2019 Emerging Markets: Solar Panel Installation & Green Roofing Trends

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

With increasing climate temperatures and huge carbon footprints, concern over the environment is higher than ever. Everyone is doing their part to use more efficient energy sources and emit less pollution, and the roofing industry is no exception. Homeowners and businesses want their homes and buildings to be energy efficient, not only because it is good for the environment, but also because it helps cut down on energy costs.

Both residential and commercial roofing companies that cater to these green roofing trends are finding themselves with entirely new markets to take part in and profit from, as well as raising public opinion of their business. Take a look at some of the most popular eco-roofing trends and discover how your company might take part in these emerging markets.

4 Green Roofing Trends to Watch

Easier solar panel installation

While solar power has been at the forefront of energy efficiency for a while, they have traditionally been difficult and expensive to install, making them less practical than environmental experts made them out to be. However, the cost of solar panels is dropping, making them more affordable than ever.

Depending on your state, you may need to obtain a license to install solar panels. According to Solar Energy International,

“Licensing is distinct from certification. While licensing is mandatory for certain practices, certification is a voluntary standard that installers attain to differentiate themselves from competition and to instill confidence in consumers.”

A rising amount of contractors are becoming certified in order to start providing solar panel installation to keep up with market demand. With less hoops to jump through and lower upfront costs, there are less barriers now when it comes to offering solar panel options to your customers.

Roofing industry vendors are also making solar panel installation easier for roofers. EagleView now offers SunSite or SunSite Plus Reports, which include diagrams and measurements for optimal solar panel placement, showing how the roofing industry is adapting to meet the requirements of solar panels.

All of these advancements remove the hassle from solar panels, finally making them a practical option for an environmentally friendly home.

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3 Easy (and Cost Effective Ways) You Can Become an Environmentally Sustainable Roofer

As the ideology and demands of homeowners shift towards environmentally sustainable materials and practices, “going green” can give you a competitive edge within your target market, not only as a marketing angle, but from a financial standpoint as well.

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Green Roofing

Another major trend for 2019 will be the use of green roofs. Green roofs are an eco-friendly roof option where living plants and vegetation replace traditional roofing materials such as asphalt or EPDM. These roofs help decrease carbon emissions, cleanse the air of pollutants, and reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, as well as contributing to your building’s aesthetic appeal. If these benefits aren’t enough, green roofs also lower your energy costs by stabilizing your buildings temperature, last much longer than traditional roofs, and provide protection from UV radiation, ozone, wind, and hail. While green roofs are more common in commercial buildings, especially in large cities, the trend is beginning move to residential buildings as well, meaning even homeowners can take part in this effort to help the planet.

Cool Roofs

Similar in concept and benefits to green roofs, cool roofs are also emerging as a popular market. Cool roofs are roofs that are specially designed to absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight than traditional roofs. As a result, they keep your home and the surrounding area cooler, reducing your energy cost and lowering impact of the Urban Heat Island Effect. These roofs use reflective coatings or paint to help prevent the roof from absorbing as much sunlight and heat. Almost every type of roof, from steep slope to low slope to metal or tile roofs, can be made “cool” by adding a cool roof coating, finish, or paint. In addition to these reflective coatings, some cool roofs use a layer of foam or rubber insulation to keep your home cool and protected from the sun’s heat.

Back to Basics: Skylights

The use of skylights are also part of the eco-friendly trend pervading the roofing industry at the moment. Skylights allow for natural lighting in a building, reducing energy costs. In addition to lowering energy costs associated with lighting and electricity, correctly placed skylights also help regulate the temperature of a building, leading to even lower costs. Skylights can also be made to be very well insulated, removing worry that temperature might dissipate and lead to inefficiency and high costs. As a result, skylights are an easy feature to add to your home to drop costs and live greener.

In a world that is moving so quickly toward eco-friendly products and energy efficiency, the roofing industry should be a leader in advocating for new technologies that improve the quality of residential homes and commercial buildings. The markets for solar panels, green roofs, cool roofs, and skylights are rising, and will continue to gain popularity into 2019. By adapting your company to accommodate for these trends now, you can ensure your business stays competitive and profitable in the future, all while doing your part to help the planet.

AccuLynx is the most powerful tool for your roofing business. Simple to use software, industry-leading tools and the best customer support — AccuLynx makes it easy to grow faster than your competition.

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