Get ahead of the game by knowing the industrial and commercial roofing trends for 2025. Anticipating the direction of our evolving industry enables roofing contractors to manage challenges, leverage opportunities and become more competitive. You can boost your success by keeping informed about the current state of the industry and what’s coming next.
As a result, we’ve scoured the predictions and advice of industry experts for insights you can use starting today. As a premier commercial roofer in the Greater Toronto Area, we’ve combined these forecasts with observations from our own experience.
If you’re ready to dive into 2025 commercial roofing trends, read on!
2025 commercial roofing trends point to future growth
What’s the good news? 2025 commercial roofing trends show that our industry is poised for growth. Although the industry saw a slight contraction in 2023 and 2024, industry trends and forecasts are optimistic for 2025. Research shows that revenue for roofing contractors has climbed at an expected CAGR of 4.3% to reach $13.9 billion in 2025.
As evidence, according to a BuildForce Canada report, 2025 commercial roofing trends project that the non-residential roofing sector will remain strong through 2033. The report bases this prediction on the high volume of large projects planned and underway in industrial, commercial, and institutional building projects. According to the report, roofing upgrades will focus on replacements that are climate-resilient, durable and energy-efficient.
Leading factors driving the 2025 commercial roofing trends
In 2025, commercial roofing trends in the Greater Toronto Area are driven by factors including:
- Skilled labour shortage
- Increased demand for eco-friendly materials and technologies
- Updated regulations for sustainable construction
- Increased frequency and severity of climate events
- Advances in roofing technologies
Now that we’ve discussed the industry’s growth and listed 5 major trends, the rest of this article provides a breakdown of the five factors driving current trends.
1. Labour Shortages continue to be significant in 2025 commercial roofing trends.
To start off, the continuing skilled labour shortage is a primary 2025 commercial roofing trend. According to Buildforce Canada’s 2024–2033 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward national forecast, 21% of the current labour force is expected to retire by 2033. Increased demand for the smaller pool of skilled workers will have several effects, the first of which is higher wages. Many experts also predict that this issue will also affect budgets, timeframes and—in the worst case—compromise quality.
It’s clear that a shortage of workers will have a major effect on the roofing trade. The question is how to compensate in the short term and build up the workforce in the long run. Experts offer the following methods.
Training, compensation and reputation
There are several paths to developing tradespeople and being competitive in the market. These include:
- Offer apprenticeship and certification programs to train new workers.
- Offer competitive compensation packages and career growth opportunities.
- Provide advanced training technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) training programs.
- Take steps to promote the company’s reputation as a good place to work.
Labour-saving technologies
What else can support roofing contractors at this time? Adopting new technologies, like those below, is another tactic creates a more efficient labor force:
- Easier-to-install systems, such as peel-and-stick membranes, low-VOC adhesives, and robotic welders
- AR (augmented reality)-guided installations to reduce dependency on high-skill labour
- Offsite prefabrication and modular components, including curbs, penetrations, and insulation layers
- Hybrid assemblies like metal plus membrane or solar plus green roof combinations
Insights: Unfortunately, the current labor shortage will become more acute. 2025 commercial roofing trends should encourage commercial roofers to develop new strategies to attract, train and retain new employees. They should also consider adopting new technologies designed to improve efficiency.
2. In 2025, commercial roofing trends reflect a rising demand for sustainable, energy-efficient materials
The next 2025 trend in commercial roofing stems from both environmental concerns and increasing energy costs. These issues are prompting developers to adopt energy-efficient, sustainable roofing systems. Experts see this trend particularly in commercial and municipal projects. While these solutions can offer long-term benefits, the upfront costs are often higher than traditional roofing. However, the cost will likely decrease as demand increases.
Green innovations and technologies are advancing
As awareness of sustainable roofing materials and practices grows, so does consumer demand for innovations, such as:
- Recycled materials: Recycled roofing products containing rubber, plastic and metal can reduce landfill waste. Bio-based oils are another environmentally friendly solution.
- Cool roofing systems: By reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat, cool roofing systems reduce summertime energy costs and improve indoor comfort. Reflective roofing materials (like white TPO, PVC, or coatings) combat heat island effects and reduce HVAC loads.
- Green roofs: By incorporating vegetation, green roofs provide excellent insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality and lower energy consumption.
- Solar PV integration: Flat roofs are increasingly being designed to support solar PV. Even in Toronto’s harsh climate, solar integration can be a long-term investment that reduces energy bills and promotes sustainability.
- Solar PVCpanels: PVC panels are gaining traction as more commercial buildings integrate them directly into their roofing structures. Numerous benefits include cost savings on electricity bills, a lower carbon footprint and potential tax incentives or rebates.
