Metal roofing sector eyes larger presence

If a campaign by the metal roofing industry has any impact, demolition contractors who work at the residential level could see more such material several decades from now.

An report from Ownerly.com urges homebuilders and homeowners to consider the merits of metal roofs on individual homes. That market currently is dominated by asphalt shingles.

Residential roofs can be made of aluminum, steel, zinc, tin-coated steel or even copper. Ownerly's report by Sarah Li Cain says buyers will pay more for a metal roof.

Her report offers a state-by-state breakdown showing metal roof installation will cost several hundred dollars more on average in every state.

The pro-metal roof argument centers on durability. Zach Reece, the owner of Atlanta-based Colony Roofers, told Ownerly, “Metal roofs can last for 50 to 100 years with warranties of 30 to 50 years. Most metal roofs also have a Class A fire rating and are designed to meet the most stringent building codes and wind uplift.”

Such roofs also can withstand more severe weather conditions, according to metal roof advocates. The report by Li Can cites Florida, “where the state is more susceptible to hurricanes.”

For demolition contractors, metal roofing brings a certain (if volatile) recycling value when encountered in a project. Tear-off asphalt shingles, on the other hand, have received recycling attention but cannot be considered as an established or lucrative recycling market in many regions.

A forecast by India-based Allied Market Research foresees the global metal roofing market growing by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5 percent this decade. That same report sees steel likely retaining its estimated 44.2 market share in the metal roofing sector this decade.