Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Complete Comparison for WNC Homeowners

Metal or shingles? It’s the question most Western North Carolina homeowners face when their roof needs replacement. Both options protect your home. Both have loyal advocates. And honestly, both can be the right choice depending on your situation.

At Secure Roofing, we install both metal roofing and quality asphalt shingles. We’re not here to push one over the other. We’re here to help you understand the real differences so you can make the choice that fits your home, your budget, and your plans.

This comparison covers everything that matters: how long each lasts, what they cost (now and over time), how they handle WNC weather, and when each option makes the most sense.

Quick Comparison Overview

Before we dive into details, here’s the summary:

Factor Metal Roofing Asphalt Shingles
Lifespan 40-70 years 15-30 years
Upfront Cost $9-$16/sq ft installed $4-$8/sq ft installed
Lifetime Cost Lower (one roof vs. 2-3) Higher (multiple replacements)
Wind Resistance Up to 140 mph Up to 130 mph
Hail Resistance Class 4 (highest) Varies (Class 1-4)
Fire Rating Class A Class A-C (varies)
Energy Efficiency High (reflects heat) Moderate
Maintenance Minimal Moderate
Weight 1-1.5 lbs/sq ft 2-4 lbs/sq ft
Noise Normal (with proper install) Normal
Appearance Options Many colors, several styles Many colors, many styles
Recyclability 100% recyclable Limited
Installation Time Moderate Fast

 

Now let’s unpack what these differences actually mean for your home.

Lifespan: The Biggest Difference

This is where metal and shingles diverge most dramatically.

Metal Roofing Longevity

Quality metal roofing lasts:

  • Standing seam steel: 40-60+ years
  • Metal shingles: 30-50 years
  • Aluminum standing seam: 50-70+ years
  • Copper: 80-100+ years

These aren’t marketing claims. Metal roofs installed 50 years ago are still protecting homes today. The material doesn’t rot, doesn’t absorb water, and modern coatings resist corrosion for decades.

Asphalt Shingle Longevity

Realistically, asphalt shingles in Western NC last:

  • 3-tab shingles: 12-18 years
  • Architectural shingles: 18-25 years
  • Premium architectural: 22-30 years

Manufacturers advertise “30-year” or “lifetime” shingles, but those warranties have significant limitations. In our climate with heavy rainfall, temperature swings, and occasional severe weather, the actual service life falls short of warranty periods.

What This Means Practically

If you’re 45 years old and install a metal roof today, you might never need another roof. That same shingle roof will likely need replacement when you’re 65-70, and again when you’re 85-90 (if you’re still in the home).

Over a 60-year period:

  • Metal: 1 roof
  • Shingles: 2-3 roofs

Each replacement means cost, hassle, and disruption. Metal’s longevity eliminates most of that.

Cost Comparison: Upfront vs. Lifetime

Initial Investment

For a typical 2,000 square foot roof in the Asheville area:

Asphalt Shingles

  • Materials: $4,000-$6,000
  • Labor: $4,000-$6,000
  • Total: $10,000-$15,000

Standing Seam Metal

  • Materials: $10,000-$14,000
  • Labor: $8,000-$12,000
  • Total: $20,000-$30,000

Metal costs roughly twice as much upfront. That’s a significant difference, and it’s the main reason some homeowners choose shingles.

Lifetime Cost Analysis

But upfront cost isn’t the whole story. Over 60 years:

Shingles (3 roofs)

  • Initial roof: $12,000
  • Replacement at year 20: $15,600
  • Replacement at year 40: $20,300
  • Maintenance: $6,000
  • Total: ~$54,000

Metal (1 roof)

  • Initial roof: $25,000
  • Replacement: $0
  • Maintenance: $1,500
  • Energy savings: -$8,000
  • Insurance savings: -$12,000
  • Total: ~$6,500

Full cost breakdown here

Metal’s higher upfront cost becomes lower lifetime cost. The question is whether you’re optimizing for today’s budget or long-term value.

Durability in WNC Weather

Western North Carolina throws a lot at roofs: heavy rain, wind, hail, snow, ice, intense sun, and dramatic temperature swings. How do these materials handle it?

Rain Performance

Shingles: Asphalt shingles are water-resistant but not waterproof. They rely on overlapping layers to shed water. Heavy, prolonged rain can eventually find paths through aging shingles, especially where granules have worn away.

Metal: Metal panels are inherently waterproof. Standing seam’s raised seams channel water down and off. No water penetrates intact metal. The only potential water entry points are at flashing transitions, which is why quality installation matters.

Advantage: Metal

Wind Resistance

Mountain valleys can channel surprisingly strong winds during storms.

