Metal roofing’s hot topics and trends

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Explore the cutting-edge trends and expert predictions shaping the future of metal roofing. 

In a recent interview held at the 2024 FRSA Show, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Jeff Henry from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) for a discussion on the burgeoning metal roofing industry. Sponsored by Beacon Building Products, this interview offers a wealth of insights into the current trends and future directions of metal construction. 

Heidi and Jeff explore the significance of the association's market studies. "We're releasing our 2024 market studies," Jeff notes, explaining how these studies provide crucial data about the future of the metal roofing and wall sectors. Conducted by FMI, these studies have been a cornerstone for nearly two decades, offering forecasts and insights that help MCA members make informed business decisions. 

Jeff discusses the importance of these studies in understanding the metal industry's role within the broader construction environment. He explains, "They look at the overall construction environment and the predictions for the coming years and then they start whittling down to see what is metal's engagement there and how much share does metal have in the different sectors of the construction industry?" 

The conversation touched on the collaborative nature of the MCA and its comprehensive resources that are available to everyone. You can go to the website and there are case studies, there's information, there's architectural and technical information and so much more that can help your business. 

Jeff stresses the accessibility of information and value of an MCA membership. "Nonmembers can come once and once they attend the meetings you’ll immediately see the benefits of the membership and the activities that we do," he says. He adds that the association boasts over 80 white papers and technical bulletins, providing a wealth of information for industry professionals. 

The discussion shifts to the impressive presence of metal at the FRSA Show. "It's almost exclusively metal," Jeff marvels. "The metal share continues to grow, especially on the residential side." This trend, he explains, is driven in part by extreme weather conditions, which highlight the durability and resilience of metal roofing. 

To learn more about the services MCA offer, watch the full interview below!