Regardless of what industry you’re involved in, a new year always ushers in a crop of new trends. But we’re living in a time of such rapid advancement that it can sometimes feel overwhelming to stay informed on all things “new,” especially when you have a business to run or the next jobsite to get to. That’s why for many in the metal construction industry, attending METALCON is so valuable—it’s like getting a sneak peek into the future. The ultimate trends forecaster, the 2024 METALCON expo (which took place in late fall) was an opportunity to take in the game-changing products and innovations that will influence material and design choices this year.
Let’s revisit the top industry trends that we saw on display on the exhibitor floor. Take notes because you can expect to see each of these front and center in 2025.
When it comes to prioritizing jobsite efficiencies on residential projects (a must in today’s climate), on-site rollforming can support fast and efficient construction. Essentially, on-site rollforming is a manufacturing process that is ideal for smaller-scale projects where large quantities of long-run panels are not needed. The roofing contractor can roll coils into the desired profile and then cut the panels to the exact length needed for the specific roof section.
The industry-leading provider of portable rollforming machines, New Tech Machinery, knows better than most how on-site rollforming can improve daily jobsite operations. At this year’s show, they highlighted 12 innovations they’re looking to bring to market. The NTM team gathered valuable information from customers across the industry to see which of these innovations would have the greatest impact on their daily operations. These innovations included:
When brought to market, these types of innovations will help roofing professionals deliver higher-quality metal panels on residential and light commercial projects with more efficiency than was previously possible. Whether a company is buying their first machine or adding capabilities to a machine they already own, investing in premium rollforming technology can greatly improve a roofing professional’s daily operations.
Metal panels have long been synonymous with design versatility thanks in part to their ability to accommodate multiple profile types and finish colors. In addition to low gloss and textured finishes, there were exhibitors at METALCON like steel producer Steel Dynamics who can now print almost anything onto metal coils. This demonstrates that metal roof and wall panels can significantly expand a project’s design possibilities.
For instance, the wood grain look, which is offered in all different styles and prints, is shaping up to be one of the most in-demand aesthetics of 2025. With the amount of time and effort being put into manufacturing advances that create a realistic wood grain on metal coil, it’s clear that this trend is here to stay.
Speaking of the wood-look trend, the Board and Batten profile was one of the most popular profiles on the show floor. This profile pairs the sought-after rustic appearance of wood with the durability and performance of a metal wall system.
Whether it’s incorporating solar panels or designing continuous insulation systems, the message at METALCON was clear: designers and project owners are prioritizing strategies that minimize operational carbon emissions. Driven by state-determined standards and individual project goals, now more than ever building professionals are challenged to create aesthetically beautiful exteriors that support reduced energy consumption.
Insulation (like Drexel Metals’ new roof and wall insulation products that use a polyiso foam core) can play a key part in achieving these goals. In application, these complete systems can improve a building’s thermal performance, reducing the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Metal roof panels can also be specified in cool roof colors to reduce the amount of solar radiation they absorb, further contributing to energy efficiency goals.
METALCON was a fantastic way to wrap up 2024 and shine a light on the trends that we can expect to see dominate this year. Full of insights about material advances, design solutions and manufacturing developments, the tradeshow demonstrated that metal construction will continue adding value across the building industry in 2025 and beyond.