Shingles: Quality architectural shingles rate for 110-130 mph winds when properly installed. However, individual shingles can lift, crack, or blow off in severe wind events. We frequently repair wind-damaged shingle roofs after storms.

Metal: Standing seam rates for 140+ mph winds. The continuous panels and concealed fastener system resist uplift forces better than individual shingles. Wind damage to properly installed standing seam is rare.

Advantage: Metal

Hail Resistance

Hail events happen periodically in WNC, though not as frequently as some regions.

Shingles: Standard shingles can be damaged by hail as small as 1 inch diameter. Impact-resistant (IR) shingles perform better but still sustain damage in severe hail. Hail damage may not leak immediately but shortens roof life.

Metal: Quality metal roofing achieves Class 4 impact resistance (tested against 2-inch steel balls). Severe hail may dent metal but rarely penetrates. Dents are cosmetic; the roof continues performing.

Advantage: Metal

Snow and Ice

Winter brings snow and ice to higher elevations and occasionally throughout the region.

Shingles: Shingles grip snow, which can be good (controlled release) or bad (weight accumulation, ice dam formation). Ice dams form when heat escaping through the roof melts snow that refreezes at cold eaves.

Metal: Metal’s slick surface sheds snow naturally. Less snow accumulation means less weight and less ice dam risk. Snow guards control where and how snow releases.

Advantage: Metal (with proper snow guard placement)

Temperature Extremes

Shingles: Asphalt shingles expand and contract with temperature, causing cumulative stress. Hot summer days accelerate aging. Over time, this thermal cycling causes cracking, curling, and granule loss.

Metal: Metal also expands and contracts, but quality standing seam installations accommodate this movement through floating clip attachment. The material itself doesn’t degrade from thermal cycling.

Advantage: Metal

UV Exposure

Summer sun beats down relentlessly on south-facing roof slopes.

Shingles: UV radiation breaks down asphalt over time, causing shingles to become brittle, lose granules, and fade. South-facing roof sections often age faster than north-facing.

Metal: Quality paint systems (Kynar 500, Hylar 5000) resist UV degradation for decades. Fading is minimal with premium finishes. The metal itself is unaffected by UV.

Advantage: Metal

Overall Weather Durability

Metal roofing handles WNC weather better across nearly every category. This durability contributes to metal’s longer lifespan and lower maintenance needs.

Energy Efficiency

Your roof affects your heating and cooling costs.

Summer Cooling

Shingles: Dark asphalt shingles absorb 85-90% of solar radiation. Roof surface temperatures can reach 150-170°F on hot days, heating your attic and increasing air conditioning load.

Metal: Metal roofing, especially with reflective coatings, absorbs significantly less solar radiation. “Cool metal” products can reduce cooling costs by 10-25% compared to dark shingles.

Winter Heating

Shingles: Shingles provide moderate insulation value but don’t significantly affect heating costs either way.

Metal: Metal itself provides minimal insulation, but proper underlayment and attic insulation (important for any roof type) maintain heating efficiency. Metal’s tighter installation may slightly reduce air infiltration.

Net Energy Impact

In WNC’s climate, summer cooling savings typically outweigh winter considerations. Metal roofing generally reduces annual energy costs by $100-$200 for typical homes.

Advantage: Metal

Maintenance Requirements

Shingle Maintenance

Asphalt shingles need regular attention:

Annual tasks:

  • Visual inspection for damage
  • Check for missing, curling, or cracked shingles
  • Clean debris from valleys
  • Clear moss or algae growth
  • Inspect and maintain flashing

Periodic repairs:

  • Replace damaged shingles
  • Re-seal flashing
  • Address granule loss areas
  • Fix lifted edges

Expected maintenance cost: $100-$200/year average over roof life

Metal Maintenance

Metal roofing needs minimal maintenance:

Annual tasks:

  • Visual inspection from ground level
  • Keep gutters clear
  • Remove accumulated debris (rare issue)

Occasional needs:

  • Touch up scratches (uncommon)
  • Sealant refresh at penetrations (every 15-20 years)

Expected maintenance cost: $25-$50/year average over roof life

Advantage: Metal (significantly less maintenance)

Appearance and Curb Appeal

Both materials offer aesthetic options, but the look differs.

Shingle Appearance

Asphalt shingles provide:

  • Traditional, familiar appearance
  • Wide range of colors
  • Multiple profile options (3-tab, architectural, designer)
  • Styles mimicking wood shake, slate
  • Fits most home styles and neighborhoods

Shingles look like what most people expect a roof to look like. They blend into neighborhoods where shingle roofs dominate.

