Roofing Trends in 2024 — What’s In?
Roofing trends change from year to year. Some are about aesthetics, and you may prefer to stick to your own preferences — though bear in mind that an unfashionable roof could have consequences when you come to sell your home.
On the other hand, some of the trends that are in for 2024 are about technical advances, better sustainability or saving money. It’s important to understand what’s new in 2024 before you make a decision about your roof. Here are the main trends.
Roofing Materials Becoming More Sustainable
With increasing interest in being eco-friendly, it’s hardly surprising that sustainable roofing materials are becoming more popular. People want to do the responsible thing and reduce their carbon footprint — as well as cutting their energy bills.
Sustainable materials you can expect to see more of in 2024 include solar shingles, living roofs incorporating vegetation, cool roof coatings, and recycled materials such as rubber and plastic.
Energy-Efficient Roofing
Traditionally, most of the heat lost from a house goes through the roof. In a time when we all want to keep both our bills and our carbon footprint down, more people are turning to energy-efficient roofing.
These can include materials like insulated panels, reflective coating and cool roof membranes; foam insulation panels and radiant barriers in the roof space; and ridge vents to improve circulation.
Keep Your Roof Low Maintenance
Roofs are traditionally high on maintenance, and major weather events will always have the potential to cause damage. However, there are roofing options where maintenance will be lower than average, and these are going to grow more popular in 2024.
Metal and synthetic rubber are both long-lasting options, with synthetic rubber particularly easy to clean. If you have a flat roof, both membrane and bitumen solutions are good options, while for a pitched roof, traditional tiles last a long time and overall don’t require too much maintenance.
Advances in Roofing Technology
Solar or photovoltaic roofing is already catching on. By generating your own green electricity, you can not only keep your bills and carbon footprint low, but you may even be able to make money by selling excess electricity back to the National Grid. This will become even more popular as prices come down.
The other big trend in roofing technology is going to be smart roofs, which can monitor themselves for leaks and the effects of weather events. It’s becoming practical to connect these systems to the Internet of Things, meaning you’ll be able to monitor your roof remotely on your phone.
Innovative Roof Designs
Not all trends are about practical impacts. Your home’s roof is important for the impact it makes from the street — both for your own satisfaction and to boost its value.
Trends likely to be popular during 2024 include multiple planes and slopes and unusual roof shapes like barrel-curved, butterfly and domed designs. There’ll also be a move away from plain roofs, with devices such as dormers, decorative rooflines and turrets becoming popular.
Lighter and brighter colours will be popular since they reflect heat more efficiently than dark roofs. Flat or low-pitched roofs are also becoming more popular than steep pitches. These are just some of the trends you’re likely to be seeing in 2024 and beyond. If you’re interested in applying any of these to your roof, whether for practical or aesthetic reasons, give Empire a call to find out what we can do to bring your roof into 2024.
