Focus

Each year, NRCA surveys its contractor members regarding the types of roofing work they performed the previous year and their projections for the upcoming year. The survey provides a glimpse into what trends are occurring in the low- and steep-slope roofing markets.

This year in the low-slope market, EPDM membranes gained ground over TPO membranes. In 2013, respondents said they installed EPDM membranes 20 percent of the time in new construction and 20 percent in reroofing situations and TPO membranes 35 percent and 40 percent, respectively. For the 2014 survey, respondents said EPDM comprised 26 percent of their new construction work and 24 percent of reroofing work while TPO accounted for 31 percent and 26 percent, respectively.

Other systems losing market share included built-up and polymer-modified bitumen roof systems; however, PVC use increased 3 percent.

In the steep-slope market, asphalt shingles continued to be the market leader (44 percent for new construction and 58 percent for reroofing) but metal architectural systems were 2 percent more popular in 2014 than they were in 2013 new construction projects.

For insulation materials, polyisocyanurate insulation still leads the sector in market share at 75 percent of new construction and 70 percent of reroofing. Expanded polystyrene insulation came in a distant second at 7 percent of new construction and 9 percent of reroofing.

The market survey also includes information about roof decks, cover board and photovoltaic installations, as well as regional breakdowns of material usage.

Nonmembers and NRCA members desiring a hard copy of the survey can purchase one at shop.nrca.net. NRCA members can view or download an electronic copy of the survey free of charge at shop.nrca.net or via NRCA's app, available from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Windows Store.

For more information about the survey, please contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or email info@nrca.net.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's associate executive director of communications and production.