Economic analysis - Articles | Roofing Contractor

Price Pressure

Roofing Contractors Shorten Pricing Windows Amid New Construction Cost Surge

Energy costs, tariffs on steel and imported materials drive historic cost escalation that already exceeds three years of prior increases combined

Tanja Kern

May 13, 2026

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Construction input prices have risen more in four months than the previous three years combined, putting roofing contractors under mounting pressure.

Construction Climate

Data Centers Fuel Commercial Construction Hiring Gains in April

Nonresidential construction added 19,000 jobs in April as data center and power projects continued driving demand despite broader economic uncertainty

Tanja Kern

May 11, 2026

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Commercial construction hiring remained strong in April, led by surging demand for data centers and infrastructure projects.

Earnings Report

Owens Corning Q1 Roofing Sales Fall 14%

Company sees stable roofing demand

Tanja Kern

May 6, 2026

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Owens Corning reported lower first-quarter roofing sales and earnings amid softer housing and remodeling activity but maintained its second-quarter outlook.

Guest Column

Basu: High Rates, Costs Challenge Construction Growth

Economist highlights inflation, rates and sector divides

Fiona Maguire-O'Shea

April 28, 2026

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Strong demand in data centers and infrastructure contrasts with weak office and multifamily markets as financing pressures persist.

News Analysis

QXO’s $17B TopBuild Deal Expands Reach Across Roofing And Insulation

Analysts say the acquisition expands QXO’s reach beyond roofing distribution into insulation, installation and data-driven contractor relationships, reshaping competition across the building products sector.

Tanja Kern

April 23, 2026

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Analysts say the acquisition expands QXO’s reach beyond roofing distribution into insulation, installation and data-driven contractor relationships, reshaping competition across the building products sector.

An older man and a younger man shaking hands

2 Plans Needed to Exit in 2025

Roofing contractors looking to exit need both a company plan and an owner’s plan in today’s business climate

Kevin Kennedy

November 20, 2025

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Roofing contractors looking to exit need both a company plan and an owner’s plan in today’s business climate

Attendees at METALCON 2025 watching the keynote speaker

Show News

METALCON Delivers Inspiration, Insight & Industry Growth in Las Vegas

METALCON 2025 brought together global metal construction professionals for three days of education, innovation, and industry collaboration.

Roofing Contractor Staff

November 17, 2025

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METALCON 2025 brought together global metal construction professionals for three days of education, innovation, and industry collaboration.

financial-graph-on-tablet-with-BlueLinx-Q3-2025-text

Distributor News

BlueLinx Sales Stagnant in Q3 2025 Amid Soft Market Conditions

CEO says sales growth affected by tariffs, high mortgage rates and general economic uncertainty

Chris Gray

November 12, 2025

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BlueLinx offered an optimistic but cautious outlook during its Q3 2025 earnings call, which showed relatively flat net sales but a loss in gross profit due to a soft market.

Economic Outlook

Economist Warns: U.S. Growth Needs Bold Action

At METALCON 2025, economist Alex Chausovsky warned U.S. leaders to embrace complexity and defend economic dominance.

Tanja Kern

October 30, 2025

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Economist Alex Chausovsky of The Bundy Group took the keynote stage at METALCON 2025 with a clear message: America’s economy is strong, but complacency is its biggest risk.

Quarterly Report

U.S. Asphalt Shingle Shipments Fall 10% in Q3 2025

ARMA’s latest report shows declines across key segments

Tanja Kern

October 22, 2025

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ARMA’s Q3 2025 report shows a 10% drop in U.S. shingle shipments, with notable declines in BUR and modified bitumen, while Canadian shipments rose 14.8% year-to-date.