Roofing tile demand in the US is projected to advance 5.4% per year to just under 5.0 million squares in 2021. Demand for roofing tiles plummeted during the Great Recession as housing starts fell precipitously in those parts of the US where roofing tiles are often specified, such as southern California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and many parts of Florida. Because roofing tile is more often installed on newly built homes, the recovery in new housing activity during the 2011-2016 period supported demand for roofing tile. These and other trends are presented in Roofing: US Forecasts, 15th Edition, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm.
New construction applications accounted for the larger share of roofing tile demand in 2016 and will continue to do so going forward, totaling 80% of the market in 2021. While most of the gains in new roofing tile demand will be due to rising new housing starts in the South and West, the market segment will see organic growth as builders in other parts of the US increasingly use roofing tiles. Some builders will specify roofing tiles for their durability and some others – particularly those serving high-end consumers – will choose roofing tiles to create structures with a more European appearance.
In terms of material type, concrete accounted for the large majority of roofing tile demand in 2016 and will continue to do so through 2021. According to analyst Matt Zielenski, “Concrete roofing tiles dominate demand due to their lower cost and heavier weight compared to clay tiles.”
