Choosing the right career path can be a daunting task. Whether you’re looking to change jobs or are starting fresh in the workforce, it can be challenging to find something that fits your unique skillset and is financially viable. The demand for skilled trades workers has surged in recent years – this is especially true in the world of metal roofing, where skilled installers are highly sought after.
Sheffield Metals International (SMI) is a leading provider of bare and coated metal coil and sheets. With decades of experience helping contractors, architects, and homeowners, we understand the business inside and out and know what’s driving the metal roofing market. Aside from providing our customers with high-quality products, we also create metal roofing content through articles, videos, and downloadable guides to help educate those in the industry.
In this article, we’ll cover why you may want to consider a career in the metal roofing industry. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a better understanding of whether metal roofing is something you want to pursue and whether you have the skillset to match.
7 Reasons You Should Consider a Career in Metal Roofing
1. Join a Growing Industry
The metal roofing industry is growing swiftly. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.95% from 2023 to 2030, reaching 30.13 billion in revenue by 2030. Metal roofing is expected to remain popular due to multiple reasons, including:
- Sustainability: Metal is one of the most sustainable roofing options on the market. Materials can be recycled and reused instead of ending up in a landfill. Likewise, many roofing coatings now come with unique pigments that can reflect the sun’s energy, which can reduce overall energy usage.
- Aesthetics: Metal roofs also offer a sleek, modern aesthetic that is appealing to many home and building owners. With a variety of colors to choose from, including customizable options, customers can fine-tune their designs and get the look they want.
- Durability: Known to last fifty years or more, metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their robust, long-lasting features. Metal roofing is also gaining popularity in areas like Florida, where customers are looking for something reliable that can protect them through tropical storms and even hurricanes.
One of the best ways to understand whether a career is worth pursuing is to see where the overall market is headed for that industry. In the case of metal roofing, the outlook is very optimistic.
2. Develop Valuable Skills
While other types of roofing like shingles still require skills to do the job right, metal roofing demands particular knowledge and attention to detail. Installing a metal roof is a complicated process – details must be completed precisely, and flashing must be installed accurately to prevent leaks. Failing to install a metal roof correctly can lead to issues with the overall system, reducing its longevity and leaving it liable to many other issues.
Because of this, the demand for roofers with a specific skill set in metal roofing is very high. It’s a technical craft that must be done the right way, and because of this, people are willing to take time to find the right person and pay a fair price for their work.
When you’re starting out in metal roofing, the key is to find reliable resources of information, participate in programs to further your skills, or find a mentor who is willing to teach you their knowledge of the industry.
3. Networking and Career Growth Opportunities
In the metal roofing industry, there’s always room to expand. Someone starting as a shingle roofer, for example, could learn the skills to become a metal roofer. From there, they could work their way up to becoming a project manager, and then an inspector. Eventually, they could feel confident enough to start their own metal roofing business and take it as far as they want, operating in either the residential or commercial space, or both.
Working in both residential and commercial industries has its advantages, as you can fall back on one particular market if another cools down.
4. Work on a Variety of Different Projects
No two projects are alike in metal roofing. Because each job is so precise and technical, you’ll never be bored on the job. Your overall skills will translate and carry over from project to project, but each day, you will likely be challenged to find new answers to problems or find solutions to cater to a particular design.
Projects will also vary widely based on whether they’re residential or commercial. Residential projects are typically much more straightforward, while commercial metal roofs require even more planning, patience, and attention to detail to get it right.
5. Take Pride in Your Work
To do the job right, metal roofing installers must have patience. A shingle roof can often be put up in less than a day. Installing a metal roof can take multiple days or even weeks to complete, depending on the project. This means you’ll have to put more effort in and overcome obstacles along the way, but by the end of it, you’ll have a feeling of accomplishment for what you achieved.
Part of the reasons metal roofs have become so popular is because of their aesthetics, after all, so it can be something to admire and feel proud of when you’re finished with the job.
6. Be a Part of a Team
Typically, you’ll be a part of a team when installing a metal roof, working with others to ensure safety standards are met and the project gets done right. In this environment, you can develop a sense of camaraderie with your crew and maybe even make new friends along the way.
7. Work With Your Hands
One of the most obvious reasons to get into metal roofing is the ability to work with your hands, stay active, and be outside for most of the day. If you aren’t the type to remain stuck at a desk, a career in the metal roofing industry might be an excellent option for you.
Aside from the craftsmanship element, metal roofing allows you to be creative during the workday, finding different ways to make designs work and overcoming challenges throughout the project.
Find Support in the Metal Roofing Industry at Sheffield Metals
Forging a new career path is an exciting time. It’s essential to find the right information to have confidence in pursuing a particular job. Check out organizations such as the Metal Construction Organization (MCA) or RoofersCoffeeShop to find additional resources on metal roofing and to network with others.
Sheffield Metals International is a leading metal roofing supplier, providing high-quality products and accessories to our customers. In our Learning Center, you’ll find hundreds of pieces of content on metal roofing, including installation best practices, the different parts of a metal roof, and design considerations.
We’ve also developed relationships with metal roofing contractors, designers, and fabricators nationwide. For more information on choosing metal roofing as a career, feel free to contact the Sheffield Metals team.
