As we reach the end of 2021, we need to look ahead to 2022. How will the roofing industry grow and change in the next year? While we can’t see the future, we want to look at some emerging trends that may point to the industry’s future.
Emerging Roofing Trends
Some roofing trends have emerged or revitalized as the world gradually opens back up in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns. These trends include:
Cool Roofs
What is a cool roof? They are roofs that either reflect or absorb energy, particularly sunlight. Roofing contractors create cool roofs by applying reflective coatings to roofing materials. Then they reflect radiant heat and UV rays, keeping the roof cool and preventing sunlight from damaging the roof.
Solar Roofs
More home and business owners have begun taking advantage of solar energy. Some of them install traditional solar panels on their roofs, while others use solar panel roof tiles to absorb energy and power buildings. Those tiles are called photovoltaic shingles, which look like asphalt shingles, but operate like normal solar panels. They just hit the market recently, which is why they’re a current emerging trend.
Green Roofs
What is a green roof? Green roofs are roofs that have plants growing on top of them. There are two main types: intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. The intensive types support grasses, trees, and shrubs. They require professional maintenance and irrigation systems. The extensive types support a wider range of plants, including flowering shrubs, and they need little to no maintenance or irrigation. However, both types of green roofs need drainage layers to prevent moisture from going from the roof into the building. Green roofs reduce energy costs for their buildings by absorbing sunlight and using radiant heat to help the plants grow.
Environmentally Friendly Roofing Systems
All the roof systems mentioned above have one thing in common: they all feature eco-friendly roof materials. Cool roofs reflect excess sunlight, but reduce buildings’ energy costs. Solar roofs take sunlight and transform it into renewable energy. Green roofs reduce energy costs by taking sunlight and nourishing plants with it. Everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious, and these roofing trends reflect that newfound awareness.
