Today, we take a short look at the state of commercial roofing in 2014, as well as what is expected for the next three years.
Recent industry reports indicate that U.S. demand for commercial roofing is projected to grow over the next few years. That is certainly positive news for commercial roof contractors, as much of that demand is expected to be driven by new building construction across the United States.
2014 Commercial Roofing Stats
For 2014, domestic market estimates are positive. According to the building products research firm Principia, U.S. commercial roofing sales will top off at approximately $5.3 billion this year. Around 6.6 million square feet of roofing products estimated to be installed in 2014 will account for those roofing sales.
Notably, domestic commercial roofing is projected to grow in the face of several challenges: stricter, more demanding building codes at local levels and new or existing binding energy conservation demands. The leader of Principia notes that “[roofing] products and systems are being developed for high performance, reflectivity, and increased insulation in order to provide opportunities for systematic energy efficiency gains.”
Energy efficiency can be an important consideration when selecting or restoring a commercial roofing system. Reflective roofing surfaces can reduce solar heat absorption, while insulation and the overall roof assembly can also influence a building’s energy performance. Actual energy savings depend on factors such as climate, insulation levels, HVAC equipment, building use, and the roofing system itself.
Contractors join our group for:
- Network-backed Guarantees
- Support from Fellow Roofers
- Group Discount Purchasing
- Shared Marketing Strategies
Commercial building owners should also consider applicable building codes, energy-efficiency requirements, available roofing-system options, and warranty terms when evaluating a project.
Commercial Roofing in the Future
There is encouraging news in the industry projections for commercial roofing in the near future, too. According to the Freedonia Group, demand for residential and commercial roofing services in the United States will result in roofing sales climbing to a value of $27.2 billion in 2017. The firm gives this as a value for an expected 268 million squares of roofing products that it estimates will be installed in that year.
This jump in roofing sales might be a market rebound from the industry declines from 2007 to 2012. In that period, domestic demand for roofing services fell as less building construction took place.
In commercial roofing markets, it is expected that an explosion in office and commercial construction spending and increases in institutional and industrial construction spending will lead to increased demand for low slope roofing.
Commercial roofing contractors may also have increased market opportunities in 2017 if domestic demand does sail up to these projections. Re-roofing will account for a large portion of U.S. roofing demand, meaning that roof restoration may be considered as an alternative to complete replacement when an existing roof is structurally sound and otherwise suitable for restoration.
Additional Resources
Article on projections for aggregate U.S. demand for roofing in 2017: http://www.bdcnetwork.com/us-roofing-demand-predicted-rise-driven-new-construction
Article on Principia’s 2014 predictions: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120820005413/en/Commercial-Roofing-Market-Reach-5.3-Billion-2014
