Most people don’t choose a home based on the material, durability, or style of the roof – but maybe they should. After all, a reliable roof is what protects you and your family from the elements outside.

While roofs have been around for centuries, there are trends that emerge each year when it comes to design, color, materials, and other elements. So whether you’re looking to replace your current roof or shopping for a new home, you should know a little bit about this year’s trends.

Read below for 7 roofing contractor trends in 2021.

1. The Renaissance of Metal Roofing

Commercial roofing contractors typically use different materials when working on commercial buildings and residential buildings. However, this year the metal roof trend will be seen for both commercial and residential projects. Metal offers a durable, low-maintenance alternative to vinyl, concrete, or clay.

Metal roofing can be made from copper, aluminum, or steel. Roofing contractors are using metal to enhance the aesthetic of the building with added texture and color.

A metal roof is a great choice for cold or wet environments because they repel water and insulate heat. So, ask your roof contractor whether a metal roof is right for your project.

2. Harnessing Solar Power

The green energy trend has made its way to roofing with the addition of solar panels. Solar energy is a promising sustainable alternative energy source that comes from the sun. When installed properly, solar panels can create energy independent buildings, saving money on energy costs.

Solar panels used to be the only way to collect and use solar energy in roofing. But now, there are solar tiles and shingles that look more like traditional materials. So you don’t have to choose between style and solar energy – you can have both!

3. Color Trends

Roof colors go in and out of style as interior design components do. And in 2021 you’re likely to see dark colors like black, silver, or gray. These colors lend themselves to an overall modern aesthetic that is becoming more popular with residential and commercial properties.

Another popular trend is contrasting wall colors and roof color. For example, a building with light walls might feature a dark gray roof for contrast. The number of colors and textures available for roofing is constantly growing, but the trend towards darker roof colors may last beyond 2021.

4. Better Project Management

For your Greeley roofing project, you want the best products and service, which starts with finding the right roofing contractor. And lucky for you, roofing contractors are miles ahead of where they used to be with regard to project management tools.

In 2021 you can expect to connect with roofing contractors near me in a matter of seconds to schedule an estimate. Roofing contractors are leveraging technology to connect with potential customers and to manage their projects and team members. Web apps and project management software are making it easier for roofing contractors to plan, execute, and deliver projects on a regular basis.

The increase in technology use for roofing project management is good news for the contractors and the customer. More organized projects completed more efficiently – you can’t do much better than that!

5. Cool Home Roofing

Cool roofing is another environmentally-friendly form of roofing designed to absorb or reflect heat. As the sun hits the roof the energy is absorbed or reflected based on the size of the electromagnetic wavelengths.

And even if you’re not interested in the science behind cool roofing, you might be interested in how much money it can save you in energy costs. These roofs are known to reduce overall energy costs by up to 15%.

This type of roofing is made with lighter colors because it allows for better energy reflection. If you like the look of a light-colored roof and want to make a green decision with your roofing, look into the cool roofing trend.

6. Use of Technology

It’s not only roofing project management that has changed because of technology – the whole roofing industry has changed. For example, you can now search for and schedule virtual meetings with roofing contractors near me. They can walk you through your options along with pricing all over a video-conference call.

But how can a roofing contractor plan without a site visit?

Good question! The answer – satellite imaging. Contractors can view the existing roof or the project progress so far using satellite images. Once they have the images they can also use software to show you what different styles and materials will look like. You can have your house virtually “try on” different roof options to see what you like best.

Another roofing tech trend is the use of drones. It can be hard to get detailed, accurate imaging of a roof from satellite images alone. But a drone can capture those details in real-time. Roofing contractors can use drones to measure the roof or evaluate progress. Using drone images also increases the safety of roofing projects because it requires less time on the roof itself.

7. Classic Styles

While 2021 will feature several new trends in roofing, there are certain classic features that will never go out of style. The key to finding the perfect roof is finding the one that complements the rest of the home.

If you’re building a modern home with sleek, simple lines, you can choose a trendy dark-colored metal roof. But if you’ve purchased a gorgeous Victorian-style home, you’re going to want a classic slate to match.

Slate and wood-shake roofs are still popular and they might be suitable for your home project. Remember that the roof is an extension of the style of your home and you want them to come together harmoniously.

Ready to Find a Roofing Contractor?

There you have it – 7 roofing trends for 2021. And if you’re still not sure what material or style of roof to choose, don’t worry, there are experts out there that can help.

Talk to a roofing contractor today about your project and get answers to all your roofing related questions. Don’t be afraid to mention some of the trends you read about above if you’re interested in learning more.

If you’re a realtor or home buyer looking for more advice on renovation, housing trends, or real estate investment, visit our other blogs for additional resources.