ABC Supply’s Pro Council Shares Which Roofing Supply Trends You’ll See This Year
Your customers are looking to you to help guide their roofing decisions. It’s important to know what styles are trending and which products are popular, so you can make informed recommendations.
Our Pro Council, a group of expert ABC Supply associates throughout the country, is here to tell you about the roofing trends you should know in 2023.
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Asphalt Shingles Are Most Popular
One of the biggest trends our Pro Council had seen over the last couple of years was an increased demand for synthetic roofing materials. While there’s still interest in synthetic materials — they’re a durable product that replicates the wood texture and natural color of traditional asphalt shingles or cedar shakes — the most popular roofing material that our Pro Council is seeing is asphalt shingles. In fact, more than 80% of re-roofing projects in the U.S. use asphalt shingles.
It’s possible that asphalt shingles’ return to popularity over the last year could be due to product availability and pricing; they cost less than synthetic roofing materials. Asphalt shingles have other benefits besides price, though. They come in many different colors and styles to fit a variety of different homes. Plus, they’re easy to install and replace.
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Renewable Energy Is Growing
Sustainability has been a driving factor in many homeowners’ and commercial building owners’ decisions for a while. States like California have mandated the use of solar panels, energy storage systems and electric vehicles. Homeowners are increasingly looking for options that avoid or reduce the use of energy sources that impact the environment. Plus, Congress passed a federal tax credit so that both homeowners and business owners can receive a credit for 30% of the installation cost until 2032.
As demand for renewable energy (RE) increases, so does the number of contractors who need easy access to all the necessary materials for their installation jobs. That’s why ABC Supply is expanding the number of our locations that carry RE products. We can help you save time by providing everything you need – from panels to racking and inverters to batteries – and help get it safely to the roof. Contact your local ABC Supply branch to see if they stock these products.
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Metal Roofing Continues to Be Popular
Metal roofing products continue to be in demand. In the past, metal roofing and accessories could require a significantly larger budget than asphalt shingles. Regardless of price, metal roofs can be a valuable investment on a home. According to the Pro Council, black is the most popular metal roof color, which they often see paired with trendy gray siding and black trim.
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Single-Ply Rules Commercial Roofing
Last year, a survey of commercial roofing contractors showed that single-ply roofing was their top roofing product. Our Pro Council has had a similar experience, with many ABC Supply customers choosing single-ply roofing for its durability, longevity and ease of installation. To a lesser degree, commercial contractors are also using modified bitumen and metal roofing materials.
Planning and Flexibility Are Key to a Roofing Project’s Success
Over the past few years, certain materials have been tougher to get or have increased in price. We anticipate supply chain delays will continue into 2023, even as the market is expected to slow down. Whether you’re working on a new construction or remodeling project, contractors and builders have to juggle their customers’ expectations with the availability of materials.
Here are the Pro Council’s tips for making projects run smoothly when a material delay is a concern:
- Before discussing roofing materials with your customer, reach out to your supplier to find out what is in stock. Share only those options with your customer.
- Sell styles and colors to your customers instead of brands. Recommend common colors, like black, browns and grays, that are available from many manufacturers.
- Proactively communicate with your customers about availability and lead times.
- Reach out to your supplier when you’re unsure what to offer or need to troubleshoot a tricky customer request.
- Structure your contracts to allow for flexibility should price increases or material delays occur.
ABC Supply can help create a smoother process when selecting products, and knowing which materials will be popular in 2023 can help you make smart recommendations to your customers. Learn more about windows, siding and roofing materials for construction businesses on the ABC Supply blog.
The ABC Supply Pro Council consists of experienced associates from across the U.S. Its aim is to provide contractors nationwide with industry advice and insights to help them seize opportunities and overcome challenges they face as they manage successful businesses. Contractors can visit ABC Supply’s News & Events for additional tips and resources from the Pro Council.