Insights: Meeting customer demand for sustainable materials means keeping up to date about sustainable materials, consistently applying best practices and providing relevant training for employees.
3. Regulations promote sustainability in 2025 commercial roofing trends
The importance of sustainability in 2025 commercial trends can’t be overstated. Consider that increasingly frequent, severe, and longer-lasting weather events, along with rising temperatures and sea levels, are causing significant damage to infrastructure. This year’s major overhaul to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) includes approximately 2,000 changes. Many of these focus on increased sustainability practices, energy efficiency, adaptation to climate change and safety.
The next set of standards is the Green Roof Bylaw. This sets out a graduated green roof requirement for new development or additions that are greater than 2,000 m² in gross floor area. As a benefit to developers, related costs may be subsidized through the Development Charge Refund Program. An alternative is to pay $200/m2 as cash-in-lieu of green roof construction. The funds are directed to the Eco-Roof Incentive Program.
Certifications demonstrate your commitment to sustainability practices
Building on that idea, roofers can invest in LEED and BREEAM certifications to enhance their reputation among green-oriented clients. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and local building codes require documentation of roofing system performance.
Insights: To avoid penalties and fines, roofers must comply with all technical and administrative sustainability requirements for building construction, renovation, and change-of-use. As regulations and incentives evolve, be on the lookout for updates. To enhance your credibility for sustainable practices, participate in leading certification programs.
4. The demand for greater durability is among the significant 2025 commercial roofing trends.
In a similar vein, 2025 commercial roofing trends include durable, climate-resilient materials and techniques that protect against severe weather events. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, storms, fires and other extreme weather events in 2024 carried a cost of $8.5 billion, the highest in Canadian history.
As a result, roofers are seeing increased investment in impact-resistant and weatherproof roofing systems, such as:
- High-wind rated assemblies in hurricane zones
- Impact-resistant systems in hail-prone areas
- Improved drainage for more frequent heavy rainfalls
- Replacing outdated roofs with new ones that offer advanced, better-performing materials. BUR is popular for its durability on flat roofs. In Ontario, adoption of weather-resistant, flexible modbit (polymer-modified bitumen systems) rose by approximately 9% in 2023. Demand for single-ply membranes, primarily TPO and PVC, has gained some market share. Self-Healing Membranes: Innovative coatings that seal micro-cracks with heat or UV exposure are in early adoption.
Insights: Roofers must stay current on new advances in roofing products that increase durability and help ensure a well-performing roof.
5. In 2025, commercial roofing trends leverage technological innovation
Let’s move on to some new and exciting technological advances that can help improve your operations, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Forward-looking companies are paying attention to how they can leverage new digital and AI technologies:
- Software applications: Software can bring greater efficiency to customer relationship management (CRM), project planning and management, estimation and optimized material selection
- Digital Twin Modeling: This dynamic modeling tool enhances visualization of roofing systems. This 3D software enhances the visualization of roofing systems for better lifecycle management and predictive maintenance.
- Drones: Drones with thermal imaging cameras are cost-effective for roof inspections, especially for large or complex commercial buildings. Numerous benefits include improved safety, fewer weather delays, fewer equipment needs, and enhanced data. When planning projects, drones and AI technologies can take precise measurements for better 3D renderings and visual representations.
- Embedded sensors and IoT Integration: An increasing number of roof systems have embedded sensors that monitor and detect moisture accumulation, temperature and leak detection systems. This real-time monitoring enables landlords to take immediate action to prevent leaks or quickly call the roofer while the problem is still minor.
- Weather-Responsive Roofing Systems: Smart roofs can adjust their properties based on weather conditions. For instance, thermally responsive coatings can change their reflectivity depending on temperature, improving energy efficiency year-round.
Insights: Smart roofing technologies provide valuable data that can streamline business operations, improve project management, and promote labour efficiency. Not only that, but technology can also support overall building performance and enhance customer experience. At the same time, there’s no substitute for human interaction. Technology is also not flawless. Humans need to verify that AI measurements and calculations are correct.
Develop an Effective Business Strategy Based on Roofing Trends in 2025
As our industry landscape evolves, contractors must adapt to 2025 commercial roofing trends. Elite Roofing takes pride in evaluating and adapting to 2025 commercial trends and best practices to provide an unparalleled customer experience.
How can you leverage these 2025 commercial roofing trends? Find out how to apply these trends from a trustworthy roofing company in Toronto and surrounding areas. Contact Elite Roofing and Contractors Limited. Get the #EliteAdvantage.
