Asphalt Shingles vs Metal Roof: An Honest Comparison
6 min read · Based on 24 contractor sources
Every homeowner I've sat down with asks some version of this question. Here's what I tell them — not what a manufacturer brochure says, but what I've learned from 12 years of installing and repairing both systems.
| Factor | Asphalt Shingles | Metal Roofing |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost (installed) | $7.50 – $11.00/sq ft | $15.00 – $30.00/sq ft |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years | 40–70 years |
| Maintenance | Low (replace individual shingles) | Very low (touch up paint, check fasteners) |
| Snow shedding | Moderate — snow sticks and adds weight | Excellent — snow slides off |
| Noise in rain | Minimal — insulation absorbs sound | Noticeable without proper underlayment |
| Resale value | Standard — expected on most homes | Premium — buyers pay more for metal |
| Repair cost | $200–$600 for a leak repair | $400–$1,200 (requires matching panels) |
Upfront Cost
There's no way around it — metal costs more upfront. Typically 2x to 3x what asphalt costs per square foot installed. For a 2,000 sq ft home, that's the difference between a ~$15,000 job and a ~$30,000+ job. If you're on a strict budget or planning to sell within 10 years, asphalt is the practical choice.
Lifespan and Lifetime Value
Here's where the math gets interesting. A good asphalt roof lasts 20–25 years in most climates. A standing seam metal roof can last 50–70 years. If you plan to stay in your home for 30+ years, metal almost always pencils out cheaper per year — even with the higher upfront cost — because you'll re-roof once with asphalt versus zero times with metal.
But if you're selling in 7–10 years, you won't see that lifetime value. The next owner will. In my market, a metal roof adds roughly 2–4% to resale value, but you typically don't recover the full premium at sale.
Noise: What You Actually Hear
I've had homeowners worried metal roofs sound like a drum in a rainstorm. With modern underlayment and attic insulation, that's mostly a myth. I've stood in houses with metal roofs during heavy rain and it sounds like a muffled patter — not a drumline. The key is a good underlayment (synthetic or foam), which any reputable installer includes by default. Without it, yeah, it's loud.
Snow and Ice
This is a genuine advantage for metal in snow climates. Snow slides off a metal roof rather than accumulating weight. Asphalt's rough surface holds snow, and ice dams are more common. If you're in a heavy snow zone, metal sheds snow load better and reduces ice dam risk — but you need snow guards near walkways and entries so sheets of sliding snow don't hit someone.
Repairs and Maintenance
Asphalt is easier to repair. A damaged shingle pops off and a new one goes on in 15 minutes. Metal panel damage — from a falling branch, for example — is trickier because you either replace a full panel (which needs to match the seam pattern) or do a patch that might be visible. Matching paint on a 15-year-old metal roof is nearly impossible because of UV fade.