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Asphalt shingles usually cost less upfront, while metal roofing generally costs more initially and may last longer. For a replacement, the better choice depends on the installed price and scope, the specific roof system and installer, local conditions, and how long you expect to own the home. Published estimates put asphalt service life at about 15–30 years and metal at 40–70 years, but neither range is a guarantee. Compare complete, like-for-like bids—not just material prices—to see which option fits your budget and plans.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Reported cost | Expected service life | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Lower initial cost and a familiar installation | Three-tab or architectural shingles | $1–$4 per sq. ft. | 15–30 years | November 2026 |
| Metal roofing | Homeowners weighing a higher initial cost against a potentially longer service life | Standing seam, exposed-fastener panels, or metal shingles | $4–$30 per sq. ft. | 40–70 years | November 2026 |
Cost and lifespan ranges are broad estimates reported by This Old House in its 2026 comparison, not local quotes or product guarantees. Its cost data are attributed to HomeAdvisor and Angi estimates unless otherwise noted. Actual price varies with the roof, product, location, and project scope.
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What is the main difference between asphalt shingles and metal roofing?
The main trade-off is typically lower upfront cost with asphalt versus a higher initial investment and a potentially longer service life with metal. Neither material is automatically the better value: product selection, installation quality, maintenance, replacement timing, and your ownership horizon all affect the decision.
“Metal roofing” covers several systems, not one uniform product. Standing-seam roofs use raised seams and concealed fasteners; exposed-fastener panels and metal shingles have different designs and installation details. Asphalt also varies: three-tab shingles and architectural shingles are distinct options, with different reported prices. A useful comparison identifies the actual products on each bid rather than treating either material as a single specification.
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How much do asphalt shingles and metal roofs cost?
In the broad U.S.-oriented estimates reported by This Old House in 2026, asphalt roofing runs about $1–$4 per square foot and metal about $4–$30 per square foot. Those ranges are a starting point, not a quote: a roof’s geometry, chosen system, condition, local labor, and included work can change the total substantially.
| Roof option | Reported cost per sq. ft. | What the range reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Three-tab asphalt shingles | $1–$3 | A lower-cost asphalt option in the source’s broad estimate |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $2–$4 | A different asphalt shingle category; not interchangeable with a three-tab quote |
| Metal roofing | $4–$30 | Varies substantially by system, including standing seam, exposed-fastener panels, and metal shingles |
Ranges above are reported by This Old House; prices checked November 2026. They are not a direct estimate for a particular home. The source says its cost data are based on HomeAdvisor and Angi estimates unless otherwise noted.
Be careful about what a quoted square-foot figure includes. A material-only estimate cannot be compared fairly with a contractor’s installed price. Ask each bidder to itemize or clearly describe tear-off and disposal, deck inspection and repairs, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, and workmanship coverage. Differences in these items can make two apparently similar prices describe very different jobs.
Metal’s broad range is especially important: standing seam, exposed-fastener panels, and metal shingles are not equivalent in price or installation method. Ask which exact system and product the contractor has priced, and whether the listed amount includes all components needed for that system.
Does a metal roof cost less over its lifetime?
Not automatically. A metal roof’s longer expected service life may reduce how often it needs replacement, but a lifecycle comparison depends on the initial bid, product life, replacement assumptions, and the period being considered. A higher initial price alone does not establish which option costs less over decades.
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The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) gives an illustrative 60-year comparison for a 140 m² roof. Using averages from suppliers across Canada, it estimates an asphalt-shingle roof at about $75/m², or $10,500 initially, with a typical 20-year service life and an estimated $31,500 total over 60 years after two replacements. Its example for 38 mm prefinished metal standing seam is about $120/m², or $16,800 initially, with a typical 40-year service life and an estimated $33,600 total over the same period after one replacement. These are Canadian averages and a stated illustration—not a current local bid or a forecast for every roof.
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The example shows why assumptions matter: the initial cost differs, but the estimated 60-year totals are relatively close under CMHC’s specified replacement schedule. Change the product life, local labor or material prices, roof scope, or analysis period, and the comparison may change. The California Energy Commission’s building guidance likewise notes that a material with a higher purchase price can become more cost-competitive when reduced replacement needs are considered.
For your own decision, ask contractors for installed bids on specific systems, then compare the replacement assumptions over the period that matters to you. Avoid assuming that a published average life means you will get exactly that many years or that your home will necessarily need a certain number of replacements.
How long do asphalt shingles and metal roofing last?
The broad published estimates are about 15–30 years for asphalt shingles and 40–70 years for metal roofing. These are ranges, not warranties or promises. Actual service life depends on the product, exposure and weather, installation quality, and maintenance.
Use the range to frame questions, not as a substitute for product documentation. CMHC cautions that its expected-life averages reflect Canadian supplier information and recommends consulting manufacturer documentation. Ask the contractor to identify the exact product, explain the assumptions behind its expected service life, and provide the applicable written product and workmanship warranties. A warranty is not the same as a guaranteed lifespan, so read what it covers and any stated conditions.
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Which roof is easier to install and maintain?
Asphalt shingles are generally described as quicker and more familiar to install; metal work can take longer and require specialized skills, tools, and equipment. Metal installation is system-specific, so a contractor’s familiarity with the particular product matters.
This Old House says asphalt installation may sometimes take one to two days, but that is not a schedule promise for a particular project. Roof size and shape, tear-off, deck condition, weather, and the work included can affect timing. Standing-seam metal uses concealed fasteners and seaming equipment; correct fastening and sealing are important to help prevent leaks. The Consumer Reports roofing guide also emphasizes installer familiarity with the chosen material.
