Trends Impacting the Roofing Industry in 2025
The roofing industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies, materials and market dynamics shaping the way roofers do business. From advancements in technology to rising labor costs and shifting homeowner preferences, staying ahead of roofing trends is crucial for contractors looking to remain competitive.
Whether it’s commercial roofing industry trends or innovations in residential roofing, the latest advancements are helping professionals improve efficiency, safety and durability. Additionally, home trends in roofing and construction are leaning toward energy-efficient solutions, with solar panels and designer shingles becoming more popular.
Let’s explore the key roofing industry trends for 2025 and beyond, helping contractors and homeowners understand what to expect in the coming years.
Roofing Contractor Industry Trends
The future is looking bright for roofers, as they have a faster-than-average employment growth rate in the U.S. Wages are also expected to rise, which may increase the roofing labor rates per square placed.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for roofers is expected to grow six percent from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. That equates to an annual average of 13,600 openings for roofers over the next decade — approximately 136,000 in total.
Labor Costs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the median annual wage for roofers was $50,030 USD in May of 2023. Meanwhile, the average salary for a roofer in Canada is $69,379 CAD.
Dan Melanson, owner of All Angles Covered Roofing in New Brunswick, suspects rising labor costs in the roofing industry are primarily caused by the dangerous nature of the work.
“Due to the physical and mental impact of this profession, labor costs are rising to ensure that we keep ourselves healthy for the long term. This rise in cost will help not only pay our employees wages that suit their high skillset, but the funds also go into [purchasing better] safety equipment, insurances, training and more [for the company].”
Home Renovation
A press release from Discover found that more than half (55%) of American homeowners would prefer to renovate their current home instead of moving to a new home. The same report finds that younger homeowners are more likely to spend money on renovation projects that personalize their home, which could certainly include a new roof.
New Roofing Technology
Advanced roofing technologies, from drone footage to AI technology, aim to change the way roofers approach their businesses. Here are the main takeaways for 2025.
Drone Footage
Roofers are conducting roof inspections with drones, allowing them to get a closer look at their customer’s roof without having to climb a ladder. This provides numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Safety: Tripping over uneven surfaces, accidentally touching overhead powerlines, walking on damaged or weak roofs that cave in — all of these risks are eliminated with drone footage.
- Reduced Weather Delays: While roofers should never step foot on a wet roof, drones can get airborne for a closer look.
- Reduced Equipment Needs: Setting up ladders and scaffolding is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Additionally, all the gear you may need to equip and bring with you for a routine roof inspection. Using a drone for roof inspection limits the need for excessive gear, leading to faster inspections.
- Enhanced Data: Many drones support thermal imaging technology, allowing for non-invasive detection of moisture, heat leakage and other issues in roofing materials.
If you plan on adopting drone roof inspection, make sure to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations of flying a drone.
Solar Technology
When we asked Dan Melanson, owner of All Angles Covered Roofing in New Brunswick, about new roofing technology, he called out the increased complexities of dealing with solar panels.
“With the installation of solar panels on many roofs now, repairs and replacements of roofing are more time-consuming and require removal and replacement of the solar systems. Plus, there are several different types and sizes of solar panels and systems to consider, each bringing their own unique challenges and labor requirements.”
Manufacturers may void their shingle warranty if you install solar panels on your roof. Always check your specific manufacturer’s warranty before installing solar technology.
AI Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is more than a buzzword. It’s a real, helpful solution for business owners of all shapes and sizes — roofers included. While AI technology isn’t the perfect solution for every inefficiency in your business, it can be useful if you know how to approach it.
Eric Waller, owner of Total Roofing Systems, LLC, wrote an article featured on Forbes explaining some key ways businesses can start using AI. Here are some ways he explores using AI for roofing businesses:
- Start Small: Look at repetitive tasks that take a lot of time. For example, you may consider using AI to draft contracts or create marketing materials for your business.
- Build Systems: AI can make systems run better. Think of processes that could benefit from automation. For example, Waller mentions how AI systems help ensure his contracts are signed and the right materials are selected before a job can begin.
- Keep People at the Center: Human interaction still trumps all. You’ll always need workers to verify that AI is doing its job correctly. In the future, AI roof measurements may help estimate shingle quantities, but it’s important to calculate and verify it for yourself to ensure the AI measurements are correct.
New Roofing Materials
From synthetic underlayments to shingles with increased impact resistance, roofs continue to be more durable. Here’s what to know about the latest roofing materials:
Modern Roofing Materials
Today’s modern roof materials are fairly common technological advancements — shingles with fiberglass mat reinforcement and additional roofing products made with synthetic material help roofs perform brilliantly against all kinds of weather.
That said, there are some niche modern tools contractors use to simplify and streamline their installations. Dan Melanson called out cap nails as one of his preferred modern roofing materials he’s used in his business.
“An innovative material I find useful in ensuring the roof is sealed is using cap nails on underlayment. This allows us to use nails that have caps built onto them, so there is an additional level of seal when the nail penetrates the roof deck.”
He also mentioned the ever-changing nature of the roofing industry and the importance of being aware of building codes when adopting new materials:
“There are always new materials and innovative techniques making headway in our industry. Something in particular to keep an eye on in any construction industry is that building codes are ever-changing. We must always be aware of changes to the building code and safety standards.”
Designer Shingles
Of the many types of asphalt shingles, designer shingles are on the rise as a perfect balance between aesthetics and performance. IKO carries three designer shingle options:
- Crowne Slate™: Capturing the beauty of slate shingles without any of the drawbacks. Crowne Slate shingles perform brilliantly against all kinds of weather and keep their beauty and elegance with cut, clean lines.
- Armourshake™: Armourshake features exciting color blends that replicate a wood or slate aesthetic, helping roofs stand out in even the most exclusive neighborhoods.
- Royal Estate™: Royal Estate shingles offer high-definition color blends with precise, random-cut contours that create a spectacular roofscape.
What’s Ahead for Roofing in 2025
The latest trends in roofing indicate a shift toward smarter solutions that help both roofers and homeowners. Above all else, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, adaptation and technological advancements that will redefine the industry. Keep up to speed with the changing environment by exploring the rest of our featured content.
