For the second time in as many weeks, I see a roofing crew working early in the morning. If you have to be on top of a roof, that is the best time during the Texas summer. And it is always better if you can work in the shade. It is incredible how much hotter it is a few feet above the ground. I once volunteered on a Habitat for Humanity roofing crew during the summer and have never done it again. A former co-worker had a summer job on a roofing crew to pay for his college tuition. He told me that working on that crew was a great motivator for finishing his college degree.
According to Amar Chinchane’s and Ankar Sumant’s May 2020 article “Roofing Market Outlook – 2027” for Allied Market Research, the global roofing market size was valued at $92,942.3 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $132,775.6 million by 2027, registering a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2020 to 2027. Roofing offers protection from heat, rain and other atmospheric conditions. Bitumen, ceramic coated granules, clay, sand, fiberglass, concrete and polycarbonate are used for the construction of roofs in residential and commercial buildings, such as offices, hotels and educational institutes.
Rise in construction industry, rapid urbanization and innovations in technology are the key factors that drive the growth of the roofing market. In addition, technological innovations such as green roofing, eco-friendly roofing materials and drones for roof inspections have increased the demand for roofing products. However, the high installation cost of roofing systems is expected to hamper the roofing market growth.
According to Trent Cotney’s Feb. 10, 2020 article “2020 Vision: A Look Ahead for the Roofing Industry” in Roofing Contractor, in its 2020 Construction Outlook, Dodge Data & Analytics forecasts total U.S. construction starts will fall 4% in 2020 in an “orderly pullback,” but does not believe there will be a recession. The main causes cited for the slowing pace of overall construction are the skilled labor shortage and mounting trade tensions.
Despite these predictions, roofing contractors by and large remain optimistic, with tax cuts, low interest rates and the steady housing market fueling industry confidence. Respondents in Roofing Contractor’s 2019 State of the Industry Report and Survey stated that they still felt good about the overall state of roofing in terms of sales volumes and revenues, with two-thirds of respondents stating that they expect sales growth in 2020 and beyond. While there’s no reason to expect the construction industry to experience a major downturn into recession, it seems safe to say that overall growth in the industry has plateaued and roofing contractors would be wise to temper any unrealistic expectations as we move forward into 2020.
The ongoing skilled labor shortage and the rising cost of labor continued to be predominant issues facing the roofing industry in 2019, and these workforce woes show no signs of letting up in 2020. In RC’s 2019 State of the Industry Report, nearly three-fourths of all respondents reported that they had experienced an increase in labor costs over the year prior, with that increase, on average, totaling nearly 13%. Only 3% of survey respondents reported lower labor costs over the previous year.
Meaningful immigration reform is seen by many as perhaps the only truly viable method for solving the skilled labor shortage in the long term. Industry advocates have long urged lawmakers to create and improve policies that would provide the construction industry with the same access to foreign-born workers that the U.S. agriculture and high-tech sectors already receive.
Aimed at helping alleviate the labor crunch, the National Roofing Contractors Association’s national roofing certification initiative — ProCertification® — was successfully launched in 2019. ProCertification is expected to see tremendous growth in 2020, as 63% of roofing contractors responding to RC’s 2019 State of the Industry Survey reported that they will likely participate in NRCA’s ProCertification program. It’s anticipated that the ProCertification program will help combat the lack of skilled workers joining the construction industry by creating skillset industry standards, outlining a career path for roofing professionals, and improving the perception of the industry as a whole.
Besides the benefits ProCertification provides through increased employee training, know-how and investment in their jobs, companies requiring their employees to become ProCertified can also expect to see a direct return-on-investment, as more and more customers use this distinction as the deciding factor when choosing a roofing contractor to hire.
The construction industry continues to make significant advancements relative to other industries. RC’s 2019 State of the Industry Report highlighted recent technology trends within the industry including drones, on-the-job mobile devices, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality programs and artificial intelligence.
Of these new technologies, drone usage was the most common roofing contractors reported that they are starting to use in their day-to-day work. About 22% of all respondents in the report indicated they’re currently using drones, while nearly half said they’re likely to use drones for business purposes within the next two years. Respondents indicated that they were using the drones for various reasons, primarily for before-and-after photos for clients, roof inspections and marketing. Fewer respondents reported using drones for taking measurements and performing thermal inspections, but industry experts expect this to change as drone technology continues to become more effective, affordable and understood.
