The Latest Trends in Roofing

The roofing business is a constantly evolving industry. Thanks to the industry’s efforts in innovating state-of-the-art roofing technologies and designs, it has paved the way for new trends that will not only benefit residential or commercial properties but the environment as well.

To keep you updated, listed below are the top trends in roofing:

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing was a growing trend back in 2020 and remains so today. Once again, in the limelight, metal roofing is deserving of this recognition mainly for its durability and versatility. Roofing material choices include steel, aluminum, copper, tin, and zinc alloy, each having its pros and cons.

Also, more visually appealing styles of metal roofs are showcased in the market, giving you a wide array of designs to choose from. Whichever material is used, metal roofing offers undeniable advantages for your home. Key features include:

Long-term durability. On average, exceptional metal roofs have a performance expectancy of 40-70 years that require little to no periodic maintenance. Moreover, metal roofs are impervious to corrosion and cracking, easily repel rain and snow, fire-proof and wind-proof, and can be made impact-resistant with a few reinforcements.
Energy efficiency. Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs do not transfer heat into your home compared to traditional roofing materials. This is because metal roofs possess low thermal mass, reflecting radiant heat rather than absorbing it, resulting in a cooler home. The best part – it reduces your electric utility bills!
Eco-friendly. Metals roofs can be reprocessed into new ones after replacement. They are regarded as highly recyclable industrial materials with metal roofs containing over 25-95% recycled matter.
Pest-proof – metals are not favorable surfaces for insects, mold, and mildew propagation since materials of this kind cannot moisture.

Asphalt Shingles

Time and time again, asphalt shingles prove to be the roofing trend to beat. This roofing material’s widespread popularity can be attributed to its practicality and cost-effectiveness. Supporting this claim is the statistical fact that 80% (four out of five) of steep-slope homes in the U.S. are leaning towards asphalt shingles as their roofing or reroofing material.

The reason for this overall demand is because asphalt shingles are one of the easiest and most affordable solutions in significantly adding value to your home’s exterior.

Nowadays, homeowners are driven to boost curb appeal as means to protect proprietor investments. Asphalt shingles achieve just that by generally offering a wider range of options that property owners and builders alike can choose from.

Apart from that, asphalt shingle installation is relatively inexpensive and is relatively easy to do ,and can also be done over existing home structures, unlike other alternative materials. Best of all, asphalt shingles give you the best bang for your buck for its well-known durability and longevity.

Synthetic Roofing Materials

Another type of roofing material that is steadily emerging in the market is synthetic roofing shingles or synthetic composite roofing shingles. This faux roofing material is a reinforced mixture of several commonly used roofing materials such as plastics, rubber, clay, polymers, asphalt, fiberglass, and organic materials such as recycled paper products. Each composite comes with different characteristics and properties, but all share the following traits:

Enhanced durability. Engineered to outlast cedar and other traditional roofing materials.
Environmentally friendly. Avoids the use of raw materials, reducing carbon emissions.

At a reasonable price, synthetic tiles or shingles can also replicate the style and texture of opulent-looking roofing materials.

Energy-efficient and Eco-friendly Roofs

There is no doubt that the threat of climate change and global warming pushes more consumers to become more environmentally conscious with their choices. People that support this advocacy are growing in number and are now shifting to greener and more sustainable housing alternatives. The central theme in building an environmentally safe system for homes relies on the concept of energy efficiency. Three increasingly famous roofing trends that fit the criteria are solar shingles, cool roofs, and green roofs.

Solar Shingles or Built-in Solar Collection System

Like what the famous scientist Thomas Edison had mentioned, “We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature’s inexhaustible sources of energy – sun, wind and tide. … I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power!” Inspired by the idea of utilizing the sun’s power, solar energy has driven many architectural and building companies to re-evaluate their way of building houses.

For instance, oversized solar panels were yesterday’s news; solar shingles are the new environmentalists’ favorite. Also known as photovoltaic shingles, solar shingles are a new and improved alternative to solar panels – more compact and more visually attractive.

Likewise, another approach could be pre-installing solar brackets or solar-ready roofs (e.g., skillion roofs) with a built-in solar collection system. Both options establish energy efficiency by generating electricity via harnessing solar power (in the form of sunlight). Overall, this allows homeowners to save 40-70% on electricity costs while reducing dependence on fossil fuel – the main culprit in greenhouse gas emissions.

Cool Roofs and Green Roofs

Green roofs or living roofs are a growing trend seen primarily on European and British homes that are gradually making their way to the U.S. Originally designed by architects to combat the urban heat island effect commonly observed in cities; residential homes are not far behind as homeowners are now introducing greenery in their rooftops. With a structurally solid roof base (like in flat roofs) and vegetation to match, this self-sustaining roofing method can bring natural beauty and improved thermal performance to one’s home while effectively combating global warming.

On a similar note, cool roofs also have their fair share in helping Mother Earth. These light-colored reflecting roofs benefit from the principle that light colors reflect UV rays. Reflection of radiant heat helps to lessen the work of your home’s HVAC system, saving you from whopping electricity bills during the summer months.

Roofing Styles

Of course, let’s not forget the season’s latest roofing styles. To top it all off, ideally match the roofing style with the house design. In vogue designs as of 2021 are flat roofs, skillion roofs, and dark hues.

Flat Roofs

More and more contemporary houses have low-pitched flat roofs with sleek and simple lines as their go-to roofing style. Having a flat roof as a base can open countless opportunities for customization. Additionally, complementing flat roofs with bold, sleek lines adds a definition to a home’s exterior, making the house pop against the background.

Skillion Roofs or Shed-style Roofs

Thanks to the increasing demand for unconventional roofing styles, the skillion roof design is gaining popularity. As opposed to standard roofs with two sloping sides that form a ridge or peak in the middle, skillion roof designs are unique. It is composed of angular lines with contrasting steep slopes that asymmetrically meet at the center. This design can turn any house into a modern piece of art.

Dark Hues

Today’s roofing style calls for colors that can provide contrast. Bold colors such as black, bronze, gray, and silver are making their way onto the scene. Combining dark hues with neutral and light-colored tones is one way to enhance your home’s aesthetics.

Takeaway

This has been a year full of surprises and we don’t know what the future has in store for us, so it’s better to be wise with our roofing choices to ensure the protection of our homes as well as our planet. One way to start is choosing the right roof. And the first step in designing the right roof is to get the right people to do it. Are you thinking about a roofing project? Contact 1-800-HANSONS for a free roofing estimate today.