The U.S. home re-roofing market is a behemoth—covering about 13 billion square feet of residential roof area each year. An above-average 2018 storm season in the United States ensured an above-average number of roofing replacements based on the initial findings from the 2019 Consumer Practices Survey.
The findings of our most recent study indicate that asphalt shingles hold nearly three quarters of the home re-roofing market. The next closest contender—metal roofing—has 12% of the market. Asphalt shingles are a prime example of a modern building material category that has grown to a dominant market position since its introduction—like gypsum wallboard for walls and ceilings, and OSB for wall and roof sheathing. Manufacturers have continued to innovate, bringing more attractive and more natural-looking materials to market at a big price advantage over the natural materials they mimic, such as slate and wood shingles, and sometimes with a longer service life.
Source: Home Innovation's 2019 Consumer Practices Survey.
Among asphalt shingle varieties, traditional three-tab shingles still lead over laminated, or “architectural” shingles, but the share for architectural shingles continues to increase. Metal roofing is generally comprised of corrugated steel or aluminum with a painted finish. In 2018, metal roofing was most commonly installed on homes in the East South Central states (23%) and least commonly on New England homes (7%). Concrete tile roofs are most common in Arizona, Nevada, and California, at about 20% of the market in each state, followed by clay tiles, which are particularly popular in Florida, accounting for 16% of re-roofing installations.
There has been a lot of innovation in roofing underlayment in recent years, as well. While asphalt-saturated felt paper represents more than half the home re-roofing market, nailed-on synthetic roof underlayment is gaining share quickly—now at 28% of all re-roofing jobs.
Source: Home Innovation's 2019 Consumer Practices Survey.
Underlayment options for the re-roofing market largely mirror those of the new home construction market, with one exception: peel and stick underlayment has a substantially larger share of the new home market (17%) compared to re-roofing (10%).
In addition to roofing and roofing underlayment, other remodeling categories we tracked this year include:
Appliances | Cabinets for Kitchen & Bath | Countertops
Deck & Porch Railings | Exterior Doors | Faucets
Fencing & Landscape Walls | Finished Flooring | Garage Doors
Home Mechanical Ventilation | Home Standby Generators
House Wrap & Foam under Siding | Insulation | Interior Doors
Interior Finish Materials | Outdoor Structures - Decks, Patios & Porches
Patio Doors | Plumbing Fixtures | Plumbing Piping | Roofing
Roofing Underlayment | Sheathing - Floor, Roof & Wall
Siding & Exterior Cladding | Soffit, Fascia & Exterior Trim
Storage Systems for Closet & Garage
Structural Systems - Floor, Roof & Wall | Windows
Our reports are far more than just summary tabulations of a national household remodeling survey. We employ a robust market demand modeling methodology that compiles volume and type of products and materials purchased. We report market demand for owner- and renter-occupied households by state, regional, and national totals. Our Consumer Practices Reports also distinguish between places of purchase, DIY vs. Pro installations, and many more important details.
We’re also providing more options than ever in data format. The large survey sample size allows data subscribers to get a very granular look into county, metro area, state, and regional markets for residential remodeling. This year, the Consumer Practices Reports will be available in both tabular and database formats that give you more analysis options, including analysis via business analytics and mapping software.
Want to get to the bottom of what’s on top (or in, under, around) of residential remodels? Contact Ed Hudson, Home Innovation’s Director of Market Research.