Metal Roof vs. Shingles: Cost, Lifespan & Pros and Cons (2026)

By the Orlando Roof Inspection team · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read

Asphalt shingles cost less up front — roughly $4 to $8.50 per square foot installed — and last about 15 to 30 years. A metal roof costs more, commonly $9 to $16 per square foot for standing seam, but lasts 40 to 70 years. The right choice comes down to one question: how long do you plan to keep the house? Here's the honest, head-to-head comparison.

1. Side-by-side comparison

Figures are national ranges; actual quotes vary by roof size, pitch, complexity, tear-off, and region. Sources: This Old House; HomeGuide; NerdWallet.

2. Cost

Up front, shingles win clearly. Standard and architectural asphalt run about $4 to $8.50 per square foot installed, while standing-seam metal usually runs $9 to $16 — roughly 1.6 to 2 times the price of architectural shingles. Metal shingle panels that mimic the look of asphalt fall in between.

The gap narrows over the life of the roof. Because metal lasts two to three times as long, you may buy two or three asphalt roofs in the time one metal roof lasts. Metal's long-term case is real, but it only pays off if you stay in the home long enough to collect it. Sources: This Old House; HomeGuide.

3. Lifespan & durability

This is metal's strongest advantage. A quality metal roof lasts 40 to 70 years; asphalt shingles last 15 to 30, and less in harsh climates. Metal also sheds snow and rain, resists fire, and won't grow moss the way asphalt can.

The trade-offs: large hail can dent some metal panels (a cosmetic issue, not usually a leak), and metal can be louder in heavy rain if it isn't installed over solid decking with proper underlayment. Asphalt is quieter and cheaper to repair, but wears out faster and is more vulnerable to wind uplift. Sources: This Old House; InterNACHI lifespan data.

4. Energy savings

A reflective ("cool roof") metal finish bounces sunlight instead of absorbing it, which can lower cooling costs by roughly 10 to 25%. The benefit is largest in hot, sunny climates and in homes with weak attic insulation; it's smaller in mild climates or well-insulated homes. Asphalt can also be bought in reflective shades, just with less effect. If you're in Central Florida, read how Florida heat and sun age roofs for the local context. Source: regional cool-roof cooling-cost studies.

5. Insurance & storms

A metal or impact-rated roof can earn a homeowners insurance discount, but it is not automatic. Carriers typically reward a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, and not every metal product is Class 4. Some insurers also attach cosmetic-damage exclusions to metal roofs, meaning dents that don't cause leaks aren't covered. The reported discounts range widely (often cited around 5–35%) and depend entirely on the product and the carrier.

The takeaway: get any promised credit in writing from your insurer before you choose a material based on it. In Florida, a separate wind mitigation inspection is what actually documents the storm-resistant features that earn credits, regardless of material. Sources: industry insurance guidance; UL 2218 impact standard.

6. Resale value

Here the evidence is genuinely mixed, so be skeptical of any source that promises a premium. Contractor blogs often claim metal recoups more at sale. But the respected Remodeling "Cost vs. Value" report has repeatedly shown the opposite: an asphalt shingle roof replacement recoups a higher share of its cost (around 60%+) than a standing-seam metal roof (closer to 50%), largely because metal costs so much more to install.

In plain terms: both roofs add value, but don't assume metal returns more of its higher price at resale. Choose metal for how long you'll own the home, not for a resale bonus you may not get. Source: Remodeling Cost vs. Value report.

7. Pros and cons

8. Which should you choose?

• Choose shingles if you have a tighter budget, or you may sell within about 10 to 15 years. You'll pay far less now, and the next owner likely won't pay a premium for metal anyway.
• Choose metal if you plan to stay long-term, or you live in a hail, high-wind, coastal, or fire-prone area where its durability and performance pay off over decades.

Whichever way you lean, start with an honest look at your current roof. Our licensed Orlando inspectors can tell you whether you need a simple repair, a full re-roof, or whether an upgrade makes sense — before a salesperson does.

Sources

• This Old House — Shingles vs. Metal Roof Cost
• HomeGuide — Metal Roof vs. Shingles Cost Comparison
• NerdWallet — Metal Roof vs. Shingles
• Remodeling — Cost vs. Value report (roof replacement)