Metal roof vs shingles: cost, lifespan, hail, and insurance

Metal roof vs shingles at a glance

This table sums up how the two compare on a typical home. Prices are national figures from 2026 and include materials and labor. Your local price can be higher or lower.

The sections below explain each row, and where sources disagree, the table shows the full range.

Sources: ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][16]}

Metal roof vs shingles cost and price difference

Asphalt shingles are the low-cost choice. Fixr's 2026 national average for an asphalt roof is $12,000, with most jobs between $8,000 and $16,000 ^[1]. Basic 3-tab shingles run $3 to $5 per square foot installed, and architectural shingles run $4 to $8 ^[1].

Metal costs more. Fixr puts the average steel roof at $26,500 for 2,400 sq ft of roof, with a range of $14,400 to $38,400 ^[2]. Metal shingles run $6 to $22 per square foot, and standing seam panels run $7 to $30 ^[2]. Copper costs the most, at $15 to $30 per square foot ^[2].

How big is the price difference? Fixr's metal guide puts the average at about $11 per square foot for metal and about $4 for asphalt ^[2]. Its asphalt guide puts asphalt a bit higher, at about $4.75 ^[1]. Using those averages, our math for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to roughly $12,500 to $14,000 more for metal. Fixr and a trade group, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), both say to expect metal to cost about two to three times what asphalt costs ^[2][3].

Your roof's size, steepness, and shape change both prices. The only way to know your real gap is to get quotes for both materials on the same roof.

Lifespan and long-term cost

Shingles wear out sooner. Fixr gives 15 to 20 years for 3-tab shingles and 25 to 30 years for architectural shingles ^[1]. A home inspector group, InterNACHI, lists 20 and 30 years ^[4]. The MRA puts the average asphalt roof lower, at 12 to 20 years ^[3]. Hot climates shorten shingle life ^[4].

Metal lasts much longer. Estimates run from 30 to 50+ years (MRA) to 40 to 80 years (InterNACHI) and 50 to 70 years (Fixr) ^[2][3][4]. Steel sits at the lower end. Copper and zinc can last far longer ^[2].

So the math depends on how long you plan to stay. If you might sell in 10 years, you won't see much of metal's extra life. If this is your long-term home, one metal roof may outlast two shingle roofs, which can make it the cheaper choice over time.

Hail and wind

Roofing is tested for hail with UL 2218. A steel ball is dropped on the roofing. Class 1 uses a 1.25 inch ball and Class 4, the top rating, uses a 2 inch ball ^[6]. Many metal roofs carry the Class 4 rating, and impact-rated (Class 4) shingles are also sold ^[7][8].

The rating does not mean the roof can't be damaged. In lab tests by IBHS, an insurance-funded research group, published in 2014 on shingles bought in 2013, no shingle passed every impact location above Class 2, including shingles rated Class 4 ^[6]. Impact-rated shingles still did much better than standard ones ^[6]. Shingles have changed since then, so treat these results as a rough guide. In an IBHS hail test reported in 2013, standing seam metal got dents but no punctures, while most damage to 3-tab shingles was cracking ^[9].

Dents matter for insurance. Some policies have a cosmetic damage exclusion, which means the insurer won't pay for dents that don't cause leaks ^[10]. Ask about this before you buy a metal roof in hail country.

For wind, the MRA says metal is rated for gusts up to 140 mph, but it does not name the test behind that number ^[3]. Fixr says metal handles high winds well ^[2]. Shingle makers now offer strong wind warranties too. Owens Corning says its Duration shingles have wind coverage up to 160 mph, and GAF says its Timberline HDZ shingles can get a wind warranty with no top wind speed ^[11][12]. Both require the maker's starter strips or other parts. A warranty is not the same as a lab rating, so check the warranty for the exact product your roofer quotes.

Metal roof vs shingles insurance

A metal roof may lower your home insurance bill, but not always. According to the MRA, a metal trade group, a quality metal roof may cut premiums by 5% to 35%, depending on where you live and your insurer. The MRA also notes that not every insurer offers a discount ^[7]. We could not find a regulator or insurer that publishes a typical percentage.

The rating is what counts, not the material. In Texas, the state insurance department says each insurer sets its own discount for impact-resistant roofs, and a Class 4 roof gets the biggest credit ^[13]. That means Class 4 shingles can earn a discount too.

Before you choose, call your agent and ask three things. Is there a discount for a Class 4 roof, and how much? What proof do they need, such as the product label or a certificate from the installer? Does your policy have a cosmetic damage exclusion for hail ^[10][13]?

Also check whether your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value on the roof. Actual cash value takes off for age, so an older roof can get paid less after a storm ^[14].

Noise and energy use

Is a metal roof loud in the rain? Sources disagree a little. The MRA says there is little difference between metal and other roofing ^[3]. This Old House says metal is only around 8 decibels louder than asphalt ^[5]. This Old House and Fixr both say the solid deck and insulation under a home's metal roof help keep the sound down ^[2][5].

