Global Roofing

8th Edition

This study analyzes global supply of and demand for roofing products. Historical data (2007, 2012, and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 and 2027 are provided for roofing demand (in dollars and square meters), demand by market and product (in square meters), net exports (in dollars), and production (in dollars) on a country-by-country basis. Demand in value terms is shown at the manufacturers’ level and excludes distributor and retailer markups.

Roofing

Bituminous

Bituminous roofing includes a range of products based on refined petroleum bitumen or coal tars. These include asphalt shingles and plates. Other bituminous roofing products that can be used in steep-slope applications include corrugated panels that incorporate organic or glass fibers in the bitumen. Additionally, there are many varieties of low-slope bituminous roofing materials, such as single-ply roofing membranes made with modified bitumen and bitumen- or coal tar-saturated felts that can be used in multilayer installations of built-up bituminous roofing.

Asphalt Shingles & Corrugated Panels

Asphalt shingles are generally assembled from a fiber mat permeated with bituminous material and surfaced with mineral granules, resulting in a rigid, waterproof product. The fiber mat for the shingle can be either fiberglass or organic cellulose material (e.g., recycled waste paper or wood fibers), with fiberglass accounting for the majority.

Laminated shingles use two or more layers of asphalt, reinforcement mats, and mineral surface granules to produce shadow lines that give the shingles a three-dimensional look.

Bituminous roofing products also include corrugated sheets and panels and other large-format units. The construction of these products are similar to that of asphalt shingles, with bituminous material saturating a fiber mat.

Low-Slope Bituminous

For the purposes of this study, demand for low-slope bituminous roofing products is measured in terms of total roof area covered, not the total amount of material used, as these products are commonly installed in multiple layers.

The low-slope bituminous segment is composed of built-up and roll roofing as well as modified bitumen products.

Tile

Concrete tiles are formed under pressure as an extruded mixture of water, sand, and portland cement that is molded and cured. Clay tiles are produced from molded clay, which is fired in kilns to yield a ceramic.

Roofing tiles are available in a wide range of styles, including one-piece corrugated tiles, two-piece mission tiles, barreled tiles, and flat tiles that simulate the appearance of slate or wood shakes.

Metal

Metal roofing products are available in both panels and individual tiles. Metal roofing panel systems can be categorized according to their method of support or their method of attachment. Metal roof panels that provide their own support as they span the purlins are classified as structural systems and are generally installed on low-slope roofs with a slope of at least 1.2 degrees. Architectural systems generally have a steeper slope (10 degrees or more) and must be supported by some form of decking. Architectural roof panels are usually made of sheet steel that is galvanized or aluminum-zinc coated. Other metals can be employed, however, including copper and Monel for high-end applications.

Metal tiles or shingles are available in a wide range of materials, including aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and aggregate-surfaced steel.

Rubber

Rubber roofing, also known as thermoset membrane roofing or elastomeric roofing, is a flexible membrane roofing system based on compounded rubber materials. The primary materials used are ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) – a vulcanized cured material – and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) – a synthetic rubber material that self-cures as it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation following installation.

Plastic

Thermoplastic membranes constitute the majority of plastic roofing products, with spray foam roofing and rigid products (such as molded panels and tiles) accounting for the remainder.

Spray foam roofing consists of two components: a closed-cell polyurethane foam insulation and a protective coating. The polyurethane foam adheres to the building substrate and any items that penetrate the roof surface, making it self-flashing and giving it resistance to wind uplift. The protective coating can be one of a number of materials, including acrylic, butyl rubber, CSPE, silicone, urethane, and vinyl.

Other plastic roofing materials include polyurethane tiles and panels of corrugated fiberglass or polycarbonate.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement roofing can be produced in flat or corrugated panels or as individual tiles that can mimic slate or other materials. Once generally made from asbestos fibers mixed in a cement matrix, in most nations alternative fibers have been substituted because of concerns about the carcinogenic properties of asbestos fibers.

For the purposes of this study, demand for roofing products is measured in terms of total roof area covered, not the total amount of material used. Materials used as underlayment for other roofing products and roofing accessories, such as metal flashings, snow guards, and vents, are not included in the scope of this study.

Back to Top