Metal shingles are worth it for some homes, mainly when you plan to stay for decades and want a roof that outlasts asphalt. They cost more up front, and a bad install wipes out the advantage. If you might sell within ten years, asphalt usually makes more sense.
The short version
- Metal shingles are stamped metal panels made to look like shingles, slate or shake.
- They typically cost more than asphalt, and sources put their life at 40 to 50 years or longer.
- Hail dents are usually cosmetic, but cracked paint can lead to rust.
- Whether the roof is worth it depends on how long you stay and who puts it on.
What are metal shingles?
Metal shingles are small metal panels, usually steel or aluminum, stamped and coated so a roof looks like asphalt shingles, slate or wood shake. This Old House says metal shingles mimic the look of traditional roofing materials (opens in a new tab) while giving you metal’s durability.
They are not the same thing as the long ribbed panels of a standing seam roof. Those run from the ridge to the eave in single strips. Metal shingles go on in many small pieces, much like asphalt, so the roof looks like its neighbors.
How much do metal shingles cost compared with asphalt?
Metal shingles cost more than asphalt, and the national range is wide. This Old House puts metal shingles at $7 to $22 per square foot (opens in a new tab), depending on the product and the job.
Around Ellicott City, a full architectural asphalt roof typically runs $6.00 to $9.00 per square foot installed. For the other end of the metal range, standing seam metal typically runs two to two and a half times asphalt. The table puts them side by side.
| Roof type | Typical installed cost per square foot | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt | $6.00 to $9.00 around Ellicott City | 18 to 25 years in Maryland |
| Metal shingles | $7 to $22 nationally (opens in a new tab) | 40 to 50 years or longer (opens in a new tab) |
| Standing seam metal | 2 to 2.5 times asphalt | 40 to 70 years (opens in a new tab) for metal roofs generally |
The national figure is a guide, not a quote. A real number for your house needs a measured roof, which is part of a free roof inspection. For a closer look at the price gap, see is it cheaper to roof with shingles or metal.
How long do metal shingles last?
Metal shingles can last 40 to 50 years or even longer (opens in a new tab), according to Consumer Reports. Asphalt shingles in Maryland realistically last 18 to 25 years, so one metal roof can cover two asphalt ones.
Keep in mind that a long warranty is not a long life. This Old House notes metal roofs often carry 30 to 50 year warranties (opens in a new tab), and a warranty covers defects in the product. It says nothing about a crew that nailed in the wrong spot.
Are metal shingles louder, and do they dent?
Metal shingles are not much louder than asphalt on a solid roof deck, but the sources do not agree. This Old House says metal roofs are not noticeably louder (opens in a new tab), while Consumer Reports warns a metal roof can be noisy in a rainstorm (opens in a new tab). Our own read: rain is a little louder on some types, and solid roof boards with underlayment under the metal make a big difference.
Dents are the other worry. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety says small hail dents typically will not affect how the panels perform (opens in a new tab) as long as the paint is not cracked. If the paint cracks or flakes, rust can start, and that is when a dent becomes a repair.
Do metal shingles lower your cooling bill?
A little, and less in Maryland than the brochure suggests. The Department of Energy says a cool roof can cut the air conditioning use of a single-story building by up to 15% (opens in a new tab), but that figure is for warm or hot climates, and it assumes a light or special cool color.
A dark metal shingle will not behave like a white one. Treat savings as a small bonus, not the reason to spend more.
Why the crew matters more than the metal
Almost every metal roof problem we see starts with how the roof went on, not what it is made of. Water gets in at flashing, valleys, chimneys and walls, and those are labor details. A caulked joint is a scheduled leak, because sealant tends to last 5 to 10 years on a roof that is meant to last 40.
Fasteners matter too. Metal panels move as they heat and cool, so screws and clips have to allow for it. The IBHS guidance says fasteners must be installed securely in the locations called out (opens in a new tab) and fully go through the parts they hold. If you are weighing a bid, ask how the flashing will be done before you ask about the panel brand.
When do metal shingles make sense?
Metal shingles make the most sense when you want the look of asphalt, slate or shake and plan to stay long enough to use the extra life. They also suit tree-covered lots, where leaves and moss are hard on asphalt, and neighborhoods where a ribbed standing seam roof would not fit the look.
Check the rules first. In covenant-controlled neighborhoods like Turf Valley, Font Hill and the Columbia villages, review can add 30 to 45 days. In Old Ellicott City, the Historic Preservation Commission can add months and limit which materials you may use.
They make less sense if you may move within ten years, or if your roof is mostly a simple gable with a tight budget. Our metal roofing installation page covers what we look at, and we will tell you honestly if metal does not suit your roof. For the safety side, read how safe are metal roofs.
Common questions
Can metal shingles go over old asphalt?
Sometimes. This Old House says metal roofs can be installed in one to two days, in some cases over an existing layer (opens in a new tab). We lean toward a tear-off, because a second layer hides the decking and flashing, which is where leaks start.
Do metal shingles rust?
Not while the coating is whole. Rust starts where paint cracks or flakes, which is why the IBHS tells owners to look at cracked or flaked paint (opens in a new tab) after a hailstorm. A yearly look from the ground, and a closer one after a bad storm, catches it early.
Are metal shingles better than standing seam?
Neither wins on every roof. Metal shingles blend in with a traditional house, while standing seam usually has fewer joints to leak. Which one fits depends on the pitch, the roof shape and what your neighborhood allows.
What to do next
If you are deciding between asphalt and metal, start with the free inspection. We measure the roof, check the deck and the flashing, and give you a written report with no obligation to book the work. Call us any time, day or night, and we will set it up.