More and more roofing contractors are also exploring the various capabilities and improvements that AI can add to their operations. For example, one common use of AI among roofers is the automated damage detection capabilities that are customarily included in many kinds of drone inspection software. Automated damage detection uses AI to analyze roof inspection images in order to pinpoint missing shingles, hail hits and other kinds of damages.
Bitumen roofing advantages
According to the article “Bitumen Roof — Advantages & Disadvantages” at nvroof.com, there are several different advantages to using a bitumen roof on your building or home. Unlike some newer types of roofing, it has a long, proven track record that can be counted on. Bitumen roofs are one of the longer lasting types of flat roofing materials, easily lasting 20 years or more.
Regardless of how the material is applied (self-adhesive sheets, hot-mopped asphalt or cold-applied adhesives), the seams are usually melted together which help stop leaks. Other types of membrane roofing have seams that are left open or covered with another material that can weaken over time, so the fact that a bitumen roof can be seamless is a big advantage.
Bitumen roofs are also very durable. They have a high-tensile strength, so they are unlikely to develop the kinds of cracks that other flat and membrane roofs are known for. They are also rated against wind, fire and hail, so they are unlikely to be damaged in the event of a storm. There is usually a very long manufacturer’s warranty that can help to guarantee the roof’s longevity.
Bitumen roofing disadvantages
Like all roof types, bitumen roofs do have some drawbacks. The first is their black color, which can absorb rather than reflect heat. And while the material itself may not be damaged by heat or ultraviolet rays, if proper insulation is not used with it, this absorption of heat can lead to superheating of the building below.
Bitumen roofing is also available in 1-, 2- or 3-ply. The 1-ply material is not durable, and if used can pose certain problems such as breaking down prematurely, while the 2- and 3-ply material roofs cost significantly more to install, which can make this one of the most costly types of flat roofing products around.
Granules need to be included as part of the installation process to help protect the roof from the sun. If they are not included, the temperature of the building can rise or there may be damage to the roof. Unfortunately, not all types of bitumen roofs include granules as part of the installation process.
Finally, if your roof is likely to hold a lot of water or to gather puddles of standing water after rainstorms, this can prematurely age and damage the bitumen roof.
Fiberglass roofing
According to Dipcraft fiberglass panels, fiberglass roof panels are good for skylights, greenhouses, garden centers, car washes, warehouses, etc. They provide the perfect green roof solution to meet building lighting requirements, substantially reducing the amount of artificial illumination and electricity needed to light the inside of a building.
Translucent reinforced corrugated fiberglass roof panels provide the perfect skylight roofing material. Various corrugated shapes ae available to nest with existing corrugated metal panels, eliminating the need for additional flashing or roof curbs.
Skylights can also be fabricated on to a built-up roof curb for flat roof or membrane roof areas where light is required.
Fiberglass roofing panels are more dimensionally stable than competing materials such as PVC or polycarbonate. They can be used over a much broader temperature range without concern of warpage, excessive expansion and contraction or cracking and brittleness commonly associated with these competing products.
Fiberglass roofing panels are suitable for use in highly corrosive environments where exposure to chemicals or saltwater is a concern, are UV resistant to sun exposure and can be made with fire retardants, if required.
Translucent reinforced corrugated fiberglass roof panels are ideal for:
- Residential awnings over patio decks and windows.
- Pergola and gazebo coverings.
- Carports.
- Restaurant and commercial canopies and walkways.
Opaque fiberglass panels provide an ideal roof covering over plywood or rafters and purlins, thus eliminating the need for a built-up roofing membrane such as rubber or shingles.
Concrete roofs
According to Robert Lamb’s article “How Concrete Roofs Work” in How Stuff Works, concrete tiles were first introduced in the 1840s by German cement manufacturer Adolph Kroher, who developed a machine to press out the tiles. The technique became popular in Bavaria, and many of the roofing jobs from Kroher's era continue to hold up to this day. In the photo to the left, the concrete roofing tiles in Rothenburg, Germany were installed more than a century ago.
