As the roofing industry grows, it embraces new materials, safety, and sustainability practices driven by consumer demand. Since repairing a roof is often expensive, homeowners in today’s market may choose long-lasting, energy-efficient options that also save them money on utilities.
We examined a range of sources, including reports from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics and the American Society of Landscape Architects, to gain insight into current roofing industry trends and statistics. We also surveyed 2,000 homeowners nationwide to see what they prioritize in roof maintenance and their spending on roof repairs.
We’ll also explain different roofing materials, which can help you choose the best type of roof for your home.
Key Takeaways
- Over the past three years, nearly 31% of homeowners nationwide have pursued roof renovation, repair, or maintenance projects, according to our survey.
- The roofing contractors industry in the U.S. will reach $76.4 billion in revenue in 2025, according to IBISWorld.
- The cost of replacing a new roof ranges from $9,858–$41,822, with an average replacement cost around $25,840*.
- New constructions are trending from asphalt shingles to metal roofing, according to our experts.
- A cool roof, or one that uses materials and colors to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat, can lower indoor temperature by nearly six degrees in non-air-conditioned buildings.
Note: The cost data featured in this article was sourced using Homewyse, unless otherwise stated.
Roofing Industry Trends and Statistics
IBISWorld estimates that the roofing contractors industry in the U.S. will reach $76.4 billion in revenue by the end of 2025, reflecting a 0.8% increase from the previous year. Increasingly frequent extreme weather events—including hurricanes, hailstorms, and wildfires—are contributing to rising demand for roofing repair and replacement services. This has supported revenue stability and growth despite broader economic fluctuations and construction slowdowns in some sectors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the employment of roofers will grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average growth rate for other occupations. The residential sector had the second most employed roofers, followed by nonresidential building construction. The states with the highest concentration of roofers in 2023 were Florida, California, Illinois, Texas, and Washington.
Of our 2,000 survey respondents, nearly 31% said they’d pursued roof repair and maintenance projects in the past three years. Most respondents, around 79%, hired roofing contractors for these projects, but just over 14% completed roof repairs themselves. Another 7% did a combination of do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs and hired contractors.
Average Roof Size
Contractors measure roofs in squares, which determines how many shingles your home needs per 100 square feet. For instance, if a roof is 30 squares, that means it’s 3,000 square feet. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the U.S. is 2,647 square feet, meaning the roof is also 2,647 square feet, or 26.47 squares.
How Long Does a Roof Last?
The materials used to construct a roof determine its lifespan. “New construction is trending away from asphalt shingles and towards metal roofing,” says Erin Shields, chief operating officer of the Birmingham, Alabama-based Apex Roofing and Restoration. “In residential roofing, acceptance of metal roofing products is rising due to their resistance to severe weather, forest fires, energy efficiency, and overall durability.”
There are many types of roofing materials available, but the most popular include:
The most popular roofing material, consisting of a fiberglass or paper mat covered in tar and granules.
Clay tiles, also known as terracotta tiles, describe molded and baked earthenware used for roofing.
Concrete describes molded roofing tiles that consist of sand, cement, water, and iron oxide.
A standing seam metal roof consists of metal panels joined together with a raised seam.
Metal roof tiles come in steel, aluminum, or copper panels.
Slate roofs are made of slate rock sliced into thin sheets and cut into tiles.
The table below shows common roofing materials and their general lifespan.
| Material | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | 20–30 years |
| Built-up roofing (BUR) | 15–30 years |
| Clay tiles | 50–100 years |
| Concrete roofing | 50 years |
| Green roofing | 40 years |
| Metal roofing | 40–70 years |
| Slate roofing | 75–200 years |
| Solar roofing | 25–30 years |
| Wood roofing | 15–30 years |
A few less common types of roofing materials are gaining popularity. Rolled roofing, or membrane roofing, is made of the same materials as asphalt shingles, but laid in long strips. It’s typically best for a low-sloped roof pitch. Alternatively, green roofs feature a waterproof membrane on top, over which contractors plant vegetation.
Homeowners Insurance Claim Trends
Roof insurance claims have increased dramatically over the past few years. Climate change is a significant driving factor, with an increased frequency and intensity of storms causing substantial roof damage. In 2024, State Farm reported paying over $3.8 billion in home repairs for hail damage claims. Data compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) in 2024 showed hail damage costing homes across the contiguous U.S. approximately $160 billion in reconstruction cost value.
Most policies cover roof repair and replacement in the event of a natural disaster, but home insurance providers may start to impose stricter limits as storm damage becomes more common.
The Cost of Roofing
Many roofing companies report that the first question customers tend to ask is “How much is a new roof?” Calculating the cost of a new roof isn’t all that simple, as there are many factors to consider. These factors include:
- Additional structural requirements: For example, skylights and chimneys require flashing and the sealing of joints, which drives up labor costs.