Metal roofs are described as typically needing less maintenance when properly installed, but climate and installation quality affect upkeep for either material. Annual inspection for debris or damage is general guidance—not a substitute for advice suited to your roof. Do not walk on a roof or attempt repairs if doing so would be unsafe; use a qualified professional for inspection or repair when access or roof conditions call for it.
Before signing, ask who will install the roof, whether that crew regularly works with the exact system, what installation details are included, and how workmanship issues are handled. For a metal system, ask how the contractor addresses fastening, seams, and sealing. For either material, make sure the proposal explains how flashing, ventilation, underlayment, and any identified deck repairs will be handled.
Can metal roofing lower energy use?
It may, but metal does not guarantee household energy savings. A roof product designed to reflect sunlight and emit absorbed heat can help lower roof-surface temperatures, which may reduce air-conditioning load in suitable conditions. The outcome depends on the specific product and home, including roof color or coating, climate, insulation, ventilation, and cooling demand.
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The California Energy Commission explains that cool roofs reduce rooftop temperature by reflecting a significant portion of sunlight and limiting stored heat through emittance. Its guide lists reflectance thresholds by roof slope for ENERGY STAR, but the guide’s California building context and criteria should not be generalized into a promise of savings for every home. Reflectance and emittance describe roof-surface performance; they do not directly establish how much a particular household’s energy bill will fall.
If energy performance is part of your decision, request product-specific reflectance and emittance information and ask whether the product is intended for cool-roof performance. Consider the roof as part of the building system rather than crediting the material alone for a projected energy result.
What else should you check before choosing?
Compare the complete roof systems and the written work scopes, not only the visible surface or a headline price. These checks can reveal whether a bid is genuinely comparable and whether the proposed roof suits the property.
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- Local requirements: Check applicable code requirements and any homeowner-association restrictions before settling on a product. The available cost and service-life ranges do not establish what is permitted for a particular property.
- Installation experience: Match the contractor’s experience to the exact asphalt or metal system proposed. For metal, ask specifically about the installation method and the crew’s familiarity with that system.
- Performance and documentation: Request product documentation for relevant weather and energy characteristics, plus written product and workmanship warranty terms. Check fire rating and warranty period for any roofing product, as the California Energy Commission guide advises.
- Maintenance and repair: Ask what inspection and upkeep the system is expected to need, and how damage or repairs are addressed. Do not assume a broad material category tells you the maintenance requirements of a specific roof.
- Ownership horizon: Consider how long you expect to own the home and what period you are using for lifecycle costs. A 60-year illustration does not answer the value question for someone planning a shorter ownership period.
How should you compare contractor bids?
Request written bids for the same project scope and exact product categories. When contractors use different assumptions, the cheapest figure may simply omit work that another proposal includes.
- Specify the proposed roof system. Name the asphalt shingle type or metal system you want priced; for metal, distinguish standing seam, exposed-fastener panels, and metal shingles.
- Ask for a complete scope. Have each contractor state whether the price includes tear-off, disposal, deck inspection and repairs, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, and warranties. Identify items that are excluded or priced as allowances.
- Compare installation plans. Ask who performs the work, whether the crew has experience with the selected system, and what installation details are important for that product. Do not treat a generic promise to install “metal” as enough information about a standing-seam system.
- Review product and warranty documents. Confirm the specific product, applicable performance information, written product terms, and workmanship coverage. Ask what conditions or exclusions apply rather than relying on a headline warranty period.
- Reconcile differences before ranking prices. Ask contractors to explain any variation in tear-off, repairs, materials, or installation details, then compare the revised, like-for-like totals.
A local roof assessment is necessary to turn broad published ranges into a project estimate. The supplied figures cannot determine the price for an individual property without its location and a review of the roof.
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How do the pros and cons stack up?
| Consideration | Asphalt shingles | Metal roofing |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | Generally lower; reported broad range is $1–$4 per sq. ft. | Generally higher; reported broad range is $4–$30 per sq. ft., with substantial system variation |
| Expected service life | About 15–30 years in the broad published estimate | About 40–70 years in the broad published estimate |
| Installation | Generally quicker and more familiar; actual timing varies by project | Can take longer and may require specialized labor, tools, or equipment |
| Maintenance | Depends on product, climate, installation, and upkeep | Properly installed roofs are described as typically requiring less maintenance; conditions still matter |
| Energy performance | Depends on product and roof/building conditions | May support cool-roof performance when the product is designed for it; savings are not assured |
| Decision risk | Do not treat a low material price as the complete installed cost | Do not assume every metal system has the same price, installation needs, or energy benefit |
Cost figures in this comparison are broad estimates reported by This Old House in 2026 and checked November 2026. Service-life and installation descriptions are likewise broad source estimates, not project-specific guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a metal roof noisy when it rains?
The sources used for this comparison do not establish a noise level for either roof type or a particular home. Ask a contractor to explain how the proposed roof assembly is installed over the existing structure and what product-specific documentation or local references they can provide.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Can you install metal roofing over an existing asphalt roof?
The available guidance here does not establish whether an overlay is permitted or suitable for a specific property. Existing roof layers, deck condition, local code, and product instructions need to be reviewed before deciding whether removal is necessary.
Does a roof warranty guarantee the full expected lifespan?
No. The published lifespan ranges are estimates, while product and workmanship warranties have their own written terms, conditions, and exclusions. Review those documents rather than treating the expected service-life range or a warranty period as a promise that the roof will last exactly that long.
Can I use the CMHC lifecycle example to price a U.S. roof?
Not as a local estimate. CMHC’s example uses supplier averages from Canada, a specified 140 m² roof, and a 60-year comparison period; local bids and different project assumptions can produce different costs.
