Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: The Decision Most Homeowners Are Actually Getting Wrong

FROM THE ROOF

Lessons from years of installing, repairing, and building metal roofing systems.

Every roof has a story.

Some stories are about craftsmanship that lasts for decades. Others are about expensive mistakes that could have been avoided. After years of installing roofs across Montana, I've learned that the biggest decisions homeowners make aren't always the ones they think they're making.

From the Roof is a collection of lessons drawn from real projects, real repairs, and real conversations with homeowners—not marketing brochures or manufacturer talking points. Just the lessons that come from years of working on roofs.

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People ask me all the time whether a metal roof is worth the extra money.

That's a fair question.

But it's usually not the first question I'd answer.

I'd probably ask a different one.

Who's going to install it?

Most people I talk to spend a lot of time comparing roofing materials. They compare prices, warranties, colors, and how long one roof is supposed to last.

Those things matter.

I'd spend just as much time comparing the people who'll be installing it.

I've seen expensive roofs fail—not because somebody bought bad metal, but because somebody installed good metal badly.

The best roofing material in the world isn't going to perform the way it should if it isn't installed correctly.

Products don't fail nearly as often as installations do.

If you're planning to be in your house for a long time, I'd take a hard look at metal.

But before you decide what roof to buy, you need to know what you're paying for.

Why I Ask About the Installer First

There was a job years ago that I've never forgotten.

At the time, I owned a roofing company and bid on a metal roof. The homeowner decided to go with someone else.

That happens. You don't win every job.

A few years later, my phone rang. It was the same homeowner. The roof was leaking.

When I got there, it wasn't the metal that had failed. The panels had been lapped backwards during installation, and water was getting where it was never supposed to go.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a simple repair. The roof had to come apart so it could be installed correctly.

I've thought about that job a lot over the years. Not because I wish I'd gotten it. Because it reminded me of something that's become more and more obvious the longer I've done this.

Products usually aren't the problem.

Installation is.

That job probably changed the way I talk to people.

Years ago, I probably would've spent more time explaining the differences between one roofing system and another. Now, I spend more time talking about the installer.

I've seen what happens when good products aren't installed the way they were designed to be. I've also seen roofs that looked great the day they were finished, only to have problems show up years later.

That's why, when somebody asks me whether they should choose asphalt or metal, I usually slow the conversation down.

Before we talk about products...

I want to talk about who's putting that roof on your house.

So... Is Metal Worth the Extra Money?

Most of the time I'd say yes.

Especially if you're planning to stay in your house for a long time. A properly installed metal roof can last for decades. That's one of the reasons I've become such a believer in it.

I actually started my career installing both shingles and metal. Over time, I found myself doing more and more metal roofing—not because shingles don't work, but because after seeing both over the years, I became convinced that a properly installed metal roof is the better long-term product.

I've watched properly installed metal roofs perform year after year. That's what changed my mind.

I've also seen what happens when they're not installed correctly.

Metal simply demands more from the installer. Shingles have a lower barrier to entry. Metal isn't necessarily harder, but it does require more attention to detail and better finishing skills.

That's part of what you're paying for.

If you're putting a premium roofing system on your house, you need somebody who knows how to install a premium roofing system. Otherwise, you're paying for something you're never really going to get.

Take standing seam, for example. I think it's one of the best roofing systems available.

But...

I'd hate to see somebody spend the money on standing seam and never get the benefit of it because it wasn't installed right.

Standing seam is a great roof.

Well...

It can be.

If it's installed correctly.

I'd rather see somebody install a simpler roofing system really well than spend more money on a premium system that's installed poorly.

That's not because I don't believe in standing seam.

I do.

I'm trying to protect the investment. And sometimes that means paying for a better installer.

Because that's the person who makes sure you actually get the value you paid for.

One of the things people don't always think about is that replacing a roof isn't just paying for materials. You're paying somebody to tear your old roof off. You're living through the disruption. Labor isn't getting cheaper.

If I can do it once and know it's going to last for decades...

That's usually the direction I'm going to lean.

And a good installer helps you get everything you paid for—the first time.

 

Now, That Doesn't Mean Shingles Are a Bad Roof.

I've put on a lot of shingle roofs over the years.

They have their place. There are situations where I'd recommend them.

If somebody told me they were planning to move in a few years, my answer might be different.

If the budget just doesn't allow for metal, I'm not going to tell somebody they have to buy the most expensive roof available.

I've always thought about it like tools.

If you're hanging a couple pictures every year, a basic cordless drill will probably do everything you need. If you're using it every day for work, you'll probably buy a DeWalt.

Both drills work.

One is simply built for a different purpose. Roofing can be the same way.

Or think about countertops.

Formica has been around for years. It works.

Granite costs more. People choose it because they want something that lasts longer, performs differently, and changes the overall quality of the home.

Standing seam and asphalt aren't exactly the same comparison...but the idea is similar.

Sometimes you're not buying something because the less expensive option doesn't work. You're buying something because it better fits your long-term goals.

That's why I don't start by asking what roof somebody wants. I'd rather understand what they want that roof to do for them.

If you know you're going to be in your house for the next twenty or thirty years, I'm probably going to lean toward metal.

If this is a shorter-term house, or the budget points us another direction, then shingles may make perfect sense.

There isn't one right answer for every house.

There is a right answer for your house.

The best roof isn't always the most expensive one.

It's the one that's the best fit for your situation...and it’s installed the right way.

Before You Decide.

If you remember one thing from this article, I'd hope it's this:

I don't want you spending good money and getting poor workmanship. Whether you choose asphalt shingles or a metal roof, the people installing it matter.

A lot.

You should ask for references.

You should ask how long they've been installing the roofing system you're considering.

You should ask to see projects they've completed.

And don't be afraid to ask questions. You're making a decision you'll hopefully live with for decades. If somebody gets uncomfortable because you're asking questions...I'd keep looking. Good contractors don't mind explaining how they do things. They're usually proud of their work.

One more thing.

Don't hire somebody just because they can start tomorrow.

If it were my house, I'd rather pay for the right installer than rush into the wrong one.

A properly installed roof gives you something every homeowner wants.

A roof you can stop thinking about.

You don't have to worry about it.

That's what you want.

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If you'd like to learn more about the topics discussed in this article, these resources are a good place to start.

Key Takeaways

·       The biggest mistake homeowners make isn't choosing asphalt or metal—it's choosing the wrong installer.

·       A properly installed roof will almost always outperform a premium roofing system installed poorly.

·       If you're planning to stay in your home for the long term, metal roofing is usually the better investment.

·       Don't spend premium money on standing seam unless you're confident it's being installed by someone who understands the system.

·       Before comparing roofing materials, spend just as much time comparing the contractors who'll be installing them.

Related Resources

·       Standing Seam vs. Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

·       What Gauge Metal Roofing Should I Use?

·       Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

·       Metal Roofing Maintenance Guide