There are a lot of new, up-and-coming trends in the roofing industry right now! What’s driving these trends? Some of it is the need to create energy-efficient roofing, or roofing that can stand up to weather that is becoming increasingly more extreme. The pandemic is driving some changes in the roofing industry as well. Below, we’ll highlight some of the top roofing technology trends to look forward to in the remainder of this year—and going into next year, too.
1. Metal Roofing Making a Comeback?
Actually, metal roofing never really went away. People like it because it’s durable, low maintenance, and it works well with high-tech synthetic underlayments like those we make here at Epilay. But metal roofs are having a moment right now, and that’s because improvements to technology mean that there are now more colors and styles available than ever before.
Fancy a roof that replicates wood shakes, slate, or clay tiles? With new metal roofing products coming to market, it’s totally possible to get these looks!
2. Mobile Apps for Roofers
Most all of us are using smartphones daily now—and with that comes a wave of developments specifically for roofers. These days, there are now a variety of apps available designed to make the job easier one way or another. Apps are being used to measure buildings remotely, to create reports that can be sent to workers, and to generate timeframes, project budgets, and other key pieces of information.
Some of the top-used roofing apps available now? There’s Pitch Gauge, available on iOS, Android, and the web, which finds the area of the roof along with its pitch—no measuring tools required. iRoofing is another, this one relying on satellite and Clearoof imagery to get roof measurements. EagleView and RoofSnap are other popular apps in the same vein, all of which can help roofers generate estimates more quickly.
3. Drones to the Rescue?
These handy flying bots are becoming indispensable in the roofing industry. That’s because they allow roofers to make inspections remotely, and they can be used to inspect potential problems to get an initial assessment without needing to climb up on the roof. This saves time—and it adds an element of safety, too, since fewer trips onto a roof mean fewer opportunities to fall and injure oneself.
Perhaps most interestingly, drones are becoming useful marketing tools for roofing companies. Drones allow you to capture images and videos from an angle before rarely seen—and that gives you a portfolio of completed roofing projects that you can easily show off to potential clients.
4. The Rise of CRM Software for Roofers
CRM software—short for “customer relationship management”—is fast becoming the must-have tool that every roofing company needs. That’s because, whether you purchase packaged CRM software or have something designed specifically for your company, this software offers a suite of tools to help you tackle every aspect of the business. That includes lead generation, project management, invoicing, payments to suppliers, and more.
5. Advancements in Safety All-Around
These days, there are lots of emerging technologies to keep roofers—and their clients—safer. Some of these are driven by the pandemic and focus around online conferencing, with tools like Zoom and similar apps allowing roofers to connect with their clients and their support staff remotely.
Other safety advancements are happening in the field. This includes things like synthetic underlayments. For example, Epilay’s products are lighter and easier to carry around than traditional roofing felt, they feature anti-slip surfacing, and they are a light color, which keeps conditions cooler when working on the rooftop. GPS is being used to mark hazardous areas and notify workers when they approach dangers and safety sensors that can be worn on the worker’s body monitor temperature and heart rate to prevent overheating. There are even safety vests that contain airbags designed to inflate when sensors detect a fall.
Despite the pandemic, now is a great time to be in the roofing industry. With so many advancements in technology and new trends emerging, roofers can expect increased safety, better efficiency, and more satisfied clients.
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