Commercial metal roofing demand to reach 19 million squares in 2021

Demand for metal roofing in commercial building construction applications is projected to advance to 19 million squares in 2021. The new commercial market will see rapid gains, bolstered by growth in office, retail, and lodging construction spending. Metal roofing will be used increasingly in such structures as fast-casual restaurants and retail sites because of its durability and minimal maintenance requirements. These and other trends are presented in “Metal Roofing Market in the U.S.,” a new study available for purchase from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

The reroofing segment—which accounted for the vast majority of commercial metal roofing demand in 2016—will remain the leading application for metal roofing through 2021, supported by a high level of interest in replacing older or worn roofing with more durable metal products. According to analyst Matt Zielenski, “Gains in this application will trail those of the new market, however, due to the high level of reroofing activity in 2016 and the durable nature of metal roofing compared to membrane-based materials.”

Demand for metal roofing in all applications is forecast to advance 2.0 percent per year to 28 million squares in 2021, valued at $3.5 billion. In 2016 reroofing activity was at an elevated level because of several severe weather events that affected large swaths of the U.S. Metal roofing pricing will advance at a moderate pace going forward because of the increasing use of low-cost natural gas as a power source and continued access to low-cost imported raw materials.