Top 25 Roofing Facts and Statistics (2024)

Written by Angela Bunt Updated 01/14/2024

The roofing industry is continuing to evolve with new materials, safety, and sustainability practices. More homeowners are looking for energy-efficient roofing options, with materials such as metal shingles on the rise. We reviewed more than a dozen reports from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compile this list of top roofing facts, statistics, and trends. We looked at the roofing industry, roofing materials and energy efficiency, safety, and maintenance.

Key Roofing Industry Research and Findings

Roofing is an essential part of new homes and commercial builds. We compiled key statistics highlighting growth within the roofing industry and predictions for 2023 trends.

The global roofing market is projected to reach $156 billion by 2030, seeing a 4.3% annual increase, according to a 2021 industry forecast.¹
As of 2023, 253,044 roofing contractors are in the United States.²
The number of employees in the roofing contractors industry has grown by an average annual rate of 0.6% from 2018–2023.²
The average U.S. roofing business has 3.2 employees as of 2023.²
The number of roofing contractors in the U.S. is expected to decline by 1.7% in 2023.²
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Florida has 22,860 roofers as of 2022—the most of any state.³
Steep-slope asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the U.S., with 83% of roofing contractors listing it as their primary source of revenue, according to a 2023 report.⁴
Metal roofing is the second-most popular material for both residential and commercial roofs, according to a 2023 State of the Roofing Industry report.⁴
The global metal roofing market is expected to grow by 3.5% annually between 2020 to 2030, based on a 2021 report.⁵

Roofing Safety and Injuries Facts and Statistics

Safety is a top priority in the roofing industry; unfortunately, injuries and fatalities are still possible. Due to this risk, it’s important to have guidelines to prevent accidents.

The roofing industry had a work injury rate of 59 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021, according to a 2022 report.⁶
Falling from elevation is the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for 34% of fatalities in 2020, according to a 2022 report.⁷
In 2020, more than 350 U.S. construction workers died from a fatal fall.⁷
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, more than 56,000 falls to a lower level were reported in the U.S. construction industry in 2020.⁸

Roofing Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Insights and Trends

Sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. Technological advancements have led to more sustainable roofing solutions. We’ve detailed some of the options:

Green roofs (covered in vegetation) reduce roof surface temperatures by up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.⁹
Compared to conventional roofs on commercial buildings, green roofs lower building energy consumption by 0.7%, according to research from the U.S. General Services Administration in 2011. This leads to annual savings of $0.23 per square foot.¹⁰
Green roofs can last 40 years on average, compared to conventional commercial roofs that only last 17 years.¹⁰
Solar sales increased 71% for commercial roofing in 2022.⁴
Homeowners are increasingly interested in metal roofing, especially in the South Atlantic. Market share in that region jumped from 20% to 33% between 2017 and 2021.¹¹
Metal stands out as one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials. It’s capable of saving you up to 40% in energy costs annually, according to 2019 research.¹²
Cool roofs (designed to reflect more sunshine) absorb less heat and can stay up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than conventional materials during peak summer weather.¹³
There are 630,000 tons of recycled asphalt shingles found in asphalt mixes, according to a 2021 report.¹⁴
Metal roofs are nearly 100% recyclable and made with a minimum of 25% recycled material.¹⁵
Solar Shingles provide solar energy with a more low key aesthetic. Solar shingles may be perfect for you if you are interested in lowering your electric bill, but don’t want bulkier traditional solar panels.

Roofing Life Span and Maintenance Facts and Stats

Regular roof maintenance is critical to keep homes and buildings intact and safe for those inside. This includes regular roof inspections—even if you’re not experiencing issues. A home warranty plan with roof-leak coverage can help as well. Preventive measures can help you avoid costly repairs or the expense of a total roof replacement.

Residential asphalt shingles last an average of 15–30 years, while a metal roof can last up to 70 years.¹⁶
The average cost of an asphalt roof replacement is $10,053, according to a 2023 study.¹⁷
A metal roof replacement costs an average of $17,762 in 2023.¹⁷

Our Conclusion

Many of these statistics suggest that home and building owners are using more sustainable roofing alternatives with longer life spans. While data shows that asphalt shingles remain the most common roofing material, it also reveals a growing interest in metal shingles. Taking the time to understand the roofing industry can help homeowners make better decisions about their roofing choices when needing a new roof.

Sources

“Roofing Market by Roofing Material, Roofing Type, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2023).” Allied Market Research. October 19, 2021. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/roofing-market
“Roofing Contractors in the US – Employment Statistics 2004-2029.” IBISWorld. January 25, 2023. https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/roofing-contractors-united-states/
“Occupational Employment and Wages, Roofers.” May 1, 2022. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472181.htm#nat
“2023 State of the Roofing Industry Report.” Roofing Contractor. February 3, 2023. https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/97890-2023-state-of-the-industry-report
“Metal Roofing Market by Metal Type, Product Type, and End user: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2020-2023).” Allied Market Research. January 12, 2022. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/metal-roofing-market-A14965
“National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2021.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. December 16, 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
“National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.” National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 27, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-04-27-22.html
US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Injuries/Illnesses and Fatal Injuries Profiles-Case and Demographic Numbers 2020. Accessed May 16, 2023. https://data.bls.gov/gqt/InitialPage
“Experimental and numerical investigation of urban street canyons to evaluate the impact of green roofs inside and outside buildings.” Salah-Eddine Ouldboukhitine, Rafik Belarbi, David J. Sailor. Applied Energy, Volume 114. 2014. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261913008209
“The Benefits and Challenges of Green Roofs on Public and Commercial Buildings.” United States General Services Administration. July 2011. https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/The_Benefits_and_Challenges_of_Green_Roofs_on_Public_and_Commercial_Buildings.pdf

“Residential Metal Roofing Continues to Make Strong Gains in U.S., According to Latest Industry Report.” Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). December 20, 2020. https://www.metalroofing.com/news/residential-metal-roofing-continues-make-strong-gains-us-according-latest-industry-report/
“Good for the Environment and Your Wallet.” Metal Roofing Alliance. March 2, 2019. https://www.metalroofing.com/residential-metal-roofing/benefits/energy-savings/
“Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. July 6, 2020. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-cool-roofs-reduce-heat-islands
“Recycling.” National Asphalt Pavement Association. September 25, 2020. https://www.asphaltpavement.org/expertise/sustainability/sustainability-resources/recycling
“Metal Roofing Benefits.” Metal Roofing Alliance. December 28, 2018. https://www.metalroofing.com/residential-metal-roofing/benefits/
“How Long Do Roofs Last?” RoofCalc.org. May 23, 2023. https://www.roofcalc.org/how-long-do-roofs-last/
“ROI of Your Home Remodel.” Today’s Homeowner. 2023. https://todayshomeowner.com/home-finances/guides/roi-of-remodel/

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