Restoration trends in the roofing industry

By Jenny Yu.  

Learn how this legacy company meets market demands with its innovative restoration products. 

In this episode of CoatingsCast™, Megan Ellsworth spoke with John McDermott, vice president of sales for KARNAK Corporation, to explore the latest trends that are reshaping the roofing industry and how contractors can navigate these changes with restoration work. 

One of the biggest trends John identified was the demand for products that can be preserved, rather than replaced. “From the owners’ side, there’s a large push for sustainability,” John stated. “When I started at KARNAK 28 years ago, I don't think that word was in Webster's Dictionary. [Sustainability] has become the household word now in the roofing restoration business and in roofing in general.” 

Another trend John noted was the demand for higher-performing fluid-applied restorations in relation to labor shortages. “There's a very well-described problem with labor in our workforce for roofing contractors and other construction trades alike,” John explained. “You can do roof restoration with fewer staff; you can get more done and can be very profitable. The restoration is a much simpler play for a contractor, versus a labor-intensive tear-off.” 

Beyond labor shortages, John described how the cost of re-roofing overall is guiding the trends toward restoration. “The cost of re-roofing is so high,” John said. “You've got energy codes which require enormous amounts of insulation on these roofs. Then, you have to raise the curbs and the perimeter flashings — everything combined makes re-roofing far less affordable than a restoration system.” 

The final trend to note that John shared was the caution owners are exercising considering the recent economic uncertainty, and how that might impact their budget for roofing work. “The rise and fall of the stock market, tariffs, supply chain shortages, inflation and interest rates — re-roofing may not fit into an owner’s budget,” John said. “That’s a trend restoration can solve.” 

To meet these trends, the legacy producer takes a simple approach. “We just provide what the market needs,” John stated. “28 years ago, we were restoring modified bitumen roofs and built-up roofs. Then, along comes the advent of the single-ply revolution. Now, they need restoration. It’s steered from what the market is putting on.” 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about how KARKAK continues to meet market trends.