Before completing a roof replacement project, you face an important decision about roofing materials: metal roofing vs. asphalt shingles. Each roofing material offers its own set of pros and cons, varying durability, differences in construction costs, and energy efficiency.
Find out how metal roofing vs. asphalt shingles compare to guide your choice. Learn the best roofing material for your home or business.
What is Metal Roofing?
Another way to protect your home or business is with metal roofing. This roofing type comes in large flat sheets of corrugated metal. The seams of each piece interlock together using fasteners underneath to help strengthen the roof and make it durable.
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles come in sheets, which you can purchase in stacks or rolls. They are uniform. The shingle itself has a granular surface over a fiberglass base. Roofing contractors first put down a base layer and then nail the shingles onto the home’s wooden frame in a staggered pattern.
Asphalt shingles are inexpensive in comparison to other roofing materials, which is why you’ll see them on many homes. Labor for installation is also low because the process is simple and finding skilled contractors to work on the project is easy.
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles
Here’s a look at how asphalt shingles and metal roofing stack up against one another. Spend some time getting to know the pros and cons of each so you can better anticipate how working with each will work.
Metal Roofing Pros
Long-lasting compared to other construction materials
Low maintenance
Trendy for various home and building types
Comes with energy advantages
Metal Roofing Cons
High material and labor costs
Installation is more complex, requiring special skills
Heavier materials, which could be bad for certain buildings based on their load-bearing capacity
Asphalt Shingles Pros
Less expensive for both materials and labor
Most popular roofing material, making skilled contractors easier to find
Simpler for roofers to work with since materials are light and easy to install
Durable for many years of protection for your home or building
Deciding between the roofing materials comes down to many factors, including cost, maintenance, lifespan and durability. Here’s a comparison showing how each material stacks up in these categories.
Maintenance
Metal roofing: caring for a metal roof is simpler than caring for an asphalt roof. However, care also depends on your roof’s slope and whether the roofing material is even compatible. Consult with a professional roofing contractor before determining whether a metal roof is right for you. If a section of roofing goes bad, patching it is more costly and complex. Metal roofing can corrode and experience major dents that make it less attractive from the curb. However, as long as the roof stays in good condition, it is minimal maintenance.
Asphalt shingles: Expect more maintenance with asphalt shingles when compared to a metal roof. That’s because the shingles can move around, wear down, fall off or otherwise need to be replaced. However, the good news is that it is cost-efficient to replace asphalt shingles since you can easily slide a new sheet into place and nail it down. Completing maintenance and replacements yourself is not advisable however since roofing is a dangerous task.
Lifespan
Metal roofing: Roofs made from metal materials can last 40-70 years. The full life of the roof will depend on the elements it is exposed to and the weather events in your area. As the materials continue to improve, you might see lifespans for metal roofs increase.
Asphalt shingles: You’ll get about half the life from asphalt shingles that you do from a metal roof. Most last 15-30 years depending on the weather conditions and climate the roof is exposed to. Maintaining the roof will help it last longer and ensure it protects your home thanks to replacing shingles as they wear down and patching holes before you experience leaks.
Cost
Metal roofing: Metal roofs cost significantly more per square foot when compared to asphalt shingles. You can expect to pay $8-$16 per square foot depending on the materials and manufacturer you select.
Asphalt shingles: One reason why so many building owners choose to opt for asphalt shingles is because they are so economical. While the lifespan is half what a metal roof is, you pay about a third of the upfront cost. Material costs are $2-$6 per square foot.
Installation
Metal roofing: The weight of metal roofing materials makes installation more complex. You should not attempt the installation yourself as it poses a serious risk of falling and harming yourself. Installing this heavy material requires multiple people. Attention to detail is also essential to help guide you in getting the interlocking system installed correctly.
Asphalt shingles: Installation for asphalt shingles is far simpler and makes the price of the roof more affordable. Any roofing contractor has a skilled team prepared to install asphalt shingles while only a small percentage of contractors have professionals prepared to install a metal roof.
How the Materials Stand Up to the Elements
Metal roofing: Warmer climates lend themselves to metal roofs because they offer greater energy efficiency. The roofs come with coatings that resist the heat. However, they are harder to maintain in warm climates because the metal will still be warm to the touch. Additionally, homes in snowy areas like the fact that show does not accumulate on metal roofs the same way it does on asphalt shingles. Furthermore, metal roofs are more eco-friendly because they are recyclable.
Asphalt shingles: You get fewer energy benefits from asphalt shingles when compared to metal roofs. Additionally, asphalt shingles allow snow to accumulate, which can be heavy and lead to building damage. Additionally, manufacturing asphalt shingles and disposing of them once they have reached the end of their lifetime is less eco-friendly.
Resale Value
Metal roofing: Homes with metal roofs have a higher resale value compared with homes with asphalt shingles. However, Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value 2024 shows that metal roofs only have a 48.1 percent return on investment compared to asphalt shingles, which have a 56.9% return on investment.
Asphalt shingles: While homes with asphalt shingles sell for less than homes with metal roofs, the upfront cost is so much less that the payoff makes more sense for asphalt shingles than it does for a metal roof.
Finding an Expert to Guide Your Choice
Selecting the best roof for you will vary based on your budget, how long you plan to own the home or business you are upgrading and your bandwidth for completing regular maintenance on the roof. Find an expert to help guide you in your selection. 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing offers an in-person estimate to help you work through the cost-benefit analysis of various roofing materials to find the one that is the best fit for your needs. Schedule your free estimate now to get started working with one of the best contractors in Washington.
