The commercial roofing industry is shaped by many factors and trends can change from year to year. While COVID-19 is certainly affecting many aspects of all industries, here are some trends that remain more or less independent of the pandemic that you may encounter if you embark on a commercial roofing project this year.
Use of the latest tech
According to a survey by Clear Seas Research/BNP Media, 22% of commercial roofing companies integrate cloud services while 18% of respondents utilize drones and 22% are considering implementing them. Additionally, 65% of respondents are considering incorporating augmented and virtual reality, 57% are exploring 3-D printing and 55% expect to adopt AI in the future. An increasing number of commercial roofing companies are leveraging the latest technology to increase their office and rooftop efficiency.
Increased sales of asphalt, single-ply, metal roofing and coatings
A late-2019 study of commercial roofers by BNP Market Research revealed a steady increase in these four main roofing products between 2018 and 2019 and the expectation that these trends will continue in 2020.
Expected increase for 2020:
- Asphalt: 49% for low-slope and 50% for steep-slope
- Single-ply: 71%
- Metal: 67%
- Coatings: 52%
Increased costs for building materials
The cost of building materials has steadily increased over the past number of years. Suppliers are charging more and their profit margins are widening. 51% of respondents in the BNP Market Research survey are concerned about the rising cost of building materials – a cost that they have no choice but to pass on to their customers.
Labor shortage
Generally speaking, fewer and fewer young people are entering the trades and the roofing industry is not exempt. Young people are often deterred from the trades because they’re told that they’re not “professional jobs” and they’re strongly encouraged to attend college instead. However, the demand for
skilled roofing professionals isn’t declining which means that it can take longer to get on your roofing contractor’s schedule or to get your job completed.
Increased efficiency
The labor shortage and other roofing challenges are motivating roofing professionals to adopt tools that allow them to work more efficiently.
Building to minimum requirements
Many designers, architects and engineers are overwhelmed by the abundance of roofing options at their disposal and design commercial roofs to minimum requirements. Unfortunately, this means that commercial roofs are often constructed without consideration to the building structure or the environment and can result in subpar construction.
Continued interest in the use of sustainable products
The use of “green” products continues to gain popularity and there is a growing interest in producing less waste. Increasingly, roofing professionals are highlighting longer-lasting product options that are easy to repair and that don’t need to be replaced as frequently, reducing their carbon footprint.
At Hoyt Exteriors, our workmanship stands out among our competitors. We are committed to delivering only the best industry products and outstanding customer service. If you have a commercial building that needs a new roof this year, contact us to learn more about our services or to get on our schedule!
Are you buying into some common commercial roof myths? Check out our mythbuster post here!