IRVINE, Calif. — Boral Roofing released key findings from research conducted into national exterior color trends in roofing. The research results confirm continuing and identify future directions for roofing colors and residential architectural styles. Additionally, Boral Roofing’s findings single out secondary and tertiary market trends, highlighting regional colorways and home exterior architecture trends.

As a result of the research, Boral Roofing has released a CEU course for architects, "Exterior Color Trends: Continuing + Future Directions 2021–2024," which is now available through HanleyWood University and the AIA.

“This research represents Boral Roofing’s commitment to understanding the driving forces behind market demand for roofing materials,” said Ann Iten, director of marketing for Boral Roofing. “This is a continuation of the studies we started a few years ago into consumer behaviors and the macro societal trends directly impacting the design aesthetic and roofing material choices that consumers, architects and builders make in residential construction.”

Notably, Boral Roofing’s current research confirms forecasts made by its researchers a few years ago when they forecasted that the overload of virtual content and stimulation consumers faced would lead them to seek sensorial reduction strategies in their design choices, including for architecture and home exteriors. The current study confirmed that in primary and secondary markets, architectural styles and color palettes, including for roofing, had in fact shifted to transitional styles with reduced ornamentation and neutral, calming hues.

“In addition to confirming past forecasts, our research also forecasts stronger concerns about wellness and the environment will push consumers’ desires for outdoor living to new heights and give rise to Neu Naturalism, which is a greater integration of the natural and built environments,” said Iten. “We also expect a rise in color palettes of earthy, rust-rich tones, which will pair with the neutrals we’ve been seeing over the past few years. The use of blacks on exteriors and in roofing will also continue.”

In an effort to identify regional trends, Boral Roofing identified key secondary cities within the U.S. to study. These cities and the accompanying findings include: Seattle, which has been identified as an early adopter of gabled modern architecture, increasingly embracing an all-black residential exterior palette; Phoenix, whose architecture points to a growing trend toward upscale gabled designs and neutral exterior color palettes; Dallas, where reduced ornamentation, toned down elegance and white hues are converging exterior home trends; and Atlanta, where minimal colonials and farmhouse adaptations join with neutral palettes. 

Boral Roofing also selected key tertiary cities to study and findings include: In Bend, Ore., (like Atlanta) minimal colonials and farmhouse adaptations join neutral color palettes; in Boise, Idaho, warm materials are trending, blacks are increasingly being introduced on exteriors, and whites are becoming plentiful; in Salt Lake City, soot blacks, earthy soil browns and rust reds are the color trend; in Austin, Texas, wood additions and clean lines marry light color palettes; in Raleigh, N.C.,  a modernist history meets expansive windows and tone-on-tone palettes; and in Tampa, Fla., cleaner lines join with lightened palettes and the warmth of wood details. Finally, in the popular vacation towns of Lake Tahoe, Calif. and Aspen, Colo., darker palettes and modernist lines are met with organic textures, and gabled moderns are adorned with gray-brown neutrals and crisp whites, respectively. 

“Ultimately, Boral Roofing is striving to be the go-to expert in roofing color trends and a resource to architects, builders and consumers looking for leading-edge color options and durable roofing solutions,” said Iten.

Boral Roofing’s new CEU course offers continuing education on color trends to design professionals. Participants who complete the course are eligible for one CEU credit. After completing the course, architects will be able to: name two of the cities on Boral Roofing’s market radar and the new color palettes trending within each; list two of the current leading exterior color trends that will continue to be important over the next few years; contrast current leading exterior color trends with emerging trends that will become increasingly popular in the next three to five years; name two cultural and consumer trends that have influenced both current and rising exterior color trends; and identify how the 2:1 ratio of colors used in exterior color palettes is influenced by cultural and consumer trends.

To access information the CEU course and to register, visit boralroof.com/education. For additional information on Boral Roofing’s full concrete, clay, steel, and composite solutions, visit BoralRoof.com.