The Time is Right for Metal Roofing

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter. 

How advances in technology and a growing public demand for sustainability are taking metal roofing to the next level. 

Over the past few years, a dramatic technological shift has occurred throughout the roofing industry. The use of high-resolution satellite imagery and estimation software have changed the way contractors do business. Metal roofing has also gained popularity throughout residential and commercial markets recently, and a study performed by the Cleveland-based Freedonia Group observes that the demand for metal roofing in the U.S. is expected to rise 2.7% every year through 2023.  

This article will address how the intertangling of technological advancement and a growing customer desire for sustainable roofing options have accumulated and led to the rise of metal roofing.  

Technological advancements 

While the asphalt industry has been utilizing satellite imagery to provide accurate and time-saving estimations for quite some time now, metal, by virtue of its composition and installation style, is a bit more complicated and requires a higher degree of accuracy for estimations. As aerial imagery has continued to improve and drone usage has increased throughout the roofing industry, metal roofing has reaped the benefits, gaining efficiency in the process. 

“As time progresses, these tools are getting more and more sophisticated, so it's an exciting time, I think, to be in the metal roofing industry,” said Mark MacDonald, sales and marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams during a Read, Listen, Watch webinar available on RoofersCoffeeShop®. 

Sustainability 

As the public awareness about climate change and the societal complications it can create continue to rise, the roofing industry is seeing more customers choose sustainably conscious roofing alternatives, like metal roofing. 

A metal roof is expected to last an average of 30 years on a home. Unlike other roofing options, which on average lose 20 to 40 percent of their reflexivity during their lifecycle, metal roofs retain 95% of their reflexivity.  

Metal roofs are also recyclable and can be coated for cool roofing purposes, significantly reducing energy usage and saving homeowners and business owners money. Energy savings and solar reflectivity can be a big deal depending on where a customer is located geographically. 

"In addition to a metal roof’s aesthetic, it also has sustainability credits,” said Mark. “Whether it's a commercial building or residential, there's energy savings and solar reflectance to keep that roof cooler, which means you’ll spend less energy in the home or commercial building for cooling.” 

Learn more about Sherwin-Williams in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.makemorewithmetal.com.