Top Roofing Trends: Fall 2025

When it comes to roofing, there are many things to get excited about.

From smart roofing technology, to metal roofing, to solar panel integration, there are a lot of ways your replacement roofing can work for you for decades to come.

In this article, we dive into the following four major trends in the roofing industry today …

• Eco-friendly & Sustainable Roofing
• Solar Integration & Energy Efficient Roofing
• Smart Roof Technology
• Metal Roofing

ECO-FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE ROOFING

Homeowner interest, as well as evolving building codes concerning eco-friendly and sustainable products, continues to drive the roofing industry further into environmental consciousness.

Here are three of the major developments we’ve seen:

1. Recycled Materials are Growing in Popularity: Roofing shingles that are constructed with recycled plastics, rubber or reclaimed metals do a great job of reducing landfill waste — and typically meet or exceed the performance of traditional roofing materials like asphalt.
2. Keeping it Cool: One of the things you might hear about these days is cool roof technology, which is essentially roofing with a reflective or highly emissive surface. The reason it’s rising in popularity is the fact that this technology works to minimize heat absorption — which can markedly lower air conditioning costs, especially in hotter climates.
3. Keeping it Natural: Natural materials like cedar shakes, clay tiles and slate remain popular in certain areas of the country because they provide a classic, ageless look, and also offer longevity. These materials are more expensive than an asphalt roof, but the long-term advantages can easily balance the cost out over time.

Things to consider when looking into eco-friendly, sustainable roofing:

• Maintenance: If you’re looking for a new roof that offers no- or low-maintenance you’ll want to steer clear of materials like cedar shakes, as they demand upkeep.
• Check with your roofing company about local regulations: If you’re working with an experienced, licensed roofing company, they should be in-the-know as to what these regulations are to ensure compliance. Additionally, there may also be incentives or rebates for the installation of an energy-efficient or sustainable roof. What we love about these incentives and rebates is that they can make it more affordable for a homeowner to have the roof they truly want installed.
• What is the warranty on the product? Keep in mind that better products, like those made by GAF, DECRA, and IKO come with stronger warranties. On top of that, roofing contractors like Legacy Exteriors can offer even better warranties on some roofing products because of the certifications we’ve attained (for instance the GAF Master Elite Installer certification).
• Is it worth the cost? What the industry refers to as green roofing materials can be more expensive than traditional materials — more specifically the upfront cost can be higher, but long-term they wind up providing savings on utility bills, and also last longer than traditional materials.

SOLAR INTEGRATION & ENERGY-EFFICIENT ROOFING

Speaking of eco-friendly and sustainability, the popularity of solar and energy-efficient roofing (like the cool roof technology we talked about earlier) are on the rise.

Although solar energy has been around for a long time, in 2025 solar panels look very different than they did decades ago — touting benefits like discrete, integrated solar solutions that have a markedly different aesthetic to their ancestors, and also perform quite differently, too.

Here are three of the major developments we’ve seen:

1. The ability to capture excess energy. A breakthrough called battery storage synergy, when paired with home battery systems, allows integrated solar roofing to capture excess energy for both emergency back up and nighttime use.
2. Solar shingles, which are crafted to mimic the look of conventional asphalt shingles, are an amazing leap forward in solar roofing. The shingles sit flush with the surface of the roof, and are able to provide power generation without being an obtrusive eyesore.
3. Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, often referred to as BIPV, is a product that incorporates photovoltaic materials into metal roofing, as well as in tile designs. The result is a product with excellent curb appeal that also has the benefits of renewable energy.

Things to consider when looking into solar integration and energy-efficient roofing:

• Expect your utility bills to drop considerably.
• Environmental benefits include reducing the carbon footprint of your home.
• Incentives may be available, as many states and local utilities strive to offer things like rebates, net metering, or even tax credits; to learn more you can ask a seasoned roofing installer or just look on your utility provider’s website for the latest programs.
• Although solar integration is still more prevalent in sunny climates, the latest technology is making it more of a viable option in cooler locations.
• An increase in property value.

SMART ROOF TECHNOLOGY

Even though you can’t make a phone call with smart roofing, it does offer an immense amount of benefits and features, so if you’re a tech geek, or just want a more robust roofing option, advanced roofing technologies and smart home integration is worth looking into.

Here are three of the major developments we’ve seen:

1. Moisture/leak detection sensors that are installed at vulnerable areas of the roof — including the attic or flashing. These sensors send alerts to a smart phone or tablet when any sign of moisture intrusion is detected.
2. Thermal monitoring/smart monitoring ensures that the insulation in a roof is performing optimally. These monitors keep an eye on the temperature and humidity in an attic, and when climate-control or ventilation enhancements are present (or installed) in the attic, smart monitoring sensors can detect and relay temperature and/or humidity changes that could cause issues or damage.
3. Energy tracking detects the amount of energy a solar roof generates or saves. This is a big plus in establishing “on-demand” roof monitoring, which can catch any problems early on. This type of tracking works thanks to the use of sensors and connected devices that monitor a roof’s performance. Some of the more common issues that can be detected include insulation issues, leaks, and structural weakness. Some of this technology also works directly with energy systems, which gives homeowners increased control over their home’s energy efficiency.
4. BONUS DEVELOPMENT: Inspection drones. Although this isn’t an actual part of a home’s roofing system, inspection drones are growing in popularity because they can quickly and safely inspect a homeowner’s roof and spot any problem areas.

Things to consider when looking into smart roof technology:

• Integrations like the energy tracking and thermal monitors we mentioned above are great ways to stay on top of preventative maintenance — making it easy to detect and repair problems sooner than later, saving you money and lowering stress.
• A smart roof offers a tech solution that appeals to potential buyers.
• Initial cost will be higher than a non-smart roofing solution.

METAL ROOFING

Although it’s not a new product, metal roofing is still a popular alternative to asphalt roofing for homeowners who can afford a higher up-front cost.

That said, in the long run a metal roof will last considerably longer than an asphalt roof, and these days you can get them with a stone-coated surface — which eradicates the noise-level previously associated with metal roofing. If you are considering a metal roof, we suggest you look into the DECRA brand, as they are simply amazing.

Here are some of the major benefits Madison homeowners love:

1. A life-span of 50+ years.
2. Incredible durability, energy efficiency & safety against wildfire and lightning strike. DECRA metal roofing can also stand up to tornadoes, hail & and hurricane-force winds.
3. It’s eco-friendly, containing between 25-95% recycled content.
4. It is so energy efficient that it can reduce cooling costs by as much as 40%.

Things to consider when looking into metal roofing:

• There is a higher up-front cost with this type of roofing, but in the long run the investment can save you money.
• Metal roofs are available in a variety of colors including: green, brown, bronze and silver.
• It’s made of lightweight material.
• A fast, easy installation process is another benefit of metal roofing.
• Metal roofing is fungus- & moss-proof
• Sticking with our eco-friendly theme, installation of solar panels on a metal roof is easy.

GET IN TOUCH ANYTIME

Whether you have questions about roofing, or would like a complimentary inspection of your roof — with no strings attached — feel free to contact us anytime. We’re always happy to help!