The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) recently released new market research showcasing U.S. metal roofing trends for 2023.
Based on data from two independent research sources—FMI and Freedonia—the share of residential metal roofing in the United States continues to gain ground. While shipments dipped slightly in 2023 due to a slower housing market, the industry is now capturing roughly 18 percent of the total residential roofing market. According to the data, the re-roofing market is strong for metal roofing, which may also be due to the increasing frequency of weather-related disasters, which is growing demand for more resilient, longer-lasting building materials.
According to a news release, MRA officials believe their efforts to promote metal roofing among homeowners are effective, as the residential metal roofing market now accounts for 84 percent of the total square footage of metal roofs sold in the nation.
According to Freedonia research, the residential metal roofing market is predominately made up of steel, which captures roughly 82 percent of the U.S. market. For style, standing seam ranked among the most popular, with metal roofing shingles and through-fastened roofs also capturing a portion of the market. Freedonia research revealed that newer technologies and styles—including stone-coated metal roofing—are also gaining ground.
Purchase factors
According to this year’s findings from FMI, factors that most influence the type of material selected by homeowners include lifespan or longevity, personal preferences, appearance, cost, and architectural specifications.
Research also demonstrates that weather-related factors may be driving interest in metal roofing. In comparing the rise of climate-related disasters with the increase in homeowners choosing metal roofing for repair and replacement, the MRA states Freedonia research indicates a correlation between the two, with the demand for metal roofing rising with the increase in climate disasters from 2015 to 2022. Metal roofing has been proven to help protect against hurricanes, high wind extremes, hail and severe storm damage, heavy snow, and ice, and can earn a Class A rating against wildfire dangers (the highest rating possible).
“It makes sense that homeowners who have lived through devastating climate disasters and have experienced costly repairs or the need to re-roof completely would choose stronger, longer lasting, and more durable materials designed to better withstand severe weather extremes,” says Renee Ramey, MRA executive director. “We are seeing this proven out in various market research studies covering the U.S. and Canada.”
Forecasts for U.S. residential metal roofing
FMI research forecasts metal roofing is anticipated to reach more than 446 billion m2 (4.8 billion sf) in 2028 based on historical and forecasted shipments (square footage). These forecasts also point to a 19 percent increase in growth for residential metal roofing from 2024 to 2028, with re-roofing and replacement driving most of the market.
In the news release, Ramey says the residential market is experiencing increased awareness and growing interest in building practices that address the needs of a changing climate and a focus on improved sustainability and predicts this will have a positive impact on the industry overall.
For example, while residential rooftop solar systems may have been a niche market in the past, they are now becoming a standard practice for new builds and re-roofing projects. These types of systems require materials such as metal that allow for ease of installation.
“Education, awareness, and improved building methods in the U.S. will help drive better, longer-lasting solutions,” says Ramey. “That naturally leads to an increased preference for quality metal roofing as a better and more sustainable choice.”
