The digital landscape in the roofing industry has changed drastically over the past few years. Prevalent in most industries for some time now, digital technology has had a slow advance in roofing. However, with recent digital technologies entering the market, roofing professionals are not looking back. Increasing efficiency, accuracy, and success of the project, the addition of advanced digital technology has improved the working conditions for workers.
Roofing companies, like Custom Home Remodeling & Roofing, Inc. are looking to the future of technology as they make plans. Digitalization has been tested and proven highly effective in nearly every aspect of construction. From team communication to project planning to onsite site execution, digital tech is here to stay.
How to Stay Cutting Edge?
With digitalization in the roofing industry, the need to push boundaries is more prevalent than ever. New products and software enter the market continually, allowing companies to test products and advance their operations. Developments in roofing materials, site visits, installation procedures, and modern roofing technologies have propelled the industry beyond what it was just a few short years ago. Some leading technologies include drones, robots, 3D printing, and smart technology.
Drones
Roofers need precise and accurate measurements in order to perform their work correctly. Often, this requires standing on rooftops to assess measurements. Drone technology in roofing is becoming a hot commodity, and for good reason. Now, high-resolution aerial images help contractors determine roof measurements without ever having to step on a ladder. Using drones to conduct aerial surveillance reduces the possibility of injuries on-site, increases production, and is a more effective approach to gathering information. Aerial images taken of the home are referenced during the off-site planning process — ensuring that measurements are always accurate and consistent.
Roofing companies use drones to conduct aerial imagery on-site visits when determining house suitability for solar paneling. Using this technology saves time and money on-site, and allows more time for analysis into appropriateness for solar installation. New drone technology ensures roofers have the ability to detect problem areas, such as tree branch overhangs, damaged tiles, and other calamities. Workers can then prepare to remove the problems before on-site work begins.
3D Printing
3D Printing technology has come a long way since its inception in the mid-2000’s. Often made from a plastic base, 3D printing works by creating patterns in layers — putting down one layer at a time until the shape emerges. The roofing industry has taken this principle to produce 3D models or prototypes to showcase to clients. The latest 3D printing technology utilizes large printers using concrete-like materials to build large structural components and even entire buildings. While this type of 3D printing is largely used on big construction sites, recently there was an entire home, including the roof, built with a 3D printer.
Green Roofing Technology
The roofing industry is making strides to bring green solutions to homeowners and businesses that want to reduce their environmental impact. The core component of green roofing solutions includes roofing technology that increases energy efficiency, resulting in a cleaner environment. Solar-ready roofs are a new technology that is increasing in demand. The thin film solar panels work on both shingle and metal roofs, expanding the client coverage. Combined with smart materials and smart installation technology, roof coverage is becoming more accurate, efficient, and long-lasting.
Smart Technology
Project management software that can sync across your many devices – mobile, tablets, and apps – is a necessity for every project. New smart technology software like BIM, Building Information Modeling, replaces the need for unnecessary paper — keeping all blueprints, drawings, and other “paperwork” safely and securely stored digitally in one place. One huge perk is that information in this software is accessible to everyone on the project at any time. Multiple users can access the same information at the same time — a must for on-site collaboration.
This type of smart technology can eliminate the need for workers of numerous specialties to be required on-site. According to Roofing Contractor, smart technology makes it much easier and more cost-effective for roofers to install smart energy systems instead of electricians.
Smart Materials
Roofing materials and installation are getting a boost from developments in smart materials. Advancements in roofing materials are increasing worker productivity and producing longer lasting roof protection. Synthetic underlayment, such as the ProArmor Synthetic Roof Underlayment protects your structure from nature’s elements far better than paper coverage. While some companies offer this as an upgraded version, there is a motion from roofing companies to make synthetic underlayment standard for all roofs. Moisture-repellant, anti-tear/stretch, and lightweight, this underlayment provides secure protection roofs need.
Surenail Technology is a new roof technology where a strip of woven fabric is fixed into the shingle, making the nail installation easier and more accurate. With this latest advancement, nails will no longer shoot through the shingle upon installation. The woven fabric helps to secure the nail in the right spot while allowing the shingle to lie flat.
Real-Time Monitoring
Beyond on-site application and installation, smart technology includes advancements that look out for the well-being of the worker. Smart vest and helmets collect and analyze data about the worker’s health – including temperature, heart rate, and overall physical condition. This type of analysis covers the project’s developmental stages and results correlated with the health of the worker. The smart technology can also estimate and prevent hazardous situations based on the worker’s health history.
All of these technologies and more are available to roofers today! Stay up to date on more developments in roofing and home maintenance here.
Author Bio: Brian Wellman is an experienced roofing expert specializing in solar and green roofing technology. He runs an online blog where he shares information on the latest developments in the roofing industry in California and also offers expert tips to homeowners on how to save on roof installation and maintenance. When he’s not working, he loves fishing and visiting new places.