Concrete roofing tiles often cost more than some of the cheaper tiling and shingling options, but generally last longer. Modern concrete mixing methods also allow the tiles to be manufactured to fit various style and color requirements. Instead of looking like gritty gray slabs of cement, concrete tiles can even have the appearance of fine ceramics.
However, just because the tiles are made out of concrete doesn't mean they don't require regular upkeep and even replacement from time to time. Despite their durability, tiles can break and dislodge courtesy of earthquakes, sufficiently harsh weather and falling debris. Moss and algae can also develop over time and may require pressure washing or chemical treatment.
Clay roofs
According to Big Al’s Jan. 20, 2020 article “Concrete vs. Clay Roof Tile Cost 2020: Pros and Cons of Tile Roofs” at roofcostestimator.com, clay tiles are produced by baking molded clay. The density of the clay is determined by the length of time and temperature at which it is heated. Colors of clay tiles range from shades of white, yellow, orange and brown. Clay tiles cost about 30% more than concrete tiles, with an average cost of clay tiles hoovering around $10.50 to $18.50 per square foot installed.
The most commonly used clay color is terra cotta. Another alternative to these natural earth tones is to add enamels to the tile and make any color of roof tiles. This process is called “ceramic” and consists of spraying enamel over the tile before baking it.
High temperatures of the kiln permanently bond this color to the clay tile, so it will not peel or fade. As a result, there are a wide variety of tile profiles, styles, finishes and colors available. Because clay tiles are made from a natural earth derived material, they are environmentally friendly and easily recycled.
Clay tiles are resistant to strong winds and cannot be destroyed in a fire. Because of the way they are shaped, clay tiles protect the underlayment of your roof, while also creating an air pocket — thereby helping to insulate and isolate any unwanted heat or cold from being transferred to your home’s attic space.
Composite roofs
According to the article “Composite Roofing FAQs” at S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows, composite or synthetic roofing shingles are made of a mixture of several commonly used roofing materials such as fiberglass, recycled paper products and asphalt. Composite shingles are fire resistant and don’t have problems with moisture. As an extra incentive, many companies manufacture a shingle that is resistant to mold growth and algae. Also, if damaged, composite shingles can be replaced on an individual basis. Composite roofing does not crack, split, peel or warp and comes in most any color, shape or size which makes them a highly versatile choice.
Some composite roofing is made with recyclable materials such as post-industrial plastics and hemp fibers. Many composite shingle choices carry a 30-50-year warranty which also cuts down on re-roofing.
Asphalt shingles are currently the most popular choice for shingles in the United States, with composite shingles running a close second. Although they share many qualities, composite roofing — unlike traditional standard asphalt roofing — normally carries a longer warranty and can be manufactured to mimic the look of most if not all roofing materials. Composite shingles are also lighter in weight than asphalt shingles and thus easier to transport and install.
Green roofs
According to Wikipedia, a green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irriagtion systems. Container gardens on roofs, where plants are maintained in pots, are not generally considered to be true green roofs, although this is debated. Rooftop ponds are another form of green roofs which are used to treat greywater. Vegetation, soil, drainage layer, roof barrier and irrigation system constitute a green roof.
Green roofs serve several purposes for a building, such as absorbing rainwater, providing insulation, creating a habitat for wildlife, increasing benevolence and decreasing stress of the people around the roof by providing a more aesthetically pleasing landscape and helping to lower urban air temperatures and mitigate the heat island effect. Green roofs are suitable for retrofit or redevelopment projects as well as new buildings and can be installed on small garages or larger industrial, commercial and municipal buildings. They effectively use the natural functions of plants to filter water and treat air in urban and suburban landscapes. There are two types of green roofs: intensive roofs, which are thicker, with a minimum depth of 5 1⁄16 inches, and can support a wider variety of plants but are heavier and require more maintenance, and extensive roofs, which are shallow, ranging in depth from 13⁄16 inches to 5 inches, lighter than intensive green roofs, and require minimal maintenance.
A properly designed and installed extensive green-roof system can cost $10–$23/sq. ft. while an intensive green roof costs $33–$220/sq. ft. However, since most of the materials used to build the green roof can be salvaged, it is estimated that the cost of replacing a green roof is generally one third of the initial installation costs.
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