The metal roofing industry continues its forward march. Recent articles in Roofing Contractor authored by the Metal Roofing Alliance (a not-for-profit coalition of metal roofing manufacturers, paint companies, coil coaters, associations and contractors formed to introduce homeowners to the many value benefits of metal roofing) note that over the past seven years, the residential metal roofing market has grown at double-digit rates, doubling the market share from 3 percent to 6 percent. The MRA also cites a report from the Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland research firm, which predicts that the residential and commercial metal roofing market will grow 25 percent in five years-from $2.4 billion in 2003 to $3 billion in 2008. In other words, the firm estimates that metal roofing will make up at least 8.4 percent of the overall roofing market by 2008.
On the commercial side, a coalition of manufacturers, individuals and associations in the metal industry has launched an industry-wide program designed to increase the use of metal in the commercial construction market.