on new tools for visitors. ### Want to move to Umbraco Cloud or upgrade Umbraco to 17? Briefly describe which Umbraco version your site runs on and how many language versions it has. We will suggest where to start and how long it will take. - Umbraco Cloud - Umbraco 17 [Let’s talk](https://ideamakers.pl/en/contact.md) [Umbraco 13 migration](https://ideamakers.pl/en/umbraco-13-migration.md) Two brands, one codebase For IKO Metals Europe we took over the maintenance and further development of the Metrotile and Tilcor websites: modernisation of both sites and a move to Umbraco Cloud, one shared codebase for both brands, much better performance and ongoing care. IKO Metals Europe 2025–2026 Roofing manufacturer Since spring 2025, ongoing metrotile.eu home page with the slogan Made for a safe and long life and a photo of a house with a Metrotile roof metrotile.eu · the new version on Umbraco Cloud since October 2025