Metal roofing usually costs more to install than asphalt shingles, but it may serve longer. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Solution Center says metal roofing can last up to 50 years or more; the Metal Roofing Alliance puts the average asphalt-roof lifespan at 12 to 20 years. Those are broad estimates, not guarantees. To decide which makes better financial sense for your home, compare complete local bids, the products’ ratings and warranties, and how long you expect to own the property.
How do metal and asphalt roofs compare?
| Factor | Metal roofing | Asphalt shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Generally higher. The Metal Roofing Alliance gives a rough estimate of two to three times the cost of an asphalt-shingle roof; this is not a current local bid or a universal multiplier. Metal Roofing Alliance | Generally lower upfront than metal, but the actual installed price depends on the product, location, roof design and job scope. A like-for-like local bid is needed. |
| Service life | The Building America Solution Center says metal roofing can last up to 50 years or more. This is not a product-specific warranty or lifespan promise. Building America Solution Center | The Metal Roofing Alliance says the average asphalt roof lasts 12 to 20 years. This is a broad association estimate, not a guarantee for a particular roof. Metal Roofing Alliance |
| Installation and repair | Installation can be more intricate and depends on the system and installer’s expertise. | The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says asphalt shingles are easier to install and repair. ARMA represents asphalt roofing interests, so treat this as an industry perspective and compare qualified contractors’ bids. |
| Maintenance | The Building America Solution Center describes metal as low maintenance. Details vary by system; issues can include thermal movement, condensation or corrosion, exposed fasteners, coatings and matching materials for repairs. | Maintenance needs depend on the roof and its condition. Do not assume a universal schedule; follow the product and installer guidance. |
| Weather performance | Check the specific product’s evaluation report for material, installation, fire classification, wind uplift and impact rating. | Assess the specific shingle product and roof assembly ratings for the home’s climate and design; a material category alone does not establish performance. |
The figures above come from trade and government guidance, not a neutral, roof-by-roof lifespan study. They help frame the decision but cannot predict the total cost or service life of your roof.
What will a metal roof cost compared with shingles?
Metal usually requires a larger initial outlay. The Metal Roofing Alliance’s rough two-to-three-times comparison is useful only as broad context: it is not a current installed-price survey and should not be applied mechanically to your home. Local costs vary with region, product, roof geometry, installation complexity and existing roof condition. The association discusses regional considerations in its 2024 regional guidance.
For a personal-finance comparison, request bids that cover the same work. Ask each contractor to itemize:
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- Removal and disposal of the existing roof, if included
- Decking inspection and any assumed or priced repairs
- Underlayment, flashing, ventilation and system-specific accessories
- Installation scope, permits or other stated exclusions
- Product and workmanship warranties, including their limits
Then compare the total cost and what is excluded, rather than headline prices per square or estimates based on different scopes. A roof with complicated geometry or underlying damage can change the quote substantially.
Does the longer stated metal-roof lifespan make it cheaper over time?
Not automatically. The service-life figures suggest metal may remain in place longer, but they do not establish a guaranteed replacement schedule, a break-even point or a dollar amount saved. Actual outcomes depend on the selected product, installation, climate, roof design and upkeep. A metal roof’s higher upfront cost may matter more if you plan to move soon; a longer expected ownership period may make service life more relevant, but it still does not prove a financial payback.
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Compare scenarios using your own bids and realistic ownership plans. Include any likely maintenance or repair costs you can document, and avoid treating a broad lifespan estimate as a promise. The available figures do not support a universal payback period, savings percentage or resale-return claim.
What maintenance and repair differences matter?
Metal systems
Metal is described as low maintenance by the Building America Solution Center, but “low maintenance” does not mean maintenance-free. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association identifies system-specific considerations including movement as metal expands and contracts, condensation and corrosion risk, exposed fasteners, coatings, repair methods and the challenge of matching materials. Whether any of these applies depends on the roof system; do not assume every metal roof needs recoating or the same upkeep.
Before signing, ask the installer what inspections or maintenance the product manufacturer requires, how penetrations and flashing are handled, and how repairs would be made. Get those instructions and warranty conditions in writing.
Asphalt shingles
Shingles are described by ARMA as easier to repair and install than metal, but repairability does not mean repairs will never be needed. Ask contractors how they would address the existing roof’s condition and whether replacement shingles can be matched. Follow the selected product’s instructions rather than assuming one maintenance schedule applies to all shingle roofs.
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How should climate, roof design and product ratings affect the choice?
Neither “metal” nor “asphalt” is, by itself, proof that a roof will perform better in your location. The Building America Solution Center recommends checking a metal product’s evaluation report for the material, installation method, fire classification, wind-uplift rating and impact rating. Consider those details alongside local climate, roof pitch and your energy goals; compare the actual products and assemblies offered in your bids.
Confirm that the proposed system suits the roof’s geometry and that the contractor can install it according to its requirements. A product rating matters only when the installed assembly and workmanship match the conditions the documentation covers.
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Which roof is the better fit for your budget?
- Consider asphalt shingles if keeping the initial project cost lower is the priority, and the quoted product, expected service life and warranty fit your plans.
- Consider metal if you are willing to pay more upfront for a system that may last longer and its specific ratings, design and maintenance requirements work for the home.
- Pause before choosing either if bids have different scopes, omit repairs or accessories, or do not identify the proposed products and warranty terms. Request comparable estimates from qualified installers.
ARMA’s comparison describes asphalt shingles as easier to install and repair and metal installation as more intricate. Because ARMA represents asphalt roofing interests, use that as one industry viewpoint—not a substitute for assessing each contractor’s qualifications and written scope. The ARMA comparison of asphalt and metal residential roofing discusses those trade-offs.
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