The roofing industry has been somewhat stagnant for many years with most people opting for traditional asphalt shingles in the same basic colors. That has finally started to change, as roofing manufacturers have begun developing more innovative options. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the biggest trends in the roofing industry this year and show you the benefits that some of them can bring to your home or business.
1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Roofing
There has been a big push in the roofing industry in recent years to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly roofing materials. Solar roofing has quickly grown in popularity, and this trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Solar roofing doesn’t refer to simply installing solar panels on the roof. Instead, it refers to using solar shingles, which are small solar panels designed to look just like traditional shingles or tiles.
Green roofing is also becoming more popular for flat roofs and roofs with a very minimal slope. A green roof is essentially just a roof that has lots of vegetation growing on it, which helps to keep the roof cooler and also to produce oxygen.
While solar roofing and green roofing are beyond the reach of many home and business owners, there are also a variety of other options that are more sustainable than traditional roofing materials. For instance, many composite shingles are now being made with mostly recycled materials which makes them more eco-friendly than asphalt shingles. Many people are also choosing metal roofing for their homes and businesses since metal roof sheets are fully recyclable, which isn’t the case with most other roofing materials.
2. Lighter Colored Roofs
There was a major trend in recent years of people choosing shingles or metal roofing in darker colors like grays, blues, browns, and especially black. However, that trend is suddenly reversing with more and more homeowners and businesses now opting for lighter, cooler colors. The reason has to do with making the building more energy efficient and helping to reduce air conditioning costs in the summer.
A darker-colored roof absorbs lots of heat from the sun, which leads to the entire building heating up much more. This issue is why more people are choosing lighter shades for their roofs since a lighter color will better reflect sunlight and heat and help improve its energy efficiency in the summer.
3. Energy-Efficient Roofing
While lighter colors help to improve a building’s energy efficiency, some roofing options can have a similar effect no matter what color you choose. Many manufacturers have started producing various materials that are designed to help prevent roofs from absorbing as much heat. Many different types of shingles are now available with a reflective coating that reflects the majority of sunlight so that the roof doesn’t get nearly as hot.
All asphalt shingles have ceramic-coated granules on the surface that help to protect the underlying asphalt from UV solar radiation so they don’t degrade as quickly. A good option if you want to choose darker-colored asphalt shingles is to opt for ones that have lighter, cooler-colored granules. Although darker shingles will still absorb more heat than a lighter color, the lighter-colored granules will help to minimize the effect and keep your roof cooler.
Synthetic or composite shingles are also a great option in terms of energy efficiency. While they cost more than traditional asphalt shingles, they also have many advantages over asphalt. One is that they don’t absorb nearly as much heat as asphalt, which means they will help keep your air conditioning costs lower. Composite shingles are also usually designed to replicate the look of traditional materials like asphalt shingles, wood shingles, and slate tiles.
4. Durable, Resilient Roofing
Another major trend is in the production of impact- and wind-resistant shingles and other roofing materials that are far more durable and last longer. Impact-resistant asphalt shingles are quite a bit thicker than standard shingles. Most also have synthetic rubber mixed in with the asphalt which makes them much more flexible and allows them to withstand the impact of large hail or other flying debris even in colder temperatures.
Furthermore, composite shingles are much more durable since the synthetic materials they are made with allow them to better withstand large impacts. Using synthetic materials also allows manufacturers to make the shingles much lighter compared to impact-resistant asphalt shingles.
5. Residential Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has long been a popular choice for commercial buildings, but it is quickly becoming much more popular for residential roofs as well. Standing-seam metal roofs are especially popular since all of the fasteners are hidden. This differs from traditional metal roofs where you can see all of the screws.
One reason metal roofing systems have quickly grown in popularity is that they are strong and durable. This allows them to withstand impacts and strong winds without suffering any damage. A metal roof will also usually last far longer compared to asphalt shingles. In our more eco-conscious age, the fact that metal roofing is recyclable has also contributed to its surge in popularity.
6. Roof Coatings
Another growing trend is in the use of roof coatings like EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) on flat roofs and roofs with a low slope. Roof coatings are especially popular for commercial buildings. This type of coating can be applied over any type of existing roofing material, including metal roof sheets and shingles. The coating is quite thick and is designed to make the roof stronger and more durable. EPDM is also fully waterproof and will help prevent the roof from leaking. An EPDM coating can even repair a roof that already leaks, saving you from the need to replace it.
Roof coatings also make the roof better at reflecting heat and sunlight, which is important for energy efficiency. This is because EPDM coatings are typically white. However, you can also choose a black coating, which will have the opposite effect and help keep your building warmer in winter so your heating costs are lower.
7. Architectural Roof Designs
In the past, most roofing designs were quite basic, and you rarely saw anything other than standard gable or hip roofs on homes. However, many people have started to realize how important the look of the roof is to a home’s overall appearance and architectural design. We’re quickly starting to see many homes being built with multiple peaks, rounded or domed features, and other unique shapes and designs. Another growing trend is using more than one color of shingles or tiles, which allows the creation of eye-catching patterns that can greatly increase the aesthetic appeal of a home.
The team at Red Bird Roofing has more than 20 years of experience in the roofing industry. We specialize in roof installation and roof replacement as well as repairs, and we’re always ready to handle any emergency roofing needs. We work with shingles, metal roofing, and slate tiles, and we can also custom-design your roof to meet your specific needs. If your roof suffers storm damage, our team can help you file an insurance claim and quickly get to work to ensure there are no leaks. For more information on the range of roofing services we offer in the Indianapolis area, give us a call today.
