Gains in roofing demand will be fueled by a major uptick in residential building construction activity
as construction industries in major developed nations rebound from their recent weakness.
World demand to rise 3.8%
annually through 2016
World demand for roofing materials is
forecast to grow 3.8 percent annually
through 2016 to 11.7 billion square
meters, a substantial acceleration from
the lethargic performance of the market
during the 2006-2011 period. Gains in
demand will be fueled by a major uptick
in residential building construction
activity as construction industries in
major developed nations, such as the
US, rebound from their recent weakness.
Further growth will be supported by
continued gains in developing markets,
particularly in Asia.
US, China to jointly
account for most gains
Two countries, the US and China, will
jointly account for nearly 60 percent of
global gains in roofing demand in square
meters through 2016. China, the world’s
largest market for roofing products in
2011, will continue its trend of strong
growth and account for more than 30
percent of world market gains. The US,
which experienced a collapse in new
housing construction beginning in 2006,
will rebound significantly, but in 2016 the
US roofing market will still be slightly
below 2006 levels.
Strong growth is also
expected in a number of smaller roofing
markets, including those in India,
Indonesia, and South Africa. Although
some developed countries will see fast,
rebound-fueled growth similar to the US,
market gains will typically be slower than
in developing areas. In fact, Western
Europe will be the slowest growing
regional roofing market through 2016.
Bituminous products
to post fastest gains
Bituminous products will post the fastest
growth through 2016, primarily due to
the heavy usage of asphalt shingles in
the rebounding US market. The US,
which uses shingles far more intensively
than most other nations, will account for
almost 80 percent of worldwide growth in
demand for these products, thanks to a
major recovery in new single-family
housing construction. Demand for
concrete roofing tiles will also show
strong growth, particularly in the developing
Asia/Pacific region, where concrete
tiles account for the largest share
of roofing demand.
New residential construction
market to lead gains
A recovery in residential construction in
major developed countries will allow the
new residential roofing market to post
the fastest growth through 2016. Growth
will be somewhat slower in the nonresidential
markets, where a steadier recent
historical trend will lead to a less significant
recovery effect. Gains in nonresidential
roofing demand will still be
stronger compared to the 2006 to 2011
period and will be headed by expansion
in developing markets throughout the
Asia/Pacific and Africa/Mideast regions.
Study Scope
This study analyzes the 9.7 billion square meter world roofing industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2001, 2006 and 2011, and forecasts for 2016 and 2021 by roofing type (e.g., bituminous, tile, metal, fiber cement, elastomeric, plastic), market (residential, nonresidential), world region and for 18 major countries.
The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 38 industry participants, including GAF Materials, Saint-Gobain and Owens Corning.
