Answers · Materials and upkeep
Metal roof or asphalt shingles?
The short answer
Metal costs more up front and lasts substantially longer, sheds snow well and is durable in wind. Asphalt is cheaper, faster, repairable by almost any crew, and easier to match. The decision is usually about how long you will own the house and whether a crew that installs metal routinely is available locally.
The real differences
- Lifespan: metal is generally much longer, with the caveat that fasteners and sealants on exposed-fastener systems need maintenance.
- Installation skill: a bad metal roof is worse than a bad asphalt one, and fewer crews do it well. Ask specifically what proportion of their work is metal.
- Repairability: asphalt can be patched by anyone; metal repairs need the same system and often the same installer.
- Weight: standing-seam metal is generally lighter than asphalt, which matters on marginal structures. Tile is much heavier and may need engineering.
- Hail: metal dents. Many policies now exclude cosmetic damage on metal, which is worth checking before choosing it in a hail region.
The myths
Metal roofs are not noisy in rain when installed over a deck with underlayment, which is how residential metal is installed. They do not attract lightning. And they are not maintenance-free: exposed-fastener systems have gaskets and sealants with a service life.
Also asked
- Can you put metal over shingles?
- Some systems allow it over one layer, sometimes with furring, and local code sets the limit. The objections to any overlay still apply: nobody looks at the deck, and the detailing works around whatever is underneath.
General information about roofs and about hiring, not advice about your building. Roofing contractor licensing, permits, insurance practice and deductible rules are set state by state and province by province across the United States and Canada, so your own authority is the current answer.