The roofing market is set for a modest growth over the next few years to 2023, according to the latest ‘Roofing Market Report 2020-2024’ from AMA Research.
There are a variety of drivers which have influenced this growth including the demand for flat roofs, product development and new housing. Since 2014, demand for roof coverings have been supported by strong growth in housebuilding and domestic renovation, maintenance and improvement (RMI), along with increased output in some commercial and industrial new build and refurbishment markets.
The biggest influences on overall market values are levels of demand for flat roofs and metal panel systems, which accounted for around 60% of total sales in 2018. Growth in demand for metal roofing systems – comprising steel and aluminium profiled panels, composite panels and standing seam sheets – has mainly been driven by the expansion of distribution hubs due to growth in online retailing at the expense of traditional bricks and mortar shops. Other key applications have been factories, energy-from-waste facilities, agricultural buildings and leisure developments.
While concrete tiles are used on commercial buildings, the main source of increasing demand has been growing levels of housebuilding. Competing products include new clay tiles and, to a lesser degree, fibre cement and natural slates, although these products are more widely used for higher specification new housing and re-roofing.
Another possible driver could be further growth in demand for ‘green roofs’, (and ‘blue roofs) in London and other cities with a need to offset poor air quality and deal with run-off from increases in rainfall. With the governments green initiatives this could enhance the need for such products. However, the high instillations costs and skills shortage within the industry could provide a barrier to those wishing to utilise such a product.
One could venture that in order to maintain growth you would need to address the skills shortage within the sector. The construction industry generally is experiencing a prolonged skills shortage, and a recent cross-industry survey found that 12% of firms responding were currently experiencing some difficulties recruiting roofers, and 6% were having severe difficulties. On the bright side, the industry is working on addressing the skill shortages identified, through projects such as the Roofing Skills Partnership, being led by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The project will run until the end of 2021 and aims to create a unified National Workforce Development programme.