For energy, color matters more than material. The U.S. Department of Energy says a cool color roof, which reflects more sunlight, can cut at least 5% to 20% from cooling costs, with the biggest savings in hot and warm climates ^[15]. Cool versions exist for both metal and asphalt shingles, and cool asphalt shingles cost about the same as regular ones ^[15].

MRA claims savings of 10% to 40% for metal ^[3]. That figure comes from a trade group, and it is higher than the government estimate. In winter, a reflective roof can raise heating needs, though DOE says that even in mixed climates the winter cost can be smaller than the summer savings ^[15].

Which one fits your home

Shingles make sense if you want the lowest price now, plan to sell within 10 to 15 years, or need to match the homes around you. Asphalt also recoups more at resale: the 2025 Cost vs. Value report from the Journal of Light Construction puts it at about 68% of the cost for asphalt and about 50% for metal ^[16].

Metal makes sense if you plan to stay a long time, live where wind or hail hits often, or want a roof you may never replace again. Ask about a Class 4 rating and your insurer's discount and dent rules before you sign.

Prices for both vary a lot by area and roofer. Ask each roofer to quote metal and shingles side by side for your roof, with tear-off, underlayment, and warranty spelled out. Matched Pros can connect you with up to 3 local roofers for free quotes, so you can compare the real numbers for your home.

Questions

How much more does a metal roof cost than shingles?

About two to three times as much ^[2][3]. Fixr's averages are about $11 per square foot for metal and $4 to $4.75 for asphalt ^[1][2]. On 2,000 sq ft of roof, our math puts the gap at roughly $12,500 to $14,000. Your quotes may differ.

Does a metal roof lower home insurance?

It can. A metal trade group cites discounts of 5% to 35%, but each insurer sets its own amount and some offer none ^[7][13]. Discounts are tied to impact ratings like UL 2218 Class 4, so Class 4 shingles may qualify too ^[8][13].

Is a metal roof better for hail?

Metal resists hail better than standard shingles, and in IBHS testing it dented but was not punctured ^[9]. Dents can still hurt resale and may not be covered if your policy excludes cosmetic damage ^[10].

Are metal roofs loud when it rains?

Not much, when installed over a solid deck with insulation below ^[2][5]. Estimates range from little difference to around 8 decibels louder than shingles ^[3][5].

How long does a metal roof last compared to shingles?

Metal lasts about 30 to 80 years, depending on the metal and the source ^[2][3][4]. Asphalt shingles last about 15 to 30 years, with architectural shingles at the longer end ^[1][4]. The MRA, a metal trade group, puts asphalt lower, at 12 to 20 years ^[3].

Can you put a metal roof over shingles?

Sometimes. Fixr says it is possible but usually best to tear off the old roof first ^[2], and the MRA says metal can often go over an existing roof ^[3]. Ask your roofer and your local building department, since rules vary by area.

Related guides

• How much does a metal roof cost in 2026?
• Hail damage on a roof: what it looks like and what to do

Sources

1. [1] Fixr, How Much Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost in 2026? (2026-01-21)
2. [2] Fixr, How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost? (2026 Price Guide) (2026-01-23)
3. [3] Metal Roofing Alliance, MRA FAQs (2025)
4. [4] International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes (undated)
5. [5] This Old House (cost data from Angi and HomeAdvisor), Metal vs. Asphalt Roofing: What's the Difference? (2026 Guide) (2026-03-30)
6. [6] Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Relative Impact Resistance of Asphalt Shingles: Summary of UL 2218 Impact Tests (2014-08)
7. [7] Metal Roofing Alliance, Insurance (undated)
8. [8] GAF, Class 4 Roof Shingles (undated)
9. [9] Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa), Surviving Hail (reporting IBHS hail tests on 3-tab, impact-resistant, and standing seam metal roofing) (2013-05-29)
10. [10] Insurance.com, What is a wind and hail cosmetic damage exclusion? (2026-06-09)
11. [11] GAF, Timberline HDZ Shingles spec sheet (RESGN467HDZ-0526): WindProven Limited Wind Warranty with no maximum wind speed when installed with required GAF accessories (2026-05)
12. [12] Owens Corning, Duration Series Shingles with SureNail Technology (wind warranty up to 160 mph with Owens Corning component requirements, effective August 1, 2026) (2026-08)
13. [13] Texas Department of Insurance, Roofing discounts (2023-02-24)
14. [14] National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Rebuilding After a Storm: Know the Difference Between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value When It Comes to Your Roof (2021-07-22)
15. [15] U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver, Consumer Guide to Cool Roofs (DOE/EE-2478) (2021-08)
16. [16] Journal of Light Construction (JLC), 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, national averages (Roofing Replacement, Asphalt Shingles: 67.5% recouped; Roofing Replacement, Metal: 50.1% recouped) (2025)

How we research and check our guides: editorial policy.