- City and state permits: Permit costs and code requirements for roofing projects differ from city to city and state to state.
- Fixing existing damage: If there’s any damage to your existing roof, especially damage that could present structural problems, it will add time to the new roof installation, thus increasing the cost.
- Your chosen materials: Upgrading roofing materials can significantly increase the cost of a new roof. For example, asphalt shingles cost $4.46 per square foot on average, while clay tiles can cost $21 or more per square foot.
- Your roof size: Larger roofs are more expensive to install than smaller ones due to the added materials and labor time.
- Your roof type: Complex roof shapes may require additional materials and labor, which can increase costs.
Roof repairs typically range from as low as $392 to as high as $1,913, depending on the severity of the issue. The cost of replacing a new roof ranges from $9,858–$41,822, with the average replacement cost around $25,840. Depending on the damage severity, it may end up being worth replacing the entire roof.
The chart below breaks down the cost per square foot and the overall average lifespan for various roofing materials.
| Material | Average Cost Per Square Foot | Average Cost Per Roof Square | Average Cost of a 2,000-Square-Foot Roof | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $4.46 | $446 | $8,927 | 30–35 years |
| Steel | $8.76 | $876 | $17,522 | 30–50 years |
| Cedar wood shingle | $10.88 | $1,088 | $21,769 | 30–35 years |
| Slate shingles | $14.78 | $1,478 | $29,564 | 50–75 years |
Sustainable Roofing
One of the biggest trends in the roofing industry is the adoption of sustainable materials. Sustainable roofs tend to fall into specific categories: cool roofs and green roofs.
Cool Roofs
Cool roofs use lighter-colored and reflective materials to reflect sunlight, absorbing less heat and making buildings more energy efficient.
“By reflecting the sunlight, the roofing systems absorb less solar energy,” explains Shields, “which lowers the surface temperature, and the amount of heat transferred into the structure.”
According to the Department of Energy, cool roof materials don’t typically cost more than conventional ones. However, new construction is the most cost-effective path to a cool roof. Retrofitting roofing products or covering existing roofs with cool coatings is subject to labor and materials replacement costs.
Green Roofs
Green roofs, also known as vegetative roofs, cool buildings through water evaporation and an insulating layer of soil. The soil layer also acts as an insulator.
“Green roofs focus on using soil and vegetation as an insulation and to keep temperatures lower on the inside of the structure,” says Shields. “The vegetation releases water vapor, which can also cool the roof.”
However, these roofs are expensive to install and maintain, as they require the installation of a waterproof membrane before you can add soil and plants. The high cost means you won’t see many residential buildings with green roofs.
Though most people think of cool and green roofs when it comes to sustainability, it’s important to note that you could also consider some long-lasting roofing materials as sustainable. Slate roofs, while using the finite resource of slate rock, can last over 50 years if properly maintained. Metal roofing materials, such as corrugated steel and aluminum shingles, can often last up to 50 years.
Roof Maintenance and Tips
To avoid spending money on costly roof repairs or a complete roof replacement, it’s important to engage in regular upkeep to maintain your roof in good shape.
Saeed Rokooei, an associate professor in the Department of Building Construction Science at Mississippi State University, suggests homeowners perform visual inspections of the roof at least twice a year, but also recommends professional inspections.
“Most experts recommend having a professional roof inspection at least once a year,” he says, “with additional checks after major storms or if the roof is older.”
Michael Casolaro, the president and owner of MCAS Roofing & Contracting, Inc. in Westchester County, New York, offers a few details about how to inspect your roof: “Homeowners can also visually inspect their roof right from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Search for cracked or missing shingles, discolored spots, moss build-up, and signs of water damage.”
“Also, keep an eye out indoors,” he adds. “If you ever see water spots on your ceiling, there’s a good chance you have a roof leak.”
Below is a list of roof maintenance tips to ensure you’re not caught off guard by expensive damage.
- Inspect your roof regularly to identify and address minor issues before they become expensive.
- Keep your roof and gutters clean and clear of any leaves, branches, or other debris that could cause mold growth or rot.
- Remove moisture-trapping moss and algae growth.
- Trim adjacent trees and plants to avoid branches or other detritus from falling and damaging your roof.
- Address any roof issues as soon as you notice them—the longer you wait, the more serious they can become.
- Apply coatings and sealants to your roof to block moisture, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, and weathering.
- Inspect the flashing around your chimney to ensure there are no leaks.
Expert Insights
How often should you check and maintain your roof, and what common issues should homeowners look out for?
Do you have any tips for homeowners on choosing the best roof?
Have new trends in housing construction influenced these changes?