Metal Appearance

Metal roofing offers:

  • Modern, clean lines (standing seam)
  • Traditional look (metal shingles)
  • Many color options
  • Distinctive appearance
  • Suits contemporary, mountain, and agricultural aesthetics

Standing seam makes a visual statement. Metal shingles blend more traditionally while offering metal benefits.

Neighborhood Context

In some WNC neighborhoods, metal roofing is common and expected. In others, shingles dominate. Consider what fits your home’s style and your neighborhood’s character.

Advantage: Depends on preference and context

Environmental Considerations

Manufacturing Impact

Shingles: Made from petroleum products, asphalt, and mineral granules. Manufacturing has significant environmental footprint.

Metal: Made primarily from recycled steel or aluminum. Manufacturing requires energy but uses less raw petroleum.

End of Life

Shingles: Most asphalt shingles go to landfills. Some recycling programs exist but aren’t widely available. Roughly 11 million tons of asphalt shingles enter landfills annually in the US.

Metal: Metal roofing is 100% recyclable. Old metal roofs have scrap value. Even at end of life, metal becomes new steel or aluminum products.

Longevity Factor

Shingles: 2-3 roofs over 60 years means 2-3 times the manufacturing impact and waste.

Metal: 1 roof over 60 years dramatically reduces total environmental impact.

Advantage: Metal (significantly more sustainable)

Installation Considerations

Installation Time

Shingles: Typical residential installation: 1-3 days Metal: Typical residential installation: 2-5 days

Metal takes longer due to more precise fitting requirements and custom flashing work.

Installation Complexity

Shingles: Most roofing crews install shingles competently. The process is well-understood and standardized.

Metal: Quality metal installation requires specific training and experience. Not all roofers install metal well. Choosing an experienced contractor matters more for metal.

Weather Sensitivity

Shingles: Can’t be installed in very cold weather (shingles won’t seal). Rain stops work.

Metal: Can be installed in any temperature. Rain stops work but installation can resume immediately after.

Advantage: Shingles (faster, more contractors available)

When Shingles Make More Sense

Despite metal’s advantages, shingles remain the right choice for some situations:

Budget Constraints

If you simply can’t afford metal roofing and financing doesn’t work for your situation, quality shingles provide good protection at lower upfront cost.

Short-Term Ownership

If you’re selling within 5-7 years, you won’t recapture enough of metal’s investment through higher sale price. Shingles may make more financial sense.

Rental Properties

For investment properties where you’re optimizing cash flow, shingles’ lower upfront cost may fit your financial model better.

Style Considerations

If your home’s architecture or neighborhood strongly suits traditional shingle appearance and you don’t want metal’s look, shingles are appropriate.

Simple, Temporary Solution

If you need a roof quickly and cheaply to prepare a property for sale or handle immediate needs, shingles get the job done.

When Metal Makes More Sense

Metal roofing is the better choice when:

Long-Term Ownership

If you plan to own your home for 15+ years, metal’s longer lifespan and lower lifetime cost deliver clear value.

Weather Resilience Priority

If protecting your home through severe weather matters (and in WNC, it should), metal’s superior durability provides peace of mind.

Low Maintenance Preference

If you want to install a roof and not think about it for decades, metal delivers that experience.

Energy Efficiency Goals

If reducing energy consumption and costs matters to you, metal’s better thermal performance helps.

Environmental Values

If sustainability influences your choices, metal’s recyclability and longer lifespan align with environmental priorities.

Premium Home Value

On higher-value homes, metal roofing fits the quality expectations of the property and future buyers.

Making Your Decision

There’s no universally “right” answer. The best choice depends on:

Your budget: What can you afford now, and what financing works?

Your timeline: How long will you own this home?

Your priorities: What matters most? Upfront cost? Long-term value? Durability? Appearance?

Your home: What suits the architecture and neighborhood?

Your risk tolerance: How much do weather events concern you?

Our Recommendation Framework

Choose metal if: You plan to stay 15+ years, can manage the investment, and want maximum protection and value.

Choose shingles if: Budget is the primary constraint, you’re selling soon, or shingles genuinely fit your preferences and needs.

Either works if: You’re somewhere in the middle. Both options protect your home. Neither is a mistake when properly installed.

Get Personal Guidance

This comparison provides general information, but your roof has specific characteristics that affect the decision. We’re happy to assess your situation, discuss what each option would cost for your specific roof, and give our honest recommendation without pressure.

Call Secure Roofing at 828-888-ROOF for a free consultation. We serve homeowners throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Brevard, and Western North Carolina.

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