The roofing and cladding industry in India is considered among the fastest-growing segments in the construction industry today. The industry till recent was dominated by the unorganized sector, but today is witnessing dramatic changes, with respect to the entry of new technology and innovative products- thanks to the entry of big brand names these days.
The continuous growth in urban infrastructure in the form of airport terminals, IT parks, retail outlets, etc along with the continued thrust to manufacturing has meant that roofing and cladding are big business in India these days.
While RCC has ruled the roost all these days, metal roofs and cladding products are now gradually holding their own in the market.
The traditional RCC roofs and the masonry work with plastered surface and coating are quickly getting substituted with roofing and cladding giving both the end-users and the architect/builders countless options for conserving energy and aesthetics.
The roof - cover it all.
The roof has evolved from being a component that merely provides shelter to something that can help in rainwater harvesting, has provision for generating solar power, helps in allowing daylight, and allows for proper ventilation, playing a multiutility role nowadays.
Market size
The total market size of the steel roofing industry is approximately one million tonnes. The Indian market has witnessed a major shift from asbestos and galvanized steel sheets to Zn-Al coated sheets. Asbestos consists of carcinogenic material that has low strength and cracks easily. Also, increased corporate and public awareness about climate change has resulted in new initiatives like green building concepts and the elimination of carcinogenic materials. Moreover, Zn-Al coated sheet provides excellent atmospheric resistance in a wide range of environments under many diverse conditions.
The new Trends.
The roofing industry in India is preparing for the next generation of ambitious projects. Growth in the infrastructure and industrial segment has been a major demand driver for the roof and wall cladding industry. It has registered a double digit growth over the past three years. A major shift is observed from clay tiles and conventional roofing systems to metal cladding solutions. Customers are looking for an architectural solution that provides innovative shapes such as convex, concave in addition to new attractive colors.
The challenges.
The presence of large organized players is limited in the roofing industry. Unavailability of skilled manpower for installation, low product quality, and lack of safety awareness is the increasing challenges for the roofing industry.
The cladding-critical element of the building envelope.
Cladding, from a barely known industry, is now growing in the consciousness of the consumer. In keeping with international trends, façade design has become a basic part and parcel of the design concept and identity of a building, whether commercial, retail, residential, or industrial.
Metal panels are becoming popular, superseding conventional stone and tile cladding because of their neat application and durability. Glass façades that double up as the building skin are gaining ground for commercial construction and increasingly sophisticated technologies for designing and managing glass façades are in the market today. Plus, façade design is looking at various aspects like energy conservation, efficiency, strength, resistance to high-speed winds and vibrations, and many other factors critical to the building structure and safety.
The future.
Cutting edge roofing and cladding technology worldwide focus on energy management and control, ease of maintenance, and superior performance. Newer and more innovative solutions are being tested every day in all corners of the world and more so in the Western world. Many of these solutions are applicable to the Indian context and will be seen here soon if they become commercially viable and globally marketed applications.
