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This study analyzes US demand for commercial roofing products by product, market, and geographic region. Commercial roofing product demand is provided in both area terms (squares) and value terms (US dollars).
Commercial roofing product demand is segmented by the following products:
plastic single-ply, comprising thermoplastic polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, and other membranes; and molded fiberglass or polycarbonate shingles and shakes
bituminous, including SBS, SEBS, and APP polymer-modified bitumen membranes and standard roofing felts; and also segmented by:
roofing area covered (modified bitumen vs. built-up roofing)
backing material (fiberglass vs. organic)
surface type (granulated vs. smooth)
metal, including standing seam roofing, corrugated and smooth panels, and shingles, shakes, and tiles
asphalt shingles, including standard laminated asphalt shingles, high-performance laminated asphalt shingles, and three-tab shingles
rubber, comprising ethylene propylene diene monomer and other rubber formulations (e.g., CSPE, neoprene, butyl rubber)
other products, including spray polyurethane foam; concrete and clay roofing tile; wood shingles and shakes; composite (polymer) shingles, shakes, and tiles; slate; solar roofing; liquid-applied roof coatings, tensioned fabric; vegetative (green) roofing; concrete and fiberglass panels
Commercial roofing shipments, imports, and exports are also shown at the aggregate level in millions of dollars, and average product prices (at the manufacturers’ level) and installation costs are provided for major product types in dollars per square.
Excluded from the scope of the study are such related products as roofing underlays, flashings, and coatings used as repair and restorative compounds and used as a structure’s primary roofing material.
Demand for commercial roofing is also analyzed by market segment (new and reroofing) and by building type:
office, retail, and lodging
institutional
industrial
transportation and other buildings (e.g., civic centers, courthouses, post offices, recreational facilities)
Additionally, commercial roofing demand is broken out for the following US geographic regions and subregions:
Northeast (Middle Atlantic and New England)
Midwest (East North Central and West North Central)
South (South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central)
West (Mountain and Pacific)
VIDEO
US demand for commercial roofing is expected to fall slightly on average through 2024 to 88.9 million squares valued at $6.9 billion. This decline will be caused by:
a drop in commercial construction activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic despite its subsequent modest rebound
an expected glut in commercial properties due to a number of business closures during the pandemic – new structures will not be needed to be erected until existing sites are filled
modest short-term growth in new construction activity caused in part by the large number of vacant commercial structures on the market
a high level of reroofing activity in the commercial market between early 2016 and 2018 – most roofs that were repaired or replaced during that time will require little additional work in the near term
TPO Membranes Will Be an Industry Bright Spot
While the overall low-slope roofing market is expected to decline, TPO roofing membranes will be an exception to that trend, posting solid advances in demand going forward. These products will be selected by many consumers because of their low cost, ease of installation, and favorable performance properties. Furthermore, because many of these membranes are white or light in color, they meet cool roofing criteria, a key characteristic for many contractors, especially in the southern half of the US.
Interest in Weather-Resistant Roofing Materials Continues to Rise
The US experienced a number of severe weather events in 2016 and 2017 that caused widespread roof damage. In the aftermath of these storms, contractors, insurers, and other construction professionals increasingly specified more durable roofing materials – such as metal roofing and membranes with thicker backings – to fix and repair damaged roofs. This practice is expected to continue, as it is far more economical in the long term to spend more on resilient roofing products than it is to more frequently fix and replace damaged roofs.
Diverse Product Offerings Help Market Leaders Maintain Position
Four companies – Carlisle Construction Materials, Firestone Building Products, GAF Materials, and Johns Manville – were the leading suppliers of commercial roofing to the US in 2019. These companies hold leading market shares by offering a broad portfolio and participating in multiple roofing product categories, investing in preferred contractor programs to build loyalty, and maintaining a high level of brand recognition.