As
we embrace a new year, evaluating upcoming industry trends remains
crucial to any company’s success. This evaluation involves understanding
what customers valued highly in the prior year and forecasting upcoming
preferences. We acknowledge that these trends can be influenced by the
persistent escalation of business expenses – notably within the
construction sector – driven by technology and innovations, commercial
and residential market shifts, material trends and regional trends.
In
the roofing sector, company leaders must anticipate and address these
changes by staying aware of the expected developments in 2024. This
means staying informed about the most sought-after roof types and
designs, their regional and climatic variations, strategies for
maintaining cost efficiency and plans for innovative roofing product
development.
Shifting Markets
The
roofing industry experienced notable shifts in 2023, particularly in
the residential sector, where private equity involvement notably
increased. Roll-ups — acquisitions of multiple roofing companies —
became more prevalent in both commercial and residential sectors. This
shift toward consolidation is expected to continue into 2024, reflecting
a growing understanding of equity among current owners. Moreover, the
industry saw heightened levels of professionalism among its players,
transitioning away from the traditional mom-and-pop shop model to a more
corporate structure.
Material Trends
Regarding
material trends, the industry placed less emphasis on aesthetics and
instead focused on the importance of durability and long-lasting
materials. There was a rising interest in synthetic materials due to
their durability, safety features and environmental friendliness.
Customers
are increasingly willing to invest more in products with the
expectation of greater longevity, such as synthetic materials. These
synthetic materials also provide benefits for roofing crews, including
slip-resistance and overlap guides that improve consistency and accuracy
during installation.
Newer roofing materials often come with
higher initial costs but ensure more long-term returns on investment.
For instance, though three times more expensive than traditional asphalt
roofs, synthetic slates pay for themselves in the long run due to their
longevity and ability to weather storm events.
Solar roofing
also presents an opportunity for ROI by offsetting utility consumption
costs over time. Additionally, the use of solar energy has evolved and
improved to increase efficiency.
The density of the cells in a
solar roof has grown, allowing solar panels to convert more electricity
from the amount of sunlight received. Because of this advancement, fewer
panels are installed on the roof, and more power is easily generated.
The Department of Solar Energy (DOE)
has also attempted to make solar roofs more affordable by pledging to
cut costs by 60% within the next 10 years. The DOE has funded $128
million towards lowering these costs and enhancing solar energy
technologies.
According to a United Nations report,
solar energy is also one of the least carbon-intensive sources of
electricity generation. It helps minimize the use of fossil fuels and
can reduce our overall impact on the environment. When consumers use
solar power, they use a clean and renewable energy source that produces a
smaller carbon footprint. This limits greenhouse gas emissions and
makes a household or business more sustainable.
While roofing
aesthetics like colors are not at the forefront of anticipated trends in
the year ahead, it is still a big concern for customers. The most
in-demand colors for 2024 roofing projects are similar to the trends we
saw in 2023, including Weathered Wood — a base of deep brown and accents
of clay and lighter brown — and Driftwood, which is a bit darker,
featuring cooler gray tones.
Leaders must anticipate and address these changes by staying aware of the expected developments in 2024. This means staying informed about the most sought-after roof types and designs, their regional and climatic variations, strategies for maintaining cost efficiency and plans for innovative roofing product development.
Both palettes are neutral and tend
to match typical home colors. Recently, however, the most popular roof
colors overwhelmingly consist of gray and black shingles.
A white house with a black roof and trim is the new modern look.
Regional Trends
Regional
trends in roofing preferences are observed based on specific
environmental conditions; for instance, regions prone to hurricanes,
such as Florida’s coastline, favored metal roofs due to their superior
wind resistance in 2023.
Areas that experienced frequent
hailstorms, like the Midwest, leaned towards impact-resistant materials
such as SBS-modified shingles or synthetic and metal shingles. The
options for roofing types have significantly evolved. The variety of
material types allows customers in any region to prioritize roofing
materials that offer protection against specific weather conditions.
Technology and Innovations
In
terms of technological advancements, the industry is witnessing the
integration of AI for improved customer communication and more advanced
Customer Relationship Management systems. Drones are increasingly used
for precise measurements, while augmented reality technology provides
better 3D renderings to visualize roofing projects. There is also a need
for better integration among these technologies to streamline
operations and enhance efficiency.
Anticipated changes in the
regulatory landscape include more stringent measures for consumer
protection, safety protocols and sustainability efforts in the roofing
sector. Like other industry players, Bone Dry is evaluating and adopting
new technologies while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations,
and focusing on employee retention and customer satisfaction to navigate
the challenges while meeting the changing expectations of customers in
the coming years.
www.roofingcontractor.com
https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/99047-new-roofing-trends-for-2024
