Metal Roof vs Shingles: Which Roofing Option Wins?

Written By Cody Profitt

Need a new roof? You’ve probably heard about two main choices: asphalt shingles or metal roofing. Both can protect your home, but they’re very different. Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can pick what’s best for you.

What Are These Roof Types?

Asphalt Shingles are what you see on most houses. They’re flat pieces made of materials like asphalt that overlap to keep water out. They come in different colors and styles.

Metal Roofs are made of steel, aluminum, or other metals. Don’t worry – today’s metal roofs don’t look like old barn roofs. They come in many colors and can even look like asphalt shingles.

The Big Question: How Much Do They Cost?

This is probably your first concern, and it’s important to think about both the price now and the price later.

What You Pay Right Away:

Asphalt shingles: $6,000 to $14,000 for an average house
Metal roof: $14,000 to $30,000 for the same house

What You Pay Over Time: Here’s where it gets interesting. Asphalt shingles last about 15-25 years before you need to replace them. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years.

Think of it this way: You might need to buy 2 or 3 shingle roofs during the time one metal roof lasts. When you add up all those costs, metal might actually save you money in the long run.

Which One Lasts Longer?

Metal roofs are tougher. They can handle:

Strong winds (up to 140 mph)
Hail storms
Fire
Snow and ice
Bugs and animals that might damage your roof

Asphalt shingles can get damaged by:

High winds (they can blow off)
Hail
Very hot or cold weather
Tree branches falling on them

This doesn’t mean shingles are bad – they work fine for most homes. But if you live somewhere with tough weather, metal might be worth considering.

How Much Work Do They Need?

Metal roofs: Almost no work needed. Maybe clean them once in a while and check that everything looks good.

Asphalt shingles: Need more attention. You’ll need to:

Clean your gutters regularly
Replace damaged shingles
Watch for moss or algae growing on them
Check for loose or missing pieces

Will They Save You Money on Electric Bills?

Metal roofs reflect heat away from your house, which means your air conditioner doesn’t work as hard. You could save 10-25% on cooling costs.

Asphalt shingles absorb heat, which can make your house warmer. Light-colored shingles are better than dark ones for keeping cool.

What Do They Look Like?

Metal roofs used to only come in a few styles, but now you have lots of choices. They make metal roofs that look like asphalt shingles, fancy slate, or even tile. They come in many colors too.

Asphalt shingles give you the most options. You can find them in almost any color or style to match your house.

Are Metal Roofs Really Noisy?

This is a common worry, but it’s mostly not true anymore. If your metal roof is installed right with proper insulation, you won’t hear much difference from asphalt shingles when it rains.

Getting Them Installed

Metal roofs need someone who knows how to work with metal. Not all roofers do this, so you might have fewer choices for who can install it.

Asphalt shingles can be put on by most roofing companies, so you’ll have more options and maybe better prices.

Which Should You Choose?

Pick a metal roof if:

You plan to live in your house for many years
You have bad weather where you live
You want to save money on air conditioning
You don’t want to worry about roof maintenance
You can afford the higher price upfront

Pick asphalt shingles if:

You need to keep costs low right now
You might move in the next 10-15 years
You want lots of contractor choices
You like the traditional look
Your area doesn’t have severe weather

Bottom Line

Both types of roofs can do a good job protecting your home. The right choice depends on your money situation, how long you’ll live there, and what’s important to you.

The most important thing: No matter which roof you choose, make sure you hire a good contractor. A cheap roof installed poorly will cause problems no matter what it’s made of. Get several quotes, check references, and make sure they’re licensed and insured.

Your roof keeps your family dry and safe, so take time to make the right choice for your situation.