Metal roof vs asphalt shingles: cost, lifespan and cost per year

A standing-seam metal roof typically costs $17,000 installed on an average roof of about 1,300 sq ft, against $8,500 for architectural asphalt shingles. Metal costs more up front and lasts much longer. Whether it is the better deal depends on how long you plan to keep the house and what your local weather throws at the roof.

Every roofing material, same roof

The table prices the same job with each material: tear-off of one layer of old shingles, dumpster and disposal, synthetic underlayment, ice and water shield at the eaves and in valleys, new drip edge, flashing, vents and ridge cap, and installation. Only the roof covering changes. We build the figures from the hours the work takes, multiplied by local roofing rates, plus materials, and check them against market prices and real quotes. They are before sales tax and permit fees.

Material	Typical	Usual range	Lifespan
3-tab asphalt shingles	$7,350	$5,750 – $9,550	15-20 years
Architectural shingles	$8,500	$6,650 – $11,100	20-30 years
Designer / luxury shingles	$9,650	$7,550 – $12,600	25-40 years
Corrugated metal (exposed fastener)	$11,900	$9,250 – $15,400	30-50 years
Metal shingles	$14,200	$11,000 – $18,400	40-70 years
Stone-coated steel	$14,200	$11,000 – $18,400	40-70 years
Synthetic slate	$14,700	$11,400 – $19,100	40-50 years
Standing-seam metal	$17,000	$13,200 – $22,100	40-80 years
Concrete tile	$17,500	$13,700 – $22,800	40-50 years
Clay tile	$21,700	$16,900 – $28,200	50-100 years
Natural slate	$25,300	$19,800 – $33,000	75-150 years

For your own roof size and local rates, use the calculator on Roof replacement.

Asphalt vs metal in brief

• 3-tab asphalt ($7,350) is the cheapest roof you can put on, with the shortest life.
• Architectural shingles are thicker, layered and the default choice on most re-roofs. They are what our mid-range estimate assumes.
• Designer or luxury shingles ($9,650) mimic slate or shake and last longer than standard shingles.
• Corrugated metal ($11,900) uses exposed screws through the panels. It is the cheapest metal option, but the washers under those screws age and need checking.
• Metal shingles ($14,200) and stone-coated steel ($14,200) look like conventional roofing but weigh little and last far longer than asphalt.
• Standing-seam metal has concealed fasteners and raised seams that lock the panels together. It is the longest-lived metal roof and the one most people mean when they say "metal roof".

Tile and slate belong in the comparison too. Concrete tile ($17,500), clay tile ($21,700) and natural slate ($25,300) are heavy, so the roof structure must be able to carry them; a switch from shingles usually needs an engineer's check first, which is not in our figures. Synthetic slate ($14,700) gives the look at a fraction of the weight.

Cost per year of roof life

Comparing only the installed price flatters the cheap options. A fairer test is what each roof costs for every year it keeps the rain out. The method:

1. Take the typical cost for each material from the table above, or from the calculator for your own roof size.
2. Pick a lifespan. Use the lower end of the range in the table if your climate is harsh (strong sun, big temperature swings, hail) or ventilation in the attic is poor, and the upper end for a well-ventilated roof in a mild climate.
3. Divide the cost by the years. The result is your cost per year of roof life.

Run the numbers and the gap between asphalt and metal usually narrows a lot, and can reverse. Then apply the question that matters most: how long will you own the house? If you expect to sell in eight or ten years, you pay for decades of metal roof you will never use, and buyers do not always pay it back in full. If this is the house you plan to stay in, a roof you only buy once is worth a lot, because a second asphalt re-roof comes with a second tear-off, a second dumpster and whatever labor costs by then.

Also count maintenance. Asphalt needs little until the end. Exposed-fastener metal needs its screws checked over the years. Tile and slate last a long time but broken pieces must be replaced by someone who knows how to walk on them.

Hail and wind

• Hail. Asphalt shingles can lose granules or crack under hail, which shortens their life even when the roof does not leak straight away. Impact-resistant shingles, with a high impact rating from standard testing, hold up better. Metal resists punctures well, but hail can leave dents; on most metal roofs that is cosmetic, yet it may still matter for your insurance claim or resale. Ask how a dent is treated under the product warranty and under your policy.
• Wind. Shingle wind ratings depend on the product and, just as much, on the nailing pattern and starter strips. Standing-seam panels with concealed clips and stone-coated steel with interlocking panels generally handle high winds well when installed to the manufacturer's specification.
• Insurance. Some insurers price policies differently for impact-rated roofs, and policies differ on how they treat cosmetic hail damage. Ask your insurer before you choose, not after the storm. Our guide to Roof replacement covers the replacement itself.

What is not in any of these prices

• Decking. Soft or broken sheathing found after tear-off is replaced per sheet.
• Extra layers. A second layer of old shingles means more tear-off and disposal.
• Structural work for heavy tile or slate.
• Gutters and permit fees. Ask whether your area requires a permit and who pulls it.

Before you sign

Get at least two quotes that name the exact product line, the underlayment, and the flashing and ventilation details, not just "metal" or "architectural". Then run each price through our "Is my quote fair?" tool, which compares it with what homeowners in your area typically pay for the